Intermediate Board advice please.

Posted: 10 September 2010 05:02 PM

Good afternoon,

A bit of background; names Chris 24 - have been skiing for about 8 years. got into snowboarding about 3 years ago and have never looked back.

I consider myself an intermediate riding (rightly or wrongly) and am currently looking to progress. I usually manage to get a couple of trips a year to the hills early dec and late feb usually France or Switzerland. I have been renting for the last few years but this ive decided to hell with it! im going to whole hog.

Ive already picked up my bindings: Flow Nxt ATSE
and Boots are pretty close to finalisation although i seem to be drowing in the world of boards!

I will be riding Pistes mainly and a little off-piste when i can find it. I’m with so friends this year so wont be going park at all (although I board mainly for the feel of cruising(same reason i longboard!))

I’m wondering if you can help me pick out a decent board for around £200-£300. Which i can use and abuse and pick up another in a couple of years to help me progress further into different styles.

Main info:

Im a big Lad 6"4 - 90kg - 11.5 boots(uk)(might be 12)
the Flow bindings are XL if that has any impact on width of board.

cheers for any help in advance

Edit** Just had a look through your ‘Board Selecta-a-a-a-a-a-a’ it threw me up this:
Rossignol Taipan - 2011 - ive read rav reviews - adequate for me?

-Chris

Posted: 10 September 2010 09:20 PM

Hi Chris and welcome to the forums!

With your 11.5 boots you will definitely need a wide board! I don’t even think that mid-wide will be enough..

The Rossi Taipan is a neat board but I think it might be a bit too soft for your 90kg, remembering you do have no intention in riding park.
Maybe the Rossi Angus would be a better fit but the graphics are .. well.. let’s say a matter of taste and it also only comes in mid-wide. I think Rich can clear things up whether a mid-wide will be enough for you.

A nice fit for your size and weigth would be a NeverSummer SL. It’s a quite stiff and aggressive allmountain ride but I think with your stats you could subdue it without any major restraints (NS Legacy is the name of the wider version of the SL).

Another ride that might be a bit cruisier than the SL would be the K2 Slayblade, also available in wide. Just check the review and the video review of the deck, it says it all!

That’s it for now, let me know what you think.
Cheers, Tobi

edit: crap, totally forgot about your money restriction.. most of the above named decks are probably quite a bit over your mark. Sorry for that, chap.

Posted: 13 September 2010 10:03 AM

cheers for the info Zorfyl!

I’ve always maintained the philosophy that you get what you pay for - altho both those boards push over £400 mark unfortuantely. would it be worth attempting to find the 2010 versions of these boards? (running th possibility that they will be a lot cheaper without the specs being too different)

if you have any other suggestiongs for boards £200-£350 that would be great - if nothing suitable comes up i will probably go with the NS Legacy, 163 i think is best for me? £465 delivered here but i guess it is worth it! only heard amazing reviews about them.

also that Rossi Angus one is great spec, great price but im not sure if i could live with those graphics. i have a feeling my gf wouldnt appreciate that hanging off my wall haha

Chris

Posted: 14 September 2010 03:41 AM

Considering you’ve been in alpine sports for 8 years you’ll probably do another 8 so dishing out a little extra now means having the right board with you for the next few seasons.

Tobi has great suggestions, a few more I might add…

K2 Turbo Dream Wide - a touch on the freestyle side but fits in nicely under the Slayblade Wide

Rossignol One Magtek - pushing the upper limit of your budget but it’s packing a lot of great tech at it’s price point and is a steal when comparing the similar tech in other brands.

Burton Custom X - ack, Flow bindings don’t work with this badboy so ignore that…

Rich will add his bit in a bit…  that should get you thinking on a few more models.

Posted: 14 September 2010 10:04 AM

Cheers for the reply Reloaded,

ive spent the last couple of days searching around and speaking to company reps. I have managed to find myself the Never Summer Legacy 2010 deck (last years) for just under £300 - i think thats a bit of a steal so i will probably go with that.

I spoke to the rep and he suggested the 166 for my height - ive heard they are a bit stiffer than other boards but i think with my frame and power it wont be a problem - also as this is a wide i wont have any toe/heel drag!!

cheers for all your info - very helpful

will post my pics and what i thought when i arrive back from my trip at the end of December.

regards

Chris

Posted: 15 September 2010 01:45 AM

Nice find!  NS decks are solid…  do tell us what you think. :)