New board for the park, advice please!!

Posted: 08 August 2010 12:20 PM

Hi, I’d like some advice on a new board please!! I’ve been boarding about 3 years and ride a fair bit of indoor during the summer months.
I currently have a Bataleon Goliath 161W which I’ve been using for 2 seasons and has helped me improve no end. However I now want something to take me to the next level in the park, the Goliath is ok but it’s a big quite heavy board that I don’t find easy to spin on etc.
I’m looking for something that’s going to give me a forgiving time on landings and help build my confidence on kickers, but at the same time I don’t want the board to be then useless for carving around the piste….. I’ve started to build a short list of boards that I think could be what I’m after but any advice would be great!

K2 Fastplant 156W
K2 Parkstar 154W or 157W
Nitro Rook 156
Lib Tech Travis Rice BTX 157
Ride Machete 157W
Ride DH 156W
Stepchild Chi Borg 155 or 158

I’m 6ft, 80KG and size 11 boot so I’m thinking I’ll probably be limited to Wide boards?
Cheers

Posted: 08 August 2010 11:26 PM

Hi Retro Muz,

By the looks of it you’re looking at the right kind of boards. Personally, I’m a huge fan of the Fastplant and for your stats I would think the 156W would make a great park shred. The Parkstar is a pretty similar to the parkstar, in my opinion it’s not quite as good as the Fastplant, but it’s still amazing… I’d probably look at the 157W. Of course the Ride Machete Wide and DH2 wide would also fit the bill as they’re all fairly similar. I think you’ll find reverse camber will help you progress on jibs and the will make initiating spins that little bit easier. Of course they won’t be as good as your Goliath for carving and charging but if it’s park and jib riding you want to develop then you’ll benefit from reverse camber.

Rich

Posted: 09 August 2010 01:16 AM

+1 for the K2 Fastplant.  Based on Rich’s review it looks like it will be a killer park board.  Will be lighter compared to the Parkstar and have more pop which means translates into easier air entry.

Another board you might want to check out is the Lib Tech Skate Banana, last season out here it was insanely popular with the ozzie lifties and they ride every frickin’ day.  I was seriously considering it but it’s price tag was quite steep.

Posted: 09 August 2010 04:41 AM

Just remember though all Lib’s board doesnt come with full metal edge wrap, so if you hit your nose/tail its liable to get busted.

Posted: 09 August 2010 07:30 AM

Cheers to everyone for the replies, i was leaning towards the K2 boards and in particular the fastplant. You guys have confirmed it could well be the board for me!!