Burton Custom X V Nidecker Megalight

Posted: 24 December 2010 04:26 PM

I’ve been looking for a new board this year and have been waiting to try a Megalight.  Sounds like a great all Mountain board with good carving grip.  However I’ve just read the Custom X review (great review) and it’s really made me think again.  Looks like I’ll need to try the Custom X as well.  The carving on hard pack is exactly what I’m after but not looking forward to those unforgiving edges.

Can anyone compare the two, strengths and weaknesses?  Can the Megalight carve on the hard stuff as well as the Custom X?

Thanks,

Mike

Posted: 24 December 2010 04:43 PM

Hi Mike,

THanks for the compliments on the review, to be honest it wasn’t hard to right glowing things about the Custom X, it’s a truely incredible board. In my opinion there are two companies that make boards that deliver that kind of performance and that’s Burton and Amplid… Amplid which is owned by Peter Bauer who was pro at Burton for decades and one of Europe’s most successful snowboarders. Which means you should probably check out the Amplid UNW8 too! I’m hopefully going to see Peter in the new year and get some video reviews on their killer products:)

Anyway, back to your question. I rode the Nidecker Ultralight at the board test a couple of years ago. At that point it still had camber. It carved really nicely, was a little softer flexing and a touch less powerful, but it was smooth and floaty and could be ridden very aggresively. With the addition of Camrock the Megalight will have changed quite a bit. You can definitely stiff carve boards that use rockered tips and camber between the bindings, but on Hardpack there is no replacing camber for the punch and edge hold you get. In powder for bottomless carves, drops and messing around Camrock is easier and probably more fun than Camber and on freshly groomed pistes yoy probably won’t be able to tell the difference but in a proper layed out toeside carve I’ve never felt the grip on hardpack that the Custom X offers. If you are a strong rider and your idea of carving is proper Vitellis and not just turning without side slipping then you’ll enjoy the Custom X. If your riding is going to be more about riding powder then the Megalight is the board.