I just bought my first board, it's a Sims Pristine true twin. I'm just curious of the advantages and disadvantages of a twin vs a directional board. I've always rented gear, so I don't know for sure what I was riding before. I'd say I'm an intermediate rider, I have control and I can carve well. I'd like to get into the terrain park eventually. Anyway, any input would be great!
Oh and please don't tell me I bought a crappy board or anything cause I don't wanna hear it!
A directional board can (it's not guaranteed) can be better at riding in different snow conditions. Some boards has a longer upturn nose with a slightly different shape which is better for riding in powder and for blasting through cruddy snow. At the same time, it can have a stiffer tail for better snap out of turns. A narrower tail (taper) also lets the tail sink more for better powder floatation and quicker release from turns. A setback stance is better for more control at higher speeds, and better floatation in powder (because your weight is already shift back).
A true twin is a tiny bit easier to ride and land switch - but it's not important below 540s in my opinion... maybe not even then. A Burton Fish is about as directional board as you can get, super setback, huge taper, and a cutout tail...
True twin really (should) mean 3 things. Perfectly symetrical outline (from the true waist out to the tip and tail), Perfectly symetrical flex (from the true waist out to the tip and tail) and centerred inserts (no setback). A lot of boards that have twin in their description do not meet all of the above.
True twins can be majorly fun as play boards, park boards and general freestyle decks, but they do have limitations. boards with some setback and asymetrical flex are easier going for riding up over pow, crud etc. Sidecut shaping can be tweaked on directional decks to rip into hardpack better (with or without wavy edges).
Let us know a little more about the deck that you bought and we will be able to tell you more. There are still big differences between individual true twins.
Hey, thanks for the response, you've cleared things up a little. Like I said, I'm still learning but would like to get to the park so I wanted to have a board that would be good for that, without spending a whole lot.
Here is the description for my board:
The new SIMS Pristine is designed specifically for ladies and features a true twin tip freestyle board with a women's progressive side cut and SIMS EZ rocker flat for a responsive yet catch-free ride. Not to surpass the durable yet forgiving SIMS ABS sidewalls and full tip to tail Poplar wood core, this board promises an epic ride experience at a reasonable price.
I am a freeride guy and I really like true twin boards. Even though most say that they are for park & pipe, there is nothing like having that extra float performance when riding fakie through deep stuff.
If I could only own one board.. it would be something slightly directional. Completely symetrical setups are not going to make you a better switch rider, a directional 1-board-quiver is going to serve you a lot better.
To the OP, don't be discouraged by your purchase and the advice... if you get into some nice snow, just set your bindings back an insert and you will do just fine! If you love snowboarding and ride a ton.. you will probably find yourself owning a shorter twin and a longer directional later in life.
For what it is worth.. I have owned some of the so-called "quiver-killer" boards and nothing beats actually owning a good 2+ board quiver IF you ride dynamic conditions.
For most riders out there its just splitting hairs IMO. Probably doesn't make much odds until you get to upper intermediate.
Yes, a directional twinish deck with a slight setback is probably the 1 board quiver I would recommend.
Having said that twin decks can do everything very well, so just enjoy your new board OP.
I spent most of last season on a 161 Volkl zenit. It has setback (which I set all the way back for pow days) a touch of taper and is stiffer in the tail. Posi camber.
Then I bought a 157 proto CT specifically for all mountain freestyle and because I like riding switch (at least 30%) and want to ride more. I ride a lot of switch in pow and the twin profile makes it much easier. As long as its not too deep a C2BTX type profile gives plenty of float going either way.
I just like the idea of using my body and muscle groups in a balanced way left and right.
I was actually very pleasantly surprised with how well I could carve on the proto, takes a little more fore aft movement, but with effort it carves really well (not as well as the Volkl but pretty damn good).
I still have the volkl and no doubt I will be riding it a fair bit this season (when I want to bomb flat out).
I'll be on the proto most days though and I guarantee I'll be flying past people on their freeride sticks on the steeps and powder sticks in the pow because I know how to ride it.
If people like twins let them ride them, its slightly disadvantageous for carving and powder but its minimal and the limiting factor here is almost always rider ability not board.
lonerider, you can't argue with someone when they tell you that you come off as condescending, it just makes it more so. You do come off that way a little, and pretty sure Grafta and I like ya(ok not sure about Grafta, he is pretty badass).
Maybe I come off the same way, dunno, sounds like you ride pretty good, but no amount of ability really makes your opinions more factual. Facts are facts and opinions are opinions.
You are going to have a lot of fun on that deck. Flat rock is very easy to learn on. This profile (generality) is stable and is very catch free and easy going. They don't love ice or extreme hardpack and the require care at speed, but on the whole you have a fun design to learn and progress on.
Plese post up your weight and foot size, as well as the length of your deck. It is still important that you have the correct size.
I'd say the average rider is better off with a slightly directional snowboard over a true twin.
True twins start to gain the advantage if you do a lot of freestyle and/or ride switch often (or if you're working your way up to doing that).
Honestly, it feels a little bit better doing switch tricks on a true twin, but the difference isn't major and I'm saying this as someone who regularly spins switch 5s and up.
In the end if you get used to spinning/landing switch on a slightly directional but twin-ish shape, you can even end up preferring that feel just due to your muscle memory remembering the feeling.
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