Snowboard recommendations?

[Entity]

Hey guys...I've been skiing the last year, but wanted to pick up snowboarding this year. I've snowboarded about 5 times, but never really learned much about it. I picked up a pair of Northwave boots (non-step in) at a sale recently, and have been looking for a good board and bindings. I'm mainly interested in free-riding - I won't be using it for halfpipes or anything like that; I might use it for some jumps, but mainly would be using it for backcountry runs (non-groomed) at Mt. Baker..

Anyway, what size board and type of board would you recommend? What about bindings? I'm 6', 190lb, and rode a 156 before, but if I remember correctly, that was a bit small. It's been a few years.

Rob

 

[MazerRackham]

If you've got the cash, you can't go wrong with Burton. I've been riding a Burton Freestyle/Twin for 7 years now, and it's still in great shape. At your weight/height, I would get at least 164cm board for general freeriding.

I'm probably going to get a new stick this season, and it will probably be a Burton (again).

 

[Entity]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
If you've got the cash, you can't go wrong with Burton. I've been riding a Burton Freestyle/Twin for 7 years now, and it's still in great shape. At your weight/height, I would get at least 164cm board for general freeriding.

I'm probably going to get a new stick this season, and it will probably be a Burton (again).

I'll be looking used, mostly around Seattle and possibly on Ebay, so I'll check that out.

Rob

 

[KEV1N]

Burton rules. At your level the board is probably not as important as the bindings. Make sure to get good bindings. Do NOT get the "Flows". Just get a conventional strap in. See if you can get some of last season's stuff for 50% off... if you can't, then go used.

 

[axelfox]

Burton Custom is a good hybrid board.

Make sure you have comfortable boots/bindings. you don't want your feet to be hurting all day on the slopes.

 

[KEV1N]

If you can't afford the Custom get the Clash. It rides like a Custom. I picked one up last season for $150.

Also note your boots should fit snugly. They'll mold to your foot shape after a few days out.

 

[Entity]

Any recommendations for buying online? I can't find much around here (Seattle) that is great in price right now.

Rob

 

[Stojakapimp]

another lost soul

shoulda stuck with skiing

 

[Entity]

Originally posted by: Stojakapimp
another lost soul

shoulda sticked with skiing

Stuck?

I'll do both Skiing and snowboarding. I'm one of those people that just loves doing anything.

Rob

 

[spidey07]

I'll second the bindings are most important to you now. I'm 6'3" 200 with a size 13 foot. Bindings were tough to find - some woudln't even fit my boot and if they did the straps were too short.

Try your binding/boot configuration out on a board and practice strapping in/out. Move around in the bindings and see if they have enough flex for you - freeride you'll want some.

If all that feels comfortable and natural then you have found your binding regardless of cost. I'd really recommend against just buying a binding without trying it out with your boot.

I've been through about 7 pairs of bindings since 1989. I still love my Nitro bindings, quick, easy and flex for phat mutes.

I hated my burton bindings with a passion and wanted to smash them into little pieces after about three days. This was on a canyon 165.

 

[luckydragon]

i recently bought a pair of flow bindings is there something seriously wrong with them? i could stil return them if there is heh

 

[KEV1N]

Maybe you should try them out first if you're still in your 30 day returnable period. I bought some but from the advice of others I returned them, so I can't really give you first hand experience. Second hand opinions include the fact that you're bound in by the tension of the cable, which eventually stretches and doesn't give you a secure enough fit. Also the cable attachment parts at the highback are supposedly flimsy. Make sure your boots fit in there too, if you find a good combo then you're good to go. However the "general" consensus I've gotten was that they're not desirable. Also a general opinion is, people on the East coast use Flows while West coast snowboarders don't. It's because they're really easy to get into and I suppose people on the East do more tricking, i.e hanging out on the summit and just doing the terrain park all day. I like to ride so I'd prefer a more secure connection to the board rather than simplicity in strapping in. Also strapping in normally doesn't take that long.

As for online sites, I really reallly recommend

Originally posted by: luckydragon
i recently bought a pair of flow bindings is there something seriously wrong with them? i could stil return them if there is heh

http://www.cheapsnowboards.com . I haven't bought any boards from them but the clothes are amazing deals. I plan on getting boots from them soon.

 

[Entity]

What do you guys think about these boards? If I really get into boarding, I wouldn't mind buying a new board, so I'm not really looking for the best board right now - just for something that will get me by.

...

dangit, links didn't work. I was looking at:

Empire Free Surf Wide Snowboard 164cm
NEW LIQUID ELIXIR SNOWBOARD with Liquid Man Base, size 163cm
SANTA CRUZ B CLASSIC SNOWBOARD, 160cm

 

[FrontlineWarrior]

i have drake f50's with some toe thingy. it makes getting an edge much easier (better balance too). these are bindings, btw. look those up.

 

[Entity]

Any other opinions on those boards? I really like the Santa Cruz boards, but I'm not sure about the 160cm size (I used to ride a 154, which worked OK, but I gave it to my sister and it works much better for her).

Rob

 

[Entity]

^

 

[spidey07]

Entity,

If you're new to snowboarding I'd stick with a 155. As you get more experienced and need more edge then for your size you can move to a 165/170 if you need to. A 155 will be easier for you to manuveur and work.

This is no put down, but at your experience level you would be hard pressed to notice a difference in boards. Do you like a stiff board or one that is a little loose?

Stiff means blistering carves, fast, somewhat unforgiving.
Loose means more forgiving, easier to land jumps, but will not hold on very-very sharp/hard carves - nothing like your board giving out 40 mph and flopping like a tuna.

What do you want?

I say a nice freeride board with some give would be best for you. it should hold pretty nice but offer some quickness in turns/maneveurability.

Maybe you can rent a few boards and figure out what you like? It really is tuff recommending a board if you don't really know what you're looking for.