Need a board recommendation, Intermediate Freestyle/Freeride

[boardin087]

Height 6'0"
Weight 190-210
Boot size 12
Riding style - A little bit of everything. From Western pennsylvania so not the best conditions. I do hit up the park although not very good there. Definitely hit up the whole mountain with an even split I'd say
Age - 24. Have stayed the same weight and anticipate will fluctuate within the range I gave
budget - I'd like to stay under 500. Preferably more like 400
Your location of riding - Northeast (western PA mainly), Seven springs mainly but will probably go West once this year

I've been riding about 9 years. Although for 3 of them I didnt go because I was broke as hell in college. I have had a ride mountain 159 this whole time. I bought it because it was cheap and I was broke and it was the only wideboard I could find under 250. At this point I really dislike it. I feel like its very flat and heavy.

I dont know too much about boards, but I'd like a board that I can feel a little agile on and still handle the sometimes not ideal conditions. I'm trying to read up but any help would be great, including how long I should get. Thanks guys

[boardin087]

Oh and if it matters I ride goofy

[david_z]

Ride Machete 158 or 161 wide, $430ish.

Gnu Carbon Credit 159 or 162 wide, $400.

[boardin087]

Originally Posted by david_z

Ride Machete 158 or 161 wide, $430ish.

Gnu Carbon Credit 159 or 162 wide, $400.

Just curious what makes these a good choice, if I were to increase my budget would I get much more board for the extra money?

[boardin087]

Saw the NS proto ctx was pretty popular here. Would that be a good fit, if so is 158 too short?

[david_z]

Originally Posted by boardin087

Just curious what makes these a good choice, if I were to increase my budget would I get much more board for the extra money?

Both pretty solid all mtn boards at a price point that won't break the bank.

Ride boards have almost legendary "pop" and the Machete doesn't disappoint in that department. Its lowrize rocker is a nearly flat-camber with rockered tip/tail so it is still fairly playful but not too loose. Stable for jumps & the mild rocker is good on rails/boxes, too.

The Carbon Credit is a full rocker so will ride a little looser but the Magentraction on the edges compensate for this and will come in handy on the ice & hardpack for ya. The rocker shape also will come in handy if you spend some (but not all) of your time in the park.

[david_z]

Originally Posted by boardin087

Saw the NS proto ctx was pretty popular here. Would that be a good fit, if so is 158 too short?

Proto CTX might work for ya but it goes $530 instead of $400-430. 158 should work, as its blunted shape so it's got a longer effective edge and will ride "longer" than a traditional 158.

The R/C camber profile in this, in my opinion, is better on ice than the Machete (but not as great as MTX on the Carbon Credit). The dampening in the Machete is better than the Proto which has a pretty lively feel underfoot. They flex a bit differently; torsionally the Proto is stiffer so may be a bit quicker rolling over edge-to-edge than either of the Machete/Carbon Credit. Also the Proto flexes more through the middle of the board whereas the others have a bit more even flex and are easier to press/flex through the nose & tail, especially since the Gnu is full rocker shape so you can cheat on your presses.

[boardin087]

Originally Posted by david_z

Proto CTX might work for ya but it goes $530 instead of $400-430. 158 should work, as its blunted shape so it's got a longer effective edge and will ride "longer" than a traditional 158.

The R/C camber profile in this, in my opinion, is better on ice than the Machete (but not as great as MTX on the Carbon Credit). The dampening in the Machete is better than the Proto which has a pretty lively feel underfoot. They flex a bit differently; torsionally the Proto is stiffer so may be a bit quicker rolling over edge-to-edge than either of the Machete/Carbon Credit. Also the Proto flexes more through the middle of the board whereas the others have a bit more even flex and are easier to press/flex through the nose & tail, especially since the Gnu is full rocker shape so you can cheat on your presses.

wow thanks for taking the time to write out all of this information. I'm going to spend a little bit more time researching. If i eliminate price from this discussion, which do you choose given my criteria. I'm debating between the Gnu and the Proto.

I just want a board where I have good control, can handle alot of hte mountain, smooth edge to edge and I can get a more out of little kickers and such on on the slopes and in the park. I'm trying to grow with this board and will be boarding a lot more this winter then usual. Honestly price isnt such a deciding factor, besides if you are going to spend 430ish on a board why not spend another 100, I'm sure I'll get a few years out of it

[boardin087]

Oh also where to buy these boards, going to check out my local shop today after work but particularly neversummer i haven't seen anywehre for under MSRP. I havent paid MSRP on anything in 5 years. Are these generally only available at MSRP?

[david_z]

You can get last season's boards at pretty reasonable discounts I've seen the machete and the CC for well under $300 recently but this is the first year for the Proto C/T and judging by the hype/popularity, there won't be any left when its time to start marking down product for spring sales.

Price not an issue, I'd rather have the Proto than the Carbon Credit.

The CC is a good all mountain board (on a budget) so I am not dismissing it, but the Proto is definitely a "better" board by any objective metric.

Just keep in mind there are personal things to consider (I prefer the more even flex on the Machete, for example, others might prefer the magnetraction to Never Summers R+C/Vario powergrip tech, etc.)