When comparing MBS Colt 90 vs MBS Pro 97, the Slant community recommends MBS Pro 97 for most people. In the question“What are the best mountainboards?” MBS Pro 97 is ranked 3rd while MBS Colt 90 is ranked 4th. The most important reason people chose MBS Pro 97 is:
This board's deck has a Powerlam+ composite layup, that uses PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), fiberglass and maple. This gives it a durability and stiffness capable of withstanding very extreme use. Plus, the outer layers protect the deck artwork, when doing rail slides.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Easy to learn tricks with
It’s easy to learn tricks with this board because of its short length.
Pro Skateboard style trucks, good for beginners and pros
The Colt 90 uses a skateboarding style truck system with a 12 mm axle. Compared to other skateboard style trucks, these are beefier and stronger, so they are good not only for beginners, but also for advanced riders.
Pro Simple to use binding system
This board uses standard velcro bindings which, in most cases, are fine for beginners They’re simple to use, and you can add heel straps for a firmer hold. If the standard offering isn’t enough, you can upgrade them to better ones.
Pro Functional deck
The Colt 90's maple wood deck has a symmetrical concave shape that provides better locking when compared to conventionally-shaped boards. The board’s slightly curved middle section contributes to a stiffer deck and easier rail slides.
Pro Supports adding brakes
By default, the board comes without a braking system, but you can get a compatible braking kit for a fairly low price. It can be easily mounted on the board and uses many parts that are common to bicycle V-brakes, so it’s also cheap and easy to maintain it.
Pro Reliable, high-quality tires
Unlike other budget mountainboards, the Colt 90 uses very good tires. They’re very light, puncture-resistant and very fast. Also, you can easily upgrade to 9 inch tires, without changing the hubs, for better traction and durability.
Pro Shielded bearings
The included bearings are rubber shielded, preventing dust particles from degrading them.
Pro Trendy artwork
The Colt 90 features stylish artwork that’s sure to catch attention.
Pro Durable deck, capable of withstanding harsh treatment
This board's deck has a Powerlam+ composite layup, that uses PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), fiberglass and maple. This gives it a durability and stiffness capable of withstanding very extreme use. Plus, the outer layers protect the deck artwork, when doing rail slides.
Pro Precisely tunable suspension system
The 97 uses the ShockBlock suspension system, which is much lighter than traditional spring shocks. Additionally, it offers a very wide and independent heel and toe resistance adjustment range, so you can fine tune it for high speed carving or freestyle riding.
Pro Nearly indestructible truck system
This MBS board uses the Matrix II Pro channel truck system. These are the most advanced MBS trucks, made for the most demanding riders. They are very strong and light, thanks to their 12mm CroMoly hollow axles and trunk tops made from durable plastic (which may seem fragile, but it’s actually extremely durable and light).
Pro Comfortable and firm riding support
The 97's deck has an asymmetrical concave design that gives great toeside leverage and also eliminates pressure on joints and heels. The result is a comfortable riding experience and a firm “locked in” feel.
Pro Prepared for future upgrades
MBS ships this board with standardized binding and truck mounting holes, facilitating potential future upgrades.
Pro Extremely durable hubs
This board uses aluminum hubs. While they are heavier than plastic hubs, they are very durable and can withstand high pressure rides better than the plastic alternatives.
Pro Supports the installation of a braking system
It’s possible to install a braking system if needed, but you will need to buy brake spacers if you don’t replace the hubs as well.
Pro Easy rail grinding
Thanks to the flat grinding surface on this board's axles, rail grinding is quite easy.
Pro Possible to add and remove heel straps conveniently
The 97 has Integrated heel strap mounts, with a combined ladder and bracket system (eliminating the need for screws), letting you add and remove heel straps quickly and conveniently.
Pro Clever binding with comfortable, durable padding
This longboard uses F5 adjustable ratchet straps with additional second level adjustment. There’s an added cam-lock buckle that lets you adjust the banding size to the rider’s feet. The strap’s padding is dual density, with soft padding near the foot and a stiff inner layer, for durability.
Pro Long enough to be used even by tall adults
This is a long deck board, so it’s suited even for tall adults. The length adds stability even at high speeds. Also, it’s light and has a narrow stance so tricks can be done more easily compared to other long mountainboards.
Pro Mid-section arched chamber, for extra stiffness
The mid-section of the deck has an arched chamber that gives extra stiffness and makes rail slides easier.
Pro Supports both channel trucks and skate trucks
This board has a 30-degree angled tip, which is best suited for channel trucks, but it’s possible to mount skate trucks when needed.
Cons
Con Design will wear off from rail slides
There is no protective coating on this board, so the design will wear off when doing rail slides.
Con Included plastic hubs are not very durable
The plastic hubs on this board are very light, but don't have the best durability, so they are almost exclusively only suited for beginners that will not do crazy jumps or high speed carving. Experienced riders wanting to use high pressure tires should consider getting better hubs.
Con Grinding is more difficult than with regularly-shaped trucks
Since the truck used on this board doesn’t have a flat surface, grinding is a bit difficult.
Con Uses rubber bushing instead of a proper suspension system
There is no suspension system on this board, only a rubber bushing between the top truck and axle. Even though they are good enough for beginners, when compared to suspension systems, rubber bushings are less precise, more wobbly, and need to be bought in different stiffness variants for each riding situation.
Con Attaching heels straps is inconvenient
While it is possible to attach heels straps to this board, doing so isn’t convenient at all, as you need to remove the velcro straps to do it.
Con Troublesome to do binding adjustments
The Colt 90 uses simple F1 velcro straps with no ratchet for adjustment. If you find the bindings too loose or too tight and need to do adjustments, the only way to do this is to drill new holes on the deck or upgrade to better straps.
Con Hard (or impossible) to add channel trucks
With this board, it’s only possible to upgrade to better skateboard-type trucks, since the deck’s tips have a 20º angle. Because of this, channel trucks, which are better, would be difficult, if not impossible, to mount on this deck.
Con Not as durable as composite boards
This board's deck is made from maple wood, without added composite materials. While this makes the deck cheap and light, it isn’t as durable as decks made with composite materials. It's still durable enough for most beginners, but advanced riders are better off getting a composite board.
Con Not suitable for heavy people
This board is not suitable for the heavier users, since it uses skate trucks, which may break easily from excessive weight.
Con Less stable than long deck boards
Because of its short length, the Colt 90 is not as stable as boards with longer decks.
Con Hubs are quite heavy
Being aluminum, this board's hubs are quite heavy.
Con Only compatible with 8 inch tires
This board's hubs are only compatible with 8 inch tires. If you want to use 9 inch tires, you have no choice but installing compatible hubs too.
Con Deck's unusual shape takes time getting used to
The 97's asymmetrical concave design, while advantageous in some aspects, takes some getting used to.