Qball

So you want less choices so it's easier to choose? That just makes no sense to me at all.

phile00

I've done plenty of research and I don't really need a new board. I'm just interested in new base shapes and demoing boards really. Although technologies are similar across companies, the actual engineering is different. I feel like it's hard to decide what tech actually works the best especially given varying levels of ability. I've found your reviews to be pretty informative and you understand the technical side of things, but you're not the only reviewer. And you don't review every board that I'd like (and I don't expect you to, you're only one person).

Let me ask you something...with all the boards you've tested, do you ever find yourself over analyzing the ride because the differences are so subtle?

Not necessarily. Just watch the talk, give it some consideration, and chime in from there.

Also, aside from Travis Rice, which other pro riders actually use the technology that these snowboard companies are marketing the shit out of?

Qball

Jeremy Jones uses a version of magne traction on his boards along with a camber/rocker shape.

JoeR

But it's even more than that, isn't it? Doesn't Jones actually use the exact boards that his company sells, i.e., the Flagship, Solution, Mountain Twin, etc.? Not modified or custom jobs? That's my understanding.

trucktown

I know this is ignoring most of your (and others) post but I will say this:

There is nothing subtle about the difference of a banana vs others IMO

phile00

Sure, I'm aware that a pure rocker is very different than a pure cambered board.

BurtonAvenger

I really don't analyze anything I go out hit some jumps, rip some carves, butter around, ride over a rock or two, jib some shit and see how it feels. People put way too much thought into a board these days when it can be broken down into "what do I need, what do I want, does it look cool'

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Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

Extremo

I think there are too many options out there as well...and I'll never get to try most of them. So tried and true camber is what I'll always ride. The few alt camber/alt base boards I've tried didn't compare to the response and stability of camber. I hate loose, spagetti, and drifty boards and have yet to come across a non traditional camber board that doesn't fall into one of those categories. So I give up

Roundabout136

I don't feel that loose feeling at all on the skate banana. Even when hauling ass on hard pack.

Personally, I'll never ride a normally cambered board again.

phile00

Great point actually. I think that's the problem. I picked a board last year and was happy with my purchase, but I did wonder if I chose right. On a side note, I'm never worried about looks though. I don't care what it looks like if it has good performance.

If you have some time watch that video I posted. He argues that with too many choices, the opportunity cost is greater. People worry about it too much as a result, and now the burden is no longer the manufacturer and it's lack of choices or mediocre product. Now the burden is on the consumer because with a myriad of choices, they could have picked better. In effect, too many choices makes people less happy.

And just to be clear, more choice is good. But there's a magic number somewhere :P