Time for a change?

Posted: 17 October 2010 12:18 PM

Hi all,

I have been riding for over ten years and would class myself between an intermediate and advanced level. I have always ridden camber snowboards for piste and off piste riding, but now thinking that I want to try something different. I will be keeping my current snowboard (Burton Custom camber version). I do not generally ride park so I am looking for something that can still handle piste and off piste but is a fun board to ride.

I am 6’1”, 82kg and have Salomon Dialogue (08/09 season) size 11.5 (UK size).

I have been looking at both the Ride Machete (either 157w or 161w) or K2 Fast plant (159w). What are people’s thoughts on these two boards. Is one better than the other, or is there any other boards I should be looking at. One issue with the K2 is that is may be difficult to get a wide in the UK so would the 157 be wide enough if necessary. I have a feeling it will not be.

I am also looking at the Salomon Chief bindings or Union Force. Again, any thoughts appreciated.

Cheers

Posted: 18 October 2010 07:17 PM

Hi Luger,

THose are two very park focused snowboards you’ve listed. I’ve ridden the Fastplant and it’s a great laugh in the park, buttering around the pistes and even laying down carves, but it’s not really comparable on the pistes to an all mountain snowboard that is designed for hard carving and nipping into powder. You’d be better looking at something all-mountain.

Any chance you can explain what a Luger typical day-out consists of? I.e. hitting some powder it’s it’s dumped over night, after lunch warming up with some 3’s and 5’s off the side of the piste and then hitting the park kickers and pipe etc etc.

Rich

Posted: 18 October 2010 09:45 PM

Cheers for the reply Rich.

A typical day would involve hitting the powder first thing until it is tracked out, then just messing about whether it is on the piste or in the park. I will be keeping my current board so I am looking for something a bit different. My one requirement is for any board to at least be able to deal with the variable European weather. So if I need to carve down an icy piste it is not always going to wash out.

Any input appreciated.

Posted: 19 October 2010 01:24 AM

Maybe the Rossignol One Magtek might be the ticket…  stiff, rockered, magnetraction for ice, comes in wides…  I think it has you covered my friend.

Posted: 19 October 2010 07:53 PM

It sound to me that you want a park snowboard that isn’t too soft but still loves jibbing and that is wide enough to fit your feet. Here are some boards to check out that are geared for the park but will handle a good carve and float Ok in powder too.

K2 Fastplant - You named it first! I love this board, buttery smooth with a great pop too. It carves fine for a jib rocker board and can handle some speed too, but definitely geared towards the park.

Rome Agent Rocker - The cambered Agent is a great board for progressing in the park. Solid at speed and confident carving into transitions. The rockered version is similar to the Never Summer RC tech in that it is rockered between the fee and cambered at the nose and tail… a touch more playful and floaty than it’s cambered brother. Look at the 158W.

Never Summer Revolver - Pretty similar to the board above. The Revolver uses a rocker camber hybrid. NS boards are quite expensive in the UK, but they are built to take Nuclear warfare and come with a 3 year warranty so you don’t have to worry about replacing it for a while. It’s slimmer sibling the EVO won out king of jib test.

Salomon Grip Wide - Ok so not exactly a jib board, but a confident park and piste weapon. With the new early rise tips the Grip is set to be more forgiving and floaty than last years. Our tester Ben loved it… his board of the test I think.

Nitro T1 Wide- I’m recommending this because zero camber will make light work of the park and particularly rails. High spec but not too expensive.

K2 Turbo Dream Wide- So this board is less park orientated. It uses an all terrain rocker which is ideal for powder, feels mellow as anything on jumps and makes the board fairly good on jibs… for an all mountain board. This year the HarshMellow dampening adds to an already great deck. If you want to push your kicker and powder skills (preferably powder kickers) this board is the dogs!

Park Pickle - Ok so the only purely park and jib snowboard I’m going to suggest. Not as lively as some of the others in a carve, but holds a carve extremely well because of the Mag edges. In fact the Mag edges neutralise the fact that the board is rockered, you might wash-out if you land too nose or tail heavy, but you shouldn’t wash out of carves.  If it’s bonks and butters you want to get to grips with then this is the board for you.

Rich