04 Wakeboards guide

[WakeBoardingManiac]

I'm going to explain why I'm motivated to make a huge list like that.

1st off, I think there is enough "How does this board ride" topics.

2nd, I work in a boardshop, and talking about so many different boards is quite a job, and I have difficulty remembering everything. So I started wrting stuff on a notepad, but I tought I'd share everything with you.

So here's what I'm thinking. I'm going to list everything I know about the 04 wakeboards model here. I havent rode any of them, so it's going t be gathered from different websites and from comments of other people at my boardshop. If there ever is a mistake, please point it out and I'll edit my post. If you want to add anything, please point it out and I'll edit my post too. I'll give credit when it is due.

Here it goes.


HYPERLITE

PERSONALITY LINE

I'll go from the rocker line which gives the most air hangtime to the one that gives the most speed distance (lands in the flats). I won't list every image of every board, but I'll show biolite and DNA models. Speaking of which, I'll tell the differences between DNA and Biolite cores as stated in the hyperlite catalog, I'd like some riders comments on this if possible.

DNA vs BIOLITE

The DNA core has four carbon rods inserted in the board for more snap(pop) to the board, making it more rigid. It weighs slightly less (how much I don't know, I don't think it makes a big difference) and is supposed to react faster. Also, DNA boards have a nylon base, which is supposed to be faster on the water and more resistant to sliders. I'd also like a comparison between urethane and nylon if someone could give me one. All I know is that urethane is supposed to be even more durable, but I can't be sure. Is it worth the 200$ or so difference? I have no idea.

Parks board

BIOLITE



DNA



The parks is the Ferrari of wakeboards. Extreme performance, but not for everyone. It is really agressive, but edging must be done a special way or it won't edge well at all. Most explosive pop of the Hyperlite line, but a bit slow on edging because of the huge 2.6'' to 2.8'' 3-stage rocker. If you've been riding for 2 years and think hey man, I want a parks board with parks boots and a parks shirt with it, and a parks handle too, well, I simply don't want to see you EVER.

This is what I know of the Parks board. Any additions welcome.


Byerly board



All Byerly's have a urethane base. They also aren't available with a DNA core, they only come in biolite core versions.

The Byerly is a combination between the Parks and the Premier. It more agressive than the Premier, but less than the Parks, and the transition from edge to edge is faster than the Premier, but slower than that of the Parks. I heard it is aimed at tail-heavy riders, because of the cut-outs (called "Flow-thru technology" that are more effective when more weight is on the tail (correct me if I'm wrong here please). The cut-outs also are supposed to make a faster turn initiation. There is also a "center beam" that supposedly softens landings. I'd like more info on that too. It has a 2.6''-2.8'' normal 3-stage rocker. This is it for the Byerly, more info to come I hope.


Premier board

DNA



BIOLITE




The Premier is an all-around board. Not too edgy, not too mellow, not too explosive, not too speedy. Or for people who like a perfect balance of things, or for people who don't know what they want, or for begginners with lots of cash. Oh and it also has a urethane base by the way. NAd for people who liked last years Premier, it is still available as the Era. Tough the only difference I noted between the two of them is that this years model seems to be a bit quicker and have more edge hold, that's about it. The Premier features a 2.5''-2.7'' "subtle 3-stage", which supposedly keeps the speed of a continuous rocker but adds a bit of the pop of a 3-stage board. That's it for the Premier.

TFD board

DNA



BIOLITE



The TFD is supposedly the board with the most edge hold and a really fast transition from edge to edge. It is kinda like the Parks in this aspect, but the rocker makes the difference. It features a 2.7''-2.8'' abrupt continuous rocker. It means that it will be super fast, but will have a really really long pop. It will land in the flats for sure. Take it as a Parks board with more length that air to the pop. It also has a nylon base on it's DNA version. I'd like riders feedback on this board.


Temet board

This board has freaky lengths tough... I simply won't talk about it.

DNA



BIOLITE



The Temet is a totally new board. Maybe it'll revolutionize wakeboarding, maybe it won't, I don't quite know. Here's what it's all about: the bottom is asymetrical. There is one end that will be more loose and forgiving than the other one, because you can,t be as good switch as you are regular. I have tought about this board to buy it this year, but even tough it is the most loose and mellow board of Hyperlite's line, it still looks too grippy for my tastes. The bottom of the board has kinda like ripples, the yare supposed to soften landings and help cut through chop, but at the expense of making surface tricks a but harder (not sure about this one) It is supposed to have a variable edge hold depending on fin set-up.

As always, rider's feedback would be appreciated.

EQUINOX LINE

We won't talk about constructions anymore, they are all in biolite.

Era board



As I said before, the Era is last years premier. Only differences I noticed is that it supposedly has a bit less edge hold and a v-bottom (this years model doesn't have one). The v-bottom will help soften landings and cut through chop better. It's kinda like a poor man's Premier. Someone that had bad knees might like the Era more than this years Premier tough.

BTW, it's not because it isn't in the personality line that this board isn't good, Erick Ruck rides it, and he rips with it. I will be more suited to beginners tough, so I think this would be a good family board, that people won't outgrow.


Motive board



This looks like a great beginners board. Very versatile, mellow and forgiving. It features a 2.5''-2.8'' continuous rocker, which will be very predictable for beginners. Not a lot else to say about this one, I'd like to have riders opinion on this one as I simply don't have anything to say...


Divine board



A girl's motive. That's about it.


EXPERIENCE LINE

Essence board



Not much to say. Girls board, very forgiving, slow transition, not very good edge hold. Also has a 3 degrees bevel which is supposed to help against faceplants, I have no idea if it works or not. Also comes with 2 sets of fins for different abilities. (Start off with big stable fin and change to smaller and quicker fin afterwards).


Universal board (Also called Vero, Fluid and Juvi)



The is "the" begginner board. It has a rounded tip to be higher on the water, a 3 degree bevel against faceplants (works?) Has a 2.2''-2.4'' subtle continuous (A.K.A. realllly realllly smooth transition) rocker. Also has 2 sets of fins. Also has a v-bottom. (Smooth landings, more stable in chop)

THIS IS IT FOR HYPERLITE.


LIQUID FORCE

Aercore vs Polycore

Every "pro" model has a "Aercore" core. It's basically the same thing as their normal polycore, except it is lighter. The polycore is as strong as the aercore, except it is heavier. No carbon rod in any of them as you can see. Does it make a difference? I don't know. Riders opinions would be best about this.

On to the board descriptions

The different categories aren't as clean cut as with HLs line, so I suggest you take at a brochure for this. I'd scan their board matrix, but I don,t have a scanner. I won't give categorie, but I'll start with the pro models and go down with the beginner boards. Also, I'm going to need much more feedback for this category as the Liquid Force brochure isn't as detailed as the Hyperlite one. Also, their website doesn't work as it should.

By the way, some of the descriptions are going to be useless to me as I don't even have some of the models at my boardshop, but I'll make every pro model for the sake of the guide.


Substance board



This board is supposed forgiving when ridden neutral (50% weight on each feet) but become agressive as you put wight on the back because of it's variable edge rail shape. The diamond tail supposedly gives more pop. It has a 2.5''-2.7'' 3-stage rocker. I have no idea about it's edge hold and transition speed, I need some insight on that one. Having taken a look at it, I guess it must be pretty locked in, but I might be wrong. Is only made in Aercore.

Subjekt board



The weirdly shaped tail is supposed to give a more mellow feel to this board and "only" 4 fins are supposed to make it loose. It has a 2.3''-2.5'' 3-stage rocker. It has a carved in tail and nose to reduce swing weight. Need other info here please.



Ok guys, it's been about an hour and a half I've been doing this, I'm getting tired. I'll continue this when I get the time, so that's about it! Sorry about that.

Also, anyone knows how to make images to be aligned horizontally? Kinda like

DNA BIOLITE
<DNA image here> <Biolite image here>

And if someone feels like making a bindings guide, I'll be more than happy to post it here, but I won't be making one.

[Bowen]

[roundbaywakeboard]

The parks is extremly in your face tracking and edging-the Premier is smooth yet still relativly pop oriented, the byerly isn't that great to be honest-the molded in side fins...suck. The Belmont is almost up there with the Parks..These are the hyperlites I've riden extensivly. (all biolite) Hope this helps!

[WakeBoardingManiac]

Thanks, I'll update when I get the time! I'm in end of school rush right now, so that's why I haven't had the time to update it!

Stay tuned!

[vance]

good job. One of the best posts ive seen here. maybe you could do something like give some options to beginner wakeboarders, like which board would be the best etc etc.

[Curt7]

How does the 2003 136 Belmont DNA ride? I am new to the sport and have been riding a cheap board with very cheap bindings. I purchased the above board with a set of Hyperlite 04 Split boots. I'm 5'7" and 170lbs just wondering if I got the right board or if I should have did alittle more research.

[Alter Ego]

Anything for Double up?

[wakeguy2008]

why did u say th era is a family board...its anything but that....it has a more mellow rocker but does erik ruck seem like the family guy to you? my thoughts on the era are in to words ; erik ruck.....hes a technical smooth rider and the board fits him well.....in my opinion u can tell alot from the board by the rider that rides it.

[WakeBoardingManiac]

[Pat McCarthy]

I can answer any questions about Double UP boards, I've rode most of them. Don't quite have the time to write up a whole guide right now, but if anyone has any specific board questions I'm happy to answer.

[_Vishnook_]

Would it be possible to do some on bindings??

[colefooter]

_Vishnook_, there are loads of posts on bindings and how they feel and stuff. Also buywake.com has pics and stuff. If you really need to know, do a search.

[Pat McCarthy]

I'm also available to answer any bindings questions.

[Thomas P.]

I have plenty of info on the 04 byerly. ive been ridin it since november and couldn't be happier with it. and for the last time, the cutouts dont suck. they make the board edge incredibly smooth and solid as a rock. when you take that solid edge to the wake, its transformed into a mass amount of vertical boot. hard to control for the newbers, and some think its too slow, thats just because of the steep rocker. An excellent board for tge high & wake to wake style of rider.