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Help-advanced rider who knows nothing about boards

4K views 38 replies 17 participants last post by  wrathfuldeity 
#1 ·
I want to progress from an advanced rider to an expert. I'm thinking it's time for a new board. I don't understand snowboard terminology and I'm looking for some straight forward advice as to what I should look for based on my current riding style and where I hope to progress.

Background/experience:
I started off with a Nitro when I was a kid, got a real job & spent some big bucks on a Palmer Women's Liberty Carbon 2002/2003. I rode that for a few seasons (Buffalo, NY). Moved to Chicago, took a few seasons off, eventually explored Wisconsin's resorts, then moving on to CO mountains where I now mostly ride. In 2012, I updated to a 2011 Ride Promise & my riding progressed fast. I ride about 20-30 days a year.

Aside from the 3 boards I owned, last year was the 1st time I ever tried another board. I demoed some Lib techs (I loved!). I didn't write down what it was that I loved or what it was that I didn't like. Just remember 1 board was too soft & I hated it. I've talked to several people for advice, all seeming to know what they are talking about & all tend to say different things that further confuse me. Demoing is $30 a pop. I don’t understand when I read about boarding online; I ride solo, have fun & that’s the extent to what I know. Looking for you to help to simplify.

Current riding (on Ride Promise):
1. Deep carving and riding for speed (small portion of a day)
2. Racing. Make Nastar Nationals every year. Would love an alpine board 1 day
3. Most of my riding is in trees or on moguls. Winter Park, Co black-blues & black diamonds.
4. I like kickers & some air but not too much in the park. More if I'm in WI & bored
Looking to progress:
1. improve tree & mogul performance
2. double-black diamonds, steeper terrain, expert terrain
3. improve switch riding (heel side no problem; toe-side I don't feel comfortable bec I'm so twisted & still unable to see clearly - maybe a twin would make toe-side easier)
Questions:
Ride Promise is a directional, a rocker & medium stiffness. What does this do for me in terms of the riding that I mentioned?
Is my board fine & do you think a new stick is "needed" to progress?
What specs should I look for & avoid?
Is a quiver possible?
I plan to demo but need to understand better what I'm looking for. Thanks
 
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#3 ·
Not trying to be critical or ironic or anything, just wondering how you manage to get that good without knowing anything about the equipment - even allowing for some exaggeration on both ends of the equation. Even if you have a naturally frugal nature, how do you manage to go that long without wondering, just a little bit....

It boggles the mind, it does.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Guys... OP demoed Lib Techs. No wonder she's lost.....

Edit:
:giggle: actually, most brands do it. crazy names for VERY simple stuff. It is confusing.

I think the most people can do here is to recommend a few boards good for your terrain and style; and based on what you're used to and already like.
 
#9 ·
Guys... OP demoed Lib Techs. No wonder he's lost.....

Edit:
:giggle: actually, most brands do it. crazy names for VERY simple stuff. It's VERY confusing.

I think the most people can do here is to recommend a few boards good for your terrain and style; and based on what you're used to and already like.
OP is a "she"...women's Palmer Liberty, Ride Promise (is a women's board).

So Tasong. It seems the Ride Promise has LowRize in the front, ProRize in the back (^not just Mervin who has their own crazy names...). Sorry, I don't know what ProRize is, but I have a Ride board with LowRize rocker. Regardless, if you like that profile, I'd try to see how that translates to other company's profiles.

I have a GNU B Pro C2BTX (east coast). Not sure how it translates to your Ride's profile, but it's agile (for trees/moguls), stable (for landings), and a stiffer twin. People seem to either love or hate CRC, but if you're looking to demo, I'd def add that one to your list. GNU is made by Mervin; Mervin makes Lib Techs (no ladies decks in the Lib line) and also Roxy. Perhaps it'll be similar to the one you demoed/loved.

Good luck!

Edit: Welcome, and "is a quiver possible?" Yes. See the chart above :D
 
#11 ·
Background/experience:
I started off with a Nitro when I was a kid, got a real job & spent some big bucks on a Palmer Women's Liberty Carbon 2002/2003. I rode that for a few seasons (Buffalo, NY). Moved to Chicago, took a few seasons off, eventually explored Wisconsin's resorts, then moving on to CO mountains where I now mostly ride. In 2012, I updated to a 2011 Ride Promise & my riding progressed fast. I ride about 20-30 days a year.
I plan to demo but need to understand better what I'm looking for. Thanks
A gal...so go with a highend women's board or a men's board that will fit your stats...whatever they are :dunno:. You are ahead of the game since you learned on cambered...so perhaps stay on a cambered board and just improve your skills...spend money on lessons and ride more. Or perhaps go with a hybrid cam/rock like gnu bpro 155 or a billygoat 156 and see if you like it and if it forces progression. Otherwise stay on cambered. :dunno:
 
#12 ·
I have the Ride Antic which is pretty similar to the women's Ride promise. Your current board is capable of achieving your riding goals BUT, i have to admit that my mogul riding progressed more when i purchased a shorter board (163 to 158) and a hybrid type snowboard ie. camber-rocker-camber(never summer tech). The see-saw effect of the board made the bumps turns much easier. Riding switch on your current board is good if you can set it centered as possible. I practiced riding switch on my Antic and now able to ride at mellow speed on mostly blues/greens. I have not demo'd any other boards so i cannot speak for the other brands.
 
#13 ·
Thank you for all the respectful replies. Could you help by making recommendations such as this:

-You would benefit from a twin or directional (or directional twin) bec for __, you will...
-A camber/rocker/flat combo would... help/be needed in order to excel in... Avoid all rocker? or ...
-xyz doesn't matter & is only preference. Don't worry about those for now
-A __flex would make it difficult in ..(moguls)... whereas...

Please help simplify so I can understand what equipment suits my riding now & where I hope to progress. Thanks so much!
 
#17 ·
-A __flex would make it difficult in ..(moguls)... whereas...

Please help simplify so I can understand what equipment suits my riding now & where I hope to progress. Thanks so much!
Had a Liberty Carbon as well :) liked it a lot though bit bouncy in tracked pow.

Some thoughts on flex: the longer n stiffer the more stability at speed but also less agility. E.g. love my Jones Flagship (rather stiff men's board) for riding fast, big lines, but it's cumbersome in moguls. Other fast n stabe stiffer men's boards as a Volkl Coal or Ride Highlife are comparable.
For crappy conditions in resorts, I prefer my shorter Ride Farah (mid stiff women's), which makes moguls almost fun to ride, however it's less stable at speed. Inbetween is the Jones Mothership (rather stiff women's): stable and agile, not as hard work as the Flagship in moguls but still not as forgiving as the Farah (a Salomon Idol is comparable). It's a give and take.
If you look into men's boards, keep an eye on the waist width and demo those with rather narrow waist as a too wide waist will make turns harder.
 
#20 ·
HaHa! I had just the opposite experience. Learned to ride switch on a cambered, directional board with almost 2" of setback. (...which kicked my ass until I finally took a lesson and it clicked!) When I finally got my true twins? Riding switch was "Eazy Peazy!"


To the OP,.. In addition to the Wiredsport link, this site will give you all sorts of good info on tech, terminology, which type board for what style of riding, etc. etc! snowboard community forums - Ippy's Snowboard Buying Guide - Page 1
 
#21 ·
Thanks everyone!

It looks like I definitely want a camber or a hybrid (with a lot of camber). I'm not sure what I have now. It says a LowPro Rocker which I just thought it was a rocker. Looking at the link closer, it looks more flat than a rocker. If I found a hybrid, since camber is better for me, should it be camber in the center & rockers at the edges?
T21 mentioned camber-rocker-camber (never summer tech). So I'm unsure. I was looking at a Never Summer Infinity so I'll look again.

I got that I want agility for trees/moguls but stable for landings. Perhaps a stiffer twin.
The longer & stiffer the more stability at speed but also less agility. Softer is easier for moguls.

jtg said I wouldn't like c2 btx (bec i'm a hard charger) or anything "reverse dominant" What does that mean? Would the darker series C3 be a part of this reverse dominant category?

Recommendations I'm going to look into are LibTech Hot Knife or Darker Series, gnu bpro 155 or a billygoat 156

Thanks for the profile categories link. I tried reading that before. I don't know what they mean by 'running surface, rebound, edge grip' so these explanations don't make sense.

chomps1211, thanks for the link. I will definitely read this.



Ride' technology LowPro Rocker of 2010/2011 :: Snowboard and ski catalog SnowDB.com
 
#31 ·
Thanks everyone! ....

....Thanks for the profile categories link. I tried reading that before. I don't know what they mean by 'running surface, rebound, edge grip' so these explanations don't make sense.

chomps1211, thanks for the link. I will definitely read this.
YW,.. That link also has a Glossary section at the end which might help with some of the jargon and terms. (...I refer to it frequently!) ;)

....The B Pro C2BTX is a CRC (camber-rocker-camber) like the Never Summer profile T21 mentioned. The thing about that sort of profile is that it can feel looser(?) because of the rocker between the feet. But it lends to agility and once you adjust to it, it can be super fun. I don't really see it as "reverse dominant" as it has the 2 camber sections from the bindings to the contact points. Some prefer the RCR hybrids; only you will know which you like.
I believe that ERS is correct there. I have an NS Proto CT. It has the CRC profile and this season in particular, I have been charging a lot harder! I even commented in an earlier thread that for some reason this season the board felt a little bit "Squirrely!" I now think it's because I am a lot more comfortable going Faster and my average speeds down any given run are a LOT faster this season!!

On Hard pack and icier conditions, I think I'm noticing how it rides on the rocker more when charging and flattening out the board between/during my edge transitions. Don't get me wrong,.. I love the CRC profile on that board, but this may be something you want to consider when deciding. ;) :thumbsup:
 
#24 ·
Yep. But iirc, the LC has the asym sidecut on the heel edge...unsure if that complicates tech specs for Tasong at this point :laugh:

Oh, and Tasong, if you're unsure of sizing, provide your specs (weight/boot size). The 155 B Pro/156 BillyGoat wrath mentioned may not be the size you need based on your specs.
 
#25 ·
B Pro does come in a C3 BTX too though. That's what I'd think a hard charger would prefer. Dunno if Barrett uses the C2 or C3 BPro.

C2 is rocker dominant because the reverse middle section touches and the tips are lifted. C3 is camber dominant because the reverse middle section doesn't go down as far and it's supported by the camber sections. That's what I meant.

Obviously you could ride either and plenty of hard chargers ride C2s or similar. People way better than I'll ever be. I'm just not quite sure why...C3 feels so awesome in comparison :D
 
#26 ·
imho, c3 doesn't feel so awesome...its kind of meh (kinds of splits the difference between c2btx and traditional cam...it would be more awesome if they just did full camber with mag...had an old cambered mag...really fun board. I'm staying with my c2btx billy goat and my old cambered twin.

though there is a difference between the ride and riding approach with bpro c2btx and the billygoat c2btx.
 
#32 ·
Riding for 20 years means nothing if you ride 5 days a year and took a few years off here and there. I have come to find riding with people that think they are advanced is hard, they just don't ride as much as it sounds.

Also, if you have t cared to look at new gear in 5 years, a lot has changed. Or at least for main stream snowboard companies using the newer techs.....
 
#33 ·
++10

13 years back I snowboarded for one year, stoped for 10 years. First time back on a snowboard was not like riding a bike. Game changer was a new board, then another. Now 20 boards latter and 172 days on the slopes. Not 172 days of 10 runs done feed my face. Riding weather 5 or 20 days just comes down to mind set, pushing the limits each time just a liitle more. Not interested with people or myself thinking there advanced. :blowup:
 
#34 ·
...thinking "they're" advance not "there" Mr. Critical Snow Dog Wax

I'm really trying to ignore these outlandish judgments & criticisms that have popped up from the start. Now it's getting a bit out of control when this guy is so angry he's blowing up! Really, you're making this forum a very unfriendly place. Furthermore I did not say how long I rode for, how many seasons I took nor my financial situation. I left a description of what I do on the mountain and what I'm looking to do. I was just trying to leave a concise profile description for some helpful advice. I can say confidently that I am not a beginner rider. I am not an intermediate rider. I am not an expert. Remember this? If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!

Thanks to those you helped in your reply. I appreciated your responses and genuine good-nature. I got a lot of good information and look forward to demoing some boards and improving (whoever wants to judge my skill, that's your issue, not mine)
 
#36 ·
Tasong, don't take posts like that personal. Threads often develop in a way to become like general discussions ;)
 
#37 ·
Tasong
never even read your post, comments had only to do with Argo post, sorry I guess I goofed up there. As neni said my comments was more of a general conversation. My post included ME as not being advanced thats why I spend so many days boarding.
 
#38 ·
I don't understand much about board tech but thought I'd chime in since I have the Infinity (2013) and the Promise (circa 2008, fully cambered version). I also have a pretty aggressive, narrow board (Forum Superstar) as my other major point of comparison. I've also demo'd several boards, mostly rocker/hybrid boards. But in terms of understanding board tech I don't know anything beyond the basic rocker/hybrid/camber.

I've never ridden a fully twin board but haven't had problems riding switch. Check your angles and see if you can get them to be more even. If you don't need the setback for float, see if you can make your stance more centered. Is there a reason you want to learn to ride switch if you're not spending time in the park? Imho getting a full twin just for this reason is overkill.

The Infinity is soft. Carving is not as fun for me on this board. I don't know if it's because it's soft, or because it's a non-cambered board. It is very playful and forgiving. I really like it for messing around on the mountain. I can be lazier in the moguls and play around in them a lot more. It's a fun board but based on what you want to do, I wouldn't recommend it.

FYI I'm also planning to try a BPro split soon so I can report back if you'd like.

I think you can progress just fine on your current board for what you want to do. I'm surprised you race on that thing, it just doesn't seem aggressive enough to me! I've taken it down non-cliff double blacks fine and learned to ride switch (only up to blues) on that thing. I'm not usually very aggressive so it's worked fine for me. If I were you, I'd demo a bunch of stiffer boards with different cambers, ladies' boards if possible. The mens' boards I've ridden seem to have a slower toe-heel response than I like.
 
#39 · (Edited)
If I were you, I'd demo a bunch of stiffer boards with different cambers, ladies' boards if possible. The mens' boards I've ridden seem to have a slower toe-heel response than I like.
^ this and ditto...idk your specs....but I gotz the small feet (men's 7), thus waist width is an important factor in toe-heel edge response. For me about the widest is 25 cm (billygoat is 25.1cm) and prefer closer to 24.5...and narrower than 23.5 gets alittle squirrely.
 
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