Alright, need a little help here...
for 3 yrs I've ridden a 157 2010 T. Rice blunt nose (C2BTX), which I absolutely LOVE. Problem is, When I bought it I was about 25 lbs lighter. (currently 5'11" @ 220 lbs size 10.5 boot)
The thing shreds everything, BUT... I tend to go to Revelstoke on a 3-4 week boarding trip every year. This year, I went smack in the middle of massive snowfalls . While my beloved T. Rice did an admirable job, I realized I want a deep pow board that is great for hard charging down runs at unsafe velocities. It needs to have good damping, because I do have a bit of a soft knee. I hit natural features, rqace through glades, and am starting to get confident taking big airs, but I don't jib or enter the park.
I've narrowed my choices down to the following, in order from most fav to least:
1) NS RAPTOR 164 - I love the design of this thing, and how durable the top sheet is. Also love the warranty. It has a similar profile to my T. Rice, with Vario grip and great damping... So the learning curve should be practically non-existent. Having said that, it is basically the same board as what I have, only longer.. Is it really a specialty quiver board then, or do I end up selling my T. Rice as a result? Not necessarily a bad thing, as the Raptor is expensive, and it would help offset the cost.
2) 2011 SALOMON BURNER 163 - First off, I can score a brand new 2011 right now for $300 CDN. That's a freakin' steal for a board of this caliber. It's also insano fast, great damping, and every review I read has nothing but good things to say. My concerns are durability and full camber. The last full camber board I rode was my 5150 PATH (lol) that I learned to snowboard on. It also has no pow rocker in the nose, so I'm wondering how well does it actually float? I'd like something that helps keep rear leg burn down, so I can ride hard all day long. Having said that, this would obviously be what I'm looking for, a quiver board that I pull out when I need it.
3) NS F1 PREMIERE 163 - similar to the Raptor, but heavier and a little less damage to the wallet.
4) SALOMON MAN'S BOARD 162 - Not sure if it is what I want in a board, and from what I read, it is prone to chipping and doesn't have the greatest damping.
5) NITRO PANTERRA - don't know too much about this board, but it sounds like something that covers all the bases I want. This used to be the slot for the CAPITA CS, but it is now off my short list.
6) LIB TECH DARK SERIES - Has risers built in... I like that. But, horrendously expensive, and I've never seen one on sale.
I welcome any other suggestions. I'm particulary interested in Arbor testimonials. Ride Slackcountry is also a possibility, but seems like too much to pay for what I consider a board that is good at everything, but not great at anything. Following boards are not going to be considered:
NS Summit - too narrow, and does not come in a size I want. 161 is too short for my purposes, and 167 is too long for me.
Salomon Sick Stick - I love it, but I don't think it'll give me the hard charging speed I want.
Yes PYL - It's flimsy, too soft, and I just don't like it.
Nidecker whatever - too expensive, impossible to find anyways.
Jones - heard too many things about the Biofilm treatment on the top sheet not being waterproof. On a side note; While I respect his abilities, enjoy his movies, and he has some good one-liners... his voice annoys the living shit out of me, and I won't give him my hard earned money. It reminds me of an injured homosexual cat being forced to have heterosexual intercourse.
for 3 yrs I've ridden a 157 2010 T. Rice blunt nose (C2BTX), which I absolutely LOVE. Problem is, When I bought it I was about 25 lbs lighter. (currently 5'11" @ 220 lbs size 10.5 boot)
The thing shreds everything, BUT... I tend to go to Revelstoke on a 3-4 week boarding trip every year. This year, I went smack in the middle of massive snowfalls . While my beloved T. Rice did an admirable job, I realized I want a deep pow board that is great for hard charging down runs at unsafe velocities. It needs to have good damping, because I do have a bit of a soft knee. I hit natural features, rqace through glades, and am starting to get confident taking big airs, but I don't jib or enter the park.
I've narrowed my choices down to the following, in order from most fav to least:
1) NS RAPTOR 164 - I love the design of this thing, and how durable the top sheet is. Also love the warranty. It has a similar profile to my T. Rice, with Vario grip and great damping... So the learning curve should be practically non-existent. Having said that, it is basically the same board as what I have, only longer.. Is it really a specialty quiver board then, or do I end up selling my T. Rice as a result? Not necessarily a bad thing, as the Raptor is expensive, and it would help offset the cost.
2) 2011 SALOMON BURNER 163 - First off, I can score a brand new 2011 right now for $300 CDN. That's a freakin' steal for a board of this caliber. It's also insano fast, great damping, and every review I read has nothing but good things to say. My concerns are durability and full camber. The last full camber board I rode was my 5150 PATH (lol) that I learned to snowboard on. It also has no pow rocker in the nose, so I'm wondering how well does it actually float? I'd like something that helps keep rear leg burn down, so I can ride hard all day long. Having said that, this would obviously be what I'm looking for, a quiver board that I pull out when I need it.
3) NS F1 PREMIERE 163 - similar to the Raptor, but heavier and a little less damage to the wallet.
4) SALOMON MAN'S BOARD 162 - Not sure if it is what I want in a board, and from what I read, it is prone to chipping and doesn't have the greatest damping.
5) NITRO PANTERRA - don't know too much about this board, but it sounds like something that covers all the bases I want. This used to be the slot for the CAPITA CS, but it is now off my short list.
6) LIB TECH DARK SERIES - Has risers built in... I like that. But, horrendously expensive, and I've never seen one on sale.
I welcome any other suggestions. I'm particulary interested in Arbor testimonials. Ride Slackcountry is also a possibility, but seems like too much to pay for what I consider a board that is good at everything, but not great at anything. Following boards are not going to be considered:
NS Summit - too narrow, and does not come in a size I want. 161 is too short for my purposes, and 167 is too long for me.
Salomon Sick Stick - I love it, but I don't think it'll give me the hard charging speed I want.
Yes PYL - It's flimsy, too soft, and I just don't like it.
Nidecker whatever - too expensive, impossible to find anyways.
Jones - heard too many things about the Biofilm treatment on the top sheet not being waterproof. On a side note; While I respect his abilities, enjoy his movies, and he has some good one-liners... his voice annoys the living shit out of me, and I won't give him my hard earned money. It reminds me of an injured homosexual cat being forced to have heterosexual intercourse.