MBS Mountain Boards is, by far, one of the leading brands in the industry today.
Not only was it founded by the inventors of mountain boarding, but it also has an illustrious history of producing nothing but the best quality all-terrain boards in the market.
In this MBS Mountain Boards review, we take a look at what makes the company such a key player – and what are some of the best MBS boards you can buy.
Let’s get started!
About MBS Mountainboards
The MBS Mountainboard journey began in 1993 when two California-based friends, Jason Lee and Patrick McConnell came up with the idea of developing a sport that would help them fill the void left when the waves were flat. Being avid surfers themselves, Patrick and Jason came up with the first three prototypes for what is known as the MBS mountainboard now.
Having tested their theory that man could surf on land with a little help from mountain boards, the two partners moved to Colorado in 1994, where, through their newly formed company MBS, they manufactured 35 mountain boards.
Within five years, the buzz around their new invention grew with the help of some excellent advertising and word-of-mouth marketing. In 1998, the company started refining its line of products to make them more user-friendly.
In 1999, the company got a much-needed round of funding as investors started taking notice. It spent most of the money on further R&D, marketing, and awareness creation. During the holidays of that year, the company sold more mountain boards than it did in the entire previous year.
By 2000, the company was getting a great deal of media coverage as its customer base grew and mountain boarding soared in popularity. In the 2001-2002 period, MBS held its first round of MBS Ramp shows for more awareness creation and to introduce a raft of their new products to the now eager marketplace.
On its 10th anniversary in 2003, MBS released a host of proprietary products into the market. These products include F3 Bindings, Matrix Truck, and T1 tires. They also went on a tour of U.S schools to introduce the new sport to teens, who now make up most of their customer base.
MBS Mountainboards remains the leading producer of top-quality mountain boards even today. That, however, doesn’t mean that everything they produce is for everyone. There are many great mountain board options available, but you need to find one that works for you. With that in mind, here are some of the best MBS mountain boards on the market:
MBS Mountain Boards Review
1. Best Entry Level Option: MBS Colt 90 Mountain Board
If you are in the market for an entry level MBS mountain board, this MBS Colt 90 Mountain Board would be an excellent option. It has an eight-inch deck that features a maple laminate. The deck is wood, which helps keep the cost of production down, and as a result, you get a relatively affordable mountain board.
This mountain board is for beginners. That is evident by its trucks, which are ATS.12 all-terrain skate trucks with 12mm axles. These trucks are similar to those you would typically find on a skateboard. They are easily adjustable, which suits beginners well.
One of the most important components of a mountain board is tire quality. The tires on this MBS Colt 90 Mountain Board are specially formulated high-rebound rubber, which is dense and quite fast even on gravel. These tires are also designed for toughness; they never lose air nor get flat.
The only issue one might pick with this MBS mountain board is that it uses Velcro bindings to keep your feet strapped in. These Velcro bindings aren’t of the best possible quality on the market, but they work just fine.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Rugged build
- High-quality tires
- The deck is well-laminated
- 8-inch wide deck
Cons:
- The Velcro foot bindings aren’t of the highest quality
2. Best Overall Option: MBS All-Terrain Longboard
This MBS All-Terrain Longboard is for people who are after the best off-road skateboard. Complete with its huge 100mm, 78a wheels, this MBS All-Terrain Longboard is the right choice for people who want to cruise in the city and go off-road sometimes.
This MBS All-Terrain Longboard is, by far, one of the most stable MBS mountain boards on the market today for one good reason – the low, drop-down deck. Since it has a lowered platform, it’s easier for you to push and slow down whenever you need to do so. That low, drop-down deck also gives the longboard a low center of gravity for better stability. It’s designed so you are directly behind the wheels, which makes your skating much easier, especially when dealing with such huge wheels.
The trucks are also quite wide at 190mm. This provides you with extra balance and stability. The problem with this level of stability is that the entire setup isn’t as maneuverable as most skaters would like it to be. The longboard makes up for this shortfall by being sturdy, thanks to the fact that it’s made out of 10 plies of maple.
Pros:
- Very stable
- Has huge wheels
- Low center of gravity
- High-quality build
Cons:
- Not very maneuverable
3. Best MBS Alternative Longboard Option: Atom All-Terrain Longboard – 39″
This Atom All-Terrain Longboard – 39″ features MBS 100mm x 65mm all-terrain wheels made out of super-high-rebound urethane and offers you the perfect blend of off-road traction and on-road speed. That makes it one of the best options for people wanting an all-purpose longboard that works well in the city streets and can hold its own in the jungle.
Kitted with a 39-inch long deck made out of sturdy maple-lam, which does a good job of keeping the center of gravity low, giving you excellent balance, this is one of the best longboards for both off-roading and leisurely pushing.
The build is outstanding, meaning that you are getting a top-quality product featuring nothing but the best craftsmanship. The trucks are reverse kingpin with a 50-degree base, seven-inch aluminum hangers finished off with heat-treated CrMo axles. The bearings are also of extremely high quality. They are rubber shielded ABEC 9 complete with high-speed lubrication, meaning that they withstand any speed without coming undone.
Pros:
- The deck is made of high-quality maple
- Sturdy MBS wheels
- High-quality trucks
- Excellent bearings
Cons:
- The wheels are kind of small and not suitable for extreme off-roading.
4. Best Alternative Electric Option: RALDEY V2 Carbon Fiber Off-Road Skateboard
Even though MBS also has electric mountain board options, some excellent brands are giving it a run for its money. One such brand is Radley which manufactures this RALDEY V2 Carbon Fiber Off-Road Skateboard. This highly powerful all-terrain electric skateboard can take on almost any terrain that your typical MBS mountain board can.
It comes with a 3000W dual belt motor so you don’t have to worry about carrying your skateboard up that hill. You can use your remote controller and rely on the motor to get you there. This RALDEY V2 Carbon Fiber Off-Road Skateboard reaches a top speed of 28 mph, has a 14 AH battery that takes four hours to fully charge, and has a range of up to 30 miles. The tires are exceptionally rugged. They are 195mm of rubber that is both strong and stable. Finally, the deck is Japanese T700 carbon fiber, which is sleek, lightweight, and durable.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Top speed of 28 mph
- Powerful motor
- Powerful battery
- Has a 30-mile range
Cons:
- A bit expensive
FAQ on MBS:
Q: Is MBS a reliable brand?
A: Yes, MBS Mountainboards has been around since the early 90s, and through that time, they have put a great deal of research into the products they produce and market. The fact that they are still standing today as industry-leading attests to just how reliable they are as a brand.
Q: Are MBS mountain boards affordable?
A: Affordability is quite relative, and it also depends on the specific mountain board in question. That said, MBS strives to give its customers excellent value for money.
Q: Where can I buy MBS mountainboards?
A: MBS mountain boards are readily available online through many vendors, including the official MBS website and marketplaces like Amazon.