All Mountain Boards Proto CT vs. Arbor Coda vs. ? - Snowboarding Forum

woodyak · 10-15-2012, 09:35 AM

Time to upgrade from my old Burton Rippey. I'm 5'5 about 155 lbs. and live and ride in New England. I've been boarding forever but I don't get that many days in per season. I'd say that I'm a solid intermediate who's looking to upgrade my game a little. Most of my time has been spent in the groomers but they kinda bore me now so I've really enjoyed trees and POW runs over the past couple of seasons. I do like hitting jumps and some of the smaller park features but that's not my main focus. So I figure I'd be looking for an AM board that will help me in the trees, is a bit playful, but can also handle the icy mix crap we get in New England.

My digging has led me to either the NS Proto CT or the Arbor Coda. I've seen a couple of others but I'm trying not to go off on too many rabbit holes.

I'm also leaning towards the Burton Cartel bindings. What's up with the restricted bindings? Supposedly, they are better but you can't get them online? WTF?

sleev-les · 10-15-2012, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodyak

Time to upgrade from my old Burton Rippey. I'm 5'5 about 155 lbs. and live and ride in New England. I've been boarding forever but I don't get that many days in per season. I'd say that I'm a solid intermediate who's looking to upgrade my game a little. Most of my time has been spent in the groomers but they kinda bore me now so I've really enjoyed trees and POW runs over the past couple of seasons. I do like hitting jumps and some of the smaller park features but that's not my main focus. So I figure I'd be looking for an AM board that will help me in the trees, is a bit playful, but can also handle the icy mix crap we get in New England.

My digging has led me to either the NS Proto CT or the Arbor Coda. I've seen a couple of others but I'm trying not to go off on too many rabbit holes.

I'm also leaning towards the Burton Cartel bindings. What's up with the restricted bindings? Supposedly, they are better but you can't get them online? WTF?

I just bought a Proto with Restricted Malavita's. Haven't ridden it yet, but I ride groomers and park. Im amped to get on it though.

snowklinger · 10-15-2012, 09:55 AM

I like all your choices.

lonerider · 10-15-2012, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodyak

Time to upgrade from my old Burton Rippey. I'm 5'5 about 155 lbs. and live and ride in New England. I've been boarding forever but I don't get that many days in per season. I'd say that I'm a solid intermediate who's looking to upgrade my game a little. Most of my time has been spent in the groomers but they kinda bore me now so I've really enjoyed trees and POW runs over the past couple of seasons. I do like hitting jumps and some of the smaller park features but that's not my main focus. So I figure I'd be looking for an AM board that will help me in the trees, is a bit playful, but can also handle the icy mix crap we get in New England.

My digging has led me to either the NS Proto CT or the Arbor Coda. I've seen a couple of others but I'm trying not to go off on too many rabbit holes.

I'm also leaning towards the Burton Cartel bindings. What's up with the restricted bindings? Supposedly, they are better but you can't get them online? WTF?

I would lean toward the NS SL or Cobra over the Proto CT. Nothing wrong with the Proto as I own a 2012 Proto CT 154 (I'm 155 lbs as well) ... but I also own/ridden the 2008, 2009 and 2012 SL 155 and the added dampening and edgehold on that board is going to be useful for you on icy, mixed snow conditions you get in New England (I went to school in Boston - used to ride Killington, Sunday River, Loon and Waterville Valley),

The Arbor Coda is actually more like the SL (again a reason for the SL over the Proto). People love to be part of the "in-crowd" and the Proto is an amazing board... but it really is a park board, not an all-mountain board (sure you could ride it all mountain, but that doesn't mean it is an ideal choice for it). It doesn't let you snowboard on water... oh wait, maybe it does.

david_z · 10-15-2012, 10:50 AM

might wanna consider the Signal Omni. If you're riding mostly groomers at intermediate level the Proto is probably too park-oriented for you, you'll get more mileage out of a damper board and as long as you're not doing lots of park or switch riding, may benefit also from the Omni being a directional board rather than a twin.

sangsters · 10-15-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonerider

<snip> People love to be part of the "in-crowd" and the Proto is an amazing board... but it really is a park board, not an all-mountain board (sure you could ride it all mountain, but that doesn't mean it is an ideal choice for it).

No denying the "in-crowd" effect exists but I bought my Proto after a demo (NS was at Snow on the worst weekend of the year). I'd never heard of the board before and had never even considered Never Summer.

It was the first time I actually felt like I was feeling what snowboarding should feel like (yes, that is the worst sentence ever).

Cormier · 10-15-2012, 11:57 AM

I just picked up a Proto CT after looking into loads of reviews and such. Yes, it's probably overhyped a bit but I don't think you'll go wrong with it. As someone else mentioned, if you're looking for a bit more stable and damp the SL or Cobra may be up your alley.

Arbors are also very nice. My friend loves his Coda. Probably a lot easier to find on sale as well (or at all)

I HAVE ridden my Cartel re:flex bindings and they're the bomb. Solid construction, loads of adjustability, highly recommend. I found mine on sale.

Ps -- if graphics are your thing, you can't really beat the carbonium topsheet of the Proto. It's crazy up close.

woodyak · 10-15-2012, 01:12 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. The Proto SL eh? I found a 11/12 model size 153 for 10% off. Any changes from 12 to 13?

In general are NS boards consider better than Arbors?

david_z · 10-15-2012, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodyak

Thanks for the advice guys. The Proto SL eh? I found a 11/12 model size 153 for 10% off. Any changes from 12 to 13?

In general are NS boards consider better than Arbors?

pretty sure there are no changes to the Proto this year.

snowklinger · 10-15-2012, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by david_z

pretty sure there are no changes to the Proto this year.

qft asked and confirmed many times

10-15-2012, 09:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
woodyak Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 5	All Mountain Boards Proto CT vs. Arbor Coda vs. ? Time to upgrade from my old Burton Rippey. I'm 5'5 about 155 lbs. and live and ride in New England. I've been boarding forever but I don't get that many days in per season. I'd say that I'm a solid intermediate who's looking to upgrade my game a little. Most of my time has been spent in the groomers but they kinda bore me now so I've really enjoyed trees and POW runs over the past couple of seasons. I do like hitting jumps and some of the smaller park features but that's not my main focus. So I figure I'd be looking for an AM board that will help me in the trees, is a bit playful, but can also handle the icy mix crap we get in New England. My digging has led me to either the NS Proto CT or the Arbor Coda. I've seen a couple of others but I'm trying not to go off on too many rabbit holes. I'm also leaning towards the Burton Cartel bindings. What's up with the restricted bindings? Supposedly, they are better but you can't get them online? WTF?

10-15-2012, 09:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
snowklinger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: fuck boulder Posts: 2,834	I like all your choices. __________________ is it late october yet?

10-15-2012, 10:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
david_z Official SBF Blogger Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Detroit suburbs Posts: 3,028 Blog Entries: 5	might wanna consider the Signal Omni. If you're riding mostly groomers at intermediate level the Proto is probably too park-oriented for you, you'll get more mileage out of a damper board and as long as you're not doing lots of park or switch riding, may benefit also from the Omni being a directional board rather than a twin. __________________ Repping the world's smallest mountains... Mt. Holly - 12 Pine Knob - 9 Alpine Valley - 2 Vail - 4 Breckenridge - 3 Crystal Mountain (MI) - 3 Hawk Island Snow Park - 5 Caberfae Peaks - 1 Boyne Mountain - 1 aGNARchy: no rules, just gnar!

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10-15-2012, 11:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
Cormier Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 59	I just picked up a Proto CT after looking into loads of reviews and such. Yes, it's probably overhyped a bit but I don't think you'll go wrong with it. As someone else mentioned, if you're looking for a bit more stable and damp the SL or Cobra may be up your alley. Arbors are also very nice. My friend loves his Coda. Probably a lot easier to find on sale as well (or at all) I HAVE ridden my Cartel re:flex bindings and they're the bomb. Solid construction, loads of adjustability, highly recommend. I found mine on sale. Ps -- if graphics are your thing, you can't really beat the carbonium topsheet of the Proto. It's crazy up close.

10-15-2012, 01:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
woodyak Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 5	Thanks for the advice guys. The Proto SL eh? I found a 11/12 model size 153 for 10% off. Any changes from 12 to 13? In general are NS boards consider better than Arbors?