Boards for intermediate riders

Posted: 14 November 2011 12:03 PM

Hi All
Thanks in advance for your help!

I am lucky enough to go riding in Japan this season and wanted a new board. I am new to boarding (3-4 seasons) as in a previous life was a skier. Shame!
I want to progress in the off piste but will continue with groomers. I have no interest in the park.

I am fascinated by the BTX by lib tech and was going to get a Banana Magic but now read that this is for advanced boarders only!
Also I am after some Flow NXT Fse bindings? Any thoughts?

What I am really after is advice? Which Lib tech is best for me as an intermediate? Are flow binding good, as I am after step in and out and have really struggled with my K2 clinch? What board length?

Stats: 6ft 2”, 192lb

Posted: 15 November 2011 03:26 PM

Chuck, what size are your feet? Important for choosing the right waist width. Have you thought about trying a binding like the SP SLab teams or the GNU Mutant (same binding as the SP) which is a blend of rear-entry and conventional strap?

Posted: 15 November 2011 04:13 PM

Rich, my feet are 10.5 (US).
I have not looked at SP Slab or GNU but will research on web. The reason for the flow is a friend is always raving about them but I am willing to look at anything.
Thanks

Posted: 15 November 2011 06:21 PM

Out of curiosity, why the preference for step in/rear entry/backdoor beauty bindings?

Posted: 15 November 2011 08:29 PM

Hi Milly
My wife is a skier and is inpatient at lifts etc. I find that the step in bindings to be quick and easy to use. This is necessary for my marital bliss!  I had to hire some normal binding once and found them to be a bit of a hassle. For me I find them brilliant and if the K2 clinch would lie flat and not catch my boot (could be a boot problem) then I would be over the moon.

Rich
I have had a look at the Slab team and I am not sure I could live with the colours. The Slab.one looks good though and I like the GNU. Are these better than the flow? Would I get better control when carving etc?

Posted: 15 November 2011 08:38 PM

I agree always best to please the wife/girlfriend first it makes life a lot easier.

The Trick with the SPs is that they are more adjustable and the straps are independently adjustable. So you can kick into your binding and keep up with your wife but if you feel you want a bit more pressure through the ankle strap you can tighten it while you’re riding. To add to that they have a cap strap style toes strap which is a more comfortable and responsive way of holding your toes. Finally and most importantly, they look like normal bindings… style is far more important than anything regarding performance, functionality or favor with the misses ;)

Personally I’d go for SPs but I’m sure Flows are equally as good.

Posted: 15 November 2011 08:56 PM

Rich
I appreciate the help. I really like the slab one as it appears to fit the front of the boot well.
What do you think of lib tech boards?

Posted: 15 November 2011 09:18 PM

Well I think the Banana Magic fits into the advanced category because it’s got a reasonably firm and punchy flex and a tight sidecut which won’t be beneficial to a progressing intermediate. Have you thought about looking at the 160 Phoenix? It’ll fit your boot size nicely and has a mellower sidecut than the BM which will be nice for groomer cruising and a bit of out-of-bounds on a pow day.

Rich

Posted: 15 November 2011 09:50 PM

The Phoenix seems to be board that charges down the mountain. Speed is it’s aim. I may have this wrong but it the impression I get from there site. I am after something that is a little more playful, dropping into sidecountry etc. My Palmer board in an old honeycombe which is super stiff and is fast.
Would the Travis Rice be more me as it meant to be all mountain?

Posted: 17 November 2011 09:08 PM

Rich
Thanks a lot for your help over the bindings. The SP Mountain seem perfect. Easier to step into and it appears have the support I require. So that is the bindings sorted, now just the board.

Looking at the Lib Tech again I understand why you are advising the Pheonix but what about the Dark series? I like the idea of a directional board as I will not be in the park.
They both seem great but I can get a shorter length in the Dark Series which Lib Tech seems to think works fine and makes them easier to ride!
I am very much undecided.