Have $900 in REI credit ..which board to choose? - Snowboarding Forum

snowbummer · 11-10-2011, 01:48 PM

Just completed my first season of boarding this spring/summer.

I have about $900 in Rei gift card/store credit, was thinking about getting a new board as my previous board is pretty banged up and is from 2000, picked it up used off craigslist. I'm not even sure what size the previous board is I think it was a 158.

I'm 6ft 160 pounds. Would a size 159 be right for me? I also mostly board at Tahoe/Squaw, so not sure how pow heavy of a board I need, as I mostly boarded the spring season for my first year.
I can go down black runs, and have gotten good at going fast speeds.

This season I want to focus more on jumps, buttering etc. Not really park though. I guess all mountain would be better for me.

Out of these boards which ones would you guys recommend and why?
I was thinking of just going all out and getting the GNU Impossible Series EC2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012 although the art is kinda ugly. How much better is that board vs GNU Altered Genetics C2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012? Is it overkill? I figure why not since I have the credit, might as well benefit from all the tech?

Too many choices and I know nothing of the brands quality of tech etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Sick-Pow · 11-10-2011, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowbummer

Just completed my first season of boarding this spring/summer.

I have about $900 in Rei gift card/store credit, was thinking about getting a new board as my previous board is pretty banged up and is from 2000, picked it up used off craigslist. I'm not even sure what size the previous board is I think it was a 158.

I'm 6ft 160 pounds. Would a size 159 be right for me? I also mostly board at Tahoe/Squaw, so not sure how pow heavy of a board I need, as I mostly boarded the spring season for my first year.
I can go down black runs, and have gotten good at going fast speeds.

This season I want to focus more on jumps, buttering etc. Not really park though. I guess all mountain would be better for me.

Out of these boards which ones would you guys recommend and why?
I was thinking of just going all out and getting the GNU Impossible Series EC2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012 although the art is kinda ugly. How much better is that board vs GNU Altered Genetics C2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012? Is it overkill? I figure why not since I have the credit, might as well benefit from all the tech?

Too many choices and I know nothing of the brands quality of tech etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Arbor Cascade (graphics are awesome) and some bindings and boots. You might have to pay 50 bux if you do it right.

jgsqueak · 11-10-2011, 02:31 PM

Are you putting new bindings on this board? If so, don't blow $800 on a board and leave only $100 for some fresh new binders...not a great idea. Also, the difference between a $800 board and a $500 is usually just the ego riding it. Basically you can find a better board looking for your needs rather than what you want to spend.

Look at:
Arbor Coda
Lib Tech TRS
Burton Sherlock
Flow Drifter
Salomon Man's Board

Those should get you started.

jgsqueak · 11-10-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sick-Pow

Arbor Cascade (graphics are awesome) and some bindings and boots. You might have to pay 50 bux if you do it right.

FYI,the Cascade is an Arbor Coda...it is just an REI Special Make Up so that they can advertise a cheaper price and not violate Minimum Advertised Pricing policies.

jdang307 · 11-10-2011, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowbummer

Just completed my first season of boarding this spring/summer.

I have about $900 in Rei gift card/store credit, was thinking about getting a new board as my previous board is pretty banged up and is from 2000, picked it up used off craigslist. I'm not even sure what size the previous board is I think it was a 158.

I'm 6ft 160 pounds. Would a size 159 be right for me? I also mostly board at Tahoe/Squaw, so not sure how pow heavy of a board I need, as I mostly boarded the spring season for my first year.
I can go down black runs, and have gotten good at going fast speeds.

This season I want to focus more on jumps, buttering etc. Not really park though. I guess all mountain would be better for me.

Out of these boards which ones would you guys recommend and why?
I was thinking of just going all out and getting the GNU Impossible Series EC2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012 although the art is kinda ugly. How much better is that board vs GNU Altered Genetics C2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012? Is it overkill? I figure why not since I have the credit, might as well benefit from all the tech?

Too many choices and I know nothing of the brands quality of tech etc. Any help would be appreciated.

Do you have boots yet? Only for your first year, your boots might not be a problem yet. As you get better you may realize your boots suck. So I suggest spending that money on some good boots. Forget the $800 board. what if you find out that's not your style. Get the boots first (if you need them) then board.

I'd check out the Arbors (coda and blacklist)

woodhomie1996 · 11-10-2011, 03:04 PM

K2 Slayblade
Gnu Riders Choice

Those are my two choices.

snowjab · 11-10-2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodhomie1996

K2 Slayblade
Gnu Riders Choice

Those are my two choices.

riders choice has always ben a favorite. They also have the gnu billy goat in 159 and 162 for years they only made it in 162.check out the billy goat. I love that board.

Sick-Pow · 11-10-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgsqueak

FYI,the Cascade is an Arbor Coda...it is just an REI Special Make Up so that they can advertise a cheaper price and not violate Minimum Advertised Pricing policies.

sweet, good for that dude to know. great base graphic

snafs · 11-10-2011, 04:58 PM

Gnu riders choice
Jones Mountain Twin

Union Forces

I have not bought boots in 8 seasons, so i have not really looked at or played with anything recently. Go with what fits and feels good, don't skimp, you get what you pay for.

snowbummer · 11-10-2011, 06:02 PM

All of the boards you guys suggested look&sound pretty sick.

For bindings I have a pair of older Flex bindings I'd guess from 2006 or so.
They seem alright to me, don't have much else to compare to.. I seem to be able to control edge to edge just fine..how important are the bindings?

Whats the advantage of the Arbor Coda/Cascade tech vs the GNU Impossible Series/ Riders Choice magna-traction tech/banana rocker for my needs
& what about the Arbor Wasteland ... Is the Coda the better board?

What are the big diff between say the Billy Goat/ Riders Choice/ The Impossible?

Boots I got a pair of Burton Ions 11.5 havent had a chance to test them yet. Would I need a wide board at that size?

Based on my stats (160lb 6ft) 159 would be ok..or too big?

11-10-2011, 01:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
snowbummer Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 36	Have $900 in REI credit ..which board to choose? Just completed my first season of boarding this spring/summer. I have about $900 in Rei gift card/store credit, was thinking about getting a new board as my previous board is pretty banged up and is from 2000, picked it up used off craigslist. I'm not even sure what size the previous board is I think it was a 158. I'm 6ft 160 pounds. Would a size 159 be right for me? I also mostly board at Tahoe/Squaw, so not sure how pow heavy of a board I need, as I mostly boarded the spring season for my first year. I can go down black runs, and have gotten good at going fast speeds. This season I want to focus more on jumps, buttering etc. Not really park though. I guess all mountain would be better for me. Out of these boards which ones would you guys recommend and why? I was thinking of just going all out and getting the GNU Impossible Series EC2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012 although the art is kinda ugly. How much better is that board vs GNU Altered Genetics C2 BTX Snowboard - 2011/2012? Is it overkill? I figure why not since I have the credit, might as well benefit from all the tech? Too many choices and I know nothing of the brands quality of tech etc. Any help would be appreciated.

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11-10-2011, 02:31 PM	#3 (permalink)
jgsqueak Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 288	Are you putting new bindings on this board? If so, don't blow $800 on a board and leave only $100 for some fresh new binders...not a great idea. Also, the difference between a $800 board and a $500 is usually just the ego riding it. Basically you can find a better board looking for your needs rather than what you want to spend. Look at: Arbor Coda Lib Tech TRS Burton Sherlock Flow Drifter Salomon Man's Board Those should get you started.

11-10-2011, 03:04 PM	#6 (permalink)
woodhomie1996 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Shawnee, PA Posts: 307	K2 Slayblade Gnu Riders Choice Those are my two choices.

11-10-2011, 04:58 PM	#9 (permalink)
snafs Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: The Land of Entrapment Posts: 31	Gnu riders choice Jones Mountain Twin Union Forces I have not bought boots in 8 seasons, so i have not really looked at or played with anything recently. Go with what fits and feels good, don't skimp, you get what you pay for.

11-10-2011, 06:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
snowbummer Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Posts: 36	All of the boards you guys suggested look&sound pretty sick. For bindings I have a pair of older Flex bindings I'd guess from 2006 or so. They seem alright to me, don't have much else to compare to.. I seem to be able to control edge to edge just fine..how important are the bindings? Whats the advantage of the Arbor Coda/Cascade tech vs the GNU Impossible Series/ Riders Choice magna-traction tech/banana rocker for my needs & what about the Arbor Wasteland ... Is the Coda the better board? What are the big diff between say the Billy Goat/ Riders Choice/ The Impossible? Boots I got a pair of Burton Ions 11.5 havent had a chance to test them yet. Would I need a wide board at that size? Based on my stats (160lb 6ft) 159 would be ok..or too big?