Brunotti Pro-X board

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Has anyone tried the board Ruben rode last year? Specifically the 128x38.5 model? How well would it work as a high wind freestyle (big air and hard landings) board for a 180lb guy? Also, how do the flip tips affect the length? Does the 128cm include the flip tips making the board ride more like a 124cm board? How does it compare to the 128x37 or 132x37 model? Thanks for the feedback.

I'm finally getting ready to retire my 136cm 2003 SX and have also tried my friend's '06 Underground FLX 128x38. The FLX seemed a bit too slow and flexy (great for all around riding, but not the best pop). It felt a little wide too, but that might be 'cause I'm used to my narrow and long oldschool SX.

PS San Carlos rules!

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I have a 128x38.5 (couldn't get the 37 when I ordered mine), and overall it's growing on me. At first I hated it... It took a lot of getting used to, especially since it's like controling a baby Glide (super square and planky). The biggest problem I had however was with the fins. The ones that come with it are nothing like the fins on Ruben's custom boards (and actually the boards are a lot bigger too). After switching to '06 Slingy G10s, it's much easier to control! And now the board doesn't try to rail the front end in so hard. Still don't like it in super choppy conditions, but for the most part, I think it's a decent board. Tucker thinks it's got more pop than his '06 Misfit too, so I assume that's good.

In regard to its size. It works well as a lightwind board. And even though mine is listed as a 128, it's within a centimeter or two of JP's '05 Misfit 123. Still, after setting mine side by side with Ruben's customs, I'd waaaaaay rather have one the size of his...

Oh yea, I'm ~145lbs.

Sorry that's not a great review, but I suck! Laughing

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

P.S. - It may just be my weight, and also because my older Fuels suck, but I hate riding it in super high wind. I think it just has too much surface area for me, and when overpowered, I can't hold it. The Fuel 7 used to work in the 30-35 range with a '04 SS 122 or '05 Misfit 123, but now I tend to stop around 30.... Crying or Very sad

Ruben's

Mine (the first one - before the fin inserts pulled through - with '05 pad/straps)

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

hey adam, what size is that?

i was thinking about playing around with flip tips when i make my next one, but was going to go pretty small, like 125-127 ish... i wasn't sure if the fliptips count as board area or not... so, glad this thread got started.

ps...I'm the same weight, what "size" does ruben have? (what are the real measurements, vs. what length the board says it is?)

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Mine is a 128x38.5, and I'm pretty sure that length is figured before the tips are "flipped." Who knows though since board companies measurements never seem to be perfect...

And Ruben's board overall is a lot smaller, but I didn't get any exactly measurements. When I talked to him last year, the custom Pro-X he was on was tagged as a 128 (with a sharpie), but it was definately smaller than say a Misfit 123. If you were talking actual overall length, not including the flipped tips, I'd say more around 120-122. And width wise, far narrower, at least at the tips.

His board's supposedly a 125x38.5 this year, but I don't know if he's talking about the Pro-X or that crazy looking one...

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Thanks for all the info. The good pop sounds good, but the way it handles chop doesn't sound good at all (especially since I run into chop fairly often). Basically, it seems awesome for powered flat water, but not as good for average chop/swell conditions. It also sounds like it's on the fairly small size for a board for someone my weight. I definitely wouldn't want a 123cm board. Also, you know what's so different about the fins that makes them suck? What exactly did you mean by railing the front end...? Are there other boards you'd prefer over this one? How did the Misfit compare on the overall scale as a freestyle board?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm trying to find a board that has good pop and also handles chop somewhat. I'm gonna try and demo a Pro-X in the next few days if possible. Also, if anyone else has a board you're stoked on please share.

Thanks. Over and out.

PS Kataku, what kind of riding do you do mainly? This might help put perspective on your review (you know...kiteloop handle-passes vs. just cruising Wink

Does it feel comfortable somewhere with swell/chop like Stevenson?

gabe · Since 16 May 2005 480 Posts Obsessed

tell us more about san carlos...

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

The real difference I notice in the fins is the size. The Brunotti's grab super hard and try to pull the front of your board down. That's where I really had a problem getting used to it as you have to sit waaay back on it. With the SS fins, it doesn't suck down so hard, so as I'm not fighting it constantly...

On a smoothness scale, it is badass on the super flat stuff, but as I said before, is not fun super-powered on choppy water. Riding Tucker's '06 Misfit 127 back to back with my board, it feels like his cuts through the water a lot better, but maybe lacks some flex. Didn't really try anything else though aside from some tacks out in the waves.

Lastly, as far as my riding style. I'm just starting to play around unhooked, so I can't really compare pop, though the board seems pretty good there. We need a review from Tucker, since he's always unhooked and has spent more time on my board trying crazy stuff. Last summer I was on it at Stevenson a lot, and for the most part it was good, aside from overpowered stuff.

If I was going to be back in town riding this weekend, I'd let ya take it out, but unfortunately I've got a big test Saturday which means no riding this weekend... Crying or Very sad

tinyE · Since 21 Jan 2006 2004 Posts not really an XTreme Poster

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

One final question...any idea if it's good at absorbing hard landings? That's one of the main reasons I'm upgrading my board since landing kiteloops and raleys has started to be a little uncomfortable as I come in harder with more speed on my stiff '03 SX Confused

Thanks again for the feedback man, and don't worry about your test. I'm down in Cali until June anyway so would have to demo it from a local shop if anything. However, I can get a pretty sweet deal on one right now so I might just go for it...

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

I don't know about landings on big kiteloops, etc., 'cause I'm not at that level, but as far as little boosts and raleys, it seems to do just fine. The flex for surely adds a little forgiveness... so I'd think you better off there than with any older, more rigid board.

genek · Since 21 Jul 2006 2165 Posts East Po KGB

I've been reading up on the board and noticed people mention that many '06 boards cracked around the fins or had the fins break off or something. Someone also said that later '06 models had inserts for the fins which seemed to have helped with this problem. Do you know anything about this? If so, how do I determine whether the board I'm getting has the improved fin setup or not? Is there any way to fix the problem yourself after getting the board?

Thanks again.

Kataku2k3 · Since 14 Aug 2005 3753 Posts Los Angeles, CA Videographer

Yea, I had that exact same problem, and at the time it was one of the first Brunotti had heard of. The inserts just weren't engineered very well (nothing like the newer SS ones that are just laminated glass), which caused them to delaminate from the top sheet of the board.

After talking to Brunotti, and the company, Session1.com (in the UK) which I ordered the board from, they sent out a new replacement. I then asked Brunotti if I should just washer my board with flat bottom screws as Ruben does, and they said that would be ideal. Anyway, that's how my second board's been since I got it, and it seems work just fine.