Snowboard - Replacement of my old Arbor Element…

Posted: 14 January 2011 02:03 AM

Hi there.

Firstly I would like to give my thumbs up for a great site. With all the new technologies and specs that are continuously being introduced, one gets lost so easily, so thank you for being here and dedicating your time..

It was not on my agenda really to invest in new gear this year, but after having read a whole lot about the recent developments in board technology, I feel like I am missing out if I don’t make a move. I am looking for an all mountain freeride/freestyle board featuring a hybrid technology and have become quite hooked on the Rossignol One MagTek having read the positive reviews (but not fixed on this particular board)

I have been riding for 9 years more or less, but since I only get to go around 7-10 days pr year to a European resort, I would classify myself as a good intermediate rider. I spend 60% of my time on the pistes, 30% off piste and 10% jumping, sliding etc. (beginner on the freestyle stuff). Height: around 177 cm (5,8), weight: 74 Kgs (163 lbs), boot size is 10,5 US.

I don’t have much experience with different boards and setups. As a beginner I rode a Salomon Freeride 157, and later an Illuminati Pentagon 158 which I was satisfied with. For the last 5 years I have progressed on an Arbor Element 2004, 158 cm, and been really satisfied. I am now confident on the pistes, I can ride fast and am pretty stable riding both directions, so I am looking to add new dimensions to my riding such as doing jumps, spinning and venturing more into the backcountry in search of powder (if I am lucky)... and riding even faster!!:-)

Would theOne MagTek be able to handle such desires, in what ways will I feel a difference between riding this and my Arbor?, and is it a “worthy” replacement (I would hate to downgrade in the quality of board)? I am also looking at trimming some weight off my setup as I find it rather heavy (I suspect the bling bling on my bindings and boots to cause that, though). >But I assume the One would not be heavier than my Arbor board?  Unfortunately I live in the only Scandinavian country without mountains and snowboard dealers er few here, so I have no opportunity to test and compare boards beforehand really..

Finally, I am not sure if I should pick the 157 cm or 159 cm? Would my size qualify for a wide model or?

Thanx for your advise.

Mr. H

Posted: 15 January 2011 10:18 AM

Hi Mr H.

Welcome to the Snowboard-Review forums.

To answer your question straight off, I think you would benefit from moving to the new Rossi one. Amptek/ Camrock/Pop Rocker/Wavelength… whatever you want to all it where the board uses camber between the feet and rocker at the nose and tail has two distinct properties. It keeps the tips raised which makes buttering super easy and float in powder incredible, it also cuts down the flat base running length of the board making it feel stable on hard snow and nimble in soft snow. Using camber betwen the feet means the board retains it’s torsional stiffness between the bindings, meaning the One doesn’t wash out at speed and can rail a long carve like any cambered board. Raising the tips also helps with riding bumpy, crud and other crappy snow conditions, nose catches are a thing of the past. Another benefit of the profile is that it brings the feeling of control towards the feet, the more I ride my Angus the more I understand that it’s that that makes the biggest difference to the feel of the board. There are only two slight negatives to the design. The rockered tail doesn’t pop quite like a cambered board, it still has plenty of pop it just initiates a little later as you are not instantly loading the tails as soon as you move your weight back… think of the transition between the camber and rocker at the back bindinging as a pivot, you have to be fully tipped onto the tail rocker before it will load for pop… it took me a couple of hours to get used to it. The tail on these boards is also a bit less of an anchor when you are riding knee deep powder, Amptek boards float and bounce so easily in powder that the board can get away from you a little, on cambered boards I find a gentle cut back/ stab of the tail into the snow can take off a bit of speed, with the rockered tail on the One and Angus you just need to stamp it into the snow with a bit more force. The only other thing I’ve found on the Angus is that when you are on a very slight edge on sheet ice you have a touch less grip than standard cambered boards becase the start and end of the effective edge at the nose and tail aren’t engaged… however the grip you do have comes from the feet so it is easier to adjsut to… and with the Magnetraction on the One, I can’t imagine it’s an issue. I’m 5’9” and 74kg and I ride a 157 Angus, Tom tells me the One is a touch more geared towards freeriding and the Angus towards park. I’d happily recommend both for what you want to do. With your height and weight I’d suggest you go for the One 157, you’ll already have more float in powder than your 58 Element. Looking at your boot size… for the optimum fit I think the mW might be the best option.

Hope that helps.

Rich

Posted: 15 January 2011 02:36 PM

Hi Rich,

Thanks for your reply. I was a bit quick and ordered the 159 from the Blue Tomato online shop before I saw your reply. With sales and a coupon code, it turned out to be a very decent price, I think. 

I did a little research on the width issue. The 157 mw has a Waist Width of 26.4 cm while the 159 has a Waist Width of 25.5 cm. On boot size I found a sizing chart that recommends Boot sizes US 10 to 12 to pick a Mid wide board between 24.5-26.5 cm.

With the 159 being 25.5 cm in waist width, I guess I should be fine and not experience toe/heel drag even though I use a boot size US 10,5 ?  I am just concerned that the 157 mw board being 26.4 cm would become a tad too unresponsive, or??

Cheers

Posted: 17 January 2011 05:49 PM

The 159 standard will be fine for your boots size. As would the 157mW it’s only 9mm difference.

You’re going to love the board!