O'brien

Xanadu · Outlaw Joined: 09 Sep 2006 Posts: 129 City: Ottawa

I know this is a really general question, but how are O'Brien boards? everybody's always talking about hl and lf, but i haven't really read anything about O'brien. The reason I ask is because the shop near me has a huge selection of O'brien boards.

ty540 · Addict Joined: 14 Feb 2003 Posts: 603

I think the Obrien Valhalla is one of the best shapes ever made. It's smooth, stable, responsive, has good pop, soft landings, yada yada yada. Ride it finless or with the .5in fins. Don't use the crook fins.

fuel · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 City: Gatesville

O'brien makes some really great boards.

I have the Natural 139. Definitely check that board out. Great pop, fast, tracks really well when on edge but can still break loose easily for surface spins, has a center fin for when the lake is rough and can be taken off when it is calm, and most importantly - smooth landings. It has everything that I like in a board. I think my search for the perfect board is now complete.

I also have an O'brien Harris 137. The board is now called the Diesel. It is a great board. Awesome pop, tracks good when on edge, loose when not. The diesel has a center fin which the Harris didn't. I like to have the option because sometimes the lake is rough and I think it helps to leave the center fin in on rough days. The only drawback to the board is the landings are rough. I don't see how Randy is still walking after the air he gets on that board.

I have always been impressed with the quality of the O'brien boards (well, their pro model boards. Not the stuff sold in Academy, etc.). They are pretty lightweight. Comparable to LF in weight. Not heavy like HL boards. My Harris has lastest a few seasons and is still in good shape.

King of the Tigers · Posted: Sep 19, 2006 2:09 pm Post subject:

I'll second what's already been said. Their quality is amazing both in terms of how well they hold up and in terms of amazing shapes. I ride the Natural and have never found a board that performs so well for my tastes. It is nice and locked in when I want it to be but I can also break free and know that it will forgive me if I don't quite land a trick right.

Some people have made fun of O'Brien because you can also buy O'Brien tubes and skis but personally I like riding a board with name that's been around forever, rather than a board that hides behind a dorky name.

c-boy · Posted: Sep 21, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject:

i ride an O'Brien Oasis 137 and its incredible..nice and smooth edging and the molded fins have extra grip and help with landings

so i third what has been said

QNev · Posted: Sep 21, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject:

O'B Diesel 137.. Kind of a lower-end board but I'm loving it. They've been around forever and make some solid boards but I'm just not a huge fan of the graphics. Solid rides.

jlaws · Addict Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 832 City: NC

from what i hear o'brien's are really good, people should really start checking out alot of boards such as o'brien, cwb, and gator, instead of just lf and hl (not that i have anything aginst it, i ride my sis's lf sometimes lol) just make sure you find what's right for you

c-boy · Posted: Sep 21, 2006 4:04 pm Post subject:

ya people underestimate alot of the boards

people ride HL and LF mainly cuz the best riders do

tprkolbas · Outlaw Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 184 City: white lake

I BOUGHT THIS SET UP A FEW WEEKS AGO:

http://www.ridewatersports.com/20ona139wa3.html

IT WAS THE BEST CHOICE I EVER MADE. THE BOARD IS SUPER FAST AND POPS HUGE OFF THE WAKE. THE BINDINGS ARE SO COMFORTABLE. FOR THE PRICE, I THINK YOU'D HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING ANY BETTER.

I HAD A VALHALLA BEFORE AND LOVED THAT BOARD. I NEVER RODE IT WITHOUT THE CROOK FINS, BUT I WISH I WOULD HAVE. I THINK THEY CAUGHT ON SOME OF MY LANDINGS CAUSING CRASHES.

I DON'T HAVE A BAD THING TO SAY ABOUT THE OBRIEN BOARDS I'VE RIDDEN. I DONT THINK YOU'D BE DISAPPOINTED.

King of the Tigers · Posted: Sep 21, 2006 4:44 pm Post subject:

Wow! That is one heck of a deal for a setup that nice!!!

FROMWITHIN · Posted: Sep 21, 2006 4:49 pm Post subject:

I own an O'brien Player 138"..I love the board, I also ride finless!
Like others have said, it rides nice and solid and cuts great, but can also brake free easily to do surface tricks!!!
I would say go out and get one, you wont be dissapointed!!

fuel · Outlaw Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Posts: 110 City: Gatesville

Q Nev,

I really wouldn't consider the Diesel a low end board. I know they market that board for beginners now, but that was Randy Harris's shape from a few years ago. A very slightly modified version of that same board is still being produced by Gator and it is still Randy's pro model. The only thing that would make that a beginner board is when they put the removeable center fins on it. Without the center fin, I definetely wouldn't recommend that board to a beginner.

Heck, that shape has been around since at least when Randy rode for Thruster back in the day. I ride with guys that still like that shape better than another shape out there. I love it to but, I think the only drawback to it is the landings seem rough. But maybe I am just getting old.

SeaLyon · Posted: Sep 22, 2006 4:59 am Post subject:

Never heard any thing bad about them. They have some great riders too. The Player is a good board, & the Oasis is the same board as Dallas Fridays old board with differnt graphics.