Which board to choose?
Posted: 16 December 2010 11:06 PM
Hi,
I’m looking to buy a board for all around riding. Will mostly be riding groomers but also like to be able to hit some boxes and rails, and even powder but more seldom.
I started riding in 1996 but stopped in 2002 due to an accident, and looking to pick up more actively again. I’m around 5’6” and 145lbs with a boot size of 8 (26mp).
I came across some last seasons bargains:
- 2010 Salomon Drift 148 or 152
- 2010 K2 Darkstar 149
- 2010 Burton Fix 149
- 2010 Bataleon Fun Kink 149
- 2010 Amplid Falconoid 151
Was also looking at 2010 Nitro Misfit 152.
I saw some of these were reviewed also here, but does anyone have any extra thoughts on how these boards work and which one I should maybe go for? Or maybe something not even from the list? At the moment just looking to buy one board, maybe will quiver more specific boards in the future if I get things going again.
Cheers,
B-A
Posted: 17 December 2010 07:12 AM
Which ones are you leaning towards and why?
Will probably go with a sintered base. New additions:
- 2010 Rome Agent 149
- 2010 Salomon Official 152
- 2011 Salomon Grip 151
Lengthwise I was leaning towards 149ish, was thinking about spinning and jibbing ability. Any thoughts on the 2-3cm difference if going for a 151-152? Really interested on these last three, K2 Darkstar and Nitro Misfit as I gathered they’d be good all-around boards for years ahead, and for a decent price. Falconoid seemed interesting as well, although the base was extruded. Camber/Rocker? Not really sure which way to go…
Basically looking for an all-around board, jumps, rails, speed, powder, piste. But might be getting a more specific rail/jibbing board in the future…
Did this help?
Posted: 17 December 2010 07:41 AM
Sintered vs extruded… sintered holds wax and is faster but more expensive if you damage it to repair. Keep that in mind cause you will damage your base on rails and boxes.
The majority of the boards you listed are freestyle-specific so a good thing with that is they will probably have lighter tips to reduce swing weight. I wouldn’t go too short as you will sacrifice control at speed for manoeuvrability.
Camber / rocker? Best way I can explain it is camber is serious and rocker is playful. If you want to run-and-gun balls to the walls speed camber is the ticket. If you want to cruise and surf the runs rocker is your man. Now those are general to help paint a picture… you can cruise a camber and rocket a rocker, but they feel different. Look for a demo day or bite the bullet and rent one to see how it feels.
Keep focused on the all-mountain freestyle camp, I think you will find a deck you like for now in there. Like you said the jibbing/techy rail board can be purchased later for a more specific ride.
Posted: 17 December 2010 09:13 PM
Thanks Steve. About not going too short, what’s your take on the 149 vs. 151-152 with my stats (145lbs and 5’6”). 149 still ok for faster speeds? I guess it’s highly board specific.. I’m starting to lean towards Rome Agent 149, seems to be a good all-around pick, couldn’t find the specs for it though.. 2011 model listed for riders between 100-150lbs.
I know demoing would be the best way to go, but I have a couple of good deals on lookout so maybe have to go by reviews and comments. At the moment 2010 Rome Agent 149, 2011 Salomon Grip 151, 2010 Nitro Misfit 152 and 2010 Salomon Official 152 still under consideration…
Posted: 19 December 2010 09:57 AM
The 2011 Rome Agent has you at 154 as the perfect size for you based on weight, so I would only go down one notch to the 152 as you are topping out almost the 149.
Posted: 20 December 2010 04:55 PM
Ah, ok, optimal is in the middle of a recommended weight area.. Didn’t find any info on whether the recommendations are including clothes and boots, which would then add a little extra. I suppose that’s the case..?
I might have to look for something with a higher weight tolerance (i.e. a bit stiffer I presume..) since I’m contemplating a shorter board due to my height… Btw. what’s behind some boards having such a wide range and others a much narrower? E.g. K2 Darkstar 149 with a range of 110-190…
Thanks again, good info
Posted: 20 December 2010 05:08 PM
Well, the weight ranges are always a suggestion by the board manufacturer so I do not really know how they are coming up with their ranges but it’s most likely about how stiff the board is. Being within the given range, you should be able to get the max out of the board’s performance.
If a ride is available in 10 different lengths, the weight range will of course be smaller than the range for a ride which is only available in 3 sizes.
Hope this helped a little, Cheers Tobi
Posted: 21 December 2010 03:08 AM
Plus I wouldn’t look into the weight ratings with gear on… just your weight.
A stiffer board will have higher weight ratings at shorter lengths just like you suspected. :)
Remember as long as you are within the range it’s good… just not optimal. All the attributes of the board are maximized for that board the closer you are in the middle of a weight range.
Posted: 21 December 2010 06:52 PM
Ok, thanks guys.. I found one more possible all-around board on discount, 2010 K2 Believer 151, but read mixed reviews of it.. Some claim its flatline to hold well and even be quite poppy (which I’m looking for), and some claim exact the opposite. Hence again, testing it for yourself would be the way to go… Any experiences of that one?
I think I’ll go for either the Salomon Official 152 or the K2 Believer 151.. ..or If I happen to find Rome Agent 152 or maybe Never Summer SL-R 151 (seemed promising based on what I read) for cheaper price then maybe those. Soon to be decided though..
Posted: 22 December 2010 12:29 AM
Tom Ewbank loves the Believer… just search the forum for his posts and you’ll see his thoughts on it.
Search the Forum:
