Build questions and boots

Posted: 14 January 2012 01:18 AM

New to the forum, hi everyone!

I’m trying to build a decent board after having the same setup for the last 10 years..it was my first board. I got a 157 Heelside core and it’s been good. I like to freeride mostly but I’m trying to get into the parks doing smaller jumps and stuff. I’m not sure if I should go a bit smaller with my new board or stick to the same size. I’m about 5’11, 170 lbs.

What I’m considering is this setup:
- 157 Lib Tech Burtner Box Scratcher Series (I also like that this is good for people with larger feet since I have around a 12. Don’t want my boots dragging)

- Technine Elements bindings w/ scrubhook
- Not sure about boots yet, but leaning toward a Boa…

If anyone has had any experience with any of these things I’d love to hear it, or any other suggestions. Thanks!

Posted: 14 January 2012 01:48 AM

In doing further research I’m also looking at the Travis Rice Pro simply because of the C2 Power Banana vs the scratcher box’s Banana Tech. Seems like the TR Pro is more suited for an all-mountain experience from the camber setup? Not sure though.

Posted: 16 January 2012 11:07 AM

Have you thought about the Banana Magic 158W?

It’s 26.4 at the waist and has a 7m sidecut so there will be plenty of width to accomodate your size 12s without feeling sluggish edge to edge. Also it’s a little softer than the T.Rice but still uses C2 so it might be a bit more suited to helping you to get into Park Riding.

Rich

Posted: 16 January 2012 04:58 PM

Hi Rich! I had not considered the Banana Magic as it’s a little too far out of my price range. I’m going down to a local shop and I know they have the two above mentioned boards in stock. They may also have the Banana Magic and I’ll need to crunch the numbers for it once I’m there.

I got my old boots out that still fit… turns out I’m an 11 not a 12, so that’s a little better. I used the boot sizer tool on this site and while it’s not the “ideal” it’s an okay for the TRice Pro 157. I was also considering the phoenix but that board is a directional twin and I’m thinking I don’t want to deal with that aspect.

I’m going down to the shop today to look some more and maybe buy something. I’ll post back here once I get my gear.

EDIT: In your opinion would the 161.5 TRice Pro be a little too big for pulling off smaller jumps and stuff? If the Banana Magic turns out to be too much for me, I think I need to fall back to the TRice but the 157 seems a little too small even for 11s.

Using the boot sizer on this site, I’d be locked into the widest stance at 15, -15 and that’s to get a 10.5 ideal, whereas the 161.5 has more space for me, but may sacrifice agility. What do you think?

Posted: 16 January 2012 11:38 PM

Just to close this topic down, bought my gear. The store I wanted to get my stuff from didn’t have all fo the Lib Tech boards I wanted to look at and from the advice of the guy running it I got a Skunk Ape 161 Wide. Turns out this was probably the best fit for what I wanted and my boot size (11).

Here’s exactly what I got:
- Lib Tech Skunk Ape 2012 161 Wide
- Union Atlas Bindings 2012
- Vans Encore Boa 2012 boots

Can’t wait to get on the mountain and try my new gear!