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Muten_Roshi 
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Post subject: Review - Rome Machine 159
 Posted: Nov 18, 2006 - 07:06 PM
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Joined: Apr 17, 2005
Posts: 1490
Location: London
Status: Offline
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Name - Rome Machine
Price - £300
Available now - (2005 -2006 model reviewed)
If you're rocking size 11+, intermediate jibber, intermediate piste basher looking for a nice board to support your riding progression this is the board for you.
Having wide feet I know more than most how useless some recommendations can be.
Many a time I've had a recommendation only for me to walk into the store, eyes wide and excited scanning for the board of choice. I mention the board with a hint of excitement in my voice, the store worker recognises the name, smiles and leads me to the back of the store. As we walk he makes some idle chat.
"how long you been boarding, what tricks are you trying, where have you been boarding etc etc" I never really listen to his questions, but EVERY time I seem to answer some part of his banter with...
"it's a nightmare with my size 12 feet"
He stops.
I stop.
He looks at my feet.
And In the space of that one look towards my feet I'm already on my way out of the store, head held in shame as the assistant's laughter trails behind me. I've taken the abuse, so you don't have to. Walk in, point at this board and give it a try.
This is a twin tip, so expect it to feel a little different when you flip into switch. Different how?? One mate said it was easier, another said he didn't feel any difference. I'm leaning to somewhere in the middle of those 2 statements.
Prior to this test I was getting pretty comfortable with switch - I could get down red runs at decent speed but still felt odd going over a kicker in switch. Damn, I even went as far as to pull my groin playing around with 180s into and out of switch. Pulling your groin is no joke people.
When I got on this board switch did seem easier, but I'm willing to bet that was as much down to psychology as to the specifics of the board. Furthermore I also spent a lot of the test period in duck stance which may also have helped matters. So my advice on this front is do not assume this board will make switch easier.
Now to the other technical details.The board has a decent amount of stiffness. I rode this in comparison with the Burton Baron (review coming shortly, unless any other forumites fancy writing a review at any time!!!) It is softer than the Baron but its no pansy.
It's classed as a trick board and felt that way. I didn't hit too many rails with this board but jumps felt as natural as they always had. Within a few runs I was back to trying my usual tricks without hesitation.
Standard riding was also pretty good. I think I had around 3 weeks of testing this on piste. Doing hard fast red runs, mogully black runs, jibbing on piste, tree runs, cliff jumps and serious powder. It handled all of these conditions at high speeds with no chatter. Pretty impressive when I'd usually ride something longer for my day to day activities.
If you want a jibbing board this may be the one for you. For guys with smaller feet you have a host of options out there. For the bigger footed gent among us The Machine is more than worthy of an honourable mention. As a jibbing board you can pretty confidently test this out at Milton Keynes or Tamworth and buy, knowing you're happy with the jibbing potential you may unlock. If you do buy, keep an eye out for people at MK riding the same board. Some day soon one of those guys will be me.
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