Taking it to the next level

Posted: 12 February 2012 04:59 PM

Hey SBRVs-

I’m 196cm tall, 85kg heavy, size 12.5 US (46 EU) boot looking for a board that will take me to the next level. 

Currently I’m on an inherited 2000 Burton Charger Sixty One 160 with freestyle bindings that a friend left me - it’s too small, pretty unstable, but I only board 3-5x/year so I’ve been making do as I crossed over from skiing a few years ago (is this nuts?).  I like to get off piste, groomers, all mountain, but no intention of doing halfpipes or rails. 

Now I’m hitting Chamonix for the big time and plan to board more often.  I’m trying to buy locally here in Spain and am only finding 3 options mid-season based on my height and boot:  Burton Blunt 162W, Burton Custom X 162W, and K2 Raygun 160W.  None of these seem to do the trick - the Blunt too soft, CX too pricey and stiff, Raygun too short.  I’d splurge on the CX if I didn’t think it’s too much board for me. From the Selecta it seems the Ride Manic, K2 Lifelike, or Rossi Krypto Magtek in a 164W would be ideal to get me stabler, faster, more confident. 

Any thoughts?  Thanks!

Posted: 16 February 2012 04:32 PM

Hey - the CX is a great board, and, as long as you can get down a blue run without problems, you should be able to handle it. It’s not the most forgiving boad in the world, but it will push you to get better. It may also throw you off if you get lazy with it! A few of Burton’s team riders use the CX in the backcountry and for serious park activity - it would be able to cope with Chamonix absolutely fine.
You could also consider the Custom - its a softer, more all-round board which plently of people use as their all mountain board. I’d steer away from the flying V if you’re going to use it purely as a piste board though as most reviews are critical of it’s edge hold.
If you want something to help you really progress your riding, try a hybrid camber board. My b/f bought himself a Never Summer Proto this year, and he’s said it’s one of the best boards he’s ever ridden for stability, edge control, response and pop. There are other boards in NS’s range which are more all-mountain focused and would potentaiily be a great buy for you - maybe look at the Legacy.
The K2 Lifelike would be a good all-round board, but I find their flatline profiles make them a bit catchy on flat areas of piste. You may also want to check out the Slayblade as it’s got a few more features like Harshmellow, which in my opinion do actually make a difference to how they ride over the course of a full day.
I think the Ride Manic is going to be a bit too low spec’d for what you’re after - the base is a lot slower than the others here and you might find yourself getting frustrated.
I don’t know about the Rossi - having never tried one I don’t feel that I can usefully comment!

Posted: 29 February 2012 09:46 AM

Parkmonkey, great input, thanks alot!

In the end I went with the Ride Manic, mainly due to availability.  In Chamonix for 4 days I had alot of hard pack and ice in the morning that turned to heay wet slush in the afternoon.  Under these conditions, I found the edges lack a little grip on the ice- could be due to the ‘slime wall’ design on the edges.  The LowPro rocker shape delivers in terms of stability, though I didnt have any pow to test response with a more backfoot loaded stance.  It did fine cutting down the edges of trails, snapped pretty well through mogule fields, and is doing me right as a mid-range board.  I will keep my eye out for off-season deal on the NS or Custom X. 

thanks!
ss