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 #1 Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 11/03/2010 @ 12:27 |
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Hi guys,
I'm trying to help my brother choose which board to buy and am a bit stumped, so was hoping some of you fine wise people might have some good advice  .
He's a beginner with only 4 days riding so far, but is picking it up quicker than the average, and likely to continue progressing speedily I think (already useful for a beginner of his level, plus is generally sporty, and is reasonable at other board sports, surfing etc).
So right now, a standard entry-level board would suit fine (Burton Clash/Bullet/Cruzer, Atomic Hatchet etc.) - but I reckon he'll start to find that a bit limiting around the 2 week mark (I did - ah, good old Cruzer, the 'barn door' of snowboards ), so could do with something to take him on past that and towards intermediate level.
My usual advice would be to hire until past the very early stages (2-3 weeks), and then buy when you can handle a more intermediate board...
... but he has size 14 feet (is also about 6ft 3 and around 17 stone I'm guessing - 164/5cm board seems to suit), so has loads of trouble finding hire kit (has boots already though), and hence needs to go ahead and buy something now (especially as it's that nice, cheaper, end-of-season moment :-) ...
So, my question is - what?!... Rome Headline sprung to mind, but there isn't a wide version, and would that be too advanced for a rider who's around the 'linking turns on blues' stage anyway?... Would something like a Burton Custom completely kick his a** at this stage?... What other wide, all-mountain boards would be handlable by a reasonably useful beginner but could take you well into intermediate?
I'd really appreciate any thoughts  (and v sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, the search function doesn't seem to be working so well at mo!).
Cheers,
S |
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| #2 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 11/03/2010 @ 13:56 |
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| In reply to post #1
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Im 6ft4 100kg and wear size 12's.
I have a 3 year old rome anthem that I would sell, its a 164 and im sure when i bought it i found it to be slightly wider than standard.
I havnt actually used it for 2 years as I have more fun on my capita stairmaster so would accept a fair offer if you wanted.
I also have Ride SPI's to go with it that I am thinking of upgrding so would sell those too.
Its not in 100% condition as its been ridden for a good few weeks but theres nothing wrong with its ride. |
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| #3 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 11/03/2010 @ 14:31 |
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| In reply to post #1
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use google search to search current site, much more productive
also i wouldn't lump the hatchet in with the other boards as it has much better spec for the same money thats why its a fave for beginners |
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The difference between eccentricity and madness is an engineering background |
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| #4 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 11/03/2010 @ 14:59 |
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| In reply to post #1
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FYI
I started on a carbon high beam 170! What a bitch that was to turn! |
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| #5 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 11/03/2010 @ 19:23 |
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Hatchet but even in the wide it's not as wide as some other makes but its a shame as brill board |
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Pain Is tempory glory is forever!! |
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| #6 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 12/03/2010 @ 10:14 |
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Thanks for the input guys - didn't realise the Hatchet was better reputed than the others, so defo sounds like that's worth looking into.
Sadly I think the Anthem will be a bit much for him at the moment (although feel free to correct me on that!), which is a shame as I know it's supposed to be a great board (would be tempted myself but sadly I'm not so giant ) |
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| #7 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 12/03/2010 @ 10:31 |
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| In reply to post #6
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I think a lot is made of what level you need to be to ride certain boards... I was pretty crap when i got my anthem and didnt find it a problem, I now ride a capita which is designed for park.... i've never ridden park in my life - its just a fun soft board to dick around on.
Im not just saying that as a salesman! |
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| #8 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 12/03/2010 @ 12:04 |
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| In reply to post #7
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Ah, ok - I was slightly alarmed as having read a lot of the beginners forum, there seem to be lots of scare stories about people just literally not being able to ride some boards as beginners, and having to get rid of them again - but maybe I'm just being paranoid!...
So, guess will check out some of the more standard intermediate options, plus hatchet...
K2 Podium also keeps cropping up, anyone know anything about this one  ? |
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| Posts: 652 |
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Clackmannanshire |
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| #9 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 12/03/2010 @ 12:25 |
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Revision #1 (Last edited: 12/03/2010 @ 12:26) |
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Yeah, hatchet is no way a beginner board that he will grow out of too quickly. I've had mine over 3 years and I love it in everything (though it does have a tendancy to nose dive in the deep stuff so you have to sit in the back a little).
Beginners would generally find stiffer boards harder to ride, but the hatchet doesn't fall into that category.
General cruising, charging and park stuff is great on the hatchet.
I reckon its a great first board. Certainly has been for me (though I just treated myself to a DH2!  ) |
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| #10 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 12/03/2010 @ 12:37 |
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| In reply to post #8
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The change in board tech over the past few years has produced the All-Mountain-Freestye Board. Whist this is still a bit of a contradiction it does mean that there are now dozens of boards which are getting far closer to a single stick that does almost everything - easy to ride for beginers, will work in the park, do a very respectable job of getting down a piste and allow progression. The main place they fall over is if you want to be a super jib-monkey, go down very steep icy hills or ride at extreme speed. Most peole don't get near this for a while.
The point I'm trying to make, as has already been said, is that there are very few crap boards now and much is down to personal preference. If you buy hatchet(excellent by the way), K2, Ride, Capita etc it is unlikely you will be disappointed. One of the great things about the boards on offer today is that you can get a cracking board for £300 or less that will be fine for years. With some boards getting hard to find at this time of year you will need to be quick though. Does anyone know what has happen to True - there was some discussion a while back but all seems to have gone quiet. |
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| #11 Re: Wide board for fast improver? Help! Posted 12/03/2010 @ 15:08 |
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| In reply to post #10
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Cheers oldgit, good points (should have thought of all-mountain freestyle models given my own beloved stick is Rome Graft, d'uh  )...
Also appreciating the many Hatchet votes, but have just found their biggest wide size is 162 - ok for a 225lb dude (of 6ft3), or bit on the short side?
Thanks again for the help everyone, much appreciated.
S |
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