Board stiffness and length - Snowboarding Forum

jliu · 03-26-2010, 10:38 AM

Hey...got some questions about board sizing, flex and stability...

Softer boards mean less stability (for the most part) at higher speeds and in chop right?

My question is, can you compensate for a decks's soft flex and stability by increasing the length? So say there is a more freestyle oriented deck with a softer than you're use to flex and you usually ride a 155. If you upsize to a 157-158, can you compensate for its lower stability at higher speeds?

I know that company "flex ratings" are all different and flex ratings also change based on the rider's size (mid flex board can feel like a noodle to a 250lbs rider compared to 130lbs rider). I am a super light weight and am looking for a more playful board that wont be sketch at higher speeds without having to get 2 boards

Any feedback would be appreciated!

seant46 · 03-26-2010, 11:02 AM

You can compensate with having better skills. Last year I rode a 148 over the whole mountain with no problems and I weigh 180. Of course a longer and stiffer board would have perfomed better but good riders can make it work.

03-29-2010, 09:53 PM

I'd like more people to chime in on this topic also.

jliu · 03-29-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seant46

You can compensate with having better skills. Last year I rode a 148 over the whole mountain with no problems and I weigh 180. Of course a longer and stiffer board would have perfomed better but good riders can make it work.

Well i clearly dont have the skills to pay the bills like seant46....so some useful advice for mere mortals would be appreciated

sook · 03-30-2010, 12:58 AM

I like riding super soft boards in general and have been lucky enough to sample alot of them outside my own collection. I generally ride 155 and below and I've test driven soft boards that have been 160 and above and IMO, the extra legnth didn't stiffen up the board to make that big of a difference. To add any significant stiffness to a soft board, you'd have to add alot of length making for a board that would be harder to spin and slower to turn. Not a great tradeoff.

mrpez · 03-30-2010, 12:59 AM

making a softer board longer than it needs to be kills the whole purpose of getting one

seant46 · 03-30-2010, 01:04 AM

Oops didn't mean to sound cocky. AnYways i think your idea would work but I'm not sure

03-26-2010, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
jliu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 239	Board stiffness and length Hey...got some questions about board sizing, flex and stability... Softer boards mean less stability (for the most part) at higher speeds and in chop right? My question is, can you compensate for a decks's soft flex and stability by increasing the length? So say there is a more freestyle oriented deck with a softer than you're use to flex and you usually ride a 155. If you upsize to a 157-158, can you compensate for its lower stability at higher speeds? I know that company "flex ratings" are all different and flex ratings also change based on the rider's size (mid flex board can feel like a noodle to a 250lbs rider compared to 130lbs rider). I am a super light weight and am looking for a more playful board that wont be sketch at higher speeds without having to get 2 boards Any feedback would be appreciated!

03-30-2010, 12:58 AM	#5 (permalink)
sook Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Upland, CA Posts: 439	I like riding super soft boards in general and have been lucky enough to sample alot of them outside my own collection. I generally ride 155 and below and I've test driven soft boards that have been 160 and above and IMO, the extra legnth didn't stiffen up the board to make that big of a difference. To add any significant stiffness to a soft board, you'd have to add alot of length making for a board that would be harder to spin and slower to turn. Not a great tradeoff. __________________ Evo \| 390 \| Kaiju

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03-26-2010, 11:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
seant46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 730	You can compensate with having better skills. Last year I rode a 148 over the whole mountain with no problems and I weigh 180. Of course a longer and stiffer board would have perfomed better but good riders can make it work.

03-29-2010, 09:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
jerjabs Guest Posts: n/a	I'd like more people to chime in on this topic also.

03-30-2010, 12:59 AM	#6 (permalink)
mrpez Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 283	making a softer board longer than it needs to be kills the whole purpose of getting one

03-30-2010, 01:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
seant46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 730	Oops didn't mean to sound cocky. AnYways i think your idea would work but I'm not sure