 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi,
New to this forum. Be nice...
After the first year without a ski last year in I should think 15, I'm itching to get on the snow.
But I'm struggling with researching a new board. From finding it on google images I see mine is 6 years old now. It's on its last legs so it's time for a new one but it's so long since I bought the last plank I have no idea what's out there any more or what it all means.
Current board is a Burton Ross Powers (06). Previous was the same model from 00/01ish. I like that it's stiff, its turning radius is tight and its base is fast, although I liked the older one more (stiffer, tighter and faster). I know these are pipe boards but that's not my thing, it's just coincidence...
I'm a confident rider of well over 15 years' experience so I'll get down just about any piste and am happy off it. So I don't need a forgiving board or want a freestyle board but I tried a shorter (about 155-6 I think, possibly a Lib Tech, it was in 2010) board with a very wide stance that was still stiff and fast and I loved the ease of chucking that about while it still had just as much edge grip as my own. I'd quite like something like that I think.
I'm short but pretty heavy for my height - 5'6" and 75kg/12 stone. My current and old boards are 158s I think. Small feet so normal width is great. I go for stiff boots/bindings - currently on Burton Driver X with life left in them, and Cartels.
So... Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations?
Thank you!
Luke
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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You're a man after my own heart. Similar preferences, similar time on board, i'd be looking for something almost identical to you. I always start the year when the kit-porn catalogue plops through the letterbox by choosing what i'd go and buy if I was going shopping this year...
And the one that caught my eye this year was Bataleon The Jam. It's got a slightly directional shape to it and a slight setback so it's stable at high speed and got decent float in the soft stuff. Available in 156, 159 or 162. Personally, I reckon the 156 might be worth a look and a test-drive...
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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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Hey Luke,
It's always a dilemma with choosing a new board. Especially without trying them out first.
What sort of money are you looking to spend? That usually helps narrow the choice down! The Never Summer Raptor is an immense thing. Pricey though
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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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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I really like bataleon - really checkable with the TBT. But my arbor with rocker and a version of magnetraction has really surprised me this year, been loving it, more than camber/rocker combos that I've ridden.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Rome Anthem or Anthem SS, Burton Custom X. I test drove the Jam last year and it was alright but the Yes Big City slays the Jam in every department. If you want something mental try the Endeavor Next or Capita BSOD.
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I was going to recommend Capita Black Snowboard of Death too. I still ride what used to be its little brother before they discontinued it and it's the only board that I've had that's ever lasted more than a season.
Also recommend the Jones Mountain Twin. Got that as a demo for a month after snapping another Flagship, and it carved like it was on rails.
Finally, Ride DH2 is worth a look, but felt a bit 'lightweight' for me.
All of those come in a variety of sizes.
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Cheers for all the replies folks. Sounds like there's a fair bit to think about/research there.
Re money, I've always bought Burton and towards the top end (but not all the way, the prices were mental up there) up to now and used them enough to get my money's worth, however I've also always got either last year's deals or cast-offs from my instructor brother (sadly he's out of the picture now). I'll get plenty of mileage out of it. So I'm not totally frightened off by £500 but from the marketing bumf I don't know how the hell you make a choice without a week of demos.
Just because of one demo I did a couple of years ago in Whistler I have this hankering for something much shorter than the 158/9 I'm used to but keeping a really wide stance. I'm a bit wary though -
- won't most 155/6s be built for lighter folk?
- Won't most have a narrower stance than I'm looking for?
- Perhaps I should measure my current board for starters...
My set up's always wide and very duck footed, despite my diminutive stature, and I could go wider. I'm no freestyle rider though. I think I want something that's as easy as it can sensibly be to throw around while at the same time being very quick and able to hold an aggressive carve and I certainly don't want that flapping at speed I've had on the odd plank I've tried over the years. Maybe this is moon on a stick? Maybe I'm just out of touch! I've never even heard of some of these makers.
Anyhow, some of those options sound great, esp Stevo's Amplid, which I'd never heard of before.
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