What board??

Posted: 29 November 2009 08:56 PM

Hi guys,

I am in the UK and mainly board once (occasionally twice) a year in Europe and a few times a season in Scotland.

For the last 6 or so years I have been riding a Saloman Driver Wide 160 (am 6’ and about 190lbs, size 10UK boot)

I have about £300 for a new board so I am looking at last years stuff (I can go a little higher)
I mainly rider groomers and occasionally pow. As far as the park goes I am really underconfident so I dont do it.

I like to wind up the speed and cruise with my ski mates on the Groomers/Pow.
I do wat to turn faster so I am thinking I shouldnt go for a full wide board again

The options I have at the minute are all 09
Nitro Backlight 160
Forum Symbol 160 Wide
Ride Concept TMS 159 or 161
Burton Supermodel 163

Whats your views on these? are there other options available to me out there?
Thanks fellas
(if you need advice about mountain bikes I can happily tell you.. Boards.. I know nothing.. )

Posted: 30 November 2009 01:36 PM

Hi Soulrider,

Riding in Scotland! That’s commitment… I’m not sure I’d be able to take the burly 60+ mph winds!

So you’re after a freeride board that its stiff-ish and responsive but has a reasonable width so you don’t get toe-drag with your size 10uk feet.

Looking at the boards you’ve listed, the Concept TMS and Blacklight are more high spec all mountain freestyle boards, so if you fancy hitting some jumps as well as laying down some carves then these will be spot on, however, the Concept TMS has changed a lot sinse it’s days as the Timeless, it’s a lot softer and more forgiving, not quite as good for hard charging.

Although I haven’t ridden the supermodel 163 I bet it’s a great board… used to be Craig Kelly’s freeride board of choice before his tragic accident. Even though the costs have gone up considerably, I’ve found one of last years for about £360, which is a great price http://www.boardridersguide.com/product/Burton_Snowboards/801512059.htm however, it’s got the ICS channel binding system which means you’ll have to buy ICS bindings…. probably not going to be the cheapest option.

Ok so boards I’d look at if I were you would be:

Head Holster: A toned down version of the infamous Head AK, but at £300 it’s one of the best value freeride guns on the market… unfortunately they didn’t do too well with the graphics.

Head AK: A Superfast sintered base, triaxial glass and intellifibres which mean the board stiffens up the faster you go! At £400 this board is a bargain… and in complete contrast to the Holster it has killer graphics. It also comes in a mW… as far as length goes, when it comes to blasting I say the bigger the better. 168 would be epic!

Contract C62: Contract are a new brand coming out of Poland. I’m not sure they’ve secured a distributor in the UK yet, but they’re putting together some serious hardware. Carbon and Kevlar reinforcement, honeycomb and wood core and a lively firm flex 8/10… oh and power plates under the bindings! I can’t wait to get hold of one of these sounds like a Palmer without the premium price tag… as toon as they’re selling them in the UK, I’m ordering one.

Arbor A-Frame: An all out piste monster, I rode the 162 which might be a little narrow for you but the 166cm is 25.3 cm across the waist which would mean you wouldn’t have too much overhang. Stiff and like a hot knife into butter on an edge, even on ice. Stiff nose keeps the board stable even on the lumpiest of straight lines.

Rossignol Experience (used to be the Jeremy Jones): Jeremy’s board last season and still being ridden by freeride and boardercross legend Xavier de la Rue, the Experience uses Rossignols Amptex camber (camber between the feet and rocker at the tip and tail) for grip on ice and ultimate float in powder.

Nitro Pantera: Don’t know much about this mother, except that it’s stiff and pretty good value for money.

Amplid Equity: The legend that is Peter Bauer makes and rides this board. THink 25 years of pure snowboard knowledge has gone into this board and then been refined for the last 4 years. It’s an absolute bargain at £400 especially as it has all the spec to make it an absolute gun, including 10mm taper and an elliptical nose profile for loads of float and a firm but not crazy stiff flex. Alternatively you can buy a 2007 model for £200 @ http://www.snowboards4u.co.uk/mens_snowboards/product/_AMPLID_2007_EQUITY_MENS_SNOWBOARD,_166 but personally I think this years looks so much better it’s worth the expense.

Hope that helps

Rich