The Landyachtz El Peligro, Dane Hanna’s pro model, is a striking and somewhat controversial downhill skateboard deck. Its most distinctive feature is its narrow width, making it the slimmest slalom downhill board available. Many have questioned whether the board is too narrow, so let’s delve deeper and analyze its design, performance, and suitability for various riding styles.
Landyachtz El Peligro Specs
Here are the key specifications of the Landyachtz El Peligro:
- Length: 31.6 inches
- Width: Approximately 8.3 inches (consistent between flares)
- Wheelbase: 21.5 inches
- Construction: 9 plies of maple with two carbon layers
- Manufactured: Canada
- Concave Features: Front wheel flares, rocker, mellow W concave
- Flush Mounting: 1/4 inch deep
- Price: $265.99
About Dane Hanna
Dane Hanna is the inspiration and namesake behind the El Peligro. As a top Canadian downhill skateboarder, his preferences heavily influenced the board’s design. Dane currently rides for Don’t Trip trucks, Roger Bros. Cuei Wheels, and Landyachtz longboards. His dynamic racing style and consistent presence in competitions make him a favorite to watch, and a formidable competitor on any race track.
Landyachtz El Peligro: Detailed Review
Initial Impressions
The Landyachtz El Peligro is exceptionally comfortable and ergonomic. The concave is minimal, with prominent wheel flares at the front. The other concave features are subtle, contributing to a comfortable yet responsive ride.
While the narrow width is a standout feature, it may affect riders differently. For some, it might require adjustments to their riding style. However, the board offers a unique experience that many riders will appreciate. Overall, the El Peligro is a high-quality board with a few potential drawbacks that might impact some riders.
El Peligro Setup
Here’s the setup used for this review:
- Trucks: Bear 2020 Smokies 50/20 (also tested with Rogues)
- Bushings (Venom HPF): Front 73/78a, Back 95/97a
- Washers: Flat RS (front), Cupped RS (back)
- Risers: 1/8 inch
- Wheels: Primarily Cheetahs, tested with Cueis and Slide Perfect Fluxx
- Bearings: Bear Spaceball bearings/SMB/Zealous
- Footstop: Netherskate.co Mini i/o knock-off or Roger Bros Daggers rule footstop.
- Griptape: Lokton Solid sheets (36 grit front, 60 grit back)
- Concave Mod: Slide Perfect Lever wedge
Landyachtz El Peligro downhill254 setup
The Narrowness: Is It a Problem?
The big question surrounding the El Peligro is its narrow width. While the narrowness doesn’t significantly hinder performance, it does affect the way you engage with the board, especially for those accustomed to wider decks. The reviewer found that the board’s consistent 8.3-inch width does not suit their riding style which made it harder to send it with full confidence.
The issue primarily surfaces when performing heelside maneuvers. Unlike boards that taper wider at the heels, the El Peligro’s consistent width offers less leverage. This can result in the front foot lifting during heelside slides, making it harder to initiate and control.
However, by adjusting the riding style to sit more into the board and preload before initiating slides, the reviewer was able to achieve better results. While this adjustment works, it requires a conscious effort and doesn’t always feel natural.
It’s crucial to note that the issue isn’t universal. Riders with different styles or lower body flexibility may not face the same challenges.
Riding Style Adjustment
The key adjustment to effectively ride the El Peligro involves sitting into the board and locking in before any slide or turn. This pre-loading technique allows for smoother transitions and more controlled slides. While effective, this requires adapting from previously ingrained habits, which can be inconsistent at times.
The reviewer also mentioned that switching to a 45-degree baseplate might help to improve the feel of the board, a change they intend to explore in the future. This would allow for more front lean and better foot positioning.
longboard heel hang 1
How The Width Affects Heelside Control
The consistent width of the El Peligro impacts heelside leverage significantly. Most boards widen where the heels are positioned, allowing for greater control. The Landyachtz Small Blind, for example, is 7 inches wide at the front mounting holes but widens to 8.5 inches at the rear mounting holes and 9.25 inches at its widest point.
Landyachtz Small Blind
In contrast, the El Peligro’s 8.3-inch width across the board results in less leverage, affecting the feel and control, particularly during heelside slides. This difference is what leads to the issues described above, including inconsistent hookups and a lack of complete confidence in pushing the board to its limits.
El peligro top view
Heelside Slide Issues
The reviewer had issues achieving perfect heelside slides. The front foot would lift, and the board wouldn’t rotate as quickly or smoothly as desired. These inconsistencies led to a lack of confidence, preventing the reviewer from fully committing to certain lines and tucks.
longboard heel lift el peligro
Heel-to-Toe Transitions
While heel-to-toe transitions weren’t as quick as the reviewer preferred, the board’s narrow back end did make back foot transitions easier. The narrowness at the rear of the board facilitates quicker transitions in that specific area.
The Impact of Flush Mounting
The 1/4-inch flush mounting contributes significantly to the board’s stability. By lowering the deck height, the leverage over the trucks is reduced, making the board less twitchy and more stable. This results in smoother transitions and better control, particularly on rough roads.
However, the decreased leverage can also hinder turning ability and slide performance. The reviewer found that using a 1/8-inch riser improved the board’s responsiveness and slide smoothness, especially with wheels like Cueis, whereas the Rogues required a full 1/4inch riser to feel good, negating the flush mounting completely.
el peligro flush mounting
Exploring Angles with Flush Mounting
One significant benefit of the flush mounting is the increased freedom to experiment with different truck angles. The reviewer enjoyed using 3-degree wedge risers to achieve 53/23 angles and plans to try a 55/20 setup later. This adaptability allows riders to dial in their board for their unique riding style and terrain.
landyachtz el peligro + 3degree wedge
Flush Mounting on Slalom DH Boards
Most slalom DH boards do not feature flush mounting or have very small flush mounts because most riders need more leverage when using slalom DH trucks. Riders often use risers with trucks like the 2020 Slalom Rogue to get the best performance out of them, and flushing can make them too stiff.
Rocker and Stability
The rocker on the El Peligro also contributes to stability, though not as significantly as the flush mounting. The subtle rocker helps to smooth out the ride, making it more controlled and stable at high speeds.
Concave Analysis
The concave on the El Peligro is generally very mellow and comfortable. The most prominent features are the wheel flares at the front. The W concave at the back is so minimal that it is barely noticeable.
Front Concave
The front features raised flares that provide lock-in for toesides and tuck leaning. The concave and rails under the heel are comfortable, without any aggressive features. There is no W concave at the front.
landyachtz el peligro front concave
el peligro front concave pt2
Rear Concave
The rear concave includes a very mellow W, almost flat. The flares at the back are also very subtle, effectively making the board flat in that area.
el peligro back concave + torque block
This flat design is ideal for riders who prefer using a torque block, which provides the necessary support and reference point for the back foot.
Torque Block Recommendation
The board is designed with the use of a torque block in mind. Especially for riders who struggle to find a good position for their back foot. Adding a torque block helps lock the back foot in place, increasing confidence at higher speeds.
Rider Stance Versatility
The mellow concave means riders of different stances can easily find a comfortable position on the El Peligro, since it provides a wide open area to stand on and doesn’t force a particular stance on the user.
Wheel Wells and Wheelbite
The El Peligro has 1/4-inch deep wheel wells, which, combined with front flares, help prevent wheelbite. While static testing might show the possibility of wheelbite with larger wheels, this is unlikely during moderate speeds.
el peligro wheel flares
Board Stiffness and Construction
The El Peligro is a stiff board with minimal flex compared to boards like the Landyachtz Small Blind. This stiffness, combined with flush mounting, contributes to its stability.
The board is made in Canada at the Berkley Factory, renowned for producing high-quality longboard decks.
Durability
The board is extremely durable, having survived a high-speed impact with only minor damage to the wheel wells. This illustrates the high quality of the construction.
Truck Protection
The rear of the board is extended to prevent the trucks from scraping when the board is kicked up, which helps in maintaining their quality and potential resale value.
el peligro back concave
Recommended Setups
The El Peligro is designed for narrow, slalom DH trucks and large wheels. It’s not a suitable freeride setup. For high speeds, trucks with a significant split (e.g., 50/20) are recommended to avoid wobbles. Truck widths of around 120mm or less are ideal.
landyachtz el peligro
Minor Drawback
The narrow width of the El Peligro might be a drawback for some riders, the reviewer admitted that an extra 1/8th inch in width would have been more ideal for his riding style.
Who Should Buy the El Peligro?
The Landyachtz El Peligro is ideal for:
- Riders who are comfortable with narrow boards
- Those seeking a high-quality, comfortable downhill board
- Fans of Dane Hanna’s riding style
- Riders who prefer flush mounting on a DH board
Who Should Avoid the El Peligro?
The El Peligro might not be suitable for:
- Riders without trucks designed for slalom boards
- Those not ready for a narrow board
Where to Buy
You can purchase the Landyachtz El Peligro at:
- Stoked Ride Shop
- Landyachtz.com. Use “AroniSkate&Explore15” for 10% off.
Conclusion: Is the Landyachtz El Peligro Right for You?
The Landyachtz El Peligro is a unique downhill board that offers a blend of comfort, stability, and adaptability. While its narrow width may require some adjustment, the board’s quality and design make it an excellent choice for experienced downhill riders. However, the reviewer’s experience may not be the same for all riders. If you are intrigued by a narrow setup and are willing to adjust to its particular feel, then the El Peligro may be an ideal board for you.
