Snowboard Club UK

Equipment and Media - Wild Duck Utopia

kylestylegibson - Jan 06, 2008 - 02:46 PM
Post subject: Wild Duck Utopia

Does anyone know much about the "Wild Duck" Utopia board? Spotted a couple going quite cheap but not sure on the quality of them. I'm looking for a board to start getting into tricks, not the best most experienced rider but I have done a wee bit and can get by. I'm 6ft 2" and weigh about 82kg/184lbs with size 11 feet so I'm guessing I should be looking at a board about 159/160cm? Can anyone tell me if that's right?

Any info would be of help,

Cheers,

Kyle.

craignixon - Jan 06, 2008 - 03:22 PM
Post subject: RE: Wild Duck Utopia

Was talking to Spence at Notts about this as..well, its cheap.

Apparantly its ok, dunno what its like to ride personally but spence said it was ok but nothing special.

Its Cap construction and extruded base so it'll be damaged easily.

You are looking somewhere 157-160 ish, though anything above a '57 will be very hard to pull a spin on.

Best thing I can recommend is get to your local store and have a word or get to a slope and test

Branny - Jan 06, 2008 - 03:36 PM
Post subject: RE: Wild Duck Utopia

Wild Ducks are an okay board, nothing amazing but value for money, they don't get that good press in the UK (mainly because they seeem to be sold by ski shops!!) and the name is a bit "wack"

The UK distributor is noble custom (www.noblecustom.co.uk) who may be able to give you extra info

mccannjg - May 06, 2008 - 06:02 PM
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Hmmmm...now i'm perplexed!?!?!

I've found this board on two seasons and comes with bindings in the sale for £139 http://www.twoseasons.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/TwoSeasons/_46664/122469/Mens%20Ulthopia%20Package%200708
Being a newbie i thought i would be a good buy, but i dont want to something that is really bad.

I'm 5'8", and 150lbs size 9 foot.

Suggestions please??? Rolling Eyes

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sarah_s - May 09, 2008 - 12:59 PM
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Dont know much about the Utopia itself but my first board was a Wild Duck Tracks 147....or was it 146....Anyway, it lasted me 1 year of use at Cas plus a week in France. It's still in great condition but it didnt hold an edge very well on slippery ground and although it was advertised as a ladies/youths, beginner/intermediate board I found the flex quite stiff. I ended up buying myself a Salomon Lily 151 this year and I'm finding this a much more enjoyable ride. I think I've progressed much more since I got the new board.

I'd recommened you test some boards out before you buy if possible.

craignixon - May 09, 2008 - 02:05 PM
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Yes, testing = best.

By all sounds when I was off buying a board, its not bad per se, just nothing special.

Ashers - May 11, 2008 - 12:43 AM
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mccannjg wrote:

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I just ordered one from there myself as I board I can trash at the dry slope, it should come by the weekend and il get to ride it on Saturday, il let you know how it goes

I'm 6'1" and 72kg size 9 foot so I went for the 159, with the bindings but if they're crap il get decent ones as they shouldn't get messed up

two-seasons - May 11, 2008 - 02:19 PM
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Check out some reviews by UK magazines from the noble website...

WILD DUCK REVIEW

There is no review of the Utopia, but the 'Birdy' is like the Girls version of the Utopia.

If you just want an easy, fun to use board to destroy then this is it.

Very Happy

Ashers - May 12, 2008 - 06:42 PM
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thats what I got it for Thumbs Up

Does anyone know what bindings it comes with in the two seasons package? (make and model)

two-seasons - May 12, 2008 - 07:13 PM
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SP 720's...

They have a surprising amount of features and adjustments for the price...

Ashers - May 12, 2008 - 08:32 PM
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cool, when I first get it do I need to do anything to the edges to stop me catching them or will it be alright?

Israel - May 12, 2008 - 09:30 PM
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Hi

I bought one last month just to learn and keep for a year or so. I rid the board at the MK one day course and was good, but I am a complete newbie to snowboard so I could not tell you if I ride a K2, Ride, Salomon, etc. to me all seems pretty the same, I guess you may need differnet board depending on what you are doing.

Israel.

Ashers - May 12, 2008 - 11:18 PM
Post subject:

Hi
Did you ride it as it came or did you tune it in any way?
I don't want to try and tune it and mess it up, but I don't want to end up catching an edge every time I turn

Israel - May 13, 2008 - 12:08 AM
Post subject: Hi

I just set the bindings to my preferred position. That was all I did. I was told the bindings were very good so may that helped. Bindings are Elan.

Ashers - May 16, 2008 - 10:26 PM
Post subject: RE: Hi

Mine came today, its my first board so I can't really compare it to others but it seems very good, a lot nicer than hire boards anyway. It has a lot of flex and I was quite impressed by the bindings since I thought they would just be a cheap pair but the ratchets especially are very good.

Value for money it seems very good, it had a sticker on it saying £199.99 but I bought it for £140 with bindings, it looks a lot nicer than on the picture on the website and the edges aren't really sharp so it seems quite safe to use.

Anyway I'm going to ride it tomorrow if not Sunday and tell how I get on.

Shrimps - May 31, 2008 - 08:49 PM
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sarah_s wrote:

yeah i totally agree, my first board was a tracks too and i wasnt great, more of a basic beginner board
test out loadsa boards find one you like then haggle with the shop or find a cheaper one online Smile

daisycutter - Aug 19, 2008 - 01:12 AM
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OLD topic i know but!!

i bought a wild duck sidewinder 158 snowboard, my first board. I had spent a week in davos learning on a rental board and just wanted my own board for second trip. So i bought sidewinder. Id say from my limited experience that the board was adequate, didnt set the world alight but did the job. I improved so much during my second trip in Tignes and am still using the sidewinder at MK dome for now, however am now looking to buy a new board. Im going to buy an intermediate board but again an all mountain board as i dont warrant multiple boards. I was considering a K2 board or Rome. people keep suggesting the Anthem but i dont wanna get a board beyond me.

so overall id say wild duck good to learn on and get you on your way to some fun times ahead.

daisycutter.

Ashers - Aug 19, 2008 - 05:13 PM
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I've had mine for a few months now and it's been great, it's starting to get a bit damaged though.

Tomahawk - Aug 19, 2008 - 10:41 PM
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you can really get a board thats beyond you just a board that is wrong for you too big/too stiff.

there plenty of boards out there jsut demo some and see what you like. the gear guides have just come out so have a look through them.