NS SL and Evo

Posted: 26 October 2010 11:07 PM

I’ve been thinking a lot and have decided that once the sale season starts (people here don’t usually buy NS boards) I’m going to buy one of these boards (this time for sure, no more changing minds haha). I know I’ve stated that I want a stiffer board but really what I wanted is a board with good edge hold and carves well. So with that, I have a few questions.

- How much stiffer is the SL compared to the EVO? I’ve heard different things from many people. Some say the evo is almost the same flex as the SL but less damp, others have said the evo is really buttery and soft.

- I’m 5’5” 150lbs, size 10 boots (2010 Burton Ozone if that helps), maybe will gain another 5 lbs since I’m lifting weights and trying to get bigger. I’m torn between what size to choose the 153 or 155? Ride mostly in whistler and this is going to be for all mountain (mostly just blues and blacks), going to learn some basic 180s and 360s off side hits or rollers.

I hope Rich and others can chime in to give me some advice =)

Posted: 28 October 2010 03:44 PM

Hey Skip,

Sorry for the lateness of my reply, this week has been completely hectic as I am moving from my flat in London to a studio appartement in Austria. It’s going quite smoothly at the minute but what with leaving my job and selling all of my furniture etc etc the site has gone on the back burner a little.

So regarding your question. I would give the Evo a flex raing of around 5.5 out of ten. If you get it in the right length it is great for freestyling all over the hill. It’s RC profile does make it easier to press and butter thn cambered boards of it’s flex but it’s certainly not as buttery as standard radial rocker boards like the Arbor Westmark or jib rocker boards like the K2 Parkstar.

For you my advice would be to go for the SL 156. THis board has enough waiste for your boots which the EVO 153 doesn’t at 24.4cm. The flex is a little bit stiffer (6.5/10) and is damper too, but it works great in carves, really smooth responsive and powerful, without being an animal to tame. It also works great in powder snow, which if you are in Whistler is 100% essential.

I hope that helps,

Rich

Posted: 28 October 2010 09:21 PM

No problem Rich, I hope you’re gonna enjoy Austria! Alright then the SL’s gonna be my first choice, but I think you meant the 155 SL because I look at NS’ website and there is no 156 hehe. I’ll buy the 155 Evo if the SL is sold out by the end of season (which is not likely over here). Thanks again for your advice enjoy your new home =)

Rico

Posted: 08 November 2010 10:34 PM

Rich, I think I’ve decided on the 155 Evo. I just can’t get my mind off that board haha. I guess I won’t be charging at crazy speeds and want to do some presses and butters + the sick graphic, figured that the Evo would be nice. Probably gonna cop it during the boxing day sale in December (won some money from playing poker in the casino lol). I’ll let you know how it goes =)

Posted: 09 November 2010 04:07 AM

I asked Vince from NS about the main difference between the Evo and SL and here’s what he had to say. Thought I post this because its good info.
“Hey Skip,

Season pass takes precedence. Plus, to have a pass to Whistler…. I would sacrifice having to ride a saucer sled for the year and still be able to have a pass there. Rather than having the state of the art board and no pass.

What you heard about the 2 models is true. We mill the core of the Evo into 2 different tapers between the feet, creating 2 flex points. This is awesome for torsional control and foot steering. For your weight I would lean more toward the Evo. The main difference is going to be in the dampening. The SL is going to be a little smoother mahing on a groomer but the Evo is one of the most or the most stable twins on the market. The SL is set back .5” on edge and .75” on mateial but the float is so good on our RC that you don’t need the set back. The Evo is obviously centered over the effective edge but does have .25” more nose. So it will float plenty good. Having the camber shifted toward the tail is really where camber should be on a snowboard. When this camber is weighted the nose” pops” up reducing drag and allowing the board to really plane off in deep pow. You can really load up the camber on the tail for incredible pop and boost. Having the camber seperated into 2 areas vs across the board actually gives you 3X the anount of camber. The Vario sidecut will give you the same edgehold for carving on the two models without making the board too grabby for sliding or recovery landing a liitle off a spin. There is a straight section in the sidecut ath the crucial rocker area. This gives you a broader contact point when flexed in a carve, but when unweighted allows you to track straight or flat base. Outside this staright section is two slight radius that work in the same way, providing the 2 and 3 contact point. Your last 4 and 5 contact points is at the ends of the effective edge and are the deepest radius. This gives you quick turn intiation.

The Evo is the most versitile twin for freeriding and will give you a more centered flexible board for freestyle. It is our team favorite and the owner who is more of a freerider has been riding it now because of the flex. I think you should go with an Evo.”