Hyperlite rips off Cassette Bi-level

INDEFINITE · Faceplant Joined: 02 Aug 2004 Posts: 28

Well another story in the world of wakeskating:

News has it that team riders of hyperlite have been caught riding a product that resembles that of a cassette bi-level. Interesting, right, just another way that another company takes a great idea, reverse engineers it, and then half-ass makes it correct....... Like stated before, cassette is and always will be at the forefront of board design. Evolution for cassette takes another company five years to reproduce.............

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10756 City: Jefferton

That's hilarious. I heard that hyperlite could develop a mock-up of the bi-level really quick if they saw it...like within a matter of nanno-seconds...

That was why I assumed there haven't been any pictures of the bi-level yet...thomas wanted to protect it before the expo (again, my assmuption after things I've heard).

All I can say is I hope that patent application was specific and complete...

RUSSIAN · Posted: Sep 03, 2004 12:03 am Post subject:

If this is true, IT DOES NOT SUPRISE ME

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10756 City: Jefferton

Nope, it's not surprising at all. They wanted to rip off someone else, but the design was not cost effective...

But as you said, if it's true, they can have them made in china and "BAM!" you've got yourself an instant success for the people over at wakeworld (ha), and anyone else that depends on the advertising dollars that are shelled out by hyperlite...

I think it's funny that there's a backlash against hyperlite when it comes to wakeskating, but I'd be more pleased if people actually understood what they are rebelling against. I feel like some people hate because it's the thing to do (you know, mob mentality/group think). Anyway, I was just thinking about that today...

RUSSIAN · Posted: Sep 03, 2004 12:16 am Post subject:

I agree on the mob mentallity thing.

I heard a rumor that the 05's would have reshapable rails..........

if they fix the gate and run with it, they might get somewhere, but that would require taking from the marketing budget and putting it into r&d. like that will happen, look at all the new designs out there they could just "borrow" from

freerider4 · Backside 180 Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 2462

electricsnow doesn't cassette have there decks made in china also.

electricsnow · cassette Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Posts: 10756 City: Jefferton

Not that I'm aware of. People have said that, but I've never actually heard that that was true.

At any rate, it's this sort of thing that makes me sick...like when I hear people say that hyperlite is one of the most forward thinking companies in the industry, and they you get crap like this. It's just amazing when I see/read about some people just settling for this...some of the most surprising people ever, actually. Do I take this too seriously? Probably...

el · Backside 180 Joined: 07 Oct 2003 Posts: 1739 City: The Sea

I would imagine most of the kids on here know enough... or do they? I think it's pretty common knowledge here that Hyperlite is shady, hawk-like and fights dirty. They don't do a very good job of hiding it either. False statements in ads and catalogs (nollies off the double up), the quiet change back to compression molded skates, strange chain of company ownership and inconsistent pace of innovation (just seems to "happen" when other companies come out with something new...)

Schmaltz · Backside 180 Joined: 16 Sep 2003 Posts: 721 City: San Jose

That's just Sad...Seriously.
i heard this thru the grapevine a few days ago wasn't sure if it was true. (is it ?) i also heard both companies were racing to see who would get it out first... (not sure again, Rumors)
You have to remember ... hyper lite will never be or have an ounce of the magic
Cassette has in their little finger. (that's why they rip Ideas off) I'ts just too bad HL will market, mass produce, and sell it in no time... and those of us who respect innovation and support rider owned companies need to remember this and never stop spreading the truth when the matter comes up. The "Masses" who buy hl will think hl is so great for inventing such a ground breaking idea and most likely they will never know the truth or care...
Straight up "Fuc#in' Lame" (if it's true)

Orlando is 90210 and thomas should have tested this thing in Africa...

This isn't the first time something like this has happened and sure as shizzle it won't be the last...

livewirelp · Pop Shuvit Joined: 03 Jan 2004 Posts: 123

I'll believe it when I see it. Frankly, I highly doubt it. I mean, it's such a wacky shape... there is no way that you can reconcile the similarities.

Yes, I agree, companies like Integrity and Cassette really have their heart in wakeskating. I'd be lying if I said Hype had that. That being said... what wakeskate design have they stolen as of yet? (disregarding the rumor stated in this thread). Whether or not you agree with their design choices or their overall mentality, there is no way that you can possibly say that they are leeching off of cassette in any way. I've said it before, so it's only barely worth bringing back up again because I'm sure I'll just get the usual "hyperlite sucks" response. (excluding a few people... most notably electricsnow whose opinion I can respect)

DRAGON88 · Dragoon Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 1020 City: Portland

livewirelp, It may be the first time that Hypershite has stolen a wakeskate idea(mini wakeboard?), but it is DEFINIANTLY not the first time they have stolen boards, the board you know as the "ERA" or "Premier" was stolen from a small company called Bad Ass. Bottom line hyperlite is not in this business to make friends, they are in it to push their crap off on people with little or no knolege. Go on wakeboarder.com and look at all the newbie threads of "Wich hypershite board should i buy" then when you inform them there are other companys they say "NO, my friend said that hyperlites are the best" People are stupid like that... BAAAH BAAAAH! thats what alot of HL customers say...

Erich, I got a pull or two on the integrity team and, it was breath takeing. Keep up the good work.

revolutionconcepts · Posted: Sep 03, 2004 1:47 am Post subject:

Hyperlite is that fag poser you see in the school hallways who rips off everyone's style. Then walks up to your girlfriend and somehow wins her over. And your left standing there with your mouth wide open saying to yourself....how could some one be so FU<KING LAME!!!!

someone needs to post more hyperlite banners on cars and smash them with big cool excavaing equipment. And to all you kids who say distruction isn't cool......

chriscut · Backside 180 Joined: 28 Jun 2004 Posts: 2000

whats the big deal with hyperlite pros skating another companies board, before its released? They are pros after all. wakeskating is their lives.. if they had a chance to ride a new deck, why would they pass it down? who says they are stealing anything in the first place?

If they did steal a patented idea, they would get sued. and you know thats the last thing they would want to happen.

SleuCrew · Posted: Sep 03, 2004 7:05 am Post subject:

I have kind of been wating for this to come up... I have actually had the Bi-level idea for quite a while now "no im in no way trying to take any credit for it", being that my friend and business partiner owns Premier snowskates so i have been around the bi-level idea for quite some time.

I have been throwing around the idea of a wakeskate company for a few years, i feel like i have some great ideas in different construction ideas and different compounds and shapes etc...

So if i were to produce a Bi-level skate that was better than Cassette's design would everybody hate on me because of that, and buy a cassette bi-level even though it was a second rate product?

Im being completly honest here when i ask this question... I have and prolly will always ride cassette i love thier product "even though i think it could be made better" and i will agree with most everyone that Hyperlite does build junk and they are only out for a proffit... Remember they are truly a waterski company, so you can really only expect so much from them.

I belive that innovation is key to this sport, if hyperlite made a better product i would ride that. And if the Bi-Level is that great like people are hoping it to be... then more than likely everyone will move to that platform sooner or later.

Hyperlite still sucks and they more than likely always will... Wakeskates should be made of wood plain and simple.

Ohh and FYI: a patent lawsuit will cost a min of 100k just to get Hyperlite to cease and decist thier product, and honestly i dont think Cassette has the $$ to fight the waterski whores and thier billion-dollar lawyers.

Vance Collins · Guest

cfxomega · Frontside 180 Joined: 29 Jul 2004 Posts: 466

We all knew this was gonna happen eventually...it's just happening sooner than later. So this should silence all the critics on the performance of bi-level boards. If Hype is this quick to bogart Thomas' design, it must be what we've all been waiting for. I'm surprised Hype didn't scrap it's whole '05 line after Cassette's press release and rework everything.

The main thing here is that everyone that buys and benefits from a bi-level deck, should know that it was possible because of Thomas' original design. It's all about the progression of the sport/hobby/activity/whateveryouwantocallit. In the end, the important thing is that we'll all be on the Cassette bi-deck wakeskate, not the Hyperlite dual-deck waterskate...

rob wharton · Posted: Sep 03, 2004 9:15 am Post subject:

rob wharton · Posted: Sep 03, 2004 9:20 am Post subject:

Grouch · Kickflip Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 3146 City: The OC

revolutionconcepts,

LMAO!!! So True and could have not said it better myself. This thread was turning boring quickly with everyone elses opinion. Way to liven it up for me. Laughing

ihatekooks · Faceplant Joined: 27 Jan 2004 Posts: 20

when you ride the real bi level you will never want to ride another board again.