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Split boards - worth the money?

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apollo4000
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Split boards - worth the money?

Postby apollo4000 » Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:56 pm

It’s the time of year where kite sessions in the UK are limited and freezing, so my head turns to shopping 😀

Been considering a split board for some years. But the Nobile NHP is really expensive for a pre-broken board in bits.

What does the kitehive mind think?

Waste of money

or

Burn your old boards, this is the future

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Greenturtle
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby Greenturtle » Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:36 am

I am consistently surprised that more brands do not offer a split board. Its like they have a deal with the airlines or board rental people haha. The sport lends itself to travel soooo well except for this one hitch.
Its even more frustrating because there is absolutely no structural reason not to produce, and ride them.
Anyway, I feel your pain and agree that they are currently way overpriced, no doubt because of lack of competition (from the major brands at least).

Heres my suggestion, (what I did)-
Make your own—The easy method:

-Buy the cheapest wood core board you can find that has a flat surface on top.
-Cut it straight across, forget that wavy line thing, it just creates more drag by making a lot more seam. Ive done it both ways and theres no reason to make the line wavy. It’s plenty strong straight.
-scab the two halves back together with wood on top (you judge thickness based on the material) that runs just about up to the foot pads on either side.
-Bolt it straight through using 12 holes total. 3 holes across, close in on either side of the cut, and again out at each end by the foot pads.
-Use one of the various types of bolts with extremely low profile heads such as “elevator bolts” or “hurricane bolts”. Placing these with the flat/wide heads on the underside of the board. I promise you will not notice any drag from these that is worth the airline fee for oversize.
-seal the exposed wood on board from cutting and drilling with varnish or epoxy, and seal the whole scab piece real well too with the same.

Its a quick and easy project. Yes its heavier and stiffer than the commercial version, but it is also infinitely cheaper and works just fine. I have one that is ridden tandem and based on that you do not need to worry about whether it will hold up, its strong.

My cheapest splitboard cost $99 for a new closeout board, plus 1 afternoon of tinkering. Still use it after lots of trips with no sign of stress.

br44
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby br44 » Tue Jan 08, 2019 3:44 am

Greenturtle wrote:
Tue Jan 08, 2019 1:36 am
Its a quick and easy project. Yes its heavier and stiffer than the commercial version, but it is also infinitely cheaper and works just fine. I have one that is ridden tandem and based on that you do not need to worry about whether it will hold up, its strong.

My cheapest splitboard cost $99 for a new closeout board, plus 1 afternoon of tinkering. Still use it after lots of trips with no sign of stress.
Any pics available? Thanks

touffegong
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby touffegong » Tue Jan 08, 2019 4:24 am

I've been using a RL board for years (http://www.rlboards.com/) and it's perfect for a small trip. However it will not be as good as a normal one. Cheers

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rynhardt
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby rynhardt » Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:24 am

I've got two of 'em.
A 132 Progeni split board that I've had for at least 6 years.
A 146 wave TT split board that I built about 2 years ago.
Both work as well as my normal boards.
Definitely recommended.
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SolarSet
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby SolarSet » Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:32 am

Hey

I like my NHP split as I used only once for travel I mainly use locally as it allows me to pack my kitegear to my compact car without folding car seats.
I’m not sure how beneficial It is to have two boards one normal and one made split as you can just have one? I bought mine for £600 with old IFS straps which I sold off straightaway.
NHP split has similar weight to non split version

Biggest drawback in my split I see in size, it’s 138x43 where I should or only have 142 for my 90kg weight.

Stiffness of NHP might not suite everyone but high rocker lets damp choppy water very well

Nobile makes also traveling checking bag which is suited for their split boards.

Black_Cat
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby Black_Cat » Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:34 am

I'm also put off buy the high price of split board, plus it would be my backboard only to ride 1 or 2 times a year for a trip.

If I'm going on a family holiday and want to pack light, these days I take everything but a board.
Then I rent a board from the local shop, which is always cheap, but they normally have a few different models to choose from.

apollo4000
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby apollo4000 » Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:56 am

Black_Cat wrote:
Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:34 am
I'm also put off buy the high price of split board, plus it would be my backboard only to ride 1 or 2 times a year for a trip.

If I'm going on a family holiday and want to pack light, these days I take everything but a board.
Then I rent a board from the local shop, which is always cheap, but they normally have a few different models to choose from.
Thanks, this is kind of where I’m at. Nice alternative to spending £1000

apollo4000
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby apollo4000 » Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:58 am

Great feedback and some clever folks making their own boards.

apollo4000
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Re: Split boards - worth the money?

Postby apollo4000 » Tue Jan 08, 2019 11:00 am

SolarSet wrote:
Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:32 am

Biggest drawback in my split I see in size, it’s 138x43 where I should or only have 142 for my 90kg weight.
Thanks mate. How does the drawback affect your riding with a smaller board?


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