Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

How small is too small

7K views 10 replies 5 participants last post by  david_z 
#1 ·
Hi everyone, new member here.
I'm a beginner at snowboarding, but I'm progressing very fast :cool:

I'm looking for a new board for the next season, because of the limited choice of the boards,budget and my knowledge, and need help choosing one.

My specs:
height: 193cm / 6.3 feet
weight: 93kg / 210 lbs
shoe size: eu 44 / us 10 ( I kinda have a touch smaller feet for my height than most people)

Last season my board was Voelkl Dash 164cm wide

That board has a waist width of 269mm, the reason I bought that board, and not a smaller one is because on their website they say it's for people that have weight of more than 90kg/ 198 lbs. I've found that the board was not really responsive, it was kinda hard to go on the heel edge, and in general I felt like I could use a smaller board. Also in every youtube video that I've seen they say when choosing a board the length of the board should be between the neck and the chin.... Anyway I got rid of that board, and now I'm looking for a new one.

I would really like a board that is smaller and more maneuverable, because I would like to learn some freestyle and park riding.
As for the binding I bought Forum Shaka 2012 for a reasonable price.

The biggest problem that I have is that I can't try the boards, I can only order online (limited choice of brands also).

I have some questions which are probably lame, and noob like, but hang on with me :)

1. How important is the riders weight? Is it more important than the height?

2. Why some manufactures list the maximum weight for the rider and others don't. Should that be a concern for me?

3. Most important question , what is the minimum length and width of the board that I could/should ride? How small is to small for me? :)

Here are some of the boards I can choose from:

1. Elan Prodigy R ( length: 159, waist width:252)
2. Head Rush Roka Wide (length:162cm , waist width: 26.6)
3. Head Matrix Wide (length: 163cm waist width:26.6)
4. Salomon Grip 10/11 (length:160cm, waist width: 251)
5. Atomic Pivot 08/09 - kinda old I know ( length: 259 cm , waist width: 25.60 cm)
6. Salomon Pulse 11/12(length: 160cm waist width:251)
7. Salomon Pulse 11/12(length: 163cm waist width:256)

I'm leaning to Elan Prodigy R , I've seen that board in person, and it looked like its very solid board, and people like it.

Don't let me just sit in the park, help me make the next season my best season ever!

Thanks!
 
See less See more
#7 ·
Thanks Snowolf for the input, if I understood you correctly I should get 160 for freestyle/ park ? If I go with 159 (because that's one of the options that I can buy) how much difference that 1cm can be?

Also, you say "board length is determined by the rider's weight primarily", how can I choose a board based on weight when there is no weight data for most manufacturers?

How can I know if particular board will hold my weight?
 
#8 ·
Most manufacturers do publish a suggested weight range for their boards.

Pretty much any board is going to be capable of holding your weight. 200 pounds is big but it's not that big. For reference I'm 6' and 210 lbs and no problem riding anything as small as 155. I ride 156/157 in the park and 161-163 all mountain.

1cm is not going to be a huge difference but 5cm (downsizing from your 164) will probably be noticeable at first so excpect a few days maybe to get acclimated to riding a shorter board. I would say you'll be fine on a 159 for most boards especially if you want to use it in the park.
 
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