Am I ready for an upgrade or add to my quiver?

Posted: 25 April 2011 09:01 AM

Just finished my last snowboard trip for the season last weekend at Sierra at Tahoe. It was only my 5th full day at snowboarding since I started at the end of February. Still got more practice to go on my Ride Control 155 (positive cambered), but beginning to get the hang of it with Tom’s help.

Anyway, REI still has some snowboards available at a very big discount. I originally thought about picking up a Burton Customer Flying V, but heard that they are changing it up a bit, while others said it does not do so well in icy conditions. So now I’m wondering thinking of going for a difference choice. I could add to my quiver and go for a rocker, or go for a more advanced positive cambered board.

The ones that I’m considering are:

Arbor Element CX 155
GNU Carbon Credit Series BTX 153
Arbor Formula Snowboard 152

I’m opened to others if anyone else sees a better suggestion on the REI website.

Of course, the other option is not to buy anything and wait until I tear up my current board pretty good (though I did see a ding on the top while waxing the board today).

And I plan on mostly staying on groomed runs, but Tom did introduce me to the half-pipe and some small jumps, which I thought was pretty fun.

Thx in advance!

—Tonto

Posted: 25 April 2011 09:23 PM

Hey Tonto,

Glad to hear your lesson with Tom in Sierra went well, I hope he wasn’t showing off too much :)

The three boards you’ve listed are all pretty similar and perfect for your level and progression. Is it worth upgrading?.... I’m not so sure. I’d probably stick with the Control (everybody learnt on camber until a couple of years ago) and do another season on it. Hopefully by then you’ll have developed a taste for which side of snowboarding gives you the most enjoyment and you can choose a board to fit.

If you’re decided and you are set on upgrading I’d go for the Arbor Formula or Gnu CCS… only because they are probably the cheapest.

Rich

Posted: 26 April 2011 09:41 AM

Hi Rich -

I think Tom was too busy trying to make sure I kept my shoulders straight to show off too much.  =)

I think you got a good point. Another season on the Control should give me a better what kind of rider I am. Plus, I think for my next board, I’ll probably want to go with a slightly smaller board.

Hopefully towards the end of the next snow season, I can have more picks on cheap boards once I know which way I lean towards for riding.

Thx for the suggestion!

—Tan