help needed

Posted: 30 November 2011 08:15 PM

im about to get a k2 slayblade in a few days but there is a size problem: im a girl 171 cm (5.6), weight 63 (139 pounds) so the smallest size 153 would be suitable (although i think 151 or 152 are perfect) but the problem is that apparently this board is imported to europe in sizes from 156 up. i dont really know does it make a big difference to have a board a few cm too big? i would be grateful for help.

Posted: 01 December 2011 03:00 PM

Hi Magda - I’m the same height as you and roughly the same weight. I would say that anything longer than the 153 is going to be too long for you. My boyfriend has a 156 Slayblade which I have ridden, and although I can just about butter & 180 it, it feels like a barge compared to my normal boards, which are between 145-147s.
Out of interest, is there any reason you’ve chosen the Slayblade?

Posted: 01 December 2011 06:27 PM

i chose slayblade because i need a versatile board which on one hand is a very fast, stable all mountain deck but on the other hand has features of a freestyle board cause i want to hit the pipe this year and also do snowkiting which for i need a twin shape. Im tempted by the harshmellow dampening, zero camber profile, it has very good reviews, was awarded and i like the graphics. Also i can get the last year model for $370 (generally this one costs over $700 in europe). imo its a great board in the price of an average one.

i agree 156 might be a bit too big but if youre riding 10 cm shorter boards you obviously felt a big difference on a 156 but my last board was 154. never felt that was too big but on the other hand never have ridden smaller ones..

Posted: 01 December 2011 06:41 PM

Yeah the 156 is going to feel like riding a tree. The flex is made for men that are 10kg heavier than you… trying very hard not to appear sexist with this next comment, but men and women’s bodies are built differently and men tend to have a higher muscle to weight ratio… i.e. more power to flex a board. If I were you I would conside the K2 Lifelike in a 152.

Oh and you can buy the 153 Slayblade in a 153 and the lifelike in a 152 at Blue Tomato so I think the person who told you you can’t get a 153 Slayblade in Europe was possibly wrong.

Posted: 01 December 2011 08:31 PM

thanks for your reply. i meant you cannot get a 2010/2011 slayblade in 153cm in europe. its of course possible with the new one but then it costs 570 euro which is too much for me and the 2010/11 here in poland is about 290 euro but 3 cm longer.
according to snowboard-review (snowboard guide) an all mountain board should reach more less the tip of the nose and 156 is between my upper lip and nose. but i understand that its adapted for men..
since ive never ridden a smaller board than 154 nor a womens board can you tell me what exactly are the disadvantages of riding 156 in my case and is it a really noticeable difference between 153 and 156?

Posted: 01 December 2011 10:03 PM

As Rich already said, it will feel like riding a tree; means it’s going to be really stiff and it will be pretty hard to initiate turns and all that. I mean you can always try giving it a ride but I’m afraid you probably won’t have the possibility to return it afterwards.

It’s up to you but I personally wouldn’t constrain it because 290€ is still a lot of money and you really want something that’s worth the money!

Cheers Tobi

Posted: 01 December 2011 10:37 PM

ahh so im in the starting point again.. any recommandations?
k2 lifelike that rich mentioned is directional twin shaped and for snowkiting it should be twin. and its slayblades younger brother ;)
I need a versatile board that is fast, responsive and with a good edge hold for freeride, park, pipe, powder and snowkiting and as i will be using it for a long time i want it to be a really good one…

Posted: 02 December 2011 12:00 PM

Hi Magda - totally understand your point about being used to a longer board - I started riding with a 152, which was a good length, but I prefer a shorter board because it’s a lot more responsive.
Having riddden both men’s and women’s boards in varying length, I can tell you that the main differences are flex pattern and overall weight of the boards. Women’s boards are tailored to us because we don’t have as much muscle mass as men and therefore have to put in considerably more effort to flex a men’s board (just like Rich mentioned). You can still get some very fast, stiff, stable women’s boards that perform really well. I personally have a K2 Ecopop, which is amazing. It’s really fast, really light, still has the harshmellow dampening and is great in pipe and on jumps. You can get a stiffer model than mine (the Gretchen Bleiler model), which is her pro stick that she uses for competition. It’s also got a small amount of rocker, so if you were to consider this board it would also be great for your snowkiting. They also do a 152 and a 155, so you wouldn’t have to compromise on length.
A couple of other boards you could consider in the female line up is the Burton Fortress (I’ve not ridden this one but heard it’s a good one), the Rome Blue, the Ride Farah, or the Salomon Idol. All these come in 150+ sizes.

Posted: 03 December 2011 03:30 PM

thanks a lot! i have to admit (although i didnt even consider it before) that a womans board might be a better choice. i will most likely choose k2 wolfpack 152 (2011/12 eco pop is too pinkish and at the end of the day graphics matter too). just shame that there are so little reviews, opinions and yt films about womens boards.