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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!!!!!
 
#375 ·
Yeah for it!!

Nivek, I'm interested that you suggested the ET. It was your review of the Whatever that had me leaning towards the Goliath as I'm a little heavier than you (and the Goliath seems like a meatier Whatever). How does it's flex compare to something like the Evo or maybe the Westmark?

Wired, I was hoping you'd say the Riot. How do you think the pop will compare to the DH2? As Nivek mentioned the camber compared to FK will likely give me a little more oomph. I wish I could wander into your shop and try the Jam as well. For whatever reason the All-Mountain TBT has me slightly more nervous, I'd love to try both. :p Too bad there isn't some online board demoing service for a realistic price. :D

Thanks guys, I guess I'm in the market for a new Bataleon, almost time to sell some boards.
 
#378 ·
Cool. 30.2 is actually a US 12 and with bigger feet, every cm helps :)



Go for the 156 Wide. That deck will do everything you want. The 159 Wide is only 2mm longer in terms of contact length and you are on the lighter side for it so I would stick with the 156 Wide. As for the Goliath, you would love that board, but since you have pretty well described your riding as leaning more toward slope-play with some park/jib, I think you will be best suited by the ET.

STOKED FOR YOU!
 
#379 ·
Thanks very much for your quick replies. I guess i will go with the ET then, as you said.. also since it's a little wider at the waist.
About the boot size, I guess my nitro's just come out a little smaller cause they're not too big or anything. Anyway, thanks alot for the helpful advice.
 
#380 ·
About the boot size, I guess my nitro's just come out a little smaller cause they're not too big or anything. Anyway, thanks alot for the helpful advice.
Yes, that is very common. We try to take the focus away from boot size because sizing is all across the board. A 12 in one brand might be a 14 in another.

Thanks again!
 
#381 ·
I'm probably going to just buy he evil twin this week. Since i can sell it again. But i stuck at the bindings, i looked at Flux and Unions. What binding would you recommend? I thought about the union flite, the force seem to be a bit stiff. Or something from flux. What binding would fit to park riding, mostly little-medium kickers, some rails boxes buttering flatland and other funny freestyle stuff? Also a bit bit backcountry?

I've read, that if i crank the ratches hard on the union's, i may get some troubles. Is this true?

Thanks! :)
 
#382 ·
We sell Flux so please consider me entirely biased. The RK's are an amazing Park + binding. The DS is awesome, but is a park specific model and has less overlap than the RK. The TT's are a personal fav. They are leaning a bit more towards riders who either like a bit more support for freestyle or will be using them for mixed use. Great power freestyle binding. Very popular with guys who have ruined their ankles skating :)

We carry every model, size and color of Flux 2012.
 
#385 ·
hope i am not stepping on toes here as i believe Wired sells gnu, but....

...i am biased towards any new bindings w/ the fastec entry system, specifically gnu. they have the ease of entry of the flows (which i could never get accustomed to the fit and feel), but fit and feel like a traditional two strap binding. whats more, you can shred down the mountain tightly secured, then flick the quick release on the ankle strap once you get down to the park and make them as floppy as you want. or you can flick the quick release to relieve tension in the lift line and on the chair. of course, you dont have to muck with finding the appropriate spot to sit down and strap in as you can just shred away from the chair. tried 'em all, and never going back...
 
#386 ·
The Mutant and the new Choice are two favs and are flat out incredible bindings. This is a great option for riders who are looking for two strap and toe cap feel and rear entry leverage and access. I brought some Gnu Choices up to test for a day on Hood this summer and ended up riding them all week :)
 
#389 ·
Omni v. Jam

So stoked! I had been talking to a local shop about getting some bataleon boards. A few of the guys at the shop totally lit up when they heard me ask about the boards! After discussing the boards and coming in a few times to see if some higher ups had said 'yes' or 'no', I finally got a call! They're ordering 5 boards for their inventory! It worked! I thought about going online, but really wanted to pick it up in person!

I had been debating between the Jam and Omni forever. The Jam seems like an all mountain killer, but the flex seemed a little to stiff from everything I've heard. I wish I could have felt it though. The Basalt tech sounds awesome, but really bumps up the price. I actually prefer the neutral flex, ideally, but was secretly in love with the Omni.

The Omni just seems to be a dream. It is directional instead of a twin, but I don't feel it will bother me at all. I ride with setback already on my Ride concept, because of the heavy dumps we get in the sierras! And even as a directional I feel the switch will still be far easier to feel out than my regular Canbered Ride. Do you agree? The Tbt seems like it will make edging a little more physical in the foot. The flex is also going to be more Playful and closer to the Goliath, but with a neutral tail flex. Freeride Tbt, here I come! Also I feel this deck has the sweetest/ cleanest graphics of the batch. Love the script at the bottom. I also decided to get a 158. The 161 seemed too much from what I already ride (159). Felt like downsizing for playfulness. Hah. A tiny bit.

Hope to hear more experiences and choices from people buying! Support this company! And check out wiredsport for a sweet deal if you can't find these boards locally! It was my next option.

It's coming in next month!

5'10- 160 - 10.5 boot. 158 omni
 
#390 · (Edited)
So stoked! I had been talking to a local shop about getting some bataleon boards. A few of the guys at the shop totally lit up when they heard me ask about the boards! After discussing the boards and coming in a few times to see if some higher ups had said 'yes' or 'no', I finally got a call! They're ordering 5 boards for their inventory!
:thumbsup:

I think they under-ordered :) 5 Bataleons? We call that a bad Monday :)

Winters coming. Time to stock up.



In seriousness, I am very stoked for you and the shop. It feels great to support core growing brands with innovative tech.
 
#392 ·
My 156W Evil Twin just got with the mail! I have paired it up with some Flux bindings from my other Bataleon board, but I have to buy a new pair of bindings for it later. Will be Flux, but I am not sure of which model. I am going to use it for park mostly.

Ideas?
 
#395 ·
Wired - Saw a lot of your good advice on this thread, and was hoping to get some personalized suggestions as well.

I've heard a lot of good things about Bataleon and TBT so I was looking into picking up one of their boards this season.
Currently 5'8, 150lbs, and ride a size 8 Burton Ambush/7.5 Nike ZF1. I've been using a '10 152 Sierrascope for the last two seasons and have loved it. It's not quite dead yet, so I'm looking to get a board that complements it.

I am unfortunately on the east coast, so I normally ride conditions that are on the icier side. I like bombing groomers, riding tree runs, and hitting jumps in the park, as well as any "in bounds backcountry" runs whenever I can find them (the occasional snowstorm, or when I head out west). I was trying to get more into rails last season, but an early knee ligament injury kept me out of the park for most of the season. I figured when it comes to rails though I'd just stick with my sierrascope.

I guess I'm looking for something that is more all-mountain oriented, but can still hit up the park when I want. Something a little stiffer than my SScope, but something that I can still flex and butter around with. I've decided that if we get any powder when I head out west this year, I'm just going to demo a powder board; However I would still like my new board to handle powder a little better than my SScope for the occasional storm back east.

I do enjoy my boards a little on the shorter side, so I wasn't thinking of getting anything too long. Right now I've been looking at the ET, ET AE, and the Goliath, while kind of considering the Riot. I was thinking something in the 154 range. I've found a 2011 154 ET AE that is in pretty good shape and was curious about the differences between the two years (other than the bases), and how it would affect the board's ride.

Thanks a bunch
 
#398 ·
Good info, and STOKED that you are ready to live the triple base dream :cheeky4:

That Goliath 153 is solid choice for you. You would enjoy the Riot but you may still find it a lot of board at 150 lbs. The ET's are awesome, but you are sneaking into overlap territory with your Scoper.

Thanks!
 
#396 ·
Last year i rode the Bataleon Fun.Kink 153 and really loved it. since it cracked, bataleon offered me a cheaper new board, and i've been looking at the airobic 151. will It be softer or stiffer than my previous board? does the varying flex (softer middle section) make it easier to press? Ideally i'd like it to be just a little flexier than the fun.kink i had, and i figured if i go down a size that'll make up for it, right?
 
#399 ·
the airobic is VERY flexy...they have a new park model this year that is supposed to be crazy flexy as well. can pretty much guarantee that this board will have mad chatter at speed and is not for big kickers. however smaller kickers and rails this thing will slay. i chose an ET classic when i went to shop the boards side by side.
 
#400 ·
The Airobic is a little stiffer in the tip and tail than the FK, but it is strange to even say stiffer when talking about the Airobic, because as kilinger mentioned, it is still a very flexy model. The Airobic gives you just the right amount of resistance for presses. If that is your primary interest, you will dig it.
 
#401 ·
Well, I don't know how to take this now. (this is also adressed to snowklinger) My Fun.Kink, which technically is softer than the airobic, had practically no chatter, but felt extremely stable and locked in on crazy eurocarves, even though it felt pretty soft. From my experience with it, although bataleon gave it a 3.5/10 flex rating, it felt considerably stiffer than expected, probably more like 4.5. It was quite easy and ridiculously fun to press, but felt like it was giving me just a little more resistance than need be. Could the airobic really somehow be so unstable in comparison, if it's less soft and has the exact same contact length, 116cm? Also, i have fairly stiff bindings (forum republic 08's), so i'm slightly covered in terms of stability.
if it matters, i'm not particularly heavy, 68kg/150lb, and at the moment i'm not hitting anything bigger than mid-large-ish kickers, nothing huge. Also, yes i do absolutely love presses, hence how intensely i'm considering stiffness.

again, could someone clarify if my understanding is wrong, that same model boards are softer when you go down a size? I thought Snowboard companies do that to justify their flex-ratings, since a smaller size obviously is for lighter people, that will find the same flex harder to press. am i wrong?

PS: I realize that flex-ratings are far from accurate
 
#402 · (Edited)
Me and my brother are leaning towards getting Bataleon boards this season.After a some research Im really digging the "Riot" and the "Evil Twin".We are looking for a park board that will still maintain stability at high speeds.Wich of these two would best suit our needs.Also what size do you recomend..Thanks in advanced

Here is our specs:
5'8 145lbs size 9.5
6'1 215lbs size 12

eastcoast riders..lots of ice!
 
#403 ·
Im 6'1 200 lbs with a size 12 as well. I pretty much ride strictly park, like 30 to 40 footers for slopestlye. I just got the 159 2011 riot and i can't wait to use it. I know it'll be pretty hard to press, but i focus many on board slides and popping in and out of rails so it'll be good for that i think. I think that it'll break in pretty well so its not going to be as stiff as it seems, but its still stiff which is nice for a big guy like me. I was just worried about getting the ET classic because I had problems with soft boards last year (rome artifact).
 
#408 ·
So i have decided on a bataleon for next season, but i cant decide between the goliath, the whatever, and the riot. My current set up is a NS evo so which one would go bestwith that. Im 5'9 145lbs and i ride east coast and this bosrd would be for pow, steeps, all mountain freestyle, and trees. no park other than a few jumps maybe. Thanks for the help
 
#409 · (Edited)
dude, have you thought about the allmtn/freeride rigs? Maybe the omni? Itd maybe be a bit more distinct from your evo which would open up some of your options a bit more... which of course would also add a nice balance to your quiver. You could have the omni for ripping and tearing it up in the slackcountry and on the resort or in the pipe, and the evo for cruising, hangover rides and a bit of resort pow or park laps. With the backshit inserts and the kick on the nose tbt this years omni would be one of my top choices for sure (if i didnt already have a nice pow charger in the charlie). If you want to tone down the freeride a bit you could go with the jam, but honestly i wouldnt give up those inserts, extra nose kick and setback for a twin shape. Plus its surprisingly a softish flex at 5-6-6. (the goliath is a straight 6 and the whatever is a straight 7 whilst the riot is 4-5-4 as if all that somehow describes the board :)).

Sorry im hijacking your preferences for something id want in those conditions, but its maybe something to think about since i think its not on everyoens radar - but maybe has a decent shout in this case :)
 
#419 ·
The enemy seems pretty epic, though hardly reported on. Most people report on park and jibbing, as you said, or just reply with marketing suggestions. If you want something to take with you to space, it looks pretty cool. Twin outline, directional flex with the stiff tail. I would think that that Undisputed would be the carviest board with the strongest support, but has a directional shape and flex 3-4-4. Be sure to check out the Jam too! Directional twin. What's your height/weight/boot?
 
#421 ·
I'm about 174cm (Mebbeh 5'7?) at about 95kg (210lb), at a boot size of 9 1/2.
Don't get me wrong, i love jibbing + buttering + jumping, but I want to be sure that any board I buy is going to be able to handle a fast carve on variable conditions. (NZ Snow FTW :L) Being able to do the other stuff well would be a bonus!
 
#422 ·
From what i've heard these boards dont have any issue carving and holding it down in any conditions other than pure ice ( like most boards).I think that if you want something aggressive and still possible to push around I would suggest the Jam. It is basalt enhanced for structure and support. Twin shape for the do-it-all, and neutral (5) flex rating. This was my choice until I ordered the Omni. Kinda thinking I should go back to the Jam for the twin shape and no set back. The Jam 159 seems like a good fit for you. But Wiredsport has better advice on fitting. The 161 would be perfect but only comes in wide. I think the 159 would be on the playful side for you, but still super solid.
 
#431 ·
Whats the deal with the fun kink I like the price
The FunKink is a playful, soft flexing, feel good board. This is about easy riding with no catch points. You are going to sacrifice a bit of the edge hold and major boost (it still has good pop and a lively feel) that you will get with some of the other models, but that is not what the FK is about.
 
#429 ·
The whatever has a flex rating of 7 (softer side of scale) and has an extruded base with bi ax laminate (reason for softness and/or 'whatever'). The evil twin is given a little more care and core. Tri ax laminate with a flex 6-7-6 (softer in the middle) and sintered base (faster). MSRP difference is that the ET is $50 more. The Whatever seems like the replacement for the old Goliath, that is now tri ax all around and straight up sintered base this year. Yeah 4 that. Whatever seems fun, but it's name has been ironic for how it makes me feel- 'whatever'.

I vote ET based on design and structure. Your riding style/ location/ and experience will help determine how it matches your interests.
 
#430 ·
Your 154 isn't so bad all-in-all, just on the small side of your range. Mostly it's about your riding style and preference, along with boot size (but your 9.5s will fit it all). I feel that if youre wanting something all mountain, keeping you all over the place when it snows and in the park when it's all tracked out, you're a good fit for sizing up! I would demo something just to feel the difference, but 5cm is only an inch. Only half an inch tip and tail ( if that eases the pain) heh. I think that if you get powder you will find even a 159 way more comfortable. This extra length will make those hard turns stick and get even more powered out. But I am in the opposite position. I have a hard time thinking I can downsize.

I'd start staring at the Jam, Riot. Goliath can be in the corner glowing if you want something more 'playful'
 
#447 · (Edited)
I can't really pick it for you. That's the important part for you and how you see your next season! It seems like you're ready for it all. I don't know your mountain, but either of your choices are on the cusp for fitting. The Goliath is meant to tackle it all. Right in the middle of all their technology, concepts and philosophy. The Evil Twin is right there with it... Classic too... But was born for the park. They both can do it, but it's more about what a rider can do over what a board can do at this point.

Check bataleon's site to see if they demo in your area. Lot's of mountains got a visit from them this year.

Point it!
 
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