Amplid UNW8

Posted: 06 April 2013 01:20 PM

I have been able to test ride next year’s Amplid UNW8 (2013-2014).
The size of the test board 159 is in fact one size too big for me.

Although the board was a little too much for me I am still thinking about buying one next year. I hope that a 153 or a 156 will be better suited for me.
What I liked about the board is that it is stiff and fast, plus a little detail the base makes a nice whistling sound on the snow.

At this moment I ride the following boards:
a Lib Tech Jamie Lynn 154
a Capita BSOD 156

What I could not understand is that I had troubles with the grip / edge grip of the Amplid UNW8. Not in a carve but just after making a turn from frontside to backside just before the traverse. And sometimes I do an exercise, I stay on my backside and slide downwards going slowly deeper into the knees and coming slowly up. (I do this exercise to improve my knee bending). When doing this exercise I also have some trouble with the edge grip/hold.
Otherwise I would think it’s my technique but I don’t have these problems with my two boards (Lib Tech and Capita).
Does this mean that the Amplid has less edge hold/grip than the Lib Tech and Capita? Or is this because the board length 159 was too much for me?

The reason why I am looking at the Amplid is because I think that technique will improve when I go back to an ‘old school’ camber board.

Difficult to explain this in writing , but still hope sombody can help…

Posted: 06 April 2013 02:02 PM

Imo I think the UNW8 has more grip than both those boards but it’s a pretty advance board and can take some getting used to. I rode it for about 4-5 days at the start of the season and by the end of that I was gutted to have to give it back.

Like you said the flex is pretty firm probably an 8/10 and the carbon V stringers that run from the inserts to the start and end of the effective edge to add more snap that can be quite unforgiving. You really need to be driving through turns initiating heavily with your front foot to keep this board’s edges engaged, it’s not really a board for sitting back and laying-out smooth gracefull turns you need to be concise and powerful to get it to perform.

If you’re used to softer tails of hybrid camber boards (BSOD and Lib Jamie Lynn) these are more likely to let you load-up the tail and keep the board’s sidecut engaged… can’t do that with uber camber, you end up with weight at the rear contact point and you’ll lose all your grip.

The UNW8 will improve your technique, it will make you want to put forward lean on your bindings, it will make you want to buy stiffer boots, it will keep you happy just riding corduroy and it will make you want to stop for lunch early just to rest your legs.

Next winter’s UNW8 looks stealth!

Weight wise here are my recommendations:

60-70kg = 156cm
70-85 kg = 159cm
85kg+ = 163cm

Posted: 07 April 2013 10:48 AM

Wow, thanks Rich, for the quick answer.
I think I will order one for next season.

And yes! next seasons UNW8 has very good looks too! (I did not like this ears colour scheme for the UNW8, but that’s personal and I only saw it in pictures on the net and on YouTube).

I forgot to mention my specs:

. female
. 67kg
. boots US 8.5 (Flow Luxe Coiler and Burton Supreme)  (female boots are not as stiff as male boots like for ex. the Burton driver X :0(  )
. height 174 cm
. snowboarding for 14 years now and took a lot of lessons to improve my technique and posture (14 years 2 to 3 weeks a year is still not that much).
. bindings Burton M : Cartel + Prophecy (forward lean on the back binding).

So last question for the size , boot wise I think a 153 would match also.
Considerations:
  female and less force/strength than a male
  I have others boards to go off piste (salomon sick stick 156, Capita BSOD 156)
  To get used to the Amplid UNW8 I can ride it in the morning and another board in the afternoon.

should I buy a 156 or a 153 ?

Posted: 07 April 2013 05:10 PM

I would probably opt for the 156 with your height and weight. I’ve only ever ridden the 159 so I have no idea how the flex changes with different lengths. Of course I’m sure you’d be happy on the 153 too.

I quite like this year’s UNW8 graphics, the finish is super glossy so it looks very slick. The split sidewall is a pretty cool touch too.

Posted: 20 October 2013 04:42 PM

Yes!! Bought an Amplid UNW8 156 last Thursday on amplid.com.

Thank you Rich !! Thanks Amplid !!

:-) :-) :-) :-)