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 #1 New beginners/Int board. Posted 19/02/2010 @ 11:07 |
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Hey,
I'll try keep it brief as I know there are lots of these at this time of year. 
I'm fairly new to the sport and only have a few weeks experience but am already not loving rental gear and am lucky enough to be able to think about buying my own stuff. Having been in to a couple of the high street shops and asking for some advice they recommend the usual beginner boards (Burton Clash, Arbor Formula etc). However, I have also been looking at forums and see that the Atomic Hatchet/vantage and Ride Agenda come up as good boards. I want something that I can ride now with ease but also learn on and progress with for the next couple years. I'm not too fussed with park stuff but something that has that option along with being a great all mountain board would be cool.
I've seen the Agenda for £165 and the Atomic Vantage with straight shot bindings for £217 (on it's own for £165). The hatchet is around £190.
What do you reckon would be best?
Thanks for your advice guys, appreciated. |
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| #2 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 19/02/2010 @ 16:04 |
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| In reply to post #1
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QUOTE (brettski - 19/02/2010 @ 11:07) Hey, I'll try keep it brief as I know there are lots of these at this time of year. I'm fairly new to the sport and only have a few weeks experience but am already not loving rental gear and am lucky enough to be able to think about buying my own stuff. Having been in to a couple of the high street shops and asking for some advice they recommend the usual beginner boards (Burton Clash, Arbor Formula etc). However, I have also been looking at forums and see that the Atomic Hatchet/vantage and Ride Agenda come up as good boards. I want something that I can ride now with ease but also learn on and progress with for the next couple years. I'm not too fussed with park stuff but something that has that option along with being a great all mountain board would be cool. I've seen the Agenda for £165 and the Atomic Vantage with straight shot bindings for £217 (on it's own for £165). The hatchet is around £190. What do you reckon would be best? Thanks for your advice guys, appreciated.
Hey dude, welcome to the forums etc.
From my research, the Ride Agenda is going to be the cheapest option, but it is aimed at the lower bracket of beginners and as you've had a few weeks experience already the board might be a bit too forgiving for you. I'd probably compare it to the Clash: stable, but relatively slow - good to learn on but you'll outgrow it quickly. I don't know too much about the vantage, but its very rarely mentioned in the same breathe as the hatchet on these forums (not to say its sh*t). I guess it depends on what you want to do, but alot of reviews of the hatchet point to it as a great all mountain freestyle board that can be used as a beginner, but will also last you a long time; and you can take it just about anywhere! The sintered base for that price is obviously a good thing as its tech you're not going to get on any other board in that price bracket. I've recently bought one and will be testing it Sunday - will be happy to give you a better review Sunday evening!
I'd avoid atomic bindings as they seem to get a lot of bad press for not being built brilliantly. My person opinion of them is that they look a little lightweight - K2 formula or a set of Ride bindings would be a good choice for you. I didnt point out a specific model as that depends on your riding style, but the EX/Delta/SPI continuously get the thumbs up on here.
As nice as package deals feel on the wallet, I'm still sceptical about it all as the package you eventually end up might work, but might not be the best option. It's good to test boards if you can, but theres plenty of info on here to help you make an informed decision!
hth  |
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| #3 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 19/02/2010 @ 17:13 |
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| In reply to post #2
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Thanks for the advice.
I had suspicions that you may say the hatchet was worth the second thought but wanted to check. I've read lots about it and it does seem to be quite a good board for it's price and definitely something I can progress with and keep for a while.
I'll have a look at the bindings you mention and bear it in mind.
Cheers for your help and let us know how the test goes on Sun |
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| #4 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 19/02/2010 @ 18:17 |
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I have a Burton Clash (09) and whilst it is a good "learner" board you will outgrow it pretty quick, whenever I try and get high speeds it will start shaking and vibrating like crazy..
On the other hand, that might be a good thing because you learn to controll your board at normal speeds so when you then get a better board, you'll be able to handle the instability at high speeds because you've practised it at normal speeds with the Clash.. if that makes sense.. but what do I know..  |
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| #5 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 19/02/2010 @ 18:52 |
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I use the Hatchet and SPI and can't rate them highly enough!!!!
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Pain Is tempory glory is forever!! |
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| #6 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 20/02/2010 @ 15:39 |
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I just picked up a Ftwo prime, comes highly recommended as a beginner /intermediate board and not that expensive. Evena mate who's been boarding for a number of years rates it. |
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| #7 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 20/02/2010 @ 18:17 |
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| In reply to post #6
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Awesome..thanks guy's I'll have a look and hopefully try to get something in the next week. Are there any particular online stores that people rate for customer service etc? |
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| #8 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 20/02/2010 @ 18:35 |
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to be honest mate you are going to strugle to get kit depending on what you want so decide what you want find chepest and get it as if its popular they will be going out of stock fast if not all ready.
use good old google!!  |
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Pain Is tempory glory is forever!! |
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| #9 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 20/02/2010 @ 19:11 |
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Try Bargainboards.co.uk, I have found them to be very helpfull and they do offer good advice. just my two cents |
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| #10 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 21/02/2010 @ 08:45 |
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i own the Hatchet and it really is a great board, howefer there are others out there, like the Omatic Boran for example... if you pic up any of the current seasons "gear guides magazines" they will give you a review on all levels of baords and bindings to help you see whats out there for you. im not sure if they have an online gers guide? but try the whitlines site in case...
http://whitelines.mpora.com/
good luck
Andy |
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I do NOT fear Death - I fear not living..........er.........and small people with very large hands!
www.bushidokaikarate.webs.com |
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| #11 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 21/02/2010 @ 20:59 |
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| In reply to post #3
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QUOTE (brettski - 19/02/2010 @ 17:13) Thanks for the advice. I had suspicions that you may say the hatchet was worth the second thought but wanted to check. I've read lots about it and it does seem to be quite a good board for it's price and definitely something I can progress with and keep for a while. I'll have a look at the bindings you mention and bear it in mind. Cheers for your help and let us know how the test goes on Sun
Had a great sessions at Tamworth - was a bit worried about buying a board without trying, but in the end it was great. Light, flexible, QUICK! Was able to pick up where I left off after my learn-in-a-day within 30 mins and linking turns with confidence for the rest of the session (think I only fell 2/3 times while being cocky and no major wipeouts). Still have a few posture problems, but hoping to get those sorted by an instructor out in Austria. Bit shaky on ice, but its not really designed for that.
All in all I think it would be a pleasure to ride on for a week - really responsive. |
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| #12 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 22/02/2010 @ 21:17 |
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| In reply to post #11
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QUOTE (pertinky - 21/02/2010 @ 20:59) Had a great sessions at Tamworth - was a bit worried about buying a board without trying, but in the end it was great. Light, flexible, QUICK! Was able to pick up where I left off after my learn-in-a-day within 30 mins and linking turns with confidence for the rest of the session (think I only fell 2/3 times while being cocky and no major wipeouts). Still have a few posture problems, but hoping to get those sorted by an instructor out in Austria. Bit shaky on ice, but its not really designed for that. All in all I think it would be a pleasure to ride on for a week - really responsive.
i have been considering buying a hatchet and you write up of the test is a big help. thanks much |
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~Elysium |
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| #13 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 23/02/2010 @ 09:25 |
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| In reply to post #12
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Is the Hatchet a good All Mountain board? I am looking also at the Burton Deuce. Which is best for all Mountain? |
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| #14 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 23/02/2010 @ 09:34 |
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| In reply to post #12
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QUOTE (Elysium - 22/02/2010 @ 21:17) i have been considering buying a hatchet and you write up of the test is a big help. thanks much
No probs - I know its hard to take someone elses word for it, but I'm yet to see anyone say a bad thing about it.
It felt really fast under feet as soon as you came off your edges it had a fantastic pickup of speed compared to rentals boards ive used and the Omatic Boron. |
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| #15 Re: New beginners/Int board. Posted 23/02/2010 @ 09:38 |
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| In reply to post #13
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QUOTE (JB_Manchester - 23/02/2010 @ 09:25) Is the Hatchet a good All Mountain board? I am looking also at the Burton Deuce. Which is best for all Mountain?
It's definately more freestyle orientated (as its marketed as such), but theres no reason you can't take it all over the mountain in my opinion. Going to be great for jibbing and generally messing about on the slopes - I'm very exciting to give it its first outing on a nicely groomed piste. Not really tried jumping about on it, but it feels like its got a lot of pop and its clearly flexible.
It's not going to work in deep powder, but possibly on the sides of the piste it would be ok.
I was slap bang in the middle of sizes and went smaller for freestyle, but getting a slightly longer one will allow you to be more stable at speed and be more viable in the pow pow. |
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