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Liquid Force Boards

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Kurt
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Liquid Force Boards

Postby Kurt » Wed Nov 03, 2004 8:24 pm

Hi, I've managed to get a few hours on the following boards and here are
my first impressions. I'm a strong intermediate kiter, weigh around 90kg and all tests were using the new 12m Spectrum 05 kite. I have been riding 130drop,132flx and 142flx for the last few months.
All boards were fitted with basic contour pads and adjustable straps - not the new stuff from Liquid Force which hopefully I'll try this weekend.

ELEMENT 128
My favourite so far. I have been losing some height in jumps of late due to
board speed and now I have got it back! It came with 1.5fins but I fitted the 2.0 fins as I prefer bigger fin feel. I(i have been using 50mm for ages)
Yes you need to be powered but as a small board option it's perfect for me.
I found it awesome in flat water and very good in waves.
Felt very light underfoot.

ELEMENT 134
As you guessed, similar fell to the 128 but gets going a bit earlier and not as high top end - but very close. Would be a good all round one board quiver for me. Comes standard with 2.0 fins.

DROP LTD 132
A great transition from the 130 last year. As it is meant to do, cutbacks and wave riding were so smooth and soft. Slower board speed to the elements but giving much better wave riding control and a softer ride. Comes with 1.5 fins but I fitted the 2.0 size for testing. The yellow wasn't my favourite colour but I lost the board in some waves and it really was easy to see sothat was a bonus! Significantly lighter than last years drop 130 and 136. Gets going a bit quicker than the 130 (2cm wider/longer).

WLF 140
Well, I took one look at this board in the factory and though 'shit, that's gonna be a handful if the wind picksup when your on it!'. Well I was wrong.
I think the single concave really helped hold an edge and also the standard 2.0 fins. I was riding in some 13-14 lulls on the 12m and was still having a good time, but the test will be on those light wind days with a bigger kite - when this board is meant to be used for joe average.
There were also some gusts to 18 and I held it comfortably.
There a a couple of big guys here and I can't wait for them to try it and give me their opinion as an allround board. Would also like to try the 130 version to compare aswell.
Didn't try this one in the surf as it was too windy on the day (17-22 roughly)



Looking forward to try the other sizes and models.
I think LF have come a long way ahead this year and so far have been very impressed with these boards.

I can send some pics of any angle if some gives me an email address as I can't post pics on here directly.

scoot
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Postby scoot » Sun Nov 07, 2004 11:01 pm

So is the 128 a really fast board through the water, as most wide boards tend to get slow. Whats it like going upwind

enriqo
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Postby enriqo » Mon Nov 08, 2004 2:33 pm

He Kurt,

Thanks for the review :thumb:
Can you tell anything about the weight of the boards?
The last year Drops,MLF,Truths where a bit on the heavy side. Are this year Element and Ltd's lighter?

And what about the new Spectrum II? How do you like it?

Please put some pics on the forum.

E

Kurt
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Posts: 770
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:00 am
Gear: 08' 10m HP
09' 12m HP
'07 17m Waroo Pro
'10 17m Ozone Zephyr
135x42 Custom board
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Postby Kurt » Tue Nov 09, 2004 5:00 am

I found the 128 a moderately fast board and really lights up in flatter water.
The boards are all considerably lighter this year with 128 being the ligtest imo (asides from the new mlf) I don't have super accurate scales but blank they are just over 2kg. I have sent some pics of the kite and it has already been posted here somewher via another user.
I can take any number of pics of the boards and email them if you like just let me know.
I don't have a website to link pics here directly.

Guest
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Postby Guest » Tue Nov 09, 2004 5:46 pm

Hi Kurt,

How do they compare to your FLX's? Which do you perfer?

Just curious,
-H :thumb:

heffe
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Postby heffe » Tue Nov 09, 2004 5:48 pm

Anonymous wrote:Hi Kurt,

How do they compare to your FLX's? Which do you perfer?

Just curious,
-H :thumb:
Sorry, forgot to log in.
-H :thumb:

Kurt
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 770
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:00 am
Gear: 08' 10m HP
09' 12m HP
'07 17m Waroo Pro
'10 17m Ozone Zephyr
135x42 Custom board
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Has thanked: 0
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Postby Kurt » Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:01 pm

The elements definately hold an edge longer than the 132 flx.
They are not quite as light by a small amount.

The drop 132ltd is a softer ride and a bit slower than the 132flx
and is a bit friendly in big carving turns.

The WLF is a softer ride and much easier to edge than the 142 flx. I haven't compared the bottom end in steady light wind yet. I'm pretty excited about this board as it's like nothing I have ever tried and I'm finding it 'fun'. Can't wait to try the 130 version.

Overall the Flx are a bit lighter but imo so far have a less friendly 'range'.

This is just an idea but with the underground fins they have a fair flat section at the highest point while the LF ones are more rounded. I think this comes thru with riding as the flx locked in and when getting overpowerd, the point at which it started was more dramatic.
I'd say the LF fins allowed for a more gradual change from a locked in feel. Just a gut feeling so far.

It's taking me awhile to get used to contoured pads as opposed to the underground flat ones though. I will say that I got pretty sore arches in my feet after a couple of hours riding with the flat pads.
Didn't relly get to test the underground contoured pads that are out now
but they looked nice.

I have got a set of the new LF footpads and straps so I hope to try them today.

bindo
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Postby bindo » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:46 am

Kurt,
have you tried the FLX 122
how does the Element 128 compare to in in terms of top end?

Kurt
Very Frequent Poster
Posts: 770
Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:00 am
Gear: 08' 10m HP
09' 12m HP
'07 17m Waroo Pro
'10 17m Ozone Zephyr
135x42 Custom board
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Postby Kurt » Sun Nov 14, 2004 9:09 pm

Haven't had either board at the top end so I can't compare.

I did have the 128 fully lit in the surf on a 12m spectrum 2 and it was no problem at all (remember I do use 2" fins on it).

I was talking to a sponsored rider (for another major brand) and he was
raving about the elements, so I think that is a fair indication that they are good boards. He also said "but it you didn't hear it from me" !!!.
Aahhhh always protecting his free kit!

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Postby Guest » Tue Dec 28, 2004 11:03 am

kurt how much do you weigh?
Im debating on going for 128 or 134, i weigh 130 lbs.


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