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Bataleon 2012 Q & A

199K views 752 replies 138 participants last post by  Robisten8 
#1 ·
Hi guys,

Back from SIA in Denver and just visited a long and winding thread here full of questions about 2012 Bataleon.

I spent a bunch of time with Bataleon guys and will be happy to answer any Q's abot the upcoming line.

As an up front, Bataleon had a breakthrough year in 2011 and is going to explode in 2012. TBT has come of age! On a graphics front, the boards look insane (way better even than the pictures I am seeing). A new pressing process allows the TBT to show through the topsheet. This is not a performance thing, but it does help riders to visualize the tech.

The Evil Twin SE and the Women's FeelBetter (yeaaahh!) look ill.

STOKED!!!!!
 
#658 ·
Yo firlefranz. Only just noticed we are almost identical stats and looking for the same board. From what I've seen the Whatever is super flexy, I think the base is also a step down from the Goliath so it's supposedly not as fast. I ride mostly groomers too, with a tiny bit of park. I demoed a Goliath 156 a few weeks ago and I really, really liked it so I'm set on either the 157w or maybe the 160w, seemed pretty playful but not too flexy if that's worth anything. Haven't tried the ET. All I can say is that TBT was really good. Wiredsport will probably be able to offer a better insight into which length will be good, guessing he's off for the weekend though.
 
#659 · (Edited)
Thanks sweeper, I just browsed the whole thread for about 3hours, looking for people with similar stats. I kinda aim for the 157w Goliath considering my foot size is about 28,5cm. The ET 156w would be a great bargain, but I'm not sure if it's too park orientated and short for my style. Hopefully, Wired will be able to provide some insight.
 
#660 ·
I have been looking at the fun kink. I want a relatively soft park board (riding mostly midwest golf courses) mostly for jumping small to med kickers and maybe a box from time to time.

I have been riding a pretty fast sintered base, will I regret getting extruded? I really like the graphics/color of the fun kink (not that it is the main reason to buy a board).
 
#661 ·
I have ridden the Whatever. It is VERY soft. However, the base on it is damn fast. It just wants to go, all the time. The Whatever claims all-mountain, but I would put it more towards a park deck, unless you're really light and small, then it's probably all-mountain. It is not a total noodle good only for jibbing though. I have never ridden the other Bataleon boards, but I owuld not want to have one as my main ride. The TBT is best for park or powder, not so much for groomers IMO. You can read my thoughts on the Whatever here -- http://www.snowboardingforum.com/equipment-reviews/46330-bataleon-whatever-thoughts-impressions.html
 
#663 ·
I'm 1,90 m/80kg and have 164 Goliath from last season, I'm happy with the length when bombing down the hills. However, for park purposes it feels a bit clumsy. The jam being a bit stiffer, my guesstimate is that 162 will work if you're really and absolutely into bombing with a stiff board.
 
#664 ·
Thanks for the reply! I don't spend a lot of time in the park. Otherwise I would choose a different board. But I do like to play on and around the slopes/piste. The Jam maybe a bit stiffer than the Golliath but I think it's still a playfull board not only for going downhill very fast. Or am I wrong about this one?
 
#665 ·
I have the 09 Jam in 157 (5'9" and 76Kg) Directional, stiff and fast It's a piste charger, that's what it does best, so to say it can't handle groomers is way off the mark. There are far better Bataleon boards out there for park and all mountain though. Check out Bataleons own website for their full specs.
For jib/park I'm using the 12 Airobic in 151, it's perfect for me.
For an all mountain though and if you want that super fast sintered base I'd recommend the ET, or the Riot if you're after something stiffer. The ET has the same sintered base as the Goliath and the Riots base is similar to the Jam. If I were going for a one board quiver I'd be looking at ET and Riot.
 
#666 ·
How soft is the flex on the Evil Twin/Lobster Park? I am trying to narrow my selection down between that and the Airobic. I am looking for a park board on the softer side that can be buttered but dont want something totally limp.

I see the Evil Twin is rated a 6-7-6, but I get the impression that it is on the stiffer side for a park board. On the other hand I have seen people call the Whatever (which has a flex rating of 7) a borderline noodle. Does anyone have any insight?

I am leaning towards the softer flex of the Airobic, but like the sintered base of the evil twin. Also I hear the lobster park is slightly softer than the evil twin, but they are both given the same rating. How much difference (if any) is there?

If I do end up going with the Airobic would a 157 be a good size for me (6'2" 195 lbs, size 11 boot)?
 
#667 ·
The evil twin is not soft, it's a medium/stiff jump board that you can do anything on, but if you're looking for a soft board for buttering it's not it. I have the fun kink, rated as an 8 flex, softer than the whatever, but it's not a noodle at all. The FK is flexy with lots of pop, also presses fairly easily, but I wouldn't call it soft. The airobic sounds like a good fit for you, 157 should be a good size. I havn't tried the airboic yet, I'd like to see how the JIB TBT feels. I can tell a difference between the twin TBT on the ET and the Freestyle TBT on the FK. The FK is REALLY fast edge to edge and has more of a skate feel to it, the ET has a bit wider center base and feels more stable landing jumps, both have the same edge hold and good stability at speed. The jib tbt on the airbic has an even wider center flat on it than the ET, and it starts closer to the bindings, not sure if I'd like how that feels or not.

I have last years 154 ET and a '10 153 fun kink(I'm 5'11" 170lbs), has the flex or anything else on these boards changed since then? other than the base on the ET
 
#669 ·
The fun kink feels great doing everything, the only bad thing I can say about it is edge hold on solid ice isn't quite as good as boards with MTX or similar edge tech.

Hopefully someone knows if they changed the flex on this board since '10, the new one could be softer than the one I have.
 
#670 · (Edited)
I saw some Bataleon 11/12 boards for good prices, so I'd appreciate if you could help me with the sizing. I'm 6'3 tall, weight 180 lbs . I currently have 164w goliath, but I'm looking for a more park oriented board, but still want to be able to just go fast if I want. Mostly jumps and flatland tricks, not too keen on tacoing on rails. The options would be Evil Twin, Airobic or Fun.Kink. My boot length is 32 cm, bare foot 28,5 cm. I've ridden 158 board previously, so going shorter shouldn't be a big problem. I'm just wondering if Airobic of Fun.kink will be just too noodly for me? But in the other hand, I wonder how different the ET will be, if compared to my 10/11 Goliath? So, suggestions for a model and a suitable size?
 
#671 ·
I'm about your same size and weight (6'1" and 175 lbs) and my park board is a 154 evil twin. My powder board is a 163 undisputed, so I can see how you're pushing it on a 164 wide for anything other than deep powder.

as you know, the evil twin has a sintered base, so that may be something to consider (pro or con)...It's also relatively stiff for a park board. The Airobic is rumored to be very soft and the funk.kink in between the two, leaning on the softer side (funk.kink might be a good compromise)
 
#672 ·
Thanks for a fast reply! Yep, I probably should have picked a bit shorter Goliath. But it's still a fun board. It just sometimes feels a bit clumsy. Would you still describe the ET as a playful board, despite for its stiffness? I was thinking about 157 length in both, ET or fun.kink.

What size boots/feet you have? Just want to consider the heel/toe drag...
 
#673 ·
well, I had the 155 riot before and I liked the size, but it was just too stiff for me. I got the 154 ET because it's softer in the tips. If I would have got the fun.kink, it may have been in the 157 because it's significantly softer throughout the entire board than the ET.

I wear 11 (US) tennis shoes, but wear size 10 salomon boots (their sizes are a bit different than other brands). No heel/toe drag whatsoever on Bataleon boards.
 
#674 ·
I know im kind of late but im going to order a board from wiredsport in the next few days but i cant decide if i want the jam 162 or the goliath 161. Im 6'2 200 pounds and i ride the whole mtn. pow to groomers to tress and everything in between. i have a park boars so im good there. the jam is stiffer which i like but i dont know if putting extra 70 bucks down is worth it? size 9.5 boots... and how is shipping to canada?
 
#676 ·
mind you i have been snowboarding for about 8 years now and i have been trough that park rat stage where all i would do is ride park, but i came to appriciate the mountains the older i grew. I do not want something that will hold me back as i will stary away from park ever more and get into backcountry hiking but i had a soft board and i tought it was fun im just looking for something stiffer so i can charge those runs but in no way am i going to be trowing of 40ft jumps and hugh cliffs...
 
#677 ·
That is what i gathered from your earlier post. The Goliath is amazing for the mix you are describing. Excess stiffness does not equal more fun in the backcountry. You (anyone) can charge hard on the Goliath and it will be there for you. It is one of those boards.
 
#678 ·
Exactly what i wanted to hear. Thank you so much. Ill be ordering it today or tomorrow, wanna save me one? :p
ps-You are extremly helpful in this tread and the fact that you went out and answered so many question made me want to order from you. Awesome customer services... :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
#681 ·
I am having a problem setting up my wife’s new 2012 Feelbetter with 2012 Gnu Women’s Park bindings. All the screws that came with the bindings (14mm) are too long and bound up on the bottom of the insert before the washer engages the disk. Thankfully they did not push in to the base or damage the insert only the screw threads. I have also tested a Burton disk with a 16mm and the Gnu disk with a 13mm they both engage the washer to the disk, but I can see it starting to damage the bottom threads. Do all Bataleon’s have shallow inserts requiring a hunt for shorter hardware?
 
#682 ·
Hi Trox,

This is a combination of screw length, washer thickness and recess, and insert depth. I remember that Gnu or Roxy (maybe both) sent around new hardware kits after having shipped their 2012 bindings last year. Do you know if the hardware on yours had been swapped out? Likely worth an email to the seller or to Gnu. Post up a pic of the hardware you were sent with a reference (measuring tape, ruler, etc) and we will be happy to compare to the correct kit and if we can assist we will get you straightened away.
 
#686 ·
Yessir, that is the correct hardware. A few thoughts (it may be none of these). The baseplate/disc combo on the park bindings was a little "picky" last year. The disc was very thin and it was possible for it to be placed in a way where it tilted slightly. If tightened in that position then the "low" screw(s) could potentially bottom out.

Also, Loc-Tite can bunch or flake in. That can cause a false bottom or block the screw.

We did not find an insert issue with Bataleon 2012, but it is always a good measure to check inserts for resin that could have deposited during manufacturing.

Let me know if any of this helps.
 
#689 ·
For a jib deck the 151 will be awesome. With the 154 there is a 2 cm difference in contact length, a fraction of width, but at your weight the 151 will be great. If you want to sneak a little more well rounded performance out of it then you could notch up to the 154 (but in that case we would likely suggest another model).
 
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