Razor’s RipStik has become very popular on the market. People seem to really fancy the innovative design because one does not need to remove one of their feet in order to propel the board. The independent motion of the front and rear decks enable the rider to propel the board without traditional kicking, and hence the usage is more similar to snowboarding and surfboarding. Due to the success and popularity, the company has released several different varieties of the original model. What is actually the difference between all these models? Below, we will see the comparisons between RipStik vs RipStik DLX to help you choose the right model.
Wheel Design
The very first difference that you can notice about these two models is the wheels. The regular Razor RipStik model is equipped with a pair of 76 mm urethane ball-like wheels, which enable the caster board to maneuver around effortlessly. In addition, the wheels are paired with high-performance ABEC-5 bearings that allow them to roll and accelerate smoothly. The responsiveness and overall performance are great. See the previous article Ripstik Caster Board vs Ripstik Ripster here.
On the other hand, Razor RipStik DLX has been designed more like a snowboard. If you take a look at the bottom part of the caster board, you can find a pair of 76 mm urethane wheels that are ‘flat’ rather than shaped like a ball. The design allows the caster board to accelerate better in one direction. However, it will be somewhat less responsive for quick turns and maneuvers. It is equipped with ABEC-7 bearings for superior acceleration and performance.
Torsion Bar
The next difference between RipStik vs RipStik DLX is the torsion bar. Razor RipStik is equipped with a rubber-padded steel torsion bar, which is durable yet quite flexible. On the other hand, Razor RipStik DLX is equipped with an aluminum center tube, which has been designed for extreme grinding.
Deck Platform
The decks of RipStik and RipStik DLX are actually also different. The original Razor RipStik features high-tech polymer deck plates. These deck plates are removable, so you can simply remove them if you don’t like them. Nevertheless, these decks are slip-resistant and are quite comfortable to use.
On the other hand, Razor RipStik DLX is equipped with carbon-fiber deck graphics. It has kick tail and nose. The design is very stylish and good-looking. Unfortunately, the deck plates are not removable. In addition, the deck plates have this glossy surface that can be somewhat slippery. On the good side, the decks also have leaf-shaped grip areas to enhance the user’s footing.
Both RipStik and RipStik DLX are rated to have the maximum weight limit of 220 lbs. The minimum age is 8 years old. These caster boards are great for children, teenagers, as well as dedicated athletes.
Conclusion
The main differences between RipStik and RipStik DLX are the wheels, torsion bar, and deck plates. RipStik is good because of the responsive ball-like wheels and removable deck plates. However, RipStik DLX is generally more recommended because of the ABEC-7 bearings and the high-performance aluminum torsion bar for extreme grinding.