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 #1 Freerider looking for major advice Posted 25/08/2010 @ 23:40 |
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Ok so, i went boarding last year for a day and completely loved it. I have already been skiing for about 5 years (not being big-headed but im defo a natural at both). On a board i could ride red runs with ease and linking turns was very simple (not saying it's hard or anything). I was also switching a bit but couldn't really get the hang of riding goofy after switching haha. Anyways ive decided that what i really want to do is probably freeride and then eventually get into carving rather then going to the park as such. I'm about 10 1/2 stone, 6ft2 and have size 10uk feet. I really have no clue as to how to research getting my own gear. I have a small budget as i don't want to get anything serious right now as i'd prefer to do that once i get into carving but before you tell me to get a begginers board i defo want to freeride. So yer a budget of like about £400-£500. But like i said i have NO CLUE where to start. Do i start with boots and work outwards or with the board and works inwards. Are they any makes to avoid and certain shapes or flex that shouldn't be considered. Any info you guys have for me or any vouches for some great gear that YOU started with is great too. Anything, doesn't have to be big just anything you have for me. Apart from "have fun" as i know i will 
thanks |
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| Posts: 378 |
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Gloucestershire |
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| #2 Re: Freerider looking for major advice Posted 26/08/2010 @ 16:55 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Welcome to GB 
Start with boots, definitely. If you want to be freeriding then you'll probably be wanting some stiffer boots but the most important thing is that they fit right. I posted here (post 10) to answer someone elses boot Qs ... not saying I'm an Oracle or anything but that's been my boot experiences  |
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| #3 Re: Freerider looking for major advice Posted 26/08/2010 @ 23:06 |
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| In reply to post #2
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Thanks very much and I'm hoping to go to a the snowboard show in London soon where I hope to get the best of ideas for what I want. Thanks alot for your post it has helped alot :D |
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| #4 Re: Freerider looking for major advice Posted 28/08/2010 @ 11:47 |
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| In reply to post #3
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i wrote a big repsonse that dissapeared so this one will be pretty blunt
freeriding boards ae generally stiffer, which isn't what you need when learning so i wouldn't jump in and buy a stiff free ride board just yet - tho the nidecker ultralight is on sale at tsa at the minute
also freeride/race boards tend to be longer, cos they're faster... this again isn't ideal to learn on because they're harder to turn
given all this i'd reccomend an all mountain board to start with, something like a k2 slayblade will fly round the mountain and you can learn to carve just fine. longer term you could move onto something even faster, stiffer or even hardboots but really for now even something liek a slayblade will probably be too much board for someone with so little time riding
pick a few brands and check their sites, they'll split their boards into categories and you'd want an all mountain do anything board, check the slayblade to get a idea for what i mean, it's probably rated 5/10 in the park and 7/10 in the pow, it might not sound ideal but really you don't want to pick up a hard carving board sttaight off the bat, you'd have a hard time on it and not be able to use it to full potential,
i know a girl who rode a 154 custom x, too long for her size, too stiff for her ability, swapped for a 144 all mountain freestyle board and had a much better time.
the boots - the main thing is fit, personally i'd get an all rounder instead of something super stiff so they're easier to learn on, at your level you won't get any benefit from riding something stiff like a vans andreass wigg vs ridnig a vans entry level boot like the encore, again have a look at these as examples and see what they say about their boots, the main thing is getting boots that fit
bindings - get whatever fits your boots and wallet, for a learner/intermediate any mid range binding will be fine, personally i think they have the least relevance to your riding compared to boots and board, |
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| #5 Re: Freerider looking for major advice Posted 28/08/2010 @ 13:05 |
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| In reply to post #3
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I'd definately agree with getting your boots first.
If you are heading in to London, Covent Garden has 3 shops all close together, although there are a few other good shops as well. it's really important that you get someone to fit your boots properly for you though and whilst TSA probably have the best range i've not had very good experiences with their staff, last time i went up with a mate to get some boots the assistant didn't measure his feet, ask about experience, riding style or anything like that just tried to force a pair of 32s on him as they were 'what I ride', when they didn't fit very well he was really dismissive as if because they were good enough for him they should be good enough for my mate, i've found it similar every time i've been up there, which is a shame and probably i've just had bad luck. I'd recommend Snow + Rock though, i know they don't seem a popular shop on here but there is a french guy there who is really good and he's fitted boots for 3 of my friends, my wife and myself and hasn't got it wrong once so definately worth a trip
As has been said about board choice, if you are new i'd avoid anything that is too freeride orientated as you won't really get enough out of it unless you are charging really hard, too stiff too early can really knock your confidence. Slayblade is a great board, also have a look at the o-matic Boron which is a good quality cheaper option, perversely in regards to what i said earlier, i've found TSA to be really good for board advice... go figure 
Happy shopping |
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| #6 Re: Freerider looking for major advice Posted 28/08/2010 @ 16:25 |
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| In reply to post #5
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Buy boots, preferably at the same place you'll ride them, so you can get them tweaked or exchanged if they're not right. You can't tell much from standing in boots in the shop.
Boards: if you're as good as you say, then forget it for now. You should progress really quickly to start with, so you need to be able to switch around boards as you get better. Broadly "better" means "faster but still in control". The faster you go the stiffer your board needs to be, for general piste use. So as you get better you need beefier boards.
So rent some gear. Try not to rent junk - avoid rental outlets which are patronised by tour operators as they tend to be "lowest common denominator". Pay a bit more and get some gear which has been serviced and which you can switch around. After a while you'll know what sort of thing you like because you've ridden it. That's the time to buy that board. |
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