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Quiver board decision...

3K views 13 replies 7 participants last post by  crow79 
#1 · (Edited)
Alright, need a little help here...

for 3 yrs I've ridden a 157 2010 T. Rice blunt nose (C2BTX), which I absolutely LOVE. Problem is, When I bought it I was about 25 lbs lighter. (currently 5'11" @ 220 lbs size 10.5 boot)


The thing shreds everything, BUT... I tend to go to Revelstoke on a 3-4 week boarding trip every year. This year, I went smack in the middle of massive snowfalls :D . While my beloved T. Rice did an admirable job, I realized I want a deep pow board that is great for hard charging down runs at unsafe velocities. It needs to have good damping, because I do have a bit of a soft knee. I hit natural features, rqace through glades, and am starting to get confident taking big airs, but I don't jib or enter the park.

I've narrowed my choices down to the following, in order from most fav to least:

1) NS RAPTOR 164 - I love the design of this thing, and how durable the top sheet is. Also love the warranty. It has a similar profile to my T. Rice, with Vario grip and great damping... So the learning curve should be practically non-existent. Having said that, it is basically the same board as what I have, only longer.. Is it really a specialty quiver board then, or do I end up selling my T. Rice as a result? Not necessarily a bad thing, as the Raptor is expensive, and it would help offset the cost.

2) 2011 SALOMON BURNER 163 - First off, I can score a brand new 2011 right now for $300 CDN. That's a freakin' steal for a board of this caliber. It's also insano fast, great damping, and every review I read has nothing but good things to say. My concerns are durability and full camber. The last full camber board I rode was my 5150 PATH (lol) that I learned to snowboard on. It also has no pow rocker in the nose, so I'm wondering how well does it actually float? I'd like something that helps keep rear leg burn down, so I can ride hard all day long. Having said that, this would obviously be what I'm looking for, a quiver board that I pull out when I need it.

3) NS F1 PREMIERE 163 - similar to the Raptor, but heavier and a little less damage to the wallet.

4) SALOMON MAN'S BOARD 162 - Not sure if it is what I want in a board, and from what I read, it is prone to chipping and doesn't have the greatest damping.

5) NITRO PANTERRA - don't know too much about this board, but it sounds like something that covers all the bases I want. This used to be the slot for the CAPITA CS, but it is now off my short list.

6) LIB TECH DARK SERIES - Has risers built in... I like that. But, horrendously expensive, and I've never seen one on sale.


I welcome any other suggestions. I'm particulary interested in Arbor testimonials. Ride Slackcountry is also a possibility, but seems like too much to pay for what I consider a board that is good at everything, but not great at anything. Following boards are not going to be considered:

NS Summit - too narrow, and does not come in a size I want. 161 is too short for my purposes, and 167 is too long for me.

Salomon Sick Stick - I love it, but I don't think it'll give me the hard charging speed I want.

Yes PYL - It's flimsy, too soft, and I just don't like it.

Nidecker whatever - too expensive, impossible to find anyways.

Jones - heard too many things about the Biofilm treatment on the top sheet not being waterproof. On a side note; While I respect his abilities, enjoy his movies, and he has some good one-liners... his voice annoys the living shit out of me, and I won't give him my hard earned money. It reminds me of an injured homosexual cat being forced to have heterosexual intercourse.
 
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#3 ·
Waist on the DS is 25.7 - pretty much the same as my T.Rice. If there's any board that has a skinny waist on the list, it's the Raptor @ 25.3, which should still be ok with my size boot. Keep in mind, I'm looking for a board that charges well, and will work great in deep pow.

Not so much looking for a true pow stick as much as a great freeride board. If I wanted a full-out pow stick, I'd be looking at the Birdman instead of the Dark Series in the Lib-Tech lineup.
 
#4 ·
I can't tell if you want an all around board or a quiver board—your foreword to the post seems like you want an all around board that can also handle powder?

If you're trying to go fast buy a custom x and be done with it.

If you're looking for an all around get a Capita BSOD and if you want a kinda powder friendly all around board—get the raptor, but be warned it is pretty fucking stiff—probably alright for you considering your size, otherwise I wholly endorse the Premier F1.

I'd also consider a YES Big City/Bataleon Undisputed in addition to the ones you've selected.

All in all, if you're trying to get a powder board, just get the slasher it's an awesome board and fairly cheap considering. Or you can buy my fish on ebay—:D
 
#7 · (Edited)
Haha, no I will not buy a fish... For whatever reason I cannot explain, Burton decks just do not appeal to me. Maybe it's the binding system they have, maybe it's because I just don't want to buy Burton product (ok, MAYBE their bindings, or Forum bindings)... I'm not even sure myself!

Yes, now that I think about it, I guess I am looking for a freeride board that can handle pow nicely. Maybe my T. Rice just isn't big enough for what and how I like to ride every day. For the price, I could swallow the cost of the Burner, or even the F1 Premier and still keep my T. Rice. It would be nice to have a backup board for myself or to loan to friends when they visit.

Why did NS have to make the Raptor? bunch of assholes! :p
 
#8 ·
Never even thought about checking out Smokin' boards! Only problem is that I don't think anywhere here in Canada carries them yet, so it would end up being a purchase on blind faith. At least I can physically inspect the boards on my current list.

I will do some research on Smokin' - definitely not ruling them out.
 
#10 ·
I'm a little surprised no one here has any experience on the Salomon Burner..? At that price point, I really want to be sold on it IF it has a fairly effortless float on pow.

I know it's a full camber board, but not all are created equal, so I'd like to hear something from those who aren't on YouTube and being paid to hype it.

Bueller? Bueller?
 
#12 ·
Premier maybe a better choice for you. i've ridden both and f1 is alot damper than raptor.
if you go with raptor you can also get raptor x (wide). i have 10.5-11 size feet and i did not have any problem. i rode 165 raptor x. with wider board you wont have to go as long. Raptor was alot more of a powder board tho. I thought the raptor had a bigger rocker (nose rode higher than f1). it would be a hard pick between the two. Raptor also felt little stiffer, but that may have felt that way because f1 was damper. If you have to ride thru alot of bumps f1 would be a better choice. premier felt little narrow but that might be becasue i rode raptor x before f1. Whichever you are getting please do a review between neversummer and t.rice. I am looking at t.rice and i cant find any demo around me.
 
#14 · (Edited)
I was about ready to give up on my raptor hunt and plunk down for an F1. The thing about the F1 is it is literally twice the weight of the Raptor, but it also has the perfect size waist for my boot.

After setting my bindings up on the 164, I'm not concerned in the least about toe drag. the 165 Raptor X seemed like it would be cumbersome in anything but deep pow. Man, it is WIDE.

regardless, for what I paid (total steal, IMO) after taxes for it, if I have any sizing issues, I'm pretty sure I won't have any problems selling it for the same price to someone who wants one.

Can't wait to ride it, just sending it in for a tune tomorrow! I will definitely post a comparsion in a separate thread between my T. Rice and the Rap.
 
#13 ·
Great choice on the Raptor!

The 159 that I (170 - 180 lbs w/o gear) took last year for a week to Big White was the best hard-charging freerider I have ever tried.

You can get better powder boards for sure, but not better all-around. It's stiff for park but you're not doing park so you're good. And I don't think it will be very stiff for you at your weight.

Please share your impressions and compare to the TRice when you have some time on it

Cheers
Ivo
 
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