Alkemist Longboard 2017

Alkemist Longboard recently presented their latest collection which now includes four decks; three previous models upgraded according to their riders’ feedback and one completely new deck. All of them feature colourful eye-catching graphics done by the French artist Mikael Moune.

Both top and bottom graphics are sublimated on a high quality foil to ensure that they will stay there for a very very long time. Most people will put the grip tape over it, but the top layer graphic is a really nice feature.
Although it’s fairly young, the French brand Alkemist Longboard is gaining recognition quickly, especially on the European scene.
Their well designed high-performance decks and a team of very skilled and active riders like Clement Blondeau, Sylvain Mostel, Alice Bonnet des Tuves and Tiki Tarz,  helped them with getting noticed in the crowded longboard market. Well deserved, that’s for sure.
Since the launch of its initial collection, Alkemist has been busy gathering their riders’ feedback with the aim to improve the initial designs and to launch their second version this year. The new board collection is promised to be lighter, stronger and more efficient.
Let’s check out the boards…

New: Alkemist Alkatraz 37″ Longboard deck

The newest addition to the Alkemist Longboard collection is a top-mount deck dubbed Alkatraz, created in collaboration with Alkemist rider Tiki Tarz, which features a symmetrical platform with double kick-tails.
The Alkatraz is built with versatility in mind and it’s meant to take your skateboarding to a whole new level. The deck is 94 cm long and 23.9 cm wide, and compatible with both new and old-school truck mounts, while providing with 51.3 cm wheelbase.

The construction of the Alkatraz doesn’t differentiate from the other Alkemist boards, but that’s a good thing because it only means that you’ll be enjoying the same high quality.
The wooden core sandwiched between two layers of fibreglass combines Birch and Ash wood which makes the board both lightweight and strong.
As described by Alkemist Longboard, the Alkatraz can handle a lot…

With a comfortable concave, wheel flairs and kick tails you can do anything with this board. From boardercross events and slide jams to the mountains, you can roll in bowls and skate parks or just down the street to pick up your groceries. ~ Alkemist Longboard

Symmetrical platform, double kick-tails, medium concave, flared wheel wells and a comfortable size make the Alkatraz a great choice for smashing pretty much any terrain.
However, nothing is the best for everything, so it’s fair to mention that the Alkatraz wouldn’t be the best choice for beginners looking to get into downhill due to its shorter wheelbase which makes the board very responsive, especially at higher speeds.
But no worries, Alkemist Longboard has got you covered with three more decks built specifically for downhill and freeride; Sweet Smoke, Ghost Knight and Valkyrie.
Let’s check out those as well…

Alkemist Sweet Smoke v2

Built primarily for freeride, the Sweet Smoke by Alkemist features a simple radial concave, a kick-tail and large wheel wells to accommodate bigger wheels with the addition of multiple wheelbase options.

The Sweet Smoke is a directional top-mount. It measures 91.3 cm in length, 24.5 cm in width and provides a 56,2 cm to 61,6 cm wheelbase. Depending on your favourite wheelbase option and setup, this board can deliver on fast downhill runs and dominate on various slide jams.
The Sweet Smoke is composed of a wooden core sandwiched between two layers of fibreglass ensuring that the deck is both lightweight and strong.

Alkemist Ghost Knight v2

The Ghost Knight blurs the line between downhill and freeride. It’s a directional dropped top-mount deck built for speed and designed in collaboration with the Alkemist team rider Sylvain Mostel. However, with having a smaller but functional kick-tail it doesn’t rule out your everyday shenanigans.
Micro drops in the front and back lower the centre of gravity resulting in a more stable ride at higher speeds. The board also features a W concave which is more defined in the back compared to the front. Combined with the micro drops it creates comfortable pockets that keep rider’s feet safely locked-in when performing high speed manoeuvres.

The Ghost Knight longboard deck measures 93 cm (36,6″) in length and 24 cm (9,4″) in width. Multiple wheelbase options range from 60,7 cm to 63,7 cm which make it possible to adjust the responsiveness to your needs and preferences.
Composed of a dual wooden core sandwiched between two layers of fibreglass the Ghost Knight, like Alkemist’s other boards, is lightweight and strong.

Alkemist Valkyrie v2

Last but not the least, Alkemist has got the downhill enthusiasts covered as well with the upgraded Valkyrie, a directional top-mount deck built for high-speed skateboarding.
Valkyrie’s directional top-mount platform fused with a W concave in the back and progressive concave in the front makes it a great choice for those who are looking for the best ratio of comfort, control and responsiveness.

The Valkyrie longboard deck is 90.5 cm (35.6″) long and 25 cm (9.8″) wide. It has an adjustable wheelbase which ranges from 64.2 cm (25.2″) to 68.7 cm (27.04″) allowing you to adapt it to your preferred style of riding.
Like the other Alkemist decks, the Valkyrie also has a dual wooden core consisting of Birch and Ash wood, which provides the right mixture of strength and lightweight. The wooden core lies between between two layers of triaxial fibreglass.

Price and where to buy

All Alkemist longboard decks come with the same price tag and are currently available via their website for 178,99 Euros (deck only).
To make it easier for their buyers, Alkemist also offers completes with the setup including AHMYO wheels and Caliber trucks. The price for a complete is 288,99 Euros.
For more info about Alkemist Longboard visit alklongboard.com and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Do you already shred an Alkemist board?
Share your experience via the comments below. Thank you!