How long have you been staring at those Z Flex longboards on your screen? You have probably checked all of their products but still can’t decide which one to get or if you’ll end up buying from them. Don’t worry, everyone goes through that process and that’s actually the right thing to do.
You do not want to spend your money on something that will make you unhappy in the end. Z Flex is one of the pioneers in the skateboard industry. But does that mean they are the best? Let’s find out.
Z-Flex Surf-a-gogo Log Roll Longboard
- 100% Hard Canadian Maple
- Abec7 and Die Cut Grip Bearings
- It is comfortable and fun to walk along the sidewalks and travel around the city.
- Designed for both agile urban travel and ramps.
- Proprietary skate wheels with abrasion-resistant z-resistant.
Z Flex Skateboards
There is a great story behind the birth of Z Flex Skateboards. It all started with a group of surfers/skaters in Sta Monica California who wanted to prove themselves and make a name of their own. The group was formed by Zephyr Surfboard Productions, where they also got their name, Z-Boys or Zephyr Boyz.
The people behind Zephyr Surfboard Productions are Jeff Ho, Craig Stecyk, and Skip Engblom. The Z-Boyz were not only interested in surfing but also in skateboarding which is what they do when there were no waves to surf on. They applied their surfing moves on the skateboard and soon became more aggressive with the stunts.
Seeing this as an opportunity, Zephyr Surfboard Productions decided to come up with their Zephyr Skateboard. It was also the same time that urethane wheels were invented, the same wheels that were used for skateboards.
The people behind Z Flex like Jay Adams, Stacy Peralta, and Tony Alava had contributed a lot to the popularity of skateboarding. The brand was known for being innovative, as they were the first to introduce concave on the boards and one of the first to use urethane wheels.
Being one of the pioneers in the skateboard industry, it can be expected that the price of their boards may be more expensive than others. But you get what you pay for with the quality and overall performance of Z Flex boards. Up until now, the brand’s future is looking bright just like its past.
An Overview of Z Flex Longboards
Z Flex had gained its popularity from the Zephyr team who had played a big role in the skateboard industry. They brought skateboarding to a different level, which is also true with the longboards the brand had manufactured over the years.
Z Flex is known for its technical innovation, which is probably why they continue to be on the front lines of the skateboard industry. Aside from that, their boards are creatively designed with graphics that showcased their personality.
The brand offers several types of longboards. They have pintail, roundtail, and drop through. Each design offers a different riding experience for longboarders.
Their pintail has a pointy shape on the front and back and is perfect for cruising and for those who are interested in learning to carve. Roundtail on the other hand is more on the rounded shape compared to pintail. It also has a kicktail for added performance. Lastly, they have the drop through which provides better control especially for downhill rides.
Z Flex longboards are made from 100% Canadian Maple wood. Other longboard manufacturers also use this type of wood because of its durability. What keeps Z Flex apart is that their boards are made with 7-ply to 9-ply sturdy wood, whereas others have only 7-ply.
Their longboards are fully customizable. You have the option to buy parts separately or opt to receive a pre-assembled longboard. You can find everything you need on the website as they also sell trucks, wheels, hardware, and even waterborne surfskate adapter.
When it comes to price, Z Flex is a bit on the expensive side. The range of their longboards is between $150-$300. But with all the innovation they had put into their boards, it is probably worth it.
So, how are you liking Z Flex so far? Still undecided? Maybe a closer look at its feature will help you out.
Features of Z Flex Longboards
7 to 9 layers of 100% Canadian Maple Wood
Durability is one of the first things that you need to consider when choosing a longboard. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to use it for commuting or for doing tricks and competition. Your boards should be sturdy enough to carry your weight and withstand all the hard turns and landings.
Z Flex longboards have 7 to 9 layers of hardwood Canadian Maple. 7-layer construction is durable enough but they made some of their longboards even stronger by coming up with 8 or 9-ply. If you’re worried about the weight, they were able to keep them lightweight even with the 9-ply construction.
Concave
Being the first brand to utilize concave on boards, you can be sure to find the right curvature for your longboard. Concave gives your longboard better steering and flipping.
Today, many brands had followed their footsteps by adding concave on their boards, too. This only shows that Z Flex keeps finding ways on how to innovate and create products that are truly meant for skateboarding.
Various Shapes and Sizes
Riders can find the right shape for their longboards whether for cruising or downhill rides. They have pintail, roundtail, and drop through boards.
Each shape also comes in different sizes and designs. The sizes range from 37″ to 41″. There is a lot of options for longboarders to choose from.
Specialized Wheels
Z Flex was also one of the first to use urethane wheels on skateboards. Over the years, they had continued to improve their wheels and had even come up with their very own formula.
They call them Z grooves and Z-smooth. Both are abrasion-resistant and provide a smoother and faster ride.
Pros and Cons of Z Flex Longboards
Are you starting to love Z Flex even more or is it the opposite? Before you make your final decision, why not check the pros and cons first.
Pros
- Durable and long-lasting
With their 9 layers of 100% Canadian Maple wood, it would take a lot of bumpy roads, hard landings, and extreme stunts to break Z Flex longboards. Their boards are durable and will last a long time even with regular use.
- Created by one of the pioneers
Being one of the pioneers in the industry and still standing until now says a lot about a brand. Most brands come and go, but not Z Flex.
They had proven that they can compete and relate even with the newer generation of skaters. The brand continues to grow and had only proven to be stronger than ever.
- Made by innovators
The brand has proven that when it comes to innovation, they are number one. Not all brands had made revolutionary work in the skateboard industry.
Their introduction of concave on boards, use of urethane on wheels, and formulating the Z-smooth and Z grooves had truly made an impact in the world of skateboarding.
- Complete and high-quality parts
Z Flex does not only manufacture decks or boards but the complete package. You can find trucks, wheels, and bearings that are high-quality and do not require much adjustment.
- Customizable
You can get their boards pre-assembled or you can buy all parts separately and customize them as your own. You are free to choose to create your very own longboard with your preferred size shape, deck, wheels, trucks, and bearings.
Or if you do not want to go through the hassle of assembling one, you can always choose their pre-assembled boards and start riding straight from the box.
- Built to last
Not all brands offer a warranty. Z Flex provides a one-year warranty for your longboards. This somehow guarantees that their boards are built to last. Some longboards do not even last for 6 months.
- Lots of payment options
They accept almost all kinds of payment methods. You can pay through Paypal, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Zip, AfterPay, and ShopPay. You never have to worry about payment again even when one card fails you.
- Free shipping over $50
You get free shipping, for orders above $50. Since their longboards are above $50, you’ll surely get yours for free. That’s a lot of savings since shipping fees can be very expensive.
Cons
- A bit pricey
When it comes to price, newbies may not find this very appealing as they are a bit expensive. You can get a longboard for half their price from other brands. But if you are willing to spend that much for your first board, then why not?
- Shorter than others
Their longboards tend to be a bit shorter compared to others. Z Flex longboard’s size range from 37″-41″ while other brands have a length of about 44″. Although there are riders who prefer shorter boards, if you are not one of them then this might not be for you.
- Limited Designs
There are not many options when it comes to designs. Although they have boards that have beautiful and eye-catching graphics, most of their designs are simple. So, do not expect to see striking visuals when you browse the site.
How Does the Z Flex Longboards Compare with Other Boards?
Has Z Flex lost their touch or were they able to maintain their reputation? Well, for a brand that was born in the ’70s and has survived until now, it only means that they never lost their touch.
Being the pioneer in the surfing/skating industry, they had learned how to keep up with time. They continue to strive and stay on top. Having a team of professional riders had helped them create high-quality longboards that are well-thought-out and functional.
Their contribution to the skateboard industry is proof of their technical know-how and ingenuity. They are the first to apply concave on boards which led skateboarding in a better direction. This is one of their greatest contribution to the longboard industry.
Aside from that, Z Flex boards are not only made from 100% Canadian Maple wood but also have more layers. This can only mean that their longboards are more durable than other brands. They also offer one year warranty to prove that Z Flex longboards can last a long time.
When it comes to wheels, they had invented a formula that they call Z-Smooth and Z grooves which are abrasion-resistant and provides faster and smoother rides. Some brands had somehow adapted this kind of wheel construction.
Even the shapes of Z Flex longboards vary depending on the rider’s needs and preferences. They have pintail, drop through, and roundtail that all serve their purpose well.
However, they may fall a bit short in terms of length. The size ranges from 37″ to 41″. Other brands can go as long as 44″. This may still not be a deal-breaker for some riders. It really all depends on your preference.
They made paying easy by listing several payment options. Aside from the usual credit cards, they also offer Apple Pay, Google Pay, and a lot more.
You can also get free shipping if you order more than $50. So, if you are buying a longboard, consider your shipping fee free already since all their longboards are over $50.
Speaking of price, they can be a bit expensive. Those on a budget may opt to find a cheaper version. However, when it comes to quality, you can never be sure about the cheaper ones.
Another downside is the limited designs they offer. Most of the illustrations are simple and have fewer options when it comes to designs. If you are looking for striking and impressive graphics, you may not be too happy with Z Flex.
Z-Flex Surf-a-gogo Log Roll Longboard
- Durable and long-lasting
- Customisable
- High-quality parts
- Limited Designs
- Relatively expensive
Verdict - Final Thoughts!
Have you made your decision yet? It is easy to see that Z Flex had contributed a lot to the growth and development of the longboard industry. Many brands should be thankful for their introduction of concave boards and improvement on the wheel’s construction. However, it is safe to say that no company is perfect and that’s exactly what Z Flex is. They may be imperfect but they had built amazing things, too.
