Sp8boards, a UK-based longboard brand, has been crafting quality skateboards, longboards, and luges for years. Often underrated, they’ve become known for their hand-crafted approach. Today, we’re diving deep into the Sp8boards Swallow, a minimalist take on a modern downhill/freeride board. Let’s explore what makes this board unique.
Sp8boards: The Brand and Its Ethos
Sp8boards is the brainchild of Andy Speight, a passionate skater based in Yorkshire, UK. Beyond crafting boards, Sp8boards is deeply embedded in the local longboarding community. When I first started longboarding, Andy and the crew organized sessions that were crucial for my development, not just as a skater but as a member of the community. These sessions were about exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and growing together.
Sp8boards handcrafts all their products, offering some of the most affordable high-quality luges and buttboards in Europe. They also excel in creating custom boards and ship them worldwide via their Etsy shop. What sets Sp8boards apart is Andy’s hand-painted graphics, giving each board a unique and personal touch. Each board feels like it was made just for you.
Sp8boards custom longboard graphics
Sp8boards plays a pivotal role in the Yorkshire longboard scene, creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all. This dedication and passion for the sport is why Sp8boards is a brand worth supporting. Their contribution extends beyond just selling boards; they foster a community where skaters can learn, grow, and connect.
The Sp8boards Advantage: Customization
One of the biggest advantages of buying from Sp8boards is the level of customization you can get. Since Andy hand-makes each board, he can tweak dimensions to your specifications, whether it’s a narrower width, more plies, or a unique shape. I had the pleasure of having the Swallow reviewed here tweaked to better suit my preferences. It’s this commitment to personalization that sets Sp8boards apart.
My Personal Connection with Sp8boards
My first ever downhill event was at the Tregaron freeride in 2017 with Andy and I rode his Sp8boards Bullet at the event, and it was an awesome experience. This was my first taste of official sponsorship, and I did one of my first-ever product reviews through them as well. Sp8boards is the reason why Downhill254 is what it is today! They were an integral part of my development as a skater and content creator.
Ultimately, I aim to spotlight the impact Sp8boards has on the local community. These local heroes are critical to the growth of our sport and we should support them!
Sp8boards Swallow: A Closer Look
Now, let’s dive into the specifics of the Sp8boards Swallow.
Specs
- Length: 35 inches
- Width: 9.5 inches (my custom board is 8.9 inches)
- Wheelbase: 22-25 inches
- Material: 12 plies of Birch
- Mounting: 1/4 inch flush mounting
First Impressions: Shape and Aesthetics
The first thing that struck me about the Swallow was its visual appeal. It looked sleek, clean and the gold lettering on the black really popped. The carbon detailing gave the board a refined and professional look, despite being a sticker. The craftsmanship is evident.
Close-up of the Sp8boards Swallow deck
Lightweight Design
Despite being constructed with 12 plies of birch, the Swallow is remarkably lightweight. It’s one of the lightest downhill boards I’ve ever used. This lightness makes carrying it back up the hill effortless.
Birch Construction: Thickness and Durability
The 12-ply birch construction might seem like it would make the board heavy, but this isn’t the case. The birch plies are significantly thinner than traditional maple, making it comparable in thickness to other boards.
Torsional Flex
The board does exhibit some torsional flex. While my deck, with its wider wheel wells, might have experienced more flex than the stock model, I found that the stock model should be comparable to a 9-ply maple deck in terms of stiffness. If you are concerned about flex, you can ask Andy to add fiberglass stringers. While I didn’t notice any negative impact on my riding, stiffer is typically preferrable for downhill skating.
Mellow and Comfortable Concave
The Swallow has a mellow concave, which I find comfortable and easy to stand on. The rounded rails add to the comfort, especially for heelside slides. It does not have any concave features like wheel flares, w, or drops.
Sp8boards Swallow showing the concave
Width and Responsiveness
My custom Swallow is 8.9 inches wide. I found this width perfect for both downhill and freeride, not requiring any constant foot adjustments. The board has a consistent width between the innermost mounting holes, giving ample leverage on the toeside rail. This design allowed me to keep my foot in one position.
Flush Mounting and Wheel Wells
The Swallow has flush mounting and generous wheel wells. The flush mounting lowers the ride height, enhancing stability. The deep wheel wells ensure you won’t experience wheelbite, even without risers. This combination made transitions into and out of slides feel smoother.
Griptape
The stock griptape is decent for freeriding. It’s not as sharp as Cuei or Lokton, but it does provide good grip. You can get it on their website here.
Tail Design
The Swallow’s tail shape is aesthetically pleasing, but it does get damaged from use. If you’re concerned with the tail’s appearance, you might want to avoid using it for picking the board up. The tail serves mainly as an aesthetic touch rather than a performance feature.
Sp8boards Swallow tail detail
Price and Where to Buy
The Swallow is available at Sp8boards.com for £125. This price point offers great value, especially compared to other downhill/freeride decks in the UK and EU.
My Setup
I currently have mine setup with:
- Trucks: Aera Rf1s
- Baseplate Angle: 46°
- Wheels: Dragonskins, Krimes
- Bushings: Hardcore Barrels 87a
- Bearings: Loaded Jehu V2 Bearings
- Griptape: Sp8boards Coarse Grip
- Footstop: Voxel Boards Footstop
Sp8boards Swallow on a hill
What I Didn’t Like
The only significant downside for me is the torsional flex. While it didn’t hinder my riding, most other DH boards are stiffer. However, this issue can be resolved by adding fiberglass stringers for increased rigidity.
Who Should Buy the Sp8boards Swallow?
- If you’re looking for a versatile board for both freeride and downhill.
- If you want to support a local skate shop.
- If you want a downhill board with customizable features.
- If you appreciate a handmade board.
Who Shouldn’t Buy the Sp8boards Swallow?
- If the potential flex is a concern, consider adding fiberglass stringers.
Final Thoughts
The Sp8boards Swallow is an excellent board with a unique blend of customization, performance, and community spirit. If you want a deck that can handle both freeride and downhill, with a personal touch, this is the board for you.
A massive thank you to Andy for sending me this deck to review. I’ll be keeping this in my quiver as it’s one of the most enjoyable setups I’ve experienced.
Thanks to my patrons for their support, enabling me to continue creating reviews like this!
