Next step freerider advice

Posted: 13 March 2011 06:20 PM

Hi All,

Great site. Really enjoyed following the reviews and advice. Now after some myself…

I’ve been riding for about 8/9 years. Based in UK and get away for about 2 weeks a year. I’ve been riding a Burton Custom (08), 158 for the last few years but fancy a change. I’d say on-piste, groomers, carving etc I’m intermediate to advanced. Off-piste, powder, jibbing intermediate but looking to improve.

I recently hired an APO Selekta 153 2010 for a day. Really enjoyed the ride and fun of having the shorter board. It’s a park board and I’m not a park rider at all but enjoyed it on and off the side of the piste, playing around. Also hired a Santa Cruz Da Bomb 154. This is a Rocker board and I enjoyed the pivot and fun of the rocker but it’s not the most stable for my type of riding - general freeride. Imagine it’s great in powder too.

I’m 5ft 8, 13.5 stone and so my 158 is probably a tad too big for me. I want to keep that board but pick up another as I’m now wanting to do some basic tricks - more ollies, 180’s, improve my switch riding etc and just feel the Custom might be a bit stiff and I want to have a bit more flex and fun in the board.

Having tried the rocker and the APO board and liked them both for different reason I imagine these v-rocker type boards could be the trick - although I’ve yet to try one. I want to invest in something that’s too good for me, then grow into it.

If APO did a 154/155 in the BC 2011 Rocker that would be a consideration. Not sure about the Flat Cut version - any thoughts? Otherwise I’ve seen some great reviews - yours included - of the JDub 2011. I can’t find anywhere UK that stocks the Rossignol boards though?

Any advice on what you think would work for me and the size I should be riding? I plan to keep the Custom so looking for something that will give me a slightly different ride. Any tips appreciated. Happy to invest to get the right board…

Cheers,

Posted: 17 March 2011 10:17 PM

HI GM,

THanks for the props on the site, kind words are always appreciated. I’m afraid I’m going to keep this reply short because I’m absolutely shattered, but if you like any of my suggestions and want a bit more info, hit me back and I’ll go into more detail.

I think you are on the right track as far as going for a board with a rocker that runs throught the centre of the board like a standard radial or V-rocker. I also wouldn’t discount a jib rocker where the board is flat between the bindings and rockered at the nose and tail, this will improve the boards stability.

Check out the following boards:

Forum Scallywag 155
K2 Parkstar 155
Endeavor RC Series 156
Palmer Saga 154
Arbor Westmark 156
Amplid Dopamine 156
Burton Whammy Bar 155

Rich