I know, it’s quite a struggling task for beginners to choose their very first longboard. If you still have no idea of which brand to go for, start with Sector 9 – The worldwide top choices for novice riders for quality and price.
This article will suggest you top 6 best Sector 9 longboards based on my experience and don’t fret, there will be a detailed explanation and review about each of them. Read on!
Table of Contents
- What Should I Choose Sector 9 Longboards Over Other Brands?
- What Are the Advantages of Buying A Sector 9 Longboard?
- Top 6 Best Sector 9 Longboards Reviews 2019
- 1. Sector 9 Aperture Sidewinder Drop Through – Best overall
- 2. Sector 9 Fractal – Best Cruiser/Carver
- 3. Sector 9 Lookout Complete – Best 42” Drop-through for freeride
- 4. Sector 9 Nicaragua – Lightweight
- 5. Sector 9 Faultline – Best top-mount board for smooth riding
- 6. Sector 9 Rocker Complete – Best 36-inch Board for Downhill
- Conclusion
What Should I Choose Sector 9 Longboards Over Other Brands?
A perfect combo of smooth riding and durability is how riders describe them
Also, it’s the most appealing feature that Sector 9 longboards beat over other brands. While keeping a strictly manufacturing process of the deck to ensure its durability, its length and concave design are carefully considered to create the best performance to riders.
Whichever deck you choose, there’s one solid thing you will receive: Smooth feel and stiffness.
On the other hand, trucks are 100% self-manufacturing by Sector 9, which is called Gullwing Sidewinder. This gives you two biggest advantages:
- Manageable product’s quality for superior performance
- Optimize the manufacturing cost to give you a good price
It’s true that Sector 9’s trucks are phenomenal in performance. They are custom made to fit nicely to the deck’s width and your riding style, giving a great turn and comfort against potholes.
Unique graphics to add characteristics to longboard
Each brand will come with its own style of graphics but the longboards from Sector 9 is very outstanding and distinctive. They are vast in designs, styles, and colors, each of which boasts up to a specific vibe with sophisticated printing.
Not to say that there’s an extra layer outermost to protect their beautiful art against daily abusing. Hardly you can find a complaint from their customers about this issue.
Speed is a very important thing
With Sector 9 longboards, the best thing is speed always goes along with stability.
Wheels are specifically customized in terms of diameter and width to fit snugly the speed demand of each riding style – something that not any brand can do.
For example, the Sector 9 Lookout Complete is crafted for freeride, which requires superior stability. That’s why the wheels are built with 74mm with soft texture (78A durometer) for smoothness and balance.
On the other hand, Sector 9 Nicaragua is a downhill longboard that focuses more on speed and stability at high speed. The wheels, in this case, are the smaller size with extra width.
What Are the Advantages of Buying A Sector 9 Longboard?
Deck
Not only you can buy separately the decks from Sector 9 but their size range is also vast to fit the deepest demand of yours. Rest assured that all decks are designed with art in mind to meet aesthetics and also, they lock your feet in really well.
Trucks
Trucks from Sector 9 are mostly self-manufactured and named Gullwing Sidewinder. Obviously, their performance is more decent compared to other brands with an emphasis on carving and freeriding. There are also various options in terms of colors, sizes, and styles to choose from.
Wheels
Though not so impressed with the bearings, I’m very amazing at wheels’ performance from Sector 9. They come in diverse sizes with a different width to fit specific riding styles.
Riding style
Sector 9 longboard can afford many different riding styles, from carving, cruising, to downhill or gliding. The performance is also distinctive from other brands, they are much smoother and more comfortable.
Top 6 Best Sector 9 Longboards Reviews 2019
1. Sector 9 Aperture Sidewinder Drop Through – Best overall
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 36.0" L x 9.0" W x 26.375" WB |
| Wheels | 69MM 80A 9-BALLS Wheels |
| Trucks | Gullwing Sidewinder Trucks |
| Bearings | ABEC 5 |
| Weight | 6.9 pounds |
| Weight Capacity | 190 pounds |
| Deck | Aperture Maple wood Drop Through Deck |
| Highlight features | -Flat and comfortable sole -Smooth and spongy wheels |
Pros:
- Avoid putting stress on your legs or strain on your ankles -> ride comfortably
- Soft wheels for smooth and stable rides
- Deliver good control
Cons:
- A bit loose truck
- No kicktail, pintail or nose
- Squeaky noise
Built with 36” maple deck with drop-through concave, Sector 9 Aperture Sidewinder meets all kinds of versatilities to fit many occasions.
Whether it’s a ride downhill, commuting, or cruising, the good combination of Gullwing Sidewinder Trucks and ABEC-5 bearings will lend you the optimal control in every inch.
The soft 69mm wheels, on the other hand, take a good role in keeping your feet stress-free while avoid putting a strain on your ankles during a ride. While boasting smooth surfing, the compact design allows for easy turns in any sharp corners.
What I like the most about this blue old-school model is its comfortable and flat sole. With it, you can glide a bit when bombing down a hill, which is so cool. Don’t you think?
2. Sector 9 Fractal – Best Cruiser/Carver
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 36.2 x 10 x 5 inches |
| Wheels | 69mm 78A Sector 9 top shelf wheels |
| Trucks | Gull Wing reverse kingpin trucks |
| Bearings | ABEC 5 |
| Weight | 7 pounds |
| Weight Capacity | 210 pounds |
| Deck | 36” 8-ply maple with CNC drop through deck |
| Highlight features | - double-kingpin progressive geometry trucks |
Pros
- Deliver tight turning radius
- A longer wheelbase and double-kingpin trucks for versatilities: Cruising and Carving
- Stunning graphics
Cons
- Different color of wheels from what’s described on images
- Bearings are a bit slow
For beginner riders or those who want to leverage their skills to the professional level, this is a budget-friendly option to choose. A cruise to a nearby beach with this cool longboard is also nice.
Or, if you’re an experienced rider, I bet you will fall for its amazingly tight turning radius.
The reasons why I voted the Sector 9 Fractal as the best cruiser/carver are first off, it features a 36” stiff maple drop-down deck that firmly stands in the middle of the road for carver and cruiser.
Secondly, featuring a drop-through shape, it highlights a decent flex level that’s just adequate to shine at any sharp turns.
Finally, due to the double-kingpin progressive geometry trucks, it elevates the inputs of your lean to help with better smoothness and balance if you want to make some carves.
Another bonus about the Fractal is its relative lightness that promisingly doesn’t load you down on those cases you’re forced to step off and carry it around.
3. Sector 9 Lookout Complete – Best 42” Drop-through for freeride
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 42” x 9.6” |
| Wheels | 74mm | 78A Sector 9 Top Shelf wheels |
| Trucks | 10" Gullwing Charger Trucks |
| Bearings | ABEC 5 |
| Weight | 8.2 pounds |
| Weight Capacity | 270 pounds |
| Deck | 5-ply vertically laminated bamboo deck |
| Highlight features | -10” Gullwing Charger trucks |
Pros:
- Come with the perfect compromise of speed and comfort at foot stance
- Keep a low center of gravity for balance and good feel when riding
- Good flex
Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
While the traditional carver skateboards are usually kelp short length, the Lookout Complete doesn’t.
Measured by a mere 42” deck length, big-foot riders now don’t have to sacrifice their precious stance for faster speed or better carving performance anymore.
The longboard nails up the 10” Gullwing Charger trucks to keep the whole deck relatively low to the ground. From that point, it delivers two things: control and stability for excellent pivot turns and carves as a true commuter board.
The 5-ply vertically laminated bamboo deck, on the other hand, helps with better feeling at high speeds when you’re riding down a hill. Wheels and bearings are also well-loved for their superior quality.
Particularly, this model doesn’t require assembly that you can ride it out of the box upon arrival. Such a good choice for those who aren’t good at installing things.
4. Sector 9 Nicaragua – Lightweight
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 38.0" L x 8.5" W x 25.375" WB |
| Wheels | 65mm 9-ball wheels |
| Trucks | 9” Gullwing truck |
| Bearings | ABEC 7 |
| Weight | 6.3 pounds |
| Weight Capacity | 250 pounds |
| Deck | 5-ply vertically laminated bamboo deck |
| Highlight features | -semi-long longboard -broken-in wheels |
Pros:
- Give all strengths of a longboard while being lighter and more compact
- Broken-in wheels to readily ride out of the box
- Very energy-efficient -> Don’t need to push too much
Cons:
- Not good bearings
As a semi-long longboard (38 inches), Sector 9 Nicaragua cuts off some precious heft to give easier portability while keeping decent stability at high speeds.
It overcomes the most common problem of 90% longboards in terms of heft and bulk to be a perfect choice for both kids and female riders. Weighing only 6.3 pounds, this is an amazing number compared to other counterparts in this field, the secret lies mostly in its deck material.
Not only built with 4-ply maple wood, but Sector 9 Nicaragua also has additional 2-ply fiberglass. This combination wise on the other hand leverages the durability level of the board, making it decently stronger against daily abuse.
What caught my attention in the first place is the wheels. They are already broken in so right out of the box, you can enjoy the rides with smoothness as it’s been used for a while. Not to say that it’s only 65mm of diameter with 45mm width to ensure two things: Speed and Balance.
5. Sector 9 Faultline – Best top-mount board for smooth riding
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 39.5" x 9.5" x 31.0" |
| Wheels | 73mm 78A center set race Formula wheels |
| Trucks | 10.0-inch Gullwing Charger II trucks |
| Bearings | ABEC 5 |
| Weight | 9.5 pounds |
| Weight Capacity | 220 pounds |
| Deck | 9 ply's of cold pressed Maple deck |
| Highlight features | - the symmetrical top-mount micro-drop deck shape |
Pros:
Lock feet in firmly when riding downhill or freeride slides
Incredible smooth feel when riding
Easy to ride – a good choice for beginners
Cons:
Trucks’ colors are varied – something that isn’t mentioned in the description
Sector 9 Faultline is asymmetrical top-mount micro-drop longboard that highlights a smooth feel no matter you’re a switch or regular riding.
The most worth-mentioning feature here is its micro-drop platforms built on both sides. They play as the good foot pockets to lock your feet in for freeride slides or at high speeds.
A compliment for Faultline’s deck length. It’s 39 inches with extra plies of maple wood for reliable rigidness underneath your feet, allowing for new limits in your performance. Particularly, no mayo because it is topped off with butterballs only.
Constructed with yellow Sector 9 Race Formula wheels and green Gullwing Charger II’s trucks, it boasts the maximum traction while gives a perfect mixture of carving ability and stability. All are built in just a single package.
6. Sector 9 Rocker Complete – Best 36-inch Board for Downhill
Product Specification:
| Dimensions | 35.5 x 9.5 x 28.0 Inches |
| Wheels | 70mm, 80a Butterball Slide Formula |
| Trucks | Gullwing Charge II |
| Bearings | ABEC 5 |
| Weight | 9.25 pounds |
| Weight Capacity | |
| Deck | 3 Ply Maple deck & 4-ply fiberglass |
| Highlight features | -Deck material blend with low-profile |
Pros:
- The stiffest and toughest deck in this list
- Can carve with freedom while keeping the center of gravity low for balance
- No wobbles at high speed
Cons:
- The bearings aren’t much excellent
- Not well-done package
Last but not least, is the Rocker Complete which always impresses me with its decent quality construction at such affordable price.
Like the Faultline, this is a 2-in-1 vintage model that allows you to carve and bomb downhills. However, its construction is utterly different. Rocker is built with 4-ply tri-axial fiberglass and 3-ply maple to elevate the toughest and stiffness of the deck.
At the meantime, it features a mild concave that whenever you want to race a car next to you or drop into a speed tuck, this extra element will keep your weight centered over the deck.
Plus, by carving out the truck mounts, it creates a recessed mounting position for the trucks to keep your board amazingly low to the ground while still enables to freely carve.
In the end, I’m still impressed the most by how smooth riding of Faultline. At a 35.5-inch length of the deck, while other models would result in terrible speed wobbles, this isn’t the one.
I think the 70mm, 80a Butterball Slide Formula Wheels are the key-core feature for such phenomenal performance.
Conclusion
That’s all for this article. I hope that my detail reviews of 6 best Sector 9 Longboards above will give you some precious hint and guide to pick the most suitable one for yours.
Whichever you choose, rest assured that it will be backed by a warranty provided by the manufacturer and plus, the customer service is always on to help you.
Finally, thanks for reading and supporting us.