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 #1 First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 24/08/2010 @ 15:54 |
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Hi All,
I've not boarded in 4 years and have always rented boots and boards in the past. I've just got back into it and am de-rusting the tekkers at the chill-factor in manchester. I'm going for a boarding holiday this coming season to avoriaz with a big group of mates and don't want to be stuck with crappy gear yet again.
I'm 6ft 8 and 15 stone with size 12 feet. I've usually been given 'the biggest' boards that the rental places do - which usually ends up being a 164 or 168cm board. My problem is that I find that I'm bogging down and not able to get up decent pace to keep up with my mates who are lighter.
Does anyone know of a board that would suit my oversized frame but that isn't going to cost the earth? I've been told that the lib tech skunk ape would be right but I can only find them in online shops in the USA and they're going to cost a packet with shipping and taxes on top!
Thanks in advance! |
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| #2 Re: First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 24/08/2010 @ 20:16 |
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| In reply to post #1
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You could get away with as low as 161 but something around 164 is fine. Having never seen you ride i can only suggest some boards that may fit for us bigger fellas:
Nitro Magnum
Atmoic Hatchet
Option Logic
K2 Podium 2010 - If you can find one else a Brigade
Later
Hutch  |
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| #3 Re: First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 24/08/2010 @ 20:53 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Not sure what you mean by "bogging down". Bigger boards go faster, or at least accelerate faster, but most on piste riders would not be going fast enough to worry about that. It may be that the boards you're renting are simply badly prepped? |
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| #4 Re: First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 25/08/2010 @ 14:29 |
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| In reply to post #3
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QUOTE (philw - 24/08/2010 @ 20:53) Not sure what you mean by "bogging down". Bigger boards go faster, or at least accelerate faster, but most on piste riders would not be going fast enough to worry about that. It may be that the boards you're renting are simply badly prepped?
Agree with this.
Maybe you should get yourself a decent board and get it properly waxed and edged before you go. It makes the world of difference. Hire boards could easily have been neglected giving you a bogged down feel. I know that feeling well when the board sticks dude to friction from lack of wax and it does feel bogged down and i'm only 5'7. Your weight should have you easily speeding about. |
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| #5 Re: First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 25/08/2010 @ 21:54 |
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longer board, heavier guy = faster
buy a wide board, 164 is about the right length, shorter than that = easier to turn / less stable at speed... longer than that it's the other way round
there;'s loads of wide 164's out there so you have plenty of options. either get something second hand or wait until next seasons stock is in as all that's generally left in shops at this time of year is less popular models that never sold
the skunk ape is possibly the most expensive wide board in the UK (2seasons sold it iirc)... lib hiked the price of everything after the success of the banana and seem to use a £1=$1 exchange rate in setting their UK prices... also lib aren't known for having fast bases and after the one ride i've had on a skunk ape i wasn't much of a fan
overall i;d say get an entry level all mountain board with a decent sintered base, omatic boron or something, depends what you mean by costs the earth... last years slayblade is going for £320 n i think it's an amazing board |
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| #6 Re: First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 26/08/2010 @ 09:03 |
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| #7 Re: First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 01/09/2010 @ 09:50 |
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| In reply to post #4
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Thanks for the replies everyone, its much appreciated!
@bubbs: I think you might be right. I've never had a run on a new (non-hire) board and it may well be that the gear was poorly prepped or past its prime.
I agree that I should be flying around with all that weight behind me so hopefully if I demo a board or two I should notice a massive difference. |
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| #8 Re: First Gear Purchase - Big Board Suggestions Needed Posted 01/09/2010 @ 12:50 |
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| In reply to post #7
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I second the omatic boron shout. I'm 6 foot and 17 stone and it's awesome. Went back on a hire board the other day to give a mate a go on mine and it was shocking. I've got the 162 wide which I picked up in the TSA sale earlier in the year.
Hope this helps |
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