Need help - buying first board

Posted: 16 August 2011 03:19 PM

Hey guys i am another one looking to buy their first board.

Have probably been boarding about 4-5 times overall and now i figure its probably best just to bite the bullet and buy my own.

I’m about 6’3 and approx 210 lbs and I’ve just recently come back from using a 2009 Burton Cruzer 164W with size 10 boots. I found the Cruzer good for the first few hours as i hadn’t been to the snow for about 4 years and was a little rusty but it got a bit stale soon after - from reading a few older reviews this seems about right and seems to mainly be a beginners board.

I’d describe myself as intermediate, currently don’t ride switch or hit the park but i wouldn’t rule it out in the near future as i have a few friends who are starting to get in to it (will probably practice switch while they are still on beginner runs) - i would want something that would leave me open to the park but the board would mainly be for the mountain. 

I know little about technology/makes and was wondering if i would be able to get away with something a bit shorter than a 164 and also with a size 10 boot at my weight would i need a wide board?

Any advice or recommendations in terms of board/binding combos would be good.

Cheers

Posted: 16 August 2011 03:53 PM

Hi Nik,

Yeah the Cruzer is about as entry level as you can get, easy to ride but pretty bland and unrewarding.

Regarding your size 10 boots I’d look at a mi-wide over a wide board, this will give you the perfect amount of overhang, something with a waist around 25.8 - 26.0 cm.

Boards that are worth looking at are the Rossignol Angus and One 161mW. You might also like the Nidecker Legacy 163mW. Rockered tips are fun and buttery and will help you get to grips with switch riding and playing about in the park. The camber between the feet will keep the board stable for charging around the mountains.

Rich

Posted: 17 August 2011 12:21 PM

Hi Rich,

Thanks for your help, after doing a bit more research i think a Rossignol board might be the way to go but just have a few quick questions you might be able to help out with.

- I was really leaning towards the Angus but The One has magne-traction which seems to come in handy for ice and we tend to get a bit of it in Australia. Would this be fairly noticable in turns?

- Do you know if there is a lot of difference between the 2011’s that are reviewed on this site and the 2012 boards? Money shouldn’t be a problem so I will probably just go for the 2012 (they seem to be easier to find online and might be a little easier on the eye anyway) but I’m just a little curious.

- I read somewhere that Rossi recommend their Cobra bindings to go with the Angus. Any other bindings that you believe suit a Rossi board? I realise riding styles would probably come in to play so this might be tough to answer.

Thanks again

Posted: 23 August 2011 11:58 PM

Hey Nik,

No difference at all between the 09/10 and 10/11 Angus and only a base upgrade on the 11/12 Angus. Regarding bindings… nope any binding with a 4x4 insert plate will go with the Angus. I ride Drake Supersports on my Angus and they are very comfy, if a touch heavy.