Freebord

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Freebords are a recent evolution of the skateboard. They are designed to closely simulate the behavior of a snowboard on downhill rides. To this purpose, they have (when compared to a skateboard) two additional castor wheels, located along the longitudinal middle axis, and protruding slightly more than the border wheels. These wheels are able to turn freely in all directions, which allows the Freebord to glide as long as no other wheel touches the ground. By exerting some pressure on the border wheels, the freeborder is able to control the board.

All freebords are currently being manufactured by a single company, Freebord manufacturing Inc.

These boards allow adjustment of the center wheels so they no longer touch the ground. The freebord then behaves like a common (though a bit heavy) longboard.

Skyhook bindings are commonly used to provide more control over the board and allow to exert more pressure on its edges.

To even further simulate snowboarding and its different styles, Freebords themselves are available in styles. The shorter "Xponent" range (around 75 to 85 cm) are aimed at Freestyle riders, while the longer "Alpha" board (112 cm) provides more of a Freeride (or all-mountain) feel.

Just like on a snowboard, the rider is able to perform both carve and slide turns.

[edit] References

1. Barron, Kelley. "Wheeler-Dealer". Forbes. 05.01.00 Online copy
2. Gromer, John. "Chairman Of The Bord: Introducing Freebord, the world's first snowboard for the street." Popular Mechanics. April 3, 2002 Online copy
3. Della Cava, Marco. "Snowboard's new terrain: Asphalt Pivoting 'oddity' gains momentum". USA Today, March 10, 2004: pg. D10. Online abstract
4. Hamilton, Anita. "Who Needs Snow". Time Magazine. March 4, 2002. Article excerpt
5. Hua, Vanessa. "S.F. entrepreneur has created a skateboard that works like a snowboard". San Francisco Examiner. October 13, 1999. Online copy
6. McHugh, Paul. "A new deal for wheels: Breakthroughs are a long way from roller skates". San Francisco Chronicle. August 12, 2004. Online copy
7. Cribb, Robert. "Of jabberwocky and snowboard joy in June". Toronto Star. June 13, 2005: pg. D.05 Article excerpt
8. Ehringer, Gavin. "Innovative skateboards offer summer snow-free surrogate". Rocky Mountain News.March 23, 2005. Article excerpt
9. Regenold, Stephen. "Gear Junkie: 'Snowboard' on pavement with ease". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. August 5, 2004. Online copy
10. Copeland, Michael V. "The New Instant Companies". Business 2.0. June 1, 2005. Online copy
11. Piacentini, Louie. "Endless winter' for snowboarders; Pair introduces Freebord to Canada". North York Mirror. April 3, 2005 Online excerpt
12. University newspaper coverage: University of Toronto, Yale, University of Western Ontario

[edit] External links

• Freebord manufacturing Inc.