Want to stiffen your soggy MBS deck?

Karl (may or may not be his real name)*, is local Derby rider who we met up with for the first time recently.  He likes to freestyle and likes to go big and so really pushes the flex of his board to the limit.  In doing so, over time the MBS deck naturally became a bit soggy and so used the following modification to stiffen things up.

The Trampa handle is apparently a bit of a bugger to fit to the MBS grab handle holes, but when fitted, stays in place nice and tight.  The effect of doing this is that on landing, the deck is restrained from flexing upwards by the stiffness of the handle.  Result: one stiffer deck that is also portable!

Disclaimer.  Karl snapped his deck a couple of weeks a go.  Not necessarily as a result of any modifications but we here at Dirt Box HQ accept no responsibility whatsoever.  Thank you!

* - it is his real name.

How to change a set of MBS egg shocks in under two minutes...

...without breaking into a sweat.

So, this is me dipping my toe into video blogging.  Shot a video a couple of nights ago and recorded some audio yesterday.  Thought it may be quicker than text and pictures but actually took much, much longer.  Still, I know the basics now, which is always useful.



Hope it's explanatory enough and  helps a few people, otherwise it's back to the ramblings!  If anyone has any better ways of changing egg shocks or wants to share their maintenance videos, then please get in touch!  Alternatively, if you have any suggestions for any further videos then let me know, Cheers!

Sexy Ratchets!

"When browsing please sit back to avoid drool from spilling into your computer..." - Trampa Website Welcome Message

Out boarding up Cromford Hills last weekend (separate post in the works) and managed to finally break one of the ratchets on my heel strap.  Purchased from Trampa in December 2006, they've not done badly at all, especially considering that I've got through a couple of sets of MBS ratchets for the F3 bindings in the meantime.  When I say break, all that's actually happened is that the return spring has broke so that the ratchet arm won't return automatically, not like the MBS ones where the plastic section wore sufficiently so that the ratchet wouldn't disengage without a bit of a battle.

Anyway, it doesn't break the bank to purchase new ones, especially as Trampa sell them in all kinds of sexy colours to tempt you.  Even though I'm normally a 'performance over looks' kind of fella, if they do the job and do the business, then great!  Two for £10, £6 each - bargain!  Take a look at the range here.

Trampa sell their products with additional P&P based on weight (very sensibly) and came to not unreasonable £2.50 (or there or thereabouts...).  Decided to add to the mix a spare set of ladder straps and to save a ride just in case (and especially as I've been caught out recently), a couple of 8" and 9" inner tubes.  P&P still came to £2.50 or thereabouts so all good stuff.

Turned up safe and sound in a couple of days so all good for this weekends fix of ride with your cock out, rock and roll mountainboarding! Have fun out there!

Egg Shocks verses Trampa Dampas

MBS Egg Shocks (Left) and Trampa Dampas (Right)

MBS Egg Shocks

From the website:

The MBS Eggshocks are the small plastic/rubber dampers that fit inside the springs on the board to dampen vibrations such as speed wobble. They do wear over time and are worth replacing after about a year of use. Also heavier riders or riders wanting higher speeds would be worth upgrading to stiffer shocks.

Yellow Eggshocks - Medium - set of 4 - Intended to add stability.
             For a stiffer ride than springs alone - Yellow for a GS feel. (GS??)
Orange Eggshocks - Hard - set of 4 - Intended to add stability.
             For a super-stiff ride - Orange for downhill and Big Air.
Red Eggshocks - Hard - set of 4 - Intended to add stability.
             For a super-stiff ride - RED for Speed and Big Air.

£10 per pack of 4 + p&p from ATBSports here!

Trampa Dampas

From the website:

The Trampa Dampa is a specifically designed elastomer which due to its special shape fits perfectly into the cap of most spring designed or Channel / Matrix truck.

The design incorporates 3 Balls which are stacked ontop of each other, sligtly larger in overall length and width than any other Egg shaped elastomer, the result gives a more progressive compression allowing confident high speed steering for the rider

Yellow 65shore Medium
Green >75 shore Hard
Blue 85 shore Super stiff

£10 each (pack of 4) + p&p from Trampa here!

Edit: Noticed that Red (80 shore) and White (90 shore) are now available

Definition of 'shore' here

Comparison

My original board came equip with yellow (medium) egg shocks. I was advised by Nathan of Team BAD (Bristol and District group) to upgrade to Trampa Dampas of which I bought a set of yellow (mediums). To prevent speed wobbles, I then changed to a set of green (hard) Trampa Dampas.

Trampa Dampas have the advantage of being longer than egg shocks that result in less cranking down of the springs required before damping starts when turning. This in turn puts less stress on the springs so I guess in theory the springs should last longer.  I imagine (though cannot back it up) that given the length of the dampas, there is less chance of them popping out accidentally.  I cannot understand why MBS made their egg shocks require so much cranking in order to become effective?  In reality, it takes me less time to set up and get riding much quicker.

For me the green Trampa Dampas run great in all types of mountain board disciplines, except for freestyle and big air in which I am openly rubbish.  I reckon its been a couple of years since original instillation and they still look absolutely fine, if a little grubby.

It should be noted that I weigh around 13-14 stone at present and lighter / heavier riders and riding style will have an effect on what damping system (if indeed used at all) is preferred.