Snowboarding Gear....

[SaintGRW]

ok, so i'm picking out what gear i want for snowboarding this year and i've got the gear picked out for the most part, i found a board i like but i'm curious if anyone can help me out with info on boards. pretty much i'm looking for one of the most flexible boards. i don't know if it is, but i'm looking at the K2 "The Movement By Willie" board believe it's 157 tall. any feedback on if it's really flexable or on other flexable boards would help, i've heard libtech is good but the boards i saw just don't apeal to me.

 

[nord1899]

We need mo' info.

What is your height and weight? These factor into how big a board you get.
What is your shoe size? How wide a board you need. Generally not a problem if you are size 11 US or smaller.
What is your riding style? Freeride, big air, freestyle, etc....
What is your budget? And what does that budget include for gear: board, bindings, boots, etc...

 

[sohcrates]

I just got a new RIDE Fleetwood which is really flexible

Yeah, what's your budget?

 

[SaintGRW]

i'm 5'9" 135lbs wear 10 1/2 US so i like the really narrow boards i ride freestyle want something really light for spinning and the gear i have priced right now will ring me $1,336 + shipping.. the board i'm looking at is $459 i want a board that i enjoy the graphics too also, i think that's where i'm going to run into problems

 

[SaintGRW]

Thread Linked
i think this gear will make a sweet setup

The 157 is the one i'm looking at

Boots i'm looking at

Bindings i'm looking at

 

[smp]

Flexible boards suck.
Ride a stiff board.
Option boards are my favourite.
Kevin Sansalone all the way.
</dream>

 

[SaintGRW]

maybe i just haven't gone for a ride on a stiff board, i have a really really old vision board with a picture of pee-wee herman on it, i'll take a picture of it when i get home from work in 3 days and post it. but it's extremely flexable and i really like it, but it's heavy so i was thinking something lighter but as flexable....i worked in the rental shop at a mountain here in town, the people i did ask said they don't know of any boards as flexable. anyone think of anything wrong with the setup i'm thinking about?

 

[nord1899]

Okay, first off I think a 157 is a bit long for you if you are planning on doing freestyle (park/pipe). I'm 6'1", 230lbs and I used to ride a 157 as my freestyle board. 153-155 is probably a better length. Remember, the longer the board is, the more you work there is in spinning. Of course, longer boards are more stable at higher speeds. So you have to figure out where to compromise.

That said, I am a HUGE fan of Never Summer boards. I bought a Premier T5 (freeride board) 165cm last year and love it. But then I prefer all mountain and going fast over going in the park. I would suggest looking into their freestyle board, the Evo which they have at 155cm. The thing about Never Summer is they don't do much with graphics because those don't matter. What matters is how the board performs. And Never Summer boards perform like magic. Not to mention they last and last and last. They don't lose their flex even after years of hard riding. I know a guy who rents the Premiers from his shop and is still able to sell the board at a good price the next season. Just to let you know, the Premiers cost about $450-$500. Not your crappo-cheapo board they rent you at the slopes.

Well hope that helps a bit. Just remember, the graphics should really be the last thing on your mind. You want a board that performs great rather than just looks great.

 

[smp]

My buddy, who is a rep for option and lives out in whistler, and has been for 5 years now, rides full time. He's a maniac in the pipe and the park. He's about 5'5" and rides a 160 or something like that.
He's a small guy with a big stiff board and he KILLS it.
Short boards are harder to land tricks on too, they're less stable and flexible boards suck for the same reasons.
You just have to get strong, and yeah, of course graphics don't matter.
Option!
Best boards EVER!
</option plug>

 

[MazerRackham]

I agree with nord1899 all the way... .Never Summer makes awesome boards. I'm going to get one this season, though I really don't have the money for it

 

[SaintGRW]

idk, i'm still thinking the K2. and as kevin jones said there's nothing like going off a jump with a smiley face on the bottom of your board so that people can see.. lol i gotta have the picture if i had the funds for several boards i'd get more but if i'm only able to use 1. i gotta have one i like the looks of

 

[nord1899]

If you get a board you like the looks of, chances are you are going to have to replace it before long, especially if you hit the park/pipe alot. Why? Because you will be scratching up the topsheet and base a whole lot.

My priority for boards:
1. Performance - how does it ride, etc...
2. Durability - how long will the it last before I have to get a new one.
3. Looks - will that picture on the base help me pick up the chicks?

But hey, to each their own.

 

[nord1899]

Originally posted by: MazerRackham
I agree with nord1899 all the way... .Never Summer makes awesome boards. I'm going to get one this season, though I really don't have the money for it

Good luck finding one. Last year when I bought mine, I got lucky. I went to the local store the day after they got the boards. They were all but sold out. I think he sold some 30 boards as they came off the truck. Not bad for boards that cost around $500.

Its funny going to the more mainstream snowboard shop, the one selling Burtons and K2's and the rest, and barely seeing their stock move at all during the whole season. And here, a small shop, not even able to get the boards off the truck without selling them all.

 

[SaintGRW]

i've never cared about burton gear everyone i know that owned some had a problem with it at some point....you hear anything about lib tech? and anything bad about K2 or Ride?

 

[nord1899]

K2 and Ride make good boards. I don't follow the scene enough these days to really tell you whats what in the industry anymore. Half the brands out there I don't even recognize, though about 5 years ago I could tell whats good and bad.

My best advice would be to see if you can demo the boards once the season starts. Unless the board manufacturer is in high demand or a small one, chances are you will be able to find your prefered board in January. By then, you should have been able to demo a few boards and find one that works for you.

Also, there are a bunch of magazines that rate the boards. Might want to take a look at those.

 

[SaintGRW]

thanks, i'm not trying to shoot down your never summer idea, i just have an interest in other boards. i'll see if i can find another mag. lunch time!

 

[nord1899]

I'm not offended in anyway. Each person has a different riding style and preference. You need to find a board that fits that. For me, it was Never Summer. For you, it might be that K2 board. Or it could be some other brand.

Find one that works and that you like and have fun.

 

[SaintGRW]

anyone live in NY or VT? i'm prolly going to try to go to killington again might be cool if some people meet up

 

[nord1899]

Long Island, NY here. Will be making many a trip up to VT, some of them to Killington.

 

[smp]

to add..

if you're new to the sport, it probably won't matter, even if you get to try the boards out first.
You only notice a difference once you know what you're doing.

edit: size matters

edit edit: toronto here .. will be making a trip out to jay peak this year for sure
It's fun when the gondola is busted or closed due to high wind .. if there is pow you can hike on up to the top where the gondola is and have a bit of a pow run

 

[SaintGRW]

this will be my second year, i have alot to learn all i can do right now are grabs, 180's and some 360's can't stick all of them though. i'll go to killington this year if you want, i'll see if i can get some friends from this side of the state... last time i went i was just amazed.

 

[lightpants]

Big K rocks (killington) I worked there for a few years. I used to drive from PA to Killington every week for 2 days of work, to get my free pass and 4 days of riding.(lucky I could ride all morning before work)

Santa Cruze makes great boards, and for bindings GO FOR DRAKE they are the best I have ever ridden!

Damn, it is sunny and hot here and you have me looking at my board and wishing for snow. Winter will be here soon enough.

If your not set on this years board check out here:
http://www.snowboards-for-sale.com/
There are some good deals to be had

this place is good for new stuff:
http://www.the-house.com/
I ordered from them a few years ago and was happy with the service.

Think snow
Jim

I guess it is soon time to put the wakeboard away!