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Newbie looking to upgrade from rental gear

2K views 14 replies 10 participants last post by  PorkCereal 
#1 ·
Greetings, im a florida transplant now living in New England in the last 3 years. Ive taken up a little boarding and enjoying it. The rental gear you get seems hit or miss so i was looking into trying to get some entry level gear that more talored for me. I might only be in this area for another season or 2 so i didnt want to drop big money, but i have a 3 or 4 day trip planned so i wanted to try and get some gear.

Looking for an inexpensive board setup new or used and unsure of some of the very cheap combos you can find online.
Im around 5'7 175-185 and around a 9 boot. Different sites say 153-155 on the board, but where im heavier im unsure. Will be mainly on groomed trails in the north east, im not confident enough to do anything in the wild. No terrain parks, i just want a slower board that i can turn easy and get the basics down.

Any help is appreciated on type or style board or manufacturers to definatly avoid.
 
#3 ·
Im mainly confused about the board sizing. Some sources tell me 153, some tell me 157. So im assuming anything in between would be ok.

Whats the difference for a beginner with say a 100$ M3 board vs a $400 Burton or K2 for learning and basic groomed trails. I dont mind spending some money, but i dont want to buy total trash, nor do i want to buy closet candy. I do know i want a set of rear entry bindings, i hate sitting down dealing with straps.
Oddly enough, there isnt much on CL in the Boston area.
 
#6 ·
For me, it was easier to learn on a shorter board. I would go with a mid-price used board and get it at 153.

You can check on ebay for used 2013 boards.

I started off on a Sierra Reverse Crew board (reverse camber) then gradually started add in camber to my boards. Eventually I might end up riding strictly camber boards.
 
#8 ·
Boots are something im definatly buying new, kinda the whole reason i want to get out of rental gear. That and you end up with different stuff each time. I have those taken care of with REI gift cards, its just the rest. Bindings, i know what i want. I dont want a fast board, so i guess a cheap slower board would be ok. I have no interest in park riding atm, i just want to cruise down the mountain and turn easily.
 
#9 ·
I was on a budget too and finally upgrade like you did before this season I've been renting and borrowing gear.
I was looking for a board that was an all mountain board that I could ride any condition with and do some jibbing, also I'd be happy with for years so the next season/seasons I wouldn't have to upgrade.

I found some DC Phase boots for $80 2013 (My cousin had the 2014 and I liked them) just knew what I was looking for and did a google shopping search.
When sports chalet had the sale I payed $183 out the door for a 2013 Burton Process Fling V 152
Bindings are Burton Custom EST 2013 $100

I was confused with the different board shapes and how they acted.
http://www.snowboardingforum.com/boards/37496-rocker-camber-everything-between.html

You can check it out here they have a board sizing chart. Also some boards are different sizes for the same weight.
On Sale Snowboards - Snowboard - 40% Off Free Shipping
^not the cheapest, but they have reviews, information, ect.

Check out eBay I've seen some used boards and board sets that are used that look almost brand new.
Snowboard stuff looks kinda expensive now. Everyone's trying to get gear I guess. If you want you can wait till the season's over for sales too.

I'm no expert, but this is just my 2 cents.
 
#10 · (Edited)
evo has 2013 boards at blowout prices. plus mid-season you can still find lots of stock.

get something camrock (rossi taipan) or mild rocker (rome garage rocker) for cheap. either would do fine at any New England resort, and both are at crazy cheap prices.

don't waste your money buying used or from craigslist when you can buy last year's stuff new for the same or better prices.

that's what i would do.

ditto on spending the bulk of your funds on the best fitting boots you can afford. stay reasonable with your board and binding choice and spend the rest on lessons and booze.
 
#12 ·
UR new...all boards are going to feel fast. since ur on the wrong coast get something with magnetraction....be it cam roc cam or cam...cam will hold an edge better and roc will be easy to turn but will feel more squirrly. The only way to slow a board down is to hash up the base or don't wax it....but what you really want to do is take more lessons....a moderate amount of speed is your friend....it helps you be more stable and turn. Like riding a bike...a bike not moving is hard to balance...verses one rolling is much more stable and you can manuver it. Anyway speed is just a matter of perception and skill. But boots first.
 
#14 ·
+1. I'm not a firm believer of magnetraction over proper technique, and I will reiterate the lessons. Going slow is a more about skill and control than "slow equipment." Kids you see on the slope bombing our east coast ice are more likely than not out of control and don't know how to control their speed using different turn shapes. A good instructor will be able to show you all this.
 
#15 ·
Ice definatly isnt fun, already been there done that. One thing i found out, is to actually go to the intermediate courses, they tended to be groomed better with fresher 'snow' and are more enjoyable than the 'learning' areas. I actually took a nasty wipe where i had to jump and roll over someone that fell over at the bottom of the hill in my path. There head in my board path... I took the class the first trip out and since then ive been trying to just stay on the board and out of the snow. 2nd and 3rd trips were much better. Thats partially why im looking into my own gear, if i had it, i would go on more trips, all be it solo. wife wont attempt it.
 
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