Hi all,

As I recover from knee surgery I'm contemplating a new board. One that has repeatedly come up as a contender is the nobile 50fifty as it's rated as very forgiving on knees and in chop as well as having some decent performance. It's also long but not too wide which suits a tall skinny guy like me (78kg 190cm).

I'm guessing the 140x41 would be the size for me but if riders of similar weight have played with the 139x40 I'd like to hear your opinions? (I have large feet so getting my weight onto the edge is no worries, will I lose much low end with the 139? Would the 139 be too much like my 136 custom re power requirements?)

I know some of you can't wait to tell me how it's a ghey soggy dangle board that will never work with boots, and that's great, you're truly awesome, but I'll be riding straps, so please save your contempt ...

Oh, and I'm an intermediate rider, very basic unhooked stuff and general freeriding mainly in chop but sometimes in butter and sometimes small waves. And yes, Melbourne is windier than Sydney but not as windy as Perth, so I'm generally on a 12m or a 9m. Curent gear: Ozone C4s and 2010 cab custom 136 which I love but it requires me to ride super-powered all the time and the landings are forgiving in terms of riding away (rocker) but can be hard on my knees (stiffness).

If you were riding boots I would say skip the 139 but with strapped riding at your weight the 139 will be an OK all rounder bur we normally would suggest the 140cm for freestyle.

The 50fifty is surprisingly efficient and fast so should offer you a decent bottom end.
For me the best thing about this board is it eats up chop, full speed flying through everything while others are copping a pounding.

IMO the 50/50 would probably suck a bit of power until you are well powered up or when you are just cruising around or surfing etc - but then shouldnt drain your kite once its planing hard.
NB: I havent ridden it but listened to lots who have and we had a thorough look at,& comparison of, it on the floor this morning with a few hard arse kiters adding their opinions.
Mutual agreement was that its not the machine for protecting your knees. There are excellent performance options that will do that far better. In the nobile range look at the NHP - still great freestyler but a bit more forgiving or the T5 - lower top end performance but definitely a knee saver.
Or have a look at the Shinns - super comfy high performers there as well.

Thanks for your input guys. I'll definitely be seeking some demos when my knee is ready (hopefully about six weeks).

Can't wait to get back on the water, though by then the bay will be down to 12 degrees and that part is less appealing.

Meantime its rehab exercises and visualisation practise for me.

i'm also interested in getting a board that will be friendly on the knees (i need to replace my lost board ), as i don't want to be screw my knees when i'm still young. i definitely feel the effects on my body the day after a solid 4 hour session. i still want to be kiting in 20-30 years time with my knees intact. what boards should i be looking at?
@djdojo, what other boards are you considering at the moment?

I have the Custom and have recently tried the T5 and 50/50. The Custom is a far superior board in all depts compared with the T5. I don't have bad knees, but a seriously bad back, so look for similar comforts. The 50/50 is very similar to the custom, so not sure you would find any advantage there.

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DJF said...

i'm also interested in getting a board that will be friendly on the knees (i need to replace my lost board ), as i don't want to be screw my knees when i'm still young. i definitely feel the effects on my body the day after a solid 4 hour session. i still want to be kiting in 20-30 years time with my knees intact. what boards should i be looking at?
@djdojo, what other boards are you considering at the moment?

I guess I'm looking for a board that will be relatively easy on my knees, whilst still having some wake-ish progressive load and pop type performance. So my list is not solely or even primarily about knees, but factoring that in with performance and dimensions for how I ride.

The custom isn't too bad on my knees, just a bit power hungry which requires going with a large enough kite to be very well powered up. The next size up in customs would be too big for me riding straps, the 140x41 50fifty may fit in the middle, with better upwind ability too ... I'll let you know when I get a ride on one.

DJF, post your weight, height, ability level and typical conditions and riding style/aspirations and that should narrow it down to a starting list. There are a lot of good boards on the market, some basic criteria help to know where to start.

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Paul1 said...

I have the Custom and have recently tried the T5 and 50/50. The Custom is a far superior board in all depts compared with the T5. I don't have bad knees, but a seriously bad back, so look for similar comforts. The 50/50 is very similar to the custom, so not sure you would find any advantage there.

Yep, definitely not looking for a board like the t5.

Glad the 50fifty rides somewhat similar to the custom. In the shop it does look to have slightly less rocker and doesn't feel as stiff as the custom. Was thinking these may give me more efficiency and slightly softer landings respectively, without giving up too much of the customs popping and carving awesomeness. Some seem to think this is the case, others less so. Will have to try for myself.

Again, cheers for the input.

I went from a 2009 134x42 666 to a 140x41 50/50 just over a year ago and haven't looked back ,much nicer thru the chop ,not quite as quick but the 50/50 is no slouch either, most people who use my board are very supprised with the performance and the way it softens out the bumps.a couple of guys have since upgraded to a 50/50 .

Your weight range riding with straps you will get away with the 139.

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djdojo said...

DJF said...

i'm also interested in getting a board that will be friendly on the knees (i need to replace my lost board ), as i don't want to be screw my knees when i'm still young. i definitely feel the effects on my body the day after a solid 4 hour session. i still want to be kiting in 20-30 years time with my knees intact. what boards should i be looking at?
@djdojo, what other boards are you considering at the moment?

I guess I'm looking for a board that will be relatively easy on my knees, whilst still having some wake-ish progressive load and pop type performance. So my list is not solely or even primarily about knees, but factoring that in with performance and dimensions for how I ride.

The custom isn't too bad on my knees, just a bit power hungry which requires going with a large enough kite to be very well powered up. The next size up in customs would be too big for me riding straps, the 140x41 50fifty may fit in the middle, with better upwind ability too ... I'll let you know when I get a ride on one.

DJF, post your weight, height, ability level and typical conditions and riding style/aspirations and that should narrow it down to a starting list. There are a lot of good boards on the market, some basic criteria help to know where to start.

weight: 67-ish kg
height: 181cm
skill: advanced hack, low level intermediate, or professional beginner (take your pick )
style: freeriding (mostly just boosting with the occasional spin, maybe one day i'll try unhooked)
conditions: choppy port phillip bay, 13-25+ knots

my main focus isn't on being knee friendly either, but there is nothing worse for me than feeling like my knees are copping a battering in choppy melbourne waters. i'm looking for a comfortable board that goes upwind and carves reasonably well. my old nobile 555 was fairly flat, and forced me to concentrate on not submarining the nose of the board through chop, during transitions, and on landings.

i would probably get a slightly bigger board this time (old board was 130x39cm). i do not want to lose any planing ability.

so far i have been thinking of getting a board with a rounder outline, slightly more rocker, with flexi tips and comfy pads.

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DJF said...

...i'm looking for a comfortable board that goes upwind and carves reasonably well...
...so far i have been thinking of getting a board with a rounder outline, slightly more rocker, with flexi tips and comfy pads.

Perfect description of the Shinn Luigi. I know I sell them... blah blah blah... but honestly, for me, this is the sweetest board I have ever ridden. More than enough performance and so so comfy in all conditions esp choppy sloppy stuff.
At Woodys we demo everything cos we know everyones preference is different but from your profile description it sounds like your board too. Not an exaggerated rocker but Ive never had it nose-dive. Similar from Nobile - the T5
Similar but higher end performance from Shinn is the 'Monk'. Faster but not quite as comfy in the slop. Equivalent from Nobile also well worth trying would be the NHP - higher performance too but still suited your cold water slop - very fast for a 'freeride' but then it is at the upper end of 'freeride'. Our most popular board this season. ?Both of these options are pretty close to your 555 though.?

So many great boards out there this year. The selection choice is awesome - demo - demo - demo is the key. Unlike kites you can make a very accurate call on a board from a very short test run. Every one is different.

DJDOJO,
Sounds like the 141 50/50 will work out great for your needs in a kiteboard. What is very impressive with the 50/50 or NHP is that they do both handle chop so very well, in that they offer a very smooth ride even in the sloppiest of chop. Surprisingly they both go upwind very well and get going very early... maybe not as efficient as the T5 or 2hd but very close. They also ride fast but with lots of control. The added control in choppy conditions means that your timing doesnt have to be as precise when throwing moves. The boards are a little stiffer in the tips than the T5 but in general i think with a combination of the super soft pads and straps and the adequate rocker/channels, add for a smooth ride which is easy on the knees when cruising and on landings. Saying that if you freefall from a significant height dont expect the board or any board to produce a miracles.

DJF if you are coming off the older 555 2008 or earlier, you will find the NHP131 the board will give you everything you need and so much more. I think going 35mm fins takes this board to another level but for added control when going fast in heavy chop the stock fins can help.

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IWB said...

DJDOJO,
I think going 35mm fins takes this board to another level but for added control when going fast in heavy chop the stock fins can help.

Couldnt agree more IWB. I alternate bw 35's & 55's on both Shinn & Nobile boards. Fins to match conditions makes a HUGE difference. If you can afford the extra spend; and are prepared to spend a few minutes more setting up ; this is a worth while way-to-go.
If you regularly ride 'flatish' conditions ask your shop to swap the standard 55's for 35's. Most should be OK with that. But, as IWB says, if you want speed in chop then you will benefit from the extra depth fins.

After pretty much destroying my knees and ending up in physio after riding a 2009 NHP for a season, i can honestly say that the 2010/11 NHP is an absolutely sensational board.

The '09 NHP was a very fast and flat board which meant it was capable of some stunning pop, but the landings for me were always bone jarringly hard. Due to it being so fast and flat it would also really knock me around through the chop to the point of struggling to walk and needing anti-inflamatory drugs after a hard session.
A couple of months of physio and swapping to the 2010 and the knee pain is now much better. The 2010 (more or less identical to the 2011) is slower on water but chews up the chop and feels much smoother and controlled on landings. I'm not sure if it's the channels in the board or the increased rocker, but the result is a compromise well worth making! If i had indestructable knee's i'd go for a more aggressive board, but after tormenting my body my riding style and attitude has been forced to change. Better to keep the body happy and kite another day!

FYI, DJ Dojo i'm pretty much identical weight and height to you and i ride a 134x42 '10 NHP with LF Luxury pads & straps. That size is a good compromise between bottom and top end, and is my preferred ride. The smaller 131 is favoured by some as a more controllable size (less leverage means less stress on your knees when holding down the power) but personal preference will dictate.

As for the fins, i was using 55mm fins on the '09 and the '10 but have recently swapped to 35's and are loving them. You'll lose a bit of the 'on rails' feeling that lets you hold down insane amounts of power, but the ride just becomes that little bit more playful and fluid with far less of the bite and aggression of the 55's.

Happily my knee is healing well and I'm working on strength, range of movement and stability a bit more each day. My surgeon reckons that regular kiting (without horrendous stuffed-up landings) should be completely fine, so I won't need too much of a grandpa board.

The 50fifty is still on my demo list though and it seems the 140x41 will be a good all round size, especially if next summer is as crappy as the last one.

Again, thanks for the input. A diversity of responses around the sizing eh. Guys over 100kg riding the 140x41 while Hadlow (who I'm guessing looks about 70-75kg)? rides a flatter and squarer 138x40 with straps, and it's not cos he rides slowly or underpowered.

The fifty is great on the knees without doubt! It's the smoothest board i have ridden and i presently have a quiver of 3 boards and have ridden loads in the last four years. The fifty is still my choice for powered and choppy conditions. Been riding mine since they came on the scene 2 years ago and its the only board i haven't changed or wanted to change in the last two years. You only need ride it for a short time to see how much better it is than most boards out there. Having said that the fifty does need powered conditions due to the rocker line as some one else has mentioned previously. Unfortunately the rocker makes the board inefficient in lighter winds but 16-17 knotts plus and it really comes to life and is heaps of fun. The fifty carves and switches like a dream and for me is the only twin tip that has actually felt at home in when wave riding as well but you have to have the 35mm fins fitted to get the max enjoyment from the fifty.

Hi guys have been riding the 50/50 and the nhp since they came out and i can ride in very light wind. Will say they dont feel fast but that's because they are so controlable and i agree they are geat in chop or surf. But they are pretty good with bindings and on flat they just dont feel as slippery unless you ride without fins. Yes they compare to the custom but the nobile's go up wind when you'd be walking with a custom
George