| Ranked Posts: 783 |
| UK - England |
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 #3 Re: understanding the difference in boards? 25/04/2008 @ 08:39:49 |
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| In reply to post #1 ... |
No. Length is just the wrong thing to use to determine of a board is "right" for you, as is your height.
For a given model, a manufacturer produces different boards intended for different rider weight/ aggression. They could make them all the same length, but that would make them hard to tell apart and sell. So they choose to grade them by length. But really the difference isn't just (say) that they chop the tip and tail of short boards; the whole board's construction is different. So for example the thickness of the board over the length may vary between model's range, or the materials used may vary.
Hence it's quite possible for someone like me (62kgs) to ride boards from 165 through 185; the right board for different models is dependent mostly on the stiffness of the board, not the length.
The whole "snowboard length" business is almost an urban myth; it's a shame as its almost correct. I think it's a hang-over from the days of skiing.
I don't know the specific boards you mention, but neither are speed boards. The differences should be clear from the manufacturers' specifications, but the golden rule with any board, any manufacturer, any level, is to ride the sucker before you buy.
To spell it out:
Look at the manufacturer's recommended weight and try a board that size in that range. Then if it's too soft or too stiff, move up or down a size and try that. Once you have the best board in that range, then pick another range and start again. You cannot say that just because a 163 in one range is perfect, the same length will be perfect in another board. It doesn't work that way. Usually you'll find one board in one range which just works best for you.
Note:
Boards may look the same year-on-year, graphics aside, but they can change considerably, so just because last year's whatever was perfect, this year's may not be. I have heard people report differences within a model year, although I've not seen that. |
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| Ranked Posts: 367 |
| Gloucestershire |
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| #2 Re: understanding the difference in boards? 25/04/2008 @ 06:43:31 |
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| In reply to post #1 ... |
A quick n easy google search reveals the following tags:
Palmer Crown - All mountain snowboard for advanced riders.
Burton Royale - Fully loaded mid-wide freestyle
Says it all really.. |
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The piste-artist formerly known as a_noodler
CASI Level 2 instructor |
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| Ranked Posts: 11 |
| Greater Manchester |
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| #1 understanding the difference in boards? 25/04/2008 @ 06:14:57 |
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Last season I rode two boards on piste. A 162 Palmer Crown and a 158 Burton Royale. I paid half as much for the Royale and just have more fun on it. The Palmer is a little more stable but much harder to nose and tail press and generally dick about on. I am just over 6ft and 13.5 stone. I thought I should have a 160+ board.
Can this huge difference in feel be because of 5cm difference? I thought they were both medium stiff intermediate boards. Is the Palmer for riding at warp speeds rather than mellow ground tricks etc? Is this to do with the different stiffness of the board? |
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| An old fashioned sort of biscuit |
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