Buying new board for this season, looking for input

Posted: 12 September 2011 05:18 AM

Hey all, looking for some opinions on my board for this year.

Skill: Intermediate-Advanced
Height: 5’3
Weight: 128 lb
Gender: Female
Shoe Size: women’s 9

I Have been riding mostly piste since I started and got into park riding a bit at the end of last season. For my new board I am looking for something that will be steady enough all over but will still be able to excel in the park. I have been looking at the new Burton boards such as the deja vu flying V as well as the lipstick flying V. the new feelgood is a bit outside my price range. I have also been looking at the Ride Verona from I think last season.

As far as board type goes, I’m too in between to commit to full rocker or full camber. Thats the main reason why I have been looking at newer models with newer board shapes.

I’m looking to progress quickly in park this year, so I AM considering going full rocker. The new burton blender would be my go-to for that or the GNU b-street. I want to start converting from a trail rider to more of a park rider, but I have been too chicken to commit to the rocker so far.

For length I am thinking 143-146, disagree with me if you think I’m wrong.

Any input on these boards/ other boards I should look at? I definitely want newer tech in my board, i’m planning to use it for a long time.

Posted: 12 September 2011 09:44 PM

Hi there!

I’m no expert but I can point out a few differences between the burton boards that you mentioned!

The lipstick has the highest flex rating (4/10) out of the three boards you mentioned, this will make it slightly more responsive than the other two (deja vu and blender) which both have 3/10. (It should also make it better for carving!)  The only thing a 4/10 flex might hinder is presses.  it would be slightly harder to flex than a 3/10 obviously ;)

The lipstick has a true twin shape, which is best suited for park and a directional flex (tail is stiffer than nose) this makes the board slightly harder to ollie when riding switch.  And of course it has the flying v-rocker which is the 4-wheel drive (do it all) variety of burton’s board shapes. This shape is right in the middle, it does carving and park, but is not absolutely ideal for either.  However flying V is MUCH more suited to park than camber.

the deja vu has a twin like shape, which is close to a true twin,  but not quite.  This should make it friendly to riding switch but not quite as friendly as the lipstick.  It has the same directional flex and flying v shape.

Out of those two, i would go with the Lipstick, since it should be slightly more responsive and have more as well as giving you a little more all mountain freedom.

If you really want to ride mainly park, the blender is the way to go!  It’s a true park set-up: softer flex (3/5) means easier presses and more forgiving, and true directional flex and shape means it does everything switch as well as it does regular.  The v-rocker gives it a looser super playful feel, ideal for park.

so if u really wanna up your park game, i think the blender is the way to go!  if u wanna progress in the park and still have a board that will slay the rest of the mountain, the Lipstick looks pretty darn good!

do you have a board now? because if you have something that you feel works well for all mountain, then you could get the Blender just for the park and use your other board for days when you just want to cruise the mountain!

Hope this helps a bit!
Stevan

Posted: 13 September 2011 03:33 AM

What are your opinions on the roxy ollie-pop vsthe NS infinity? I want something that puts park riding first, but doesn’t wash out when I’m on groomers.

Posted: 13 September 2011 05:01 AM

I’m not as familiar with the roxy Ollie pop…but it looks to be similar to both the lipstick and Deja Vu.. I’ve heard nothing but super positive reviews of any NS board!  They’re known for having a super nice stable ride and holding an edge really well.
Honestly I’m not very familiar with the roxy pop, however evo is a good brand! judging from their specs, both boards are similar.

I don’t think you’d have to worry about either of the Burton boards with flying v washing out.  Just the Blender with pure rocker might be a little more unstable and twitchy on groomers at speed..
Never summer is a really great brand, I would probably have one of their boards if I hadn’t jumped the gun so quickly on choosing a new board last year :P The NS infinity is geared as an all mountain board, but more towards the park side of things.

I’m pretty sure you can go with any of the boards you’ve mentioned and you’ll be pretty happy.
Just remember something that truly excels at park will not be as good as it could be for the rest if the mountain and vice-versa. However either Burton flying v or NS RC technology do a good job in both areas and allow you to progress all over the mountain.

I think you’ll just have to choose what the most important attribute of the board is for you based on what you want to do with it and be willing to sacrifice some other attributes (I.e. Park friendliness for carving prowess) Or, just go for a board with hybrid technology (flying v etc.) that can do just about anything well but doesnt completely excel at just one thing. Something right in the middle

Again hope this helps

Stevan

P.s. Read a review on the NS and it said the flex was more like 5/10, making it more all-mountain-ish.