Boards for Land-Kiting
There are many (at least 6) different kinds of boards available, that are (at least by the manufacturer:) said to be usable for offroad land-kiting. By offroad land-kiting I mean: use a traction kite to pull you and the board over grass or dirt - similar to kite-surfing on water.
I want to show the advantages an disadvantages of theses boards when used for offroad land-kiting. I believe the following: You don't need a brake when kiting on turf. If you use a brake, it cannot be hand-activated, because you need both hands to control the kite. You can reach quite high speed while kiting, especially if a gust pulls you away. I don't like switch-stance rides at high speed. And I believe, that jumps are 60% of the fun of land-kiting.
The following is my personal opinion/experience.
KiteScooter
The KiteScooter is a directional board with 2 wheels. Length about 115cm, 26cm wheels, symmetric foot-straps.
Homepage: www.kitescooting.com Details
advantages
- slim but sturdy steering mechanism
- wide speed range
- flex board (glass fibre)
- foot activated brake (optional)
disadvantages
- directional - cannot go backwards
- wide turning radius
- small wheels
- friction brake
X-Board
The X-Board is two-wheel directional board. 38cm wheels, snowboard-bindings.
Homepage: www.hitec-bikes.com/
advantages
- sturdy frame
- wide speed range
- disk brake
- big ballon wheels (no need for suspension!?)
disadvantages
- directional - cannot go backwards
- no possibility to change between regular and goofy while riding
- disk brake is hand-activated
Dirtsurfer
The Dirtsurfer is a directional board with two wheels. 56cm wheels, optional footstraps, bicycle brake.
Homepage: www.dirtsurfer.com
advantages
- sturdy frame
- wide speed range
- foot-activated or hand-activated brake
- big wheels
disadvantages
- directional - cannot go backwards
- wide turning radius
- no suspension
Grassboard
The Grassboard ('Freerider') is a 2-wheel directional board. Length:145cm, wieght: 8kg. Front wheel 41cm, rear wheel(s) 31cm. Optional footstraps or snowboard bindings. Disk brake option in conjunction with a bicyle-like handle.
Details Homepage: www.grassboard.com
advantages
- flex board made of glass fibre
- wide speed range
- big wheels
- narrow turning radius (can be kicked like a skateboard in order to turn on the rear wheel)
disadvantages
- directional - cannot go backwards
- high centroid
- no brake (?)
- no possibility to change between regular and goofy while riding, because one foot in front of the rear wheel and the other foot behind
Mountainboard
The mountainboard is a 4-wheel bidirectional board. 'Multiflex' bindung (similar to foot-straps). Flex deck.
Homepage: www.mountainboard.com
advantages
- flex board made of glass fibre
- narrow turning radius
- can go in both directions - no need for jibes
- low centroid
disadvantages
- narrow speed range (speed wobbles)
- small wheels
- no brake option
Outback-Mountainboard 'Triple Trax'
The mountainboard is a 3-wheel board - 2 front wheels, one rear wheel. In theory, it should also go backwards. Sturdy frame and a wooden board above. wheels of 31cm. Optional footstraps, friction brake. (I know, they sell 4-wheel boards 'Quattro Series', too)
Homepage: www.outbackmountainboards.com
advantages
- narrow turning radius
- moves easily on grass
- friction brake
disadvantages
- narrow speed range (speed wobbles)
- high centroid
Please send an email, if this list is not complete or contains wrong information.
Written by: Mad Marc, fall 2001.