Equipment and Media - Stuck For Choice- First board-twin? danp4jc - Mar 27, 2008 - 03:47 PM Post subject: Stuck For Choice- First board-twin?
I need your help!
I've been looking around for a long time to buy my first board. I've read numourous forum articles etc. and end up back at square one.
I've only had one week boarding, but was determined to get the most out of it. I'm a fast learner, I was confidintly soaring down red's and trying out some blacks by the end of the week (on a hire board).
I'm looking an all-round 'all-mountain' board which will also be great in the park.
I'm 173cm tall, 60kg.
I've been looking boards in range of 151-155am long.
A twin board almost seems essencial as I would like to ride switch.
Price Range: <£200 - there are some great deals on the net at the moment and on ebay as it's end of season.
Boards considered:
Ride DH/Kink
Burton Blunt/Blunt Primo/Se7en
K2 Jibpan
Flow Quantum
Gnu Danny Kass Vertigo MTX
Lib Tech (cant remember model) with mtx
...
I'm open to suggestion, but am areally looking a board that will allow me to improve in and last a good few years (if thats the case don't mind spending some extra cash.)
Any recommendations for bindings and boots (size 9uk).
I like the look of flow 'step-in' style bindings, no idea about their performance however.
Cheaper is better (i.e. last seasons boards from e-depot.com would be great as they are further reduced in price)
Thanks for your Help. Much appreciated.
Az - Mar 27, 2008 - 04:17 PM Post subject:
hey mate,
I've rode the DH and the kink and if your looking for an all mountain board the DH is bit better, the kink is quite "noodly" at speed and soft, but the DH is a nice shape and easy to ride with nice pop. also you can pick a DH up for 250quid at the moment. doubt you'd get a DH <200. You'd get a kink though.
Another suggestion is Stepchild powder sucks 155. www.magictoast.com have them. Twin, mellow flex but it's all moutain freestyle and really nice.
Forum youngblood 154 is also a nice board can pick this seasons up for around 200 brand, snow and rock have them and so do conspiracy boardstore. thats more of a park board though.
K2 Darkstar 155 also.
Boots go to a shop and try on loads, and the shop people will be able to sort you out soem for your level and riding style etc. buy boots first.
Bindings you'd be a Large I would've thought.
Hope this helps a bit. oh and check the for sale bit on here.
danp4jc - Mar 27, 2008 - 04:44 PM Post subject:
Chers Az for the quick reply. Useful info.
Why is it important to buy boots first though?
Az - Mar 27, 2008 - 04:48 PM Post subject:
It's just better to sort your boots out and then get bindings and that so they fit nice. Boots are the most important thing, have to try a few pairs get a good comfy fit. Just it's imperative you start with comfy boots as part of a setup. but it doesn't matter that much if you've seen a board you like.
Take your boots when you buy bindings would maybe be a good idea as well.
danp4jc - Mar 27, 2008 - 05:02 PM Post subject:
Thanks, that makes sense.
I think I'll head down to a shop somewhere. I live in Belfast, I think there may be one shop in that area.
It seems to be a lot more expensive elsewhere.
oneloveofboardsports - Mar 27, 2008 - 05:10 PM Post subject:
Hey dude, if you live in Belfast we did a demo at Craigavon in October last year and hooked up Chain Reaction with some of this seasons kit.
I know theyve just gone all out sale on winter product as their moving over to summer kit for their bikes and you will be able to pick up something that will suit you.
They were one of the only people to stock the TECHNINE ICON board this season, and this kicks ass, carbon stringers, super fast 7200 base and its loaded with POP, had endless Good Wood awards and is riden by all our team as a second board. Its a true twin and loads of stance options to ride it how ever you want, our original RRP was 300 but I know they've got a few left and have dropped the price to clear them out. Give them a call or get over there and have a chat with them and im sure they will do you a sub 200 deal.
Az - Mar 27, 2008 - 05:12 PM Post subject:
I don't know much about GNU and I've never ridden them. 130quid seems quite good though, don't know how much you'd have added because you'd be bringing it in to the country, could be quite a bit though. I'm not sure, hopefuly someone else on here can help you more.
oneloveofboardsports - Mar 27, 2008 - 05:24 PM Post subject:
I would be warry about buying anything from ebay or other bargain places, if you read down that e-bay link the boards are seconds so you just never know whats going on inside, they recon its just a graphic issue but once youve shipped it in then your feck'd.
This time of year shops are cutting prices to clear stock and you can get a mega deal, especially if youre going to buy boots, bindings the lot, best off going in to your local place and getting them to fit you up properly with boots, bindings and a board that will suit you and how you ride.
And your guaranteed that if theyve got it in stock now they will want to shift it, even if they have to cut the price a little bit so its worth having a chat with them first.
Az - Mar 27, 2008 - 05:28 PM Post subject:
yeah true i did think that if it arrived and it wasn't as made out to be you'd be stuck really
danp4jc - Mar 27, 2008 - 05:35 PM Post subject:
Yeah, thanks for the help. Much Appreciared
danp4jc - Mar 27, 2008 - 05:46 PM Post subject:
I don't actually intend to board til december 08, when do you think would be the best time to buy a board? now or coming into the next season? When does this season end, i.e. when would the likes of chainreactioncycles stop selling board gear?
danp4jc - Mar 28, 2008 - 04:37 PM Post subject:
Right, I just went down to Chain Reaction Cycles today. All their winter gear is now out! I asked to view the technine icon 153. They brought it from the back. The only thing was they were not willing to help me at all. There was only one staff on the shop floor. I tried another couple of places that I thought might do snowboard gear, none of them have anything.
Regards boots and bindings, should I just buy clearance gear from the net while they are cheap?
Az - Mar 28, 2008 - 05:02 PM Post subject:
NO. you need to make sure it fits ok, boots and bindings. even if you go to a shop to try stuff on then go away and maybe buy off the net then fine. Don't just buy stuf coz it's in the sale in case it's wrong for you. Also chances are if you buy off the net and it's wrong fit etc they won't exchange or refund you as it's sale gear.
Maybe try the shop again ona different day or something coz it sounds like you havn't got that many shops in your area.
Different makes of boots have different fits, so you may go to a shop thinking you'll need your normal shoe or trainer size but then find out that a different size would fit you perfect.
oneloveofboardsports - Mar 28, 2008 - 05:13 PM Post subject:
Might be good to get there on a Saturday they are bound to have more staff on, and the night we did at Craigavon dry slope there were a few Chain Recation staff there who knew there stuff.
I agree with AZ tho get your boots fitted, worst thing is if you buy a pair of boots from the net and then you get to the top of the lift and they dont feel right it will ruin your holiday.
Try Chain Reaction again on a busy day, and get them to fit you some boots. If you try again and you dont have any luck let me know and I will give someone a call and see if I can get you someone to help.