Designed with complete 360 degree concave support, the Apex 40 longboard by Original Skateboards was built with freeride-freestyle versatility in mind. About three weeks ago we reached out to the good people over at Original Skateboards to see what they've been up to and before we could even finish the sentence, co-founder Brad Imbrie suggested we take a hands-on look at their newest innovation - the Apex 40. After seeing pictures and the boards impressive specs there was no way we'd turn down an opportunity to cruise around on this beast!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, well... here's five. And they do a better job of describing the Apex 40's beauty then we ever could. Besides, we're saving our words for our review below!
Deck:
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Available in two models, (Apex 40 DC and Apex 40 AVRC) we decided we'd like to test and review the DC - Double Concave model.
Apex 40 DC Specs:
Length: 40.75in x
Width: 9.5in
Wheelbase:27.5 or 29in
ConcaveDepth @10.25in:(.620in)
EffectPlatform:26in x 9.5in
EffectiveConcave @9.5in:(.55in)
DropDepth:0.25in
GasPedals:40 Degree
Construction: Ply Maple + Carbon Re-Inforced Quad-Axial Fiberglass
Kick Specs: 5.0in wide x 3.5in long x 1.1in tall
Kick Ratio: (4.5 x2) 9 / 31.75 = 28.3%
WedgeorDeWedgeFront / Back: 0 / 0
The Review:
Design: (9 out of 10) The concave design of the Apex 40 is absolutely gorgeous, but for all intents and purposes it was built for performance. This design coupled the killer graphics package available make the overall design of this longboard among the best we've ever seen!
Stability: (9.5 out of 10) During our testing sessions with the Apex 40 we realized quickly that it's concave design also lends itself as a very stable deck. In-fact it's concave profile forces your feet to stay active and in-turn more in sync with the terrain and have better control of the board. We do suggest you take the time to adjust the trucks WaveCam system and customize the Apex 40 to fit you, your style, and size to achieve the prefect ride.
Flex: (10 out of 10) When it comes to flex, we've never seen anything like it. Constructed from 3 Ply Maple + Carbon Re-Enforced Quad-Axial means you can jump on it, bounce on it, and it will not break! We could go on and on, but we suggest you take a quick look at this video to see exactly what we mean.
Maneuverability: (9 out of 10) Original Skateboard's trucks come standard with their patented WaveCam system, which use a single spring, as opposed to multiple springs, as resistance making them extremely maneuverable and ultimately quite durable over time. We took the Apex 40 on both flat land and hills to get a true perspective of this board's carving abilities and in both cases we were very impressed. This board has a surprisingly small turning radius and slalom pumps extremely well. Note: Original Skateboards patented WaveCam system can be fitted with three separate springs (light, medium, and hard). Don't over tighten your springs, order the appropriate spring for your riding style.
Durability: (10 out of 10) This longboard as built to last! We gave it all we had over the past week and it came away basically un-scaved, with only a few scratches to show for it. Nothing a few stickers wouldn't cover up!
Value: (8.5 out of 10) In a prefect world we'd like to see the price dropped about $20 - $30, but honestly for what you're getting the Apex 40's retail pricing is fair.
The Bottom Line: From beginners to experts, the Apex 40 is the ideal longboard! It's almost indestructible, turns on a dime, and rides like a dream. If you're in the market this summer for a new longboard, we highly recommend the Apex 40 from Original Skateboards. Interested, but want to see what this board can really do? Then check out the embedded video below where the O.S. team takes the Apex 40 to it's limits!
Pricing: Deck Only $219or Complete (deck, trucks, wheels)$309
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