snowboard questions

[ViviTheMage]

I have snowboarded once or twice, 10 or so years ago, but ski'd a lot more since then....so I would say I am still a nub snowboarder. I wear a size 13, so I assume I would need a wide board and have been looking at Burton bullet, and a Burton clash.

I am wondering, for a size 13, would the clash be OK? Or is it not wide enough?

Also, me being 6 foot, should I get around a 157 - 160? I have seen a few boards on craiglist that are 150-154 which are really cheap..100-200$.

 

[Kntx]

When you're talking board length it's not just height but your weight that is important. At 6 foot you're probably pushing 175 pounds. I'd say 150 is too short, 160 is too long. You should be looking at 155 - 158. If of course you are lighter you could definately ride on a shorter board. If you're much heavier, well... I still wouldn't go to 160. It will be a bit harder to throw around.

As far as the width, I'm not too sure on those specific boards. Some general advice is to take your board, boot, binding and binding angles into account. All of these will affect your toe overhang. Anything over 3/4" is too much IMO. You can get away with an inch maybe but it really really sucks if your toes touch the snow especially on hard pack and ice. You'll face plant in a second.

 

[ViviTheMage]

hmmm, what type of angle is common? haha

 

[Kntx]

Your binding angles you set yourself. A typical set up is 15 degrees forward with your lead foot and 6 degrees back with your trailing foot. The less perpendicular your foot is to the board the more you'll reduce your toe overhang. I'll say that any all mountain type board should be useable at all angles.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Thanks Kntx

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: Kntx
Your binding angles you set yourself. A typical set up is 15 degrees forward with your lead foot and 6 degrees back with your trailing foot. The less perpendicular your foot is to the board the more you'll reduce your toe overhang. I'll say that any all mountain type board should be useable at all angles.

I use 18/6 myself, but I'd say 15/0 up to around 21/6 are suitable angles to start with. Adjust as you would feel fit. Kntx has said pretty much all you need to know! Good luck shredding. On that note I've only been out ONCE this year. So much for season pass eh?

 

[Mo0o]

I use about 15/-5. The 0 angles feel like its almost pointing the other way

 

[chorb]

Dont forget with your bindings you boot is raised off the board as well, allowing you to have a greater angle without your toe dragging.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I was thinking of getting this board :

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/spo/986424106.html

seems pretty good, 5 years old, but only 100$...

 

[ViviTheMage]

yay, nay? Is it too beat up you think?

 

[mxyzptlk]

i recently changed the bindings from a craigslist board because they were facing the wrong way (goofy foot instead of regular) and I also put on bindings from a busted up board that I found in the woods one day.. They had a different mounting pattern, 4 screws instead of 3, and now they kind of wiggle a bit side to side..

I haven't ridden with this setup, but I'm wondering.. is this okay? Am I going to break my legs or something? They only move about a quarter inch or so in either direction and only if I exert considerable force on them.. they don't move up and down at all, only side to side.. the board was only 50 bucks, so it's not a huge investment if I did break something..

 

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
yay, nay? Is it too beat up you think?

You'd have to see it to know for sure. Check the base for cracks and deep gouging, check the metal edges for deep dents and deformity, give the board a few good bends (don't be afraid of breaking it) and see that it has good springiness.

So, spend the $100 take it to a shop to get waxed and have the edges sharpened and give it a whirl.

 

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: mxyzptlk
i recently changed the bindings from a craigslist board because they were facing the wrong way (goofy foot instead of regular) and I also put on bindings from a busted up board that I found in the woods one day.. They had a different mounting pattern, 4 screws instead of 3, and now they kind of wiggle a bit side to side..

I haven't ridden with this setup, but I'm wondering.. is this okay? Am I going to break my legs or something? They only move about a quarter inch or so in either direction and only if I exert considerable force on them.. they don't move up and down at all, only side to side.. the board was only 50 bucks, so it's not a huge investment if I did break something..

I would not ride a board if the bindings are not firmly attached to it. lol.

 

[ViviTheMage]

thanks Kntx, some good pointers on what I should do when looking at a used board.

 

[roguerower]

I suggest you go to SierraSnowboard and see what deals they have. I bought my board and bindings there for 50% off this year. $400 combination for $200. Don't buy bindings until you know what kind of boot you're gonna be wearing and whatever you do, don't buy boots online. Go to a board shop and try and a dozen pair of boots. Remember that you're gonna be bolted into them, so they should be really comfortable.

I'd suggest an all-mountain board with the bindings set to +15/-5. Get it waxed at a shop before you take it out. The factories usually wax them but it isn't as good as a good hot wax. And if you pick it up, learn how to wax yourself, it'll save you money in the long run.

Don't get a board just based on the usual rules of thumb. Like everyone else has said, take into acount your weight, height, boot size, potential toe/heel drag, and what you're gonna be riding on. Alpine/carving boards are much different than all-mountain or park boards.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Originally posted by: roguerower
I suggest you go to SierraSnowboard and see what deals they have. I bought my board and bindings there for 50% off this year. $400 combination for $200. Don't buy bindings until you know what kind of boot you're gonna be wearing and whatever you do, don't buy boots online. Go to a board shop and try and a dozen pair of boots. Remember that you're gonna be bolted into them, so they should be really comfortable.

I'd suggest an all-mountain board with the bindings set to +15/-5. Get it waxed at a shop before you take it out. The factories usually wax them but it isn't as good as a good hot wax. And if you pick it up, learn how to wax yourself, it'll save you money in the long run.

Don't get a board just based on the usual rules of thumb. Like everyone else has said, take into acount your weight, height, boot size, potential toe/heel drag, and what you're gonna be riding on. Alpine/carving boards are much different than all-mountain or park boards.

Word. SS is cheap in March when 50% sale kicks in. I'm aiming for a Burton Custom ICS this year. Now if I get in fewer than 5 visits to Tahoe this year, I'm probably gonna save it for sometime later. Maybe just a half upgrade.

You can wax yourself now with an iron or if you're lazy some of that rub on stuff is decent too.

Originally posted by: Kntx

Originally posted by: mxyzptlk
i recently changed the bindings from a craigslist board because they were facing the wrong way (goofy foot instead of regular) and I also put on bindings from a busted up board that I found in the woods one day.. They had a different mounting pattern, 4 screws instead of 3, and now they kind of wiggle a bit side to side..

I haven't ridden with this setup, but I'm wondering.. is this okay? Am I going to break my legs or something? They only move about a quarter inch or so in either direction and only if I exert considerable force on them.. they don't move up and down at all, only side to side.. the board was only 50 bucks, so it's not a huge investment if I did break something..

I would not ride a board if the bindings are not firmly attached to it. lol.

Yeahh... don't wanna deal with that. My friend's bindings fell off of his rental. LOL The ski patrol guy ran to get a screwdriver to half screw my friend in but his screwdriver sucked balls. At the same time I got called and found him on that trail and brought out my screwdriver set and saved the day. Even then, the screws were close to stripped, and I wouldn't ever ride on that again.

 

[ViviTheMage]

why would the bindings need to be coinceded with the boots? I assume if the guy who used them had size 11's, my 13 boot should fit, yeah?

 

[Kntx]

Originally posted by: ViviTheMage
why would the bindings need to be coinceded with the boots? I assume if the guy who used them had size 11's, my 13 boot should fit, yeah?

It's likely they would fit, but no guarantee. Some boots are bulky, others have a low profile. I have an old pair of boots that are too big for a newer ride I have. Both boots are size 12.