Golden Oldie - My first snowboard etc etc

Posted: 12 March 2010 12:32 AM

Hi all,

To start, great site. A magnitude of information for those who can talk the talk.

Unfortunately Im not quite there and looking to make the golden first snowboard purchase. I think the more you read about this sport, the more complicated all the decisions become.

I need some advice on the migthy first board choice.

Im ok, seem to have picked it up fairly well, carving, slalom, picking up bit of speed and confidence. no switch yet or jumps but looking forward to it. I was initially using an old GNU board someone gave me. too short, too narrow, difficult to get confidence when going fast and apparently, i have since learned it is a good board for the parks and not my style as yet which seems to enjoy cruising, turning and not bombing down black runs.

Since, ive had a few weeks using a Head Matrix XL (159) which is much faster and much more stable and have been told its a really good intermediate board and has served me well. but, its not mine and has been returned to its owner.

Im 5 feet 8, about 70k and size 8 shoes (although 10.5 in salomon board boots). I have been looking at the following but if there are other recomendations it would be appreciated. The problem being that many brands available in the US and other overseas dont seem to be available in the UK.

Burton Blunt
Burton Custom
Atomic Alibi
Head I.CT Intelligence
Lib Tech Lando Pheonix

Obviously the above choices may be right off track. Im looking for something responsive and not too much effort to turn, not too stiff and that i have room to grow in to and maybe just maybe start jumping over the odd small lump. Hitting the parks and the pipes are a long way off yet but never say never

Basically, Im looking for a really decent all rounder

Posted: 12 March 2010 10:10 AM

Good morning and welcome to snowboard-review.com!

If I were you, I’d have a closer look at the following boards:
- Head Team I click me
- Artec Novus click me
- Atomic Alibi (as you already suggested)

All three are great allmountain rides worth buying. Check these rides out and come back here if you got any more questions.

Posted: 15 March 2010 01:22 AM

Tobi’s definitely on the right lines. Other boards I’d look at would be the Atomic Vantage and Omatic Boron. Don’t be tempted to get a board that’s too stiff just because it’s got a spec with more exciting materials and more zero’s on the base. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over my last 2 weeks of riding in Austria, it’s that a hard charging board pigeon holes your progression… as does a really soft flex. I’d look for a mid flexing biaxial fiberglass board around the £250 to £300, with a directional twin shape. Other boards worth looking at which fit this line would be the Signal Omni and Endeavor Guerilla. When you’ve decided which route you want to go down, i.e. stiff freeride charger or soft park spounge then get a more specific deck. If you’re more confident in your ability i.e. already hitting some reasonable sized jumps say 6m+ and starting to do some tricks and get some air out of the pipe, it might be worth looking at something a little more advanced. Let me know if that’s the case.

Rich

Posted: 15 March 2010 06:57 PM

Chaps,
Much appreciate the responses.

It seems like most of the crowd i was looking toward the bigger names like Burton, Lib Tech etc and ignoring the less commercial ones so thanks for pointing me in the right directions.

So, on your recomendations i have it down to these

Artec Novus
Atomic Alibi
Endeavor Guerilla
Head Team I
Signal Omni

Im not sure about all the technicals but on the above i will do some research and read some reviews. Im quite far from 6m jumps as yet though the confidence to start is coming fast.

If theres one of the above that stands out for you guys for an intermediate board with room to progress then Im happy to run with it and post back with some info.

Also, what say yee on getting the wider version. As i mentioned im a size 8 usually but the massive board boots i bought are 10.5 which some places recomend as the size to start looking at a wide board. The way I see it, my next pair may be closer to 9’s (as I am in burtons) which wouldnt constitue a wider board. But its what im using at the mo.

Great site guys. Truly helpful

Posted: 15 March 2010 07:25 PM

Well yeah, I feel like it’s way more interesting riding a deck from a ‘core’ brand (I know one probably shouldn’t use that word anymore, much flaming around it, but what gives) than from the big B or other brands whose boards are being ridden by the huge crowd.

I would say the most outstanding allround deck is the Novus, the most outstanding more freestyle oriented deck is the Team I (although I’m not saying the Omni isn’t as good as it- it’s just that the Team I was one of Tom’s favourites of this season), the most outstanding piste charger deck is the Alibi.
I don’t know anything about the Guerilla, so don’t get me wrong, not putting it on the list.

I’d say it depends on what you planning to ride mostly in the future. I would welcome reading your thoughts once you made up your mind so let us know what you are up to! =)

Oh and about the wide thing: Riding a wide board sometimes makes quite a difference compared to regular decks. Especially because you are, just as me, more like the opposite of a heavy guy. If your boots are really going to be size 9, I don’t think you should give a thought about wide boards. 10,5 is a different story, though..

Posted: 15 March 2010 07:52 PM

Personally, I’d say go for the Boron, Novus or Guerilla, out of these, go with the board you can get the best deal on. These boards are great value all mountain intermediate boards that won’t pigion hole your riding progression, they’ll be fairly good for everything you want to ride and if in a season or two you find you want something more specialised or speced up, you didn’t spend a fortune on it anyway. I’d look for a board waist about 25.5 cms, no more than about 25.8 and you’ll have enough width for your feet.

Rich

Posted: 15 March 2010 07:54 PM

Oh and I’ve seen some good deals going on the Atomic Vantage too, sub £200 pounds… that’s definitely a board worth considering.

Wow… just found it for £150… Atomic Vantage for £150

Plenty of cash left over for new boots, bindings or beer tokens!