Belmont vs. TFD

The Unmikie · Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 13

A question for all you experts out there. First, let me set the stage......40 yr old, 225 lb guy who has been skiing/snowboarding/water skiing for several years. Bought a 138 Neptune Abyss a few years ago.....can ride if fine, but between the limitations of that board, the fact that it is too small for me, and that I am typically behind an I/O with no ballast or tower, I haven't been able to do much with it.

I am getting ready to pick up a Wakesetter VLX, and want a board that will achieve the following:
* float a 225 lb guy
* be forgiving enough that I am able to learn some tricks now that I'll have a wake
* provide a soft landing
* provide enough quickness and pop that I won't tire of it too soon.

I know the ideal scenario is to demo the boards. Unfortunately, this will probably not be possible prior to a weeklong lake powell trip. The Belmont 141 and TFD 142 sound like they would possibly fit my needs.

Can anyone offer their thoughts on this?

Thanks.

FlipsidE · Outlaw Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 143 City: Greenville, SC

Well, let's see...

The Belmont is a slow board. It's built to be slow and predictable. It's got a big continuous rocker which allows it to ride right up the wake and take off smoothly and predictably. It's also made to land very softly too. Watching Shaun ride, I'd say that the Belmont is made for the more graceful rider. One who's more concerned with technical perfection than going HUGE.

FlipsidE

FlipsidE · Outlaw Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 143 City: Greenville, SC

The TFD is made for the more agressive boarder. I've heard it described as the in-between of of the Belmont and the Parks. It has the same fin design as the parks, except that the TFD fins aren't angled quite as widely as the Parks. It's faster and has a great pop from what I've heard. But, again, it's for one who still wants a good continuous rocker, good predictable pop and soft landings, but wants something more agressive and slightly harder to control.

FlipsidE

The Unmikie · Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 13

Going "huge" is not a primary concern for this old man. I don't see myself doing big inverted moves or making the covers of any magazines. I just want to be able to do SOMETHING while going over the wake!

On one hand, I like the suggested consistency of the Belmont, and the ability to change/remove fins to change up the board. On the other hand, I know how to lay down an edge, and wonder if I ought not go a little further and get the TFD, giving myself some room to grow.

Who knows...maybe either board will be fine, and I'm splitting hairs.

Tyson · Posted: Jul 31, 2003 7:48 am Post subject:

I beg to differ about the belmont being slow. It's pretty fast if you ask me. I rode a premier and a belont the other day, and man was the belmont fast.

To answer your question, try before you buy, and good wakeboard shop should have a "try before you buy" deal. That's how I got my dad a new board. Went and road the belmont and premier, and he likes the premeir much better.

Tyson

Pope · Addict Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 526

Sounds to me like it really wouldn't matter which board you go with.

I'd go with the TFD if I was you... EVERY board I have ever ridden, I have ALWAYS taken out the middles fin

It is not going to be "to adanced" don't worry about that. I like the idea that the fins are angled out

Although if you are going to have this as the only board on the boat that people are going to learn on I may suggest the Belmont as it will track better and not be so loose for teaching first timers.

Just to confuse you more the Premier would be a good option too

FlipsidE · Outlaw Joined: 23 Jun 2003 Posts: 143 City: Greenville, SC

Let me put it this way. Both are pro model boards. Both will take you equally far in your riding. It's just a matter of your riding style...what kind of rider would you rather be? A little more agressive, or a little more graceful and predictable.

I personally have a Belmont. Like the idea of predictability and gracefulness. I'd rather be technically perfect on smaller tricks than to go huge.

FlipsidE

The Unmikie · Newbie Joined: 21 Jul 2003 Posts: 13

Tyson - unfortunately, the shop I buy from in UT when I am out there that does demos wraps up their demo program the week before my trip. I don't think I'll have an opportunity before then to demo any boards, so I likely am left up to "best guess".

Pope - This will not be the only board on the boat; I'll keep my current 138 Neptune Abyss for learning.

The Premier has a subtle 3-stage rocker, right? Does that mean the landings will be pretty hard? It wouldn't be "too much" board, or "too skatey" for an old guy like me?

1w00d · Soul Rider Joined: 29 Apr 2003 Posts: 331 City: Wichita

The Premier lands real nice and smooth. I ride a 140 and love it, yet I'm interested in the TFD. Last year I weighed 240 and it landed nice, now I'm just 185 and the pop is better. The TFD is supposed to lock on edge quicker and charge the wake. I think you could make what felt like a less aggressive cut, stay in better balance so it would seem more comfortable once you leave the water. I'm only doing w2w both hs and ts, hs 180s and some surface tricks. I keep trying the tantrum yet I can't land it yet. I guess I need to sack up and go bigger. I'll be 35 in October. My buddy demoed the Byerly. Now that board landed hard. Sure exploded off the wake though.

jedama1210 · Posted: Jul 31, 2003 9:31 am Post subject:

i say go for the belmont for sure, a TFD is aggresive, and by what you say it sounds like youre not very aggresive with your riding, if you just go out there to have fun(which eveyone always done whether theyre going huge or not, i think you guys know what i mean by just "going out to have fun") the belmont is really versitile, you can have all 6 fins, but if you start wanting to be more agressive with your riding then you can take it out and you have yourself a more aggresive, loose feel to the board, i wish i could afford a belmont, if i could i would either get that or the byerly cause i have havign the loose feel

KG · Outlaw Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 151 City: Cali

If I was you I would go with the Belmont. It sounds like it would suit your riding. Its forgiving and an overall smooth ride

Luke31 · Posted: Jul 31, 2003 12:43 pm Post subject:

I'm riding a belmont right now.. It's really smooth.. If I could I would trade for a TFD cause I want it a little more aggresive

m3the01 · Newbie Joined: 29 Jul 2003 Posts: 43

grizzly combo deal i got the tfd 2003 and spins for 390. Good luck.

Best board ive ever owned, owe its the first board ive ever owned. I just started wakeboarding last weekend and i currently can do switch wake2wakes and both heal and toe side edges. Among all the normal grabs and 180's.

So the board isnt to bad for a beginner. Its tough to say im a beginner cause it can really naturally to me i you to ride junior pro snowboarding when i was younger and its basically liking riding in power and hitting little kickers that sent you like 5 feet in the air.

Good luck

Tyler*Moore · Guest

get the belmont,once you advance and want a faster, or more aggresive board, take out the middle fins. then you have 4 .7's thats they way I ride it, and its sooo fast. I put the middle fins back in to learn a trick, then pop the out once I get better at the trick so I can take it bigger and stuff