Welcome to the ultimate guide to modifying and upgrading your MBS Comp 16 board. Why choose the Comp 16 for this project? This modern day classic is relatively easy to get hold second hand for reasonably cheap costs (under £140 without too much difficulty), plus it uses parts fully compatible with both modern MBS parts and other major board manufacturers so is easy to update.
So whether you want to update your old deck, or want to customise something a little more individual, lets pick up that ebay bargain, or dust off that old board from the shed and lets get modding!
Deck
Like the replacement of an old bike frame, replacing an old deck may feel like you are effectively changing boards completely, but it is very possible that even a well used or poorly stored board will have a saggy deck but otherwise be in great condition. Since a new deck will provide either stiffness or added 'pop' as desired, you should see instant improvement if this major component is replaced. Since the holes for the bindings and trucks are the same for either MBS or Trampa components, then replacing the deck is as simple as removing the trucks and bindings and screwing on the replacement.
Dirt Box Deck suggestion: The 'Leon Robbins' MBS Pro 100.....
...Slightly longer, stiffer and lighter than the Comp 16. Reverse Composite Construction (RCC) with nice smooth underside with warped sides for smoother slides. Bonus feature of added standard 4-holes snowboard binding holes for added versatility as will be discussed later in this article. Becoming ever rarer, if you can obtain a 'Leon', chances are it should be cheaper than a 'Kirkman' but will you notice the ride difference?
Tyres
The grip on the MBS T1 tyres may be worn down low especially if the previous owner was a master scrubber or liked ride hard surfaces such as the road or skatepark. These days, there are plenty of alternatives depending on your riding style and most come in a range of colours to suite your colour scheme! T1's are still available though so for renewed grip, buy new for the added tread.
[Not to scale....]
Popular alternatives include:
- MBS T1: The original 8" tyre, but now available in Grey, Black, Blue or Red
- MBS T2: 9" Version of the T1, suitable for freeride by providing additional ground clearance
- MBS T3: 8" tyre provides more lateral side grip than the T1 for a slight trade off in acceleration. Available in Black, Red, Green or Yellow.
- Other manufacturers make mountainboard tyres including Primo, Scrub and Trampa. Check details for compatibility.
Hubs
If you're into your high pressure tyres as you're a speed demon or skatepark rider, then you may have found already that your Rockstar hubs have warped into 50-pence shapes rather than their original circles. If this is the case then a stronger hub may be appropriate such as the MBS Rockstar Pros - a metal equivalent. Relatively prices, these hubs also look the business coming in Black, Chrome and Gold variants.
[Rockstar baby!]
Alternatively, you may wish to change hubs quickly and without fuss, in which case the MBS Twistars may be of use? Completely plastic, these hubs are held together by the pressure of the tyres. Removing them is as simple as letting down the tyres and twisting the two sides to the hub - no tools required. Coming in Black, Yellow, Green and White and at relatively low cost, these hubs may break more frequently, but it wont cost you a huge amount to replace. Note though that these hubs are rated at a highest pressure of 50psi but they are very lightweight.
[Twistar baby!]
Ground Industries: Terraintula or Crossair....are another alternative. Don't know much about these but they certainly look the business.
Trucks
With Trampa using MBS compatible hole patterns, you've again the option of staying local or going native. MBS Matrix trucks too heavy? Then try the Matrix Lites. Or too plastic-y? Try the gorgeous but pricey Matrix Pros coming in Black, Silver and Gold.
[MBS Matrix Pro]
Trampa have their equivalent of course such as the Infinity or Vertigo set at a similar price to the MBS. Plenty of fine differences between the two makes, so if in doubt, hit the forums.
[Trampa Vertigo]
Bindings
[Sexy Trampa Ratchets!]
If the ratchets are a little worn, or the ladder straps in not great condition then your bindings may slip occasionally (not good whilst riding), or fail to disengage at the bottom of the hill leaving you with a board stuck to your feet. Perhaps the return spring has broken so that the ratchet hangs loose. Either way, replacing the ratchets is a simple job of removing one screw and replacing the unit, either a new one from MBS, a spangley one from Trampa, or perhaps go for snowboard tech with new ratchets from Burton. Whatever route you take, you may have to drill a new hole if the ratchet tab is in a new location, or if you feel safe to be held on by the screw, fold down the tab so that it lies flat with the binding.
If it is the binding themselves that are wearing through, then replacing the F3 bindings for the newer F4 equivalent may be an option, or Ground Industry Talons are available - known for their level of comfort affording by the high amount of padding. Like everything else, Trampa have their equivalent with options for various colour L-brackets. Alternatively again, if snowboard technology is your thing, then if you upgraded your deck in the earlier section to something like a Leon Robbins Pro 100 then the 4-holes are available to screw whole snowboard bindings to the deck, as long as you have the correct disks.
No cash right now? Solve that floppy deck by flipping those trucks! Want newish stuff? Keep an eye on ebay for either individual parts or whole cheap boards to salvage the good bits off. Want to get creative? Then get that spray can and paints and go wild. At least if your board does get stolen it'll be well easy to describe the distinguishing features to the police!
