looking for a new board (edit) for parks and tricks/freestyle

Posted: 13 February 2011 05:50 PM

Hi all, first post here and Im getting right to the point.  I own an old burton floater 2002, its a big ol 164 I think.  used it for a while and put it up for a few years….had kids, but I am getting back into it.  bought it through advise from a shop that said i was too tall for other boards.  6’2 with size 13 US shoes.  its always been ok, but i traveled and didn’t want to take it with me so rented.  I ended up with a 154 Rossi trick stick and fell in love.  It handled great and I had zero Toe drag by the way…  Thats when I realized how much has changed and how different boards can be.  Really I know now that my current board is not even made for the style of riding I want to achieve. 

Since then I have been researching and have landed on one of about 3 boards, sizes still up in the air a bit.  The Rossi Trick stick, 154 or 158 MW, The Angus prob 156 or 157, or the K2 Anagram maybe 157.  Out of all I have seen, those boards all fit pretty much the same profile.  The Angus being a little more jack of all trades, I guess.  I would like the K2 Parkstar, or probably anything from Rome, but am humble enough to acknowledge that for my skill level, they all seem a little more board than I need, or need to pay for too. 

I dont currently spend much time in the parks, but ultimately thats where I want to end up.  I am just learning to land the jumps, do butters and that kind of stuff.  aspire to hit the rails though havent yet.  But will probably spend the other half of my time on groomed slopes.  I am confident on the downhill runs, but as you can probably gather, I would have to say I am a beginner at tricks.

I like the thought of a true twin for switch and tricks and such, but all the reviews on the angus say it works just as well.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Posted: 13 February 2011 06:14 PM

Yep technology has moved on quite a bit since the days of the Burton Floater.

I guess the most important thing to know is your weight. At the minute I’m seeing you note down a 154 Trickstick as boards you are considering and for a 6’2” man I’m thinking that’s crazy talk, but if you are 130lbs then it’s not so crazy. The other thing I’m seeing is that you have size 13 feet, in the snowboard world your feet are big and you definitely need to be on a wide board, a mid wide at the very least. You won’t really experience toe drag until you start laying down big carves and riding powder, but trust me you need a wide board. Wide boards don’t have to be stiff and combersome like the Floater.

If you jot down your weight I’ll be able to give you advise on board length.

Rich

Posted: 13 February 2011 06:40 PM

I weigh 215.

Thought dude was crazy for giving me a 154 too, but it was great.  I hit Sierra Snowboard up with the same question and they told me I should be looking for about a 156 too.  Thanks for your input!!!

Posted: 13 February 2011 06:56 PM

Hey bdrusse,

I’m 6’ 2” and I also have a size 13.  I weigh 180 and usually ride between a 161-164 for all mountain, and a 158 for park.  Different brands will probably have different weight ranges for their boards, but thought I’d throw out my stats just for a comparison.

Posted: 13 February 2011 07:11 PM

Thanks Portland, what kind of board is it?  I do want to know size, but am also concerned with which model to buy.  like in my original post, I am right now debating between the Rossi trick stick, Angus, or K2 Anagram.  Like somebody else just posted though, there are enough choices out there to make your head spin.  Thanks for any additional input.

Posted: 13 February 2011 09:32 PM

215lbs… I think you should be looking at the Angus 162mW… at the very least the 158mW.

The benefit of riding the amptek profile (like camrock) is that on a flat base the board’s running length is only the distance between the inserts so although you’ll be riding a 162 it will feel a lot shorter until you get it in powder or put it onto an edge when you will get the benefits of a longer board. The weight guidlines for the Trickstick 156W suggest that 180lbs is the maximum for the board, the 158mW Angus 200lbs and the 162mW Angus 210lbs.

To put into context I am 155lbs and 5’8” and I ride a 157cm Angus for park kickers, rails, pipe and playing around on the rest of the mountain.

Rich

Posted: 13 February 2011 10:01 PM

I ride a 2011 Never Summer Heritage X 163.  It’s an all mountain freestyle/freeride board.  Waist width is 26.8 cm.  It’s my only board right now, but I did demo a 159 Revolver last week as I’m looking to buy a park board for next season.  The 2012 Revolver comes in a 158 and a 160, and with the new twin tip shape NS is using next year, the effective edge is greatly increased.  Just for comparison, at 163 my Heritage has 127 cm of effective edge and the 2012 160 Revolver has 128 cm.  The 159 I rode has 122 or 123 if I remember correctly.  Never Summer doesn’t give weight ranges in their catalog or on their website, but I’m sure if you contact them you can find out.

Posted: 15 February 2011 10:27 AM

For sure the Revolver is a great option for heavier riders who want to ride a shorter board.

I rode the 158 Evo and I think another 10kg would have helped.

Posted: 16 February 2011 07:03 AM

Thanks both of you for the replies.  I am now looking at the revolver and the NS Legacy.  They both seem like pretty outstanding boards.  Do you know if they are adding to the effective edge on the legacy next year too?  I am sorry, but don’t see that anywhere.  I am not sure where you found that.

Posted: 16 February 2011 08:13 AM

I have a friend who is the NW rep for Never Summer and got a copy of the 2012 catalog from him.  The Legacy should be the same stats as this year, no change.  The only reason the Revolver has more for next year is because of the change to the shape.  Going from a round nose to the blunt shape helps increase the amount of effective edge on the board.

Here’s some quick stats on the Legacy from the 2012 catalog.  If you go to Never Summer’s website, this year’s Legacy should be the same.

Here you go:

Size     Edge
156       121
159       123
161       126
163       130
166       130
170       134
174       136