Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

East Coast Rider Seeking Advice on New Deck

3K views 12 replies 4 participants last post by  Nivek 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey guys - first time poster :)

After 3 seasons on my Custom X 152, I've decided it's time for a new deck.

I really enjoyed the X - I love it's stability while I bomb down steeps and it's ability to hold an edge even on ice. What I didn't like was the size - 152 is the smallest the X comes in, and I weigh 125 pounds. The size is fine when I'm bombing down groomers, but as I've started doing more glades and moguls/bumps, I've found that the length and relative "heaviness" of the board makes it hard for me to control and initiate sharp turns when I need to. If the X came in a 149, I think it would be the perfect board for me.

Having said that, I don't know much about brands other than Burton (I'm ashamed to admit I've ridden Burton my whole life), but I'm willing to experiment and I'd love to try something new.

About me:
-Live in Toronto - mostly ride in Quebec, Vermont, Ontario + one trip a year out west
-Conditions I typically ride in are mostly groomers, some ice, occasional powder
-Riding style - mostly bombing down steeps, cutting through glades, hitting kickers/cliffs, occasional moguls, NO PARK
-Weight - 125, height - 5'3
-Bootsize - 7
-Experience - 8 seasons, can confidently ride the entire mountain (except park)
-Current setup: Custom X 152, Cartels, Ions

What are some decks out there that are available in my size range (147-149) that you guys recommend?

A couple decks have caught my eye - these all seem to be good for charging hard, but also retain some playfulness:
-Lib-Tech TRS (available in 148N which I think is the perfect size)
-Rome Agent (available in 149 - comes in camber as well, I've heard this is a good Custom X-like board)
-GNU Rider's Choice (very popular and acclaimed, but seems a bit more geared for park - smallest size is 151.5 which is a bit long)
-K2 Berzerker (155 is smallest...)

I think the Libtech TRS and Rome Agent would be great for my needs, especially given the size issue. Any of you have experience with these?

Thanks for taking the time to read this and I appreciate all the advice.

Alex
 
See less See more
#2 ·
There's the Signal Omni 150. I think the NS SL comes in 151...
For an all mountain deck you should be able to comfortably go up to 150 or 151, especially if its rocker as they're easier to manuever.

More to come when I have more time.

Libs aren't light, so if its bigger than you were looking for it will really feel too big. Berzerker was my second thought, but yeah 55 might be a bit much.

It's been a few years since I've been on a TRS, but it has been in the past the only thing from the whole of Mervin I didnt hate, aside from magne which I'll always hate.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Libs are little heavier but i don't think its to a point where people really notice it after run or two.
Either way TRS is not going to be as stiff as custom x. TRS compares more to regular custom not custom x.
Boards you've mentioned are good all mountain boards. I don't know if they are a good charging board.
Are you looking for something more of a freestyle board? Look for something damp like never summer.
from my past experience damp boards are best for charging. None of the board you mentioned is going to be better than custom x for charging especially if you size down. Try never summer SL or Premier f1, I dont think they are as stable as custom x but dampness may make up for it
And because it's little softer and becasue of the rocker it will be easier to right thru tight spot
 
#7 ·
Thanks for all the fabulous feedback. You guys have given me a lot to chew on.

I've narrowed it down to:

1) Lib-Tech TRS 148 Narrow
2) Signal Omni 150 (never heard of this company, but the reviews are great)
3) Never Summer SL 151 (everyone on most forums I read seem to love this company)

I think I'm leaning towards the TRS only because the description sounds like's specifically made for my kind of riding style, and because it's the shortest board + narrow design which is good for my size 7 boot - although I'm a tad concerned about the heaviness factor mentioned above.

The Signal Omni and NS SL sound like very capable boards (especially the NS), but from reading the description these sound like they are designed more to be all-mountain/park hybrids as opposed to something designed more specifically for my purposes like the TRS.

The NS SL specifically seems like its gears more for freestyle than freeride (SL | Never Summer Industries - Snowboards, Longboards, Clothing and Accessories - Powered by CLVR TV), which concerns me because I spend zero time in the park. Additionally, 151 is only 1cm shorter than my current 152 Custom X... I really wanted something less than 150 that would enable me to nail sharp turns and swing the board around quicker in the glades and moguls.

Would you guys agree with my assessment? Let me know if you have any other suggestions for decks!
 
#10 ·
What you have picked are all good boards. SL is little more freeride than freestyle but can be used for either. I think its more freeride board than what neversummer describes. I think it is little damper than trs but other than that very close to TRS. If you want a board you can nail a quick tight turn you want something that is softer torsionally (compared to your custom x). its not just not matter of length. having said that both trs and sl has softer torsional flex than custom x. Have you tried MTX? Some likes them some dont. I like them on ice but dont like them in softer packed condtion. It digs in too much for me on softer snow and spring condition snow. I would go with TRS if you are planning on keeping custom x and if you like the graphics.
 
#11 ·
TRS flex rating is 5/10 on Lib's scale definitely felt more of a freestyle influence than either the Agent or Omni and I would be worried about that board folding under pressure because I folded it, just not firm enough to really ride super fast/aggressive IMO.

I don't see a flex rating on Signal's site but to me it felt much firmer than that TRS. I said ~6.5, but probably be more like a 7+ for someone who is lighter since I am bigger than average.

the waist spec on the TRS 148n is 237 compared to 240 for the Omni 150 so there's a difference there.
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the valuable feedback, especially since you've ridden two of these decks.

I'm only 125-130 pounds so no matter how hard I ride it, I doubt it'll fold under pressure.

Interesting comments on the Signal vs. TRS... from reading their descriptions I would've figured the TRS would be stiffer.

Do you think the 3mm difference on the waist will feel noticeable with my size 7 boot? My custom X152 has a 244mm width and sometimes I feel that contributes to my struggles with tight turns given my boot size.

Thanks!
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top