Never Summer SL vs Ride Machete - Snowboarding Forum

jas_kidd32 · 12-15-2010, 07:16 PM

I've been looking for a new board and it comes down to these two. Both have great reviews which makes it harder to pick. Which of the 2 boards have more flex? Which has more pop? Which is more stable at speeds?

I do about 50/50 groomers and park. I've been riding for 3 seasons now and have started learning some ground tricks and improving my jumps. I don't know if I classify myself as a beginner or intermediate but I'm confident cruising in green to black. I don't ride much off-piste either.

Nivek · 12-15-2010, 09:07 PM

I think Machete. If you're not riding off grooms much then you wont need the more freeride capable performance of the SL.

songa · 12-15-2010, 10:20 PM

if it helps sway ur decision i have a 3 times used 2011 SL in 155 im selling for 400! hehe let me know

DrnknZag · 12-16-2010, 09:20 AM

I chose the SL over the Machete. I felt that the addition of a little bit of camber would give more stability on landings and better pop over the Machete. I've ridden my SL three times now and can say it has a TON of pop. The deck has been pretty broken in and has a little more flex than the first day. Not a noodle at all, but enough flex to really have some fun. The Machete is a great board from what I've heard, but I'm definitely happy with my decision to go with the SL.

Xelorz · 12-16-2010, 11:38 AM

I'll hopefully be able to give a better comparison later this year as I plan demoing an SL. But I do own a 2011 machete. Flex wise I'd say the machete is on the stiffer side, about a 7 out of 10. Never summer lists the SL at a 5 out of 10, I have no idea accurate that is though. Pop wise? The pop for the 2010 machete was pretty good but this year they threw some new tech and I was impressed by the amount of snap it gives. I'd be hard press to believe the SL has more pop. As for higher speeds that seems to be the weak point of the machete, it carves pretty well on groomers but when you're truly bombing at break neck speeds it feels moderately stable. I've haven't heard the sl is incredibly stable at higher speeds, but I dont know first hand. I'm content with the machete, I wanted a maneuverable and playful all mountain board that what I feel I got. Either way I dont think you can lose, both boards seem to be good picks.

svwannabe · 12-16-2010, 12:16 PM

I have been out once on my 2011 SL and can say its bombs nicely, its a very stable board. This is my first rocker / camber board so im still getting use to that but flat based straight bombing is a blast.

jas_kidd32 · 12-16-2010, 09:36 PM

So are you guys saying that flex between the 2 boards are pretty close that it wouldn't matter much which one I get?

djsaad1 · 12-16-2010, 09:39 PM

they are both pretty similar, you will enjoy either one.

labowsky · 12-16-2010, 09:45 PM

i have both (2010 machete) i have to say the SL is way more fun, but little on the heavy side and not as much pop, much more stable.
the machete is very light, tons of pop and is pretty stable at high speeds.
are you bombing or just going around groms hitting natural stuff?
in the park i favor machete (for jumps, i hate jibs haha)

jas_kidd32 · 12-16-2010, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by labowsky

are you bombing or just going around groms hitting natural stuff?
in the park i favor machete (for jumps, i hate jibs haha)

I do a bit of both bombing and hitting some natural kickers I find. In the park, I usually do jumps, I'm not much into rails nor boxes. I'm starting to learn some ground tricks i.e. mono and buttering.

12-15-2010, 07:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
jas_kidd32 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 37	Never Summer SL vs Ride Machete I've been looking for a new board and it comes down to these two. Both have great reviews which makes it harder to pick. Which of the 2 boards have more flex? Which has more pop? Which is more stable at speeds? I do about 50/50 groomers and park. I've been riding for 3 seasons now and have started learning some ground tricks and improving my jumps. I don't know if I classify myself as a beginner or intermediate but I'm confident cruising in green to black. I don't ride much off-piste either. __________________ Height:5'7" Weight: 165lbs Boards: Never Summer SL 154, Burton X8V 151.5 Bindings: Union Force SL, Burton Malavita Reflex Boots: Salomon Dialogue

12-15-2010, 09:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
Nivek Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Mountains of Mordor Posts: 5,371	I think Machete. If you're not riding off grooms much then you wont need the more freeride capable performance of the SL. __________________ Snowboarding Sucks.

12-16-2010, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
jas_kidd32 Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 37	So are you guys saying that flex between the 2 boards are pretty close that it wouldn't matter much which one I get? __________________ Height:5'7" Weight: 165lbs Boards: Never Summer SL 154, Burton X8V 151.5 Bindings: Union Force SL, Burton Malavita Reflex Boots: Salomon Dialogue

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12-15-2010, 10:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
songa Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Worcester, MA Posts: 157	if it helps sway ur decision i have a 3 times used 2011 SL in 155 im selling for 400! hehe let me know

12-16-2010, 09:20 AM	#4 (permalink)
DrnknZag Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: PNW Posts: 919	I chose the SL over the Machete. I felt that the addition of a little bit of camber would give more stability on landings and better pop over the Machete. I've ridden my SL three times now and can say it has a TON of pop. The deck has been pretty broken in and has a little more flex than the first day. Not a noodle at all, but enough flex to really have some fun. The Machete is a great board from what I've heard, but I'm definitely happy with my decision to go with the SL.

12-16-2010, 11:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
Xelorz Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 102	I'll hopefully be able to give a better comparison later this year as I plan demoing an SL. But I do own a 2011 machete. Flex wise I'd say the machete is on the stiffer side, about a 7 out of 10. Never summer lists the SL at a 5 out of 10, I have no idea accurate that is though. Pop wise? The pop for the 2010 machete was pretty good but this year they threw some new tech and I was impressed by the amount of snap it gives. I'd be hard press to believe the SL has more pop. As for higher speeds that seems to be the weak point of the machete, it carves pretty well on groomers but when you're truly bombing at break neck speeds it feels moderately stable. I've haven't heard the sl is incredibly stable at higher speeds, but I dont know first hand. I'm content with the machete, I wanted a maneuverable and playful all mountain board that what I feel I got. Either way I dont think you can lose, both boards seem to be good picks.

12-16-2010, 12:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
svwannabe Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: West Chester, Pa Posts: 62	I have been out once on my 2011 SL and can say its bombs nicely, its a very stable board. This is my first rocker / camber board so im still getting use to that but flat based straight bombing is a blast.

12-16-2010, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
djsaad1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 432	they are both pretty similar, you will enjoy either one.

12-16-2010, 09:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
labowsky Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: nanimo B.C Posts: 194	i have both (2010 machete) i have to say the SL is way more fun, but little on the heavy side and not as much pop, much more stable. the machete is very light, tons of pop and is pretty stable at high speeds. are you bombing or just going around groms hitting natural stuff? in the park i favor machete (for jumps, i hate jibs haha)