help a brother out!!

Posted: 18 January 2010 06:02 AM

I need your insight and wisdom!  I am looking to buy a new board and could use some input from the guys I trust.  He’s the stats:  I am 5’11, 215lbs, size 11 boot (could go 11.5)  I am definitely all mountain (no parks, pipes…yet).  I am based in the North East (Stowe, Jay Peak, Sugarbush, Bolton).  The boards I am looking at so far are: the GNU rider’s choice (158W), the Burton Joystick (159), the Burton V-Rocker (same size as Joystick) or the Burton Custom X (again same size or wide), but I am open to others.  Having Burton in the backyard probably sways my choices a little.

I want a board that can take me everywhere while giving me the best edge hold on the all too common icy conditions found here.  I want something that could be at home in Utah or Tahoe as well.  While I am not a big tricks guy, I would like to get better at my jumps.  I want to dominate in the glades and woods, so that is on my list as well.

One buddy is all Camber, the other swears by Rocker.  Both kill the whole mountain.  Both are smaller than me.  I really want to buy that “one” board that will compliment my riding and allow me to push on to the truly ADVANCED level.

Thanks in advance for your opinions and help!  You guys are F#@KING awesome and I really appreciate it.

Posted: 18 January 2010 08:21 PM

Hi TurbobearVT,

THanks for the compliments on the site! Nice to get some feedback.

Regarding your board choices, it’s nice to see a Vemont resident supporting the local brand! There’s a lot of anti Burton sentiment around at the minute, guess that’s the problem with being the Nike of the Snowboard World.. I think it’s kind of un-deserved, they’re still making some quality gear.

Ok regarding your board choices.. All of the boards that you’ve listed are extremely different. The Joystick and the Custom X are complete pole apart. From your description I gather you ride everything on the hill.. would you describe your riding style as aggresive or lazy? Do you enjoy charging or freestyling your way about the hill of every lump, bump and hump? Are you looking to buy new bindings? If not, are your bindings EST compatible? From what I’ve heard, conditions on the East Coast can get a bit Icy, do you spend a lot of time riding in VT or is it all about the hols in Cali? Finally, when you say progress, what do you want to push? Is it about progressing your carving and freeriding or about learning new tricks? Should be able to narrow down some boards when you’ve had a look at these questions.

Rich

Posted: 19 January 2010 01:00 AM

Rich,

Thanks for the reply.  So to answer your questions:  I ride everything on the hill, there isn’t anywhere i can’t go, but I haven’t developed the skills yet to hit it with authority.  I don’t do much jumps yet, am still perfecting the 180 at any time.  I ride agressively and don’t mind the fast. 

I do ride in VT so there is icy conditions and sometimes an overall lack of real snow (man made to make up for it).  I like to take trips to Utah and Tahoe, but those are once a year things.  I ride pretty much every weekend.  Ultimately I would like to be able to confidently hit air off big naturals and rollers.  I like the small ground tricks, but mostly cause it shows how much skills a rider has.  I like being on the mountain, looking down into the steep.  I like the diamond trails and off trail.  I want to be awesome in the glades and the trees as well as in the powder should it happen.  I want to be an aggressive carver able to tackle any terrain.  I want to have some tricks perfected, but at my age, I won’t be popping the sick tricks like the younger guys really….I am more toward technique and confidence than riding rails.

I am buying new EST bindings if I pick a Burton.  I was looking at the cartel as the basic EST binding…the CO2 as the top of the list binding.  I had looked into some Rome bindings (mid level) for the GNU board. 

I am going to limit my search to Burton only products I think.  I know there is a lot of fanstastic stuff out there, but I get a deal on Burton…and your right, I think people hate on success when its dumb to do so.  Cover a board in black, ride it and tell me which one is best…peel back the sticker and give props to the company making it, no matter the size or corporate crap.  When your on the hill, (at least to me, its about the ride, no politics).  Everyone has a favorite rider, favorite team, favorite board…that is fine, but hatin on Burton is like hatin on Ford cause they started the auto revolution.  Neither were the first, they were just really good at getting it done, and along the way, they made some sick stuff, and some lame stuff. 

I look forward to your thoughts on the right set up for me.  My biggest fear was that the reverse would be too “loose” and not have the edge hold I guess I want…but at the same time, I don’t want something that is hooking up everywhere and making me not trust it in the flats.

thanks again

Posted: 19 January 2010 01:36 AM

Ok so I’ve had a think about this…

I’d suggest that you’re going to get the most from a cambered boards. If you ride aggresively and you like stiffer boards then the Custom X is spot on, but it is going to be hard work. Tone that down and you’re looking at the Custom. A smooth ride , not as stiff as it used to be, great carving and playable enough to butter about… about as jack of all trades as you can get. If you want a board that is slightly softer but still geared towards freestyle then look at the Guru… a bit more surf inspired a little mellower to cruise around on. The Joystick has got a rocker profile, which you might find you really like. My suggestion to you would be to try and get a demo.. there’s one at Killington in March

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If you can’t wait i’m sure there must be demo centre within a stones throw of you.

Posted: 19 January 2010 03:39 AM

Rich,

Nice call.  Darkside Snowboards in Stowe, VT has a demo of the joystick and the custom….both of which I will have on Saturday.  Great suggestion.

I will let you know.

Lance