 Poster: A snowHead
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Looking for a new plank. I've been happily riding my Burton Baron 167 (the old wide version of the custom) for what, maybe 15-17 years.
Me,50 (just) Been boarding for about 20 years usually 2.5 weeks per years.
Riding - all pistes groomed or otherwise, in-resort off piste, between the piste, on powder days, and sometimes on the rock hard trails between the trees trying to follow the kids. I'm not out in back country beyond resort boundaries nor hiking anywhere, and only occasionally follow the kids through the park, on the smaller kickers or mega wide easy boxes.
I'm quite a lazy boarder, but I like a fast base as I hate running out of speed on flats, and I like sharp edge that holds - I've retuned my baron to 3 degree side edge. The baron has been mostly great, though on steeper slopes, reds etc, if its a hard pack day I find the heel edge particularly skids out a bit on carves.
We always ski at easter, so I want a board that will hold a carve on the rock hard icy easter morning, but will also cut through the the big heavy mounds on the hot easter afternoons. Must be able to float in powder. I'm less worried about pop as Im not throwing massive airs, and Im not doing butters etc, though I like popping on and off the side with occasional little hits. I hate soft boards that get flappy at speed or flex themselves over every bump underneath, and want something stiff enough for short and long carves even on steeper pistes on hard pack days.
Currently I need to de-lard a little at around 14 stone 13. 6ft 1 to 6ft 2 height. Size 11 boots. (UK)
So.... Suggest me some boards, as I am way out of date on 17 year old baron !
I'd thought about the Bataleon Goliath 164 (stiffer version of the Whatever), but reading reviews I wonder if it might not have the edge hold for caving I want. Read some reviews about it skidding out, with the 3d base thing etc and needing a more aggressive edge in order to hold.
I then thought maybe Jones Flagship or Gnu Baked Country but wonder if these are too hardcore freeride for my needs.
Now wondering if a Custom X wide might fit the bill.
Cheers for suggestions of planks I could look out for/try.
Cheers.
G
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Mon 23-05-22 22:09; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I’m about the same age and dimensions.
168w rossignol xv has been my all time favourite go to for the last few seasons.
Great edge hold and goes fast  . Rides shorter than the length suggests. I haven’t ridden a flagship but have a solution which is pretty much a split flagship and it’s great but my money would be going on the Rossi
I also have a Jones frontier. Good all rounder but not as much fun as the Rossi
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Thanks I'll look it up.
I'd also thought maybe the Nidecker Thruster, however for some bizaare reason they won't/don't ship to the UK.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I bought a Nidecker Blade from Allo Ski in Le Grand Bornand in January, main difference being that the Thruster has uplifted contact points on the nose and is a little stiffer. The shop owner Steve, who is an ex racer, rode the Thruster as his main board even though he has the choice of many boards including Rossignol, Korua and Jones. He speaks very good English so might be worth a call.
My previous board was a Rome Blur and I mostly live for carving, the Blade is a step up that I thought would be difficult to find. All the time I had it I was unknowingly nursing a busted acromio clavicular joint so I wasn't doing much other than piste cruise carving. I put a review on SnowboardingForum here: https://www.snowboardingforum.com/threads/nidecker-blade-review.272969/#post-3456942
This was the morning after I finally saw a doctor and he told me to rest for 3 months 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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If you try the Custom X, then take a look also at the Hometown Hero, which has more setback and than the Custom X plus taper and directional sidecut.
It's the first board I've ever had which rips in powder, and carves hard circles on hardpack.
I'm not a fan of the Flight Attendant, which doesn't tick any boxes for me.
If you're into carving tracks or powder, then I think the "fit" of the board is critical,
so trying stuff out is important. If you find something you like, try similar models from the same
designer to tune in on the best thing.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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My main board has been the Jones Flagship for about ... oh my god... 6 years now, and I really rate it, having come off a REALLY old Burton Triumph. Its the older version and Jones have been making it softer since then so its apparently more forgiving so I wouldn't reject it as "Too 'Core", but I do like a stiffer board. Have also heard very good things about the Rossi XV that @hang11 mentioned.
The other one I rate having ridden it at the Oktobertest was the K2 Alchemist, mainly because it felt a lot like the Jones - a strong progressive board for blasting around on and off the piste.
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I only bought the rossi because it was crazy cheap in an end of season sale and I wanted a new board to take to Europe for a couple of weeks. Blew me away how good it was for laying trenches and going fast in all sorts of varied conditions. Think I’ve had it for 4 seasons, don’t ride it all the time but would have put in over 150 days on it.
It’s getting a bit knackered but I’ll pre order a new one for next year after this season is over. Definitely my preference for inbounds days, out of a hovercraft, frontier and optimistic.
I use the frontier for when I have to take it easy with the other half, hovercraft only comes out for heli days and the optimistic mostly sits in a bag in the shed.
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Yes PYL.
To qualify this, I'm a skier that tries to keep up with a much better boarder. When he got the above mentioned tray it took his boarding to a totally new level on and off piste.
He's been raving about it ever since he got it...couldn't shut him up for years!
Apart from youtube videos I've not seen anyone carve as well on a tea tray. And it's as good off piste too he says.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Interesting there's a few new suggestions that I'd not considered before.
Nice review of the Blade @BoardieK. I hope your joint has repaired, or is repairing well.
I'd never even consider and Rossignol before. Not sure why, suppose in my head I still naturally associate them with skiing and basic cheap beginner hire shop boards when I learnt (a long time ago!). The reviews of the XV look promising.
I'm not likely to have two boards on the go in my quiver so what ever I get is a one board trick.
One question I had was on testing. If I go to a resort shop and ask to test, my recollection (of hiring, years back) is most shops tend to focus on a couple or three brands, so its pot luck if they have what I want. When I bought my Baron I'd been given one as a hire board in Austria on the previous trip, knew I liked it, so did a web search at the end of the season and got a good of season deal from a UK online shop.
I'd not come across the Oktobertest before - is this a regular thing ?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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One of the bigger sized GNU Riders Choice might suit you.
I went from a 10 year old 163 stiff plank to a 157 Riders Choice. Was worried about the length (15st to 16st) but the bit of rocker makes it float and the serrated edge makes it bite in to hard packed conditions
Worked for me
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Gazzza wrote: |
I'd thought about the Bataleon Goliath 164 (stiffer version of the Whatever), but reading reviews I wonder if it might not have the edge hold for caving I want. Read some reviews about it skidding out, with the 3d base thing etc and needing a more aggressive edge in order to hold.
I then thought maybe Jones Flagship or Gnu Baked Country but wonder if these are too hardcore freeride for my needs.
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Reckon the Flagship is a great choice. I ride a Jones Ultra Mountain twin and love it, a friend is similarly pleased with the Flagship. Flagship has a touch more flex but still pretty robust.
162W or 165W would seem to be in the right zone for the Flagship.
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Too many boards out there to really make a recommendation, I'm also very much not a wide board guy.
Only comment I would make on all the boards mentioned above is that the Jones Ultra Mountain Twin is probably my least favourite board I've ever ridden (and I've ridden a lot). Cheap rental Rossignols included. Flagship wouldn't be far behind, but I'm reserving judgement as I only tested one of the very early ones. The more recent versions are probably a lot better.
Out of my current eclectic collection, you'd probably like an Amplid Souly Grail, Creamer or Paradigma in long/wide enough version. The Burtons I ride are probably too short/narrow (Free Thinker) or too shaped (Skeleton Key). Of the other stuff I've tested recently, maybe a Weston Backwoods or a Korua (can't remember which model). Sounds like you're basically looking for something grippy and turny.
For testing, basically forget it. Sadly, there are not a lot of specialist snowboard shops around with a good range. Tignes Spirit, as always, standing head and shoulders above most.
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You know it makes sense.
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| stevomcd wrote: |
| Only comment I would make on all the boards mentioned above is that the Jones Ultra Mountain Twin is probably my least favourite board I've ever ridden (and I've ridden a lot). |
Funny you should say that, as I would have said the same after the first weekend I had on that board. A different set-up (tweaking boots and adjusting bindings is all) changed everything and I've never looked back.
Not saying the board is for everyone, and quite possibly not the OP (hence my push towards the Flagship over the UMT), but I love it. Stable as you like at speed. Holds an edge like nothing else I've experienced. Its stiff, and maybe not so playful, but its 100% trustworthy.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Adam123, for me, holding an edge is all it does. Other than that it's just a lump. No fun. Plenty of other boards hold at least as good an edge and are a lot more fun to ride. The thing is, to really make a snowboard perform other than in pretty static carving, you need to be able to bend and twist it. It's not just all about edge grip - which is mostly down to the rider in any case.
I lost my rag with the UMT when I stopped in a mogul field and found myself suspended above the ground, with the tips of the board on two bumps. I'm 85kg and it wasn't flexing enough for my feet to touch the ground. @"&$ that.
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Gazzza, there are so many boards to choose from so I'll recommend my ride GNU Mullair but I would focus on specifically on profile and type of board when searching. These are more important than stiffness par se. A stiff cambered board can be a different beast compared to a similar stiff hybrid board. My Mullair fits your bill but you might not like its ride. It handles it all but is a bit twitchy so for a one board quiver ride it may not suit you. I switch to my Jackpot when I want to do other stuff. How much taper if any do you want? These things can be the difference for picking the perfect ride. Also if you stick to the more well known brands you can sell it easier if you don't get on with it. JMTC. Good luck!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Gazza: Riding - all pistes groomed or otherwise, in-resort off piste, between the piste, on powder days, and sometimes on the rock hard trails between the trees trying to follow the kids. I'm not out in back country beyond resort boundaries nor hiking anywhere, and only occasionally follow the kids through the park, on the smaller kickers or mega wide easy boxes.
Thats a huge difference in board types.
off-piste and powder days: bataleon magic carpet, floats like just amazing
parks: bataleon evil twin etc, catching an edge on a rail or a bad landing on an edge, the tbt gives a bit more mmmm less likely to face plant
carving on a groomed piste: get in the local shops and ask to trial a few boards. never summer etc.
i think if you want everything you said, a couple of boards at least.
oh, tbt (goliath) does carve very nicely as long as weight is spread over board equally
not the magic carpet, tried, face is almost in the snow to get an edge in)))
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Regarding getting a board to test - be aware that unless you're going somewhere which has a reputation for snowboarding then you may struggle finding a specialist shop willing to let you take out a brand new board on test.
Only other thing I would say re testing boards is that if you are testing a new board from a shop is that most likely it'll only have a factory edge on it - most likely 0.deg. so its never going to edge particularly well until you cut it back a degree or two. Yes, you can get an idea of its flex and its other characteristics but until you get a proper edge cut into it then you won't be getting the best out of it. Again, a specialist shop is more likely to have a few 'loaners' which have been edged up properly.
Unfortunately the K2 guys didn't make it to Oktobertest HH this year so no new toys to test - it was just Me, @phil_w, and one of the junior Sideways clan hooning about on whatever boards we brought.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
Regarding getting a board to test - be aware that unless you're going somewhere which has a reputation for snowboarding then you may struggle finding a specialist shop willing to let you take out a brand new board on test.
Only other thing I would say re testing boards is that if you are testing a new board from a shop is that most likely it'll only have a factory edge on it - most likely 0.deg. so its never going to edge particularly well until you cut it back a degree or two. Yes, you can get an idea of its flex and its other characteristics but until you get a proper edge cut into it then you won't be getting the best out of it. Again, a specialist shop is more likely to have a few 'loaners' which have been edged up properly.
Unfortunately the K2 guys didn't make it to Oktobertest HH this year so no new toys to test - it was just Me, @phil_w, and one of the junior Sideways clan hooning about on whatever boards we brought. |
Agree, not easy to get a good test board but some demo at MK snowdome, HH, Tam etc.
A lot of money to end up on a board you dont like or just feels not right.
One of my boards is a forum destroyer, yep, from new. best carver on the planet, for me)) used every year for 10 years plus, and nothing can beat it, but, for me.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thought I'd post back with an update and to thank everyone for the various replies and opinions since my request in May.
I very nearly ordered a Rossi XV at the end of the season and came close to clicking on a Jones Flagship but after a while of procrastination summer came and the reviews for 2023 models were doing the rounds.
I decided what I needed was an all mountain board, erring more to freeride than than freestyle side of things, mainly camber, mid to stiff flex, and that had a reputation and good reviews for carving around on, as well as having sufficient float for powder days. @alan1405 you are right that the range of riding suits different boards, but it was always going to be a quiver of one choice for me so a case of accepting it won't be the best of at any one thing and being a compromise somewhere, but I decided I wanted carving and powder side of things.
Anyway I settled on a tear up between the new Amplid Singular and the 2023 Capita Black Snowboard of Death as my targets. Close call.
In the end I opted for the BSOD. Could not find either in the UK. I think I saw one Singular at Absolute Snow, but not the size I wanted and I never saw a single BSOD in the UK. I emailed the guys at Groove Armada the UK importers, who were super quick to respond and gave me an update on potential stock and where to look, so shout out to them if they read here, thanks guys for the response.
I was keen not to order from Europe and kept stock checking the UK stores Groove had given me, but still to no avail.
Then I saw one last Friday in my size @ Snowcountry.eu in the Netherlands. They had it in the black friday sales so clicked commit about 3 minutes to midnight last Friday bagging a BSOD for £395 (ex vat) plus shipping, £408. Had to pay UPS 92 quid ish in handling and import costs (vat and customs faffage), so all in for £500 and 13 pence !
Delivered this morning and it looks great so I'm delighted and glad I took the punt. Raring to get on it at New Year.
My wife says it'll make no difference to my riding vs my old one as frankly I'm old and not going to get any better.  She of little faith 
As I said my Baron is now 17 ish years old so looking forward to riding on some new tech.
Anyway, now my only quandary now is whether to immediately retune the edges with my 87 deg guide, or wait till I get to resort and see how it rides. Tempted to try the later to see how it factory performs.
I plan to load it up with wax in either case.
Cheers all. Wishing you all a good season.
G
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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| Quote: |
retune the edges with my 87 deg guide, or wait till I get to resort and see how it rides. Tempted to try the later to see how it factory performs
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I'd check and see what the factory edges are cut to - most just ship with 90 deg, and expect you to cut your own. You don't need me to tell you that 87 is a pretty aggressive cut so going to a 90 will probably make the new board feel quite vague in comparison. Maybe cut it back degree by degree as you run it in.
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Yeah good point. My guess is most boards ship with +1/+1, ie. 1 deg base and 1 deg side, giving an effective edge of 90 deg but offset by 1 deg to the base.
I've pinged Capita a message to check.
I tuned my board to +3 side with an 87 deg guide about 12+ years ago and I've stuck with it since, and do the kids and wife's skis and boards to the same. My wife's skis came with a 3 side anyway.
I guess I'll eventually move to +3 but thought it might be nice to try the factory setting.
Also I'm happier doing minor sharpening and polishing with the diamond stones, but I don't like getting out the rougher file to change edge angle, as I'm never sure how much edge I'm ripping off 
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@Gazzza, its worth checking - for example all Jones boards come at 0 degree base angle, I got my one cut 1 on the base with 3 on the side. Burton used to ship 1/1 but I'm not sure what the do now.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Gazzza you're welcome.
I use 6 different bords.
They literally all behave in different ways.
Still my fav is an old forum destroyer from years ago.
pow is a bataleon magic carpet
general all mountain is my destroyer and a bataleon chaser
park and messing around, bataleon evil twin and global warmer
all bindings are ride, various softness etc.
this is what ive ended up with after several seasons out in france, living in the mountains and instructing etc.
life long trial and error.
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I'm surprised anything has a 0 base but you are right, just found it on the Jones website. My old Burton Baron (wide custom) Burton told me it had 1 base and 1 side, but just at the tip and tail contact points they upped the base to 2. But that was 15+ years ago, no idea what they do now.
Waiting for Capita to reply.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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The Jones base at 0 is interesting I always thought they shipped with a 1 degree bevel. Just bought the other half a stratos so will have to set that.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I think a lot of stuff ships 0,0 these days. Amplid are the same. Means you can set it to whatever you want. Far from convinced it's particularly important, as long as the edge is actually sharp.
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Capita replied to say "The edge and base bevel on the BSOD is 1 degree! Feel free to stray from factory rec if it fits your riding style better".
Will try it as shipped then decide if I up it to 3 side after a bit of riding. I plan to leave the base at 1.
Funnily enough I've never noticed my baron with 3 side bevel feeling that aggressive. I'm either just used to it or, perhaps, I'm just crap at tuning and I never put a decent edge on it
Cheers all
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You know it makes sense.
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Will taking a side edge from 90 to 88 typically need a sidewall trim?
If so, can it be done without a special tool?
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@earl, You can trim a sidewall back with a craft knife blade with a bit of electrical tape on it - the cutter tool will just give you a more even cut.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Cool. I'm gonna go nuts in a old board and see what happens.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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use a fresh blade, couple of bits of tape wrapped either side of a about 1cm of blade so you don't cut yourself to bits, and pull steadily along the length.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I know my old custom and panteria had -1/-1 from factory
If my later boards comes 0/0 then maybe that explains why the carving just doesn't feel that good.
I thought it was the super camber of yesteryears kit.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I have an edge tool somewhere does that help determine bevel angles? Been a bit scared to mess with them but my snowboards have been round a few laps so could be worth experimenting.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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A true bar on the base should tell you if there’s a bevel on the base edge
I think (never tried) that you can determine edge angle by marking spots on the edge with a sharpie and then running a fine stone in a tool at increasing angles until the sharpie marks go. You would need base guides to do the base edge.
I tend to do most of my edge tuning on rocks and not worry too much about it.
Checked the other half’s new stratos yesterday and it was at 0.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Ooh... careful now. We are beginning to sound like... the Others... *shudder*
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| Richard_Sideways wrote: |
| Ooh... careful now. We are beginning to sound like... the Others... *shudder* |
I believe it should be mandatory to wear a helmet to fit snow chains to an EV.
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| Quote: |
I then thought maybe Jones Flagship or Gnu Baked Country but wonder if these are too hardcore freeride for my needs.
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I'm going on year 3 riding a 161 Flagship and she can be quite an aggressive board at times. It likes charging and picks up speed easily, but still has really great edge hold and manages powder well also. If you want more float, you can shift the bindings back further in your stance using the 'pow pack' inserts they designed into the deck.
It's incredibly versatile and has served me well riding everything from double blacks to mellow groomers, albeit it does get spicy pointing it straight down hill. Just learn to love the occasional speed check 
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Gazzza, how have you found it?
I've got similar requirements although I've been slumming it with rentals so far. Managed to get a Jones Flagship in Mayrhofen about 5 years ago which I loved, so tempted to stick with that.
What made you choose the BSOD over the Singular or Flagship? There's a Singular at Sick & Wrong which I've got my eye on...
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| Quote: |
There's a Singular at Sick & Wrong which I've got my eye on...
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The Singular is really good. It's got nice flex and pop, but has just enough of the Souly Grail / Pentaquark DNA in it to let it just feed you loads of grip whenever you need it. It's both fun to ride and super-grippy. A rare combo!
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FAQ
