Balance vs Substance

mandy_17 · Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

I have been wakeboarding for quite a few years, but never very seriously. I've recently gotten really into it, though, and have been looking into getting a new board. Anyway, I've been looking at getting a Balance 135 or a Substance 134, and I haven't really been able to figure out which one is better (or if they are pretty much the same). Any input would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks so much!

bighitbiker3 · Soul Rider Joined: 21 Jun 2005 Posts: 386 City: Seattle

I would go for the substance if those are your choices.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

bighitbiker3, wow, great advice.

mandy_17, we need a little more information. To find out your riding level what tricks can you do now and what do you hope to accomplish in the next year or 2? The balance is a great all around board while the substance is a more aggressive board that suits some people's riding better. If you can go to your local shop and find out if you can demo them. The balance will have softer landings and pop you a little more horizontal than the Substance. The substance will pop you more vertically and will land harder. Also some people like the cupped side fins on the balance/trip/team and others like the longer molded fins like the Substance, HL premiere, etc.

mandy_17 · Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks so much for the info.

Hmm....confession time....I haven't learned to do any tricks yet Embarassed

. I've been trying to learn. The reason I want a nicer board is because I would like to learn a lot more and not outgrow it. I have a really cheap board right now and I would like a nicer one that I can use when (or if Wink

) I get better. I've been wakeboarding for about 4 or 5 years, and I don't have any trouble getting up or any other basic stuff (aka steering, etc), but I have yet to learn tricks.

I'd like to learn as much as I can in the next year or two. I would like to at least jump off the wake by the end of the summer. I would also like to learn flips, grabs, etc within the next few years...and I don't really want to have to worry about outgrowing my board.

I know I'm probably setting my goals a little high and perhaps getting too advanced of a wakeboard for my level, but, as I said before, I really don't want to have to invest in nicer wakeboard in a few years (and I also have pretty much no idea what I'm talking about when it comes to this subject).

Even though I'm sure it will be difficult to reply after everybody laughs themselves to tears at my wakeboarding terminology and ineptness Wink

, I'd appreciate any more input I can get

Thanks again!

Mandy

Oh yeah, and if you have any better wakeboard suggestions, then feel free to let me know.

Blindside_137 · Posted: Jul 11, 2005 7:07 am Post subject:

well, i think that the balance is made for a smooth ride and the substance is focused on pop off the wake

fergie23 · Posted: Jul 11, 2005 7:43 am Post subject:

I have the Substance 134 and love the board...great control and some good pop.

TomOgorman · Criminal Joined: 09 Jul 2005 Posts: 92 City: England

Me and my brother are fairly new to rinding but he has just bort the balance and its working great for him he his jumping the wake comfortably now and he was at pretty much your level.

Hope that helps

HyperRash · Posted: Jul 11, 2005 1:11 pm Post subject:

I'd go with the balance its a good board with a decent anount of pop but not to advanced for you. It is a pro model so you know it's good and it will satisfy everything your looking for. The substance would probaly be a little to advance for you. It has a lot of pop one of the most in the Liquid force line.

Wakebrad · Ladies Man Joined: 11 Dec 2003 Posts: 12257 City: Dallas

mandy_17, based on that I would recommend the Balance or Omega series. The Omega is basically a beginner friendly Substance. I would go with whatever you can get cheaper if it were me. Normally you can find the Omega cheaper but the Balance has been around for a while so you could probably find some 2004 or 2003 new or slightly used boards for pretty cheap.

mandy_17 · Newbie Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks for everyone's input! I will probably be looking into the Balance...I've found some pretty good deals on ebay, so we'll see what happens.

Thanks again!

Mandy

Notorious · Criminal Joined: 10 Jul 2005 Posts: 52 City: England

Was recently looking at both the Balance and Substance but went for da Balance. Liked the idea of soft landings and a progressive rockers, especially when I'm not that good. lol

Buddybud · Outlaw Joined: 25 Nov 2004 Posts: 106 City: Ottawa

Although I haven't ridden many boards in my day, I don't think it really matters what you get. Unless you're a pro, there are some features that you might never even notice. I'm more or less a beginner and I've got a substance- it works for me. Besides, when you've got a top of the line board, you can only blame yourself for sucking and not the board for holding you back.

Dillard · Criminal Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 74 City: Evansville

i rode an obrien rail 137 for 2 years, it took all i had to clear the wake with that thing, lol, now i have a substance 138 and im landin a good 5 feet into the flats Very Happy

numbfoot · Posted: Jul 13, 2005 10:44 pm Post subject:

Buddybud, yeah, cuz a beginner would do great learning to pop off the wake on a Parks. Rolling Eyes

Some people do a lot better on some boards than others.