RipStik G
MSRP: $130
Brand: RazorUSA
Pros:
+Grind bar
+Tougher than the Classic
+Easily modified
Cons:
-Plastic wears down
Comments:
The RipStik G is a tough casterboard, specifically designed for grinding on the coping and rails. Unlike the RipStik Classic model, the RipStik G torsion bar features a gold-colored grind tube, or G tube, that rotates when the bar hits a grind rail.
Otherwise the RipStik G is just a Classic with a gold grind tube and black deckplates, so there really isn't much more to say. This board is one of my personal favorites; it's a great skatepark board and just about perfect for the experienced rider.
RipStik Classic
MSRP: $100
Brand: RazorUSA
Pros:
+Cheap, no-nonsense board
+Easily modified
Cons:
-Might be a little flimsy for veteran riders
-Can't grind or boardslide easily
-Plastic wears down
Comments:
One of the most popular casterboards, the RipStik Classic is a good beginner board, great for the new rider. It is a no-frills casterboard, without all the fancy grind tubes and griptape of higher quality and is, consequently, much cheaper: it averages at around $50 from most department stores such as Walmart and Target.
Of course, the board's simplicity comes at a price; although it might be a great chill-and-ride board, it is missing a lot of things experienced riders need, such as a grind bar and griptape. I don't understand why Razor had to install that little rubber 'handle' on the torsion bar; they should have just left it bare so as to make grinding a bit easier. Unless you remove the grip yourself, you essentially cannot boardslide, which throws off many potential users.
In the end, it depends on the specific rider's tastes and skill level. If you are a new rider and hardly know how to ride a casterboard, then the RipStik Classic is probably the casterboard for you. If you have been riding for a little while and are starting to try new things out, such as grinding and bowl riding, you might want to look at more advanced-rider specific boards to continue to progress.
Waveboard Original
MSRP: $100
Brand: Street Surfing
Pros:
+Cheap
+Wide decks
+Loose torsion bar and casters allow for easy spins
Cons:
-Plastic feels and sounds cheap and brittle
-Loose torsion bar feels unstable sometimes
Comments:
The Waveboard is one of the first casterboards ever produced by start-up company Street Surfing. It is a great freestyle board, able to make fluid, controlled spins and maneuvers easily. Although the torsion bar may be a little too loose for some, and feels unstable especially in bowls, it assists in the overall agility of the board. The plastic is strong and stiff, giving the board good 'pop' for ollies and flip tricks. The stiff plastic makes the board loud, however, and it sounds very 'plastic'. This may not bother most, but it is somewhat annoying, especially at skateparks.
Overall the Waveboard is an average casterboard. If I was to choose between a Waveboard and a RipStik Classic, it would be an even decision really. It's a good board, and for the price (I've seen it for as low as $30 in Walmart) it is a board definitely worth checking out.
