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Versatile pow deck... for a little bloke

5K views 35 replies 16 participants last post by  daniel42 
#1 ·
Hi all,

I always struggle when it comes to boards because of waist width.
Now I'm looking for a board that can handle pow but on the same run can cut through to a jump line. I weigh 56kg and have a size 7 boot.

Things I'm keeping in mind while looking....
A mid flexing board tends to be on the stiffer side to me
I don't generally enjoy a large effective edge....but i'm usually on ice

Having said this, some of the never summer boards have a small waist width for their size (while having quite a large effective edge). Usually ride a 148-50

I'm looking at...
- Arbor Coda 153...despite a 25cm waist
- NS Cobra 153....Pro: small waist width Con: large effective edge
- NS SL 151 &153....Pro: small waist width Con: large effective edge
- NS Proto CT 152....Pro: small waist width Con: large effective edge
- NS EVO 152....Pro: small waist width Con: large effective edge
- GNU Riders choice 151.5....not sure about the pickle
- LIB Tech Jamie Lynn Pheonix...maybe too agressive?
- LIB Tech TRS 151N...is this enough board for pow?


I have never ridden a lot of powder so not sure if my effective edge anxiety will be warranted in pow???

Cheers!
 
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#8 ·
Just got home from Mt Hood. Over a foot of new snow in last 24 hours so finally got to ride my Proto in powder. In all honesty I could not be happier. Nose never dove on me. Had it centered at +15/-15, 23" wide stance and just effortless riding. I'm so impressed with this board. Went back and forth between this and SL and glad I went Proto. I'm 5'9" @ 200 pounds and ride a 160. Just sold my 157 to get the 160 and definitely noticed a difference in stability. 157 chattered through choppy conditions. And at speed felt a bit sketchy. 160 today felt nothing but inspiring. Might have lost a bit in park but now I feel i can take this all over the mountain. If I still had my Premier it would have stayed in the car today....
 

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#9 ·
I have a 158 SL and rode a 157 proto HD last weekend in 5-10". Going to take the proto HD out again today in 10-20". The proto is more fun overall, but without a doubt the SL floats better even with the shorter effective edge in those sizes. Both are great boards though.
 
#10 ·
Ok. Seems the Proto and the SL are hard to split. Should i be concerned about the large effective edge being catchy?
Another thing that could make my decision easier is the fact that the SL comes in 151. I'm guessing the standard response to this comment will be that the 53 is better in pow and the 51 will do more things for me, question is how well will the 51 go in pow?

Avenger, I'm seriously intrigued by this powder snake thing. The 53's specs look pretty damn good to me. Have you ridden it? I can only assume it'll float well, how about groomers?
 
#11 ·
I own an SL and its shit in powder, Im not joking it is a very very ordinary powder board.
Im not going to argue with those who say its awesome because they clearly have not experienced something that really does work in powder. Never summer boards have short stumpy noses and that is what makes them ordinary powder boards. A board with a longer, more gradually up turning nose will work a lot better. Fact.

Look at
prior khyber or fissile
libtech birdman 160 (magnetraction good for ice)
burton cheetah or even fish
salomon powder snake
etc.


The NS will never be as good in powder as any of those boards and yes I have my flame suit on and its fucking thick.
 
#13 ·
I own an SL and its shit in powder, Im not joking it is a very very ordinary powder board.
Im not going to argue with those who say its awesome because they clearly have not experienced something that really does work in powder. Never summer boards have short stumpy noses and that is what makes them ordinary powder boards. A board with a longer, more gradually up turning nose will work a lot better. Fact.

The NS will never be as good in powder as any of those boards and yes I have my flame suit on and its fucking thick.

QFT

But anything with a more pow friendly shape/taper is a game changer in powder. People won't get this until they actually ride something that is a dedicated pow board.

OP- if you want a pow first, everything else second board don't get anything on your list....
 
#16 · (Edited)
Dreampow although we have never met in person I consider you a friend so please dont take this as a personal attack but the fact that you think a few cm of nose length that does absolute wonders for a pow board will stop you from doing a 180 kills me. That you say a birdman 160 with magnetraction and a short effective edge does not suit this guy kills me. The fact that you recommend a neversummer, well that just kills me too mate.

To the OP please be aware that some people in this thread are given free boards by neversummer to promote the brand on this forum. It like walking into a ford dealer and asking if you should buy the ford or the chev.
 
#17 ·
Dreampow although we have never met in person I consider you a friend so please dont take this as a personal attack but the fact that you think a few cm of nose length that does absolute wonders for a pow board will stop you from doing a 180 kills me. That you say a birdman 160 with magnetraction does not suit this guy kills me. The fact that you recommend a neversummer, well that just kills me too mate.

To the OP please be aware that some people in this thread are given free boards by neversummer to promote the brand on this forum. It like walking into a ford dealer and asking if you should buy the ford or the chev.

Chill out man, the birdman could suit him, I just don't think he is looking for a real powder deck like you are thinking. Lets hear more about what this guy needs. Don't be a directional Powder board Nazi:giggle:.

I think my opinion is just as valid as it was 3 months ago when I rode NS that I purchased myself and genuinely liked it a lot, that's all before I was asked if I would test and review some boards.

I recommended NS then depending on the riders needs and I do now if I think it would fit what he needs.

Yes, I am now testing 2014 NS boards, big deal. So you would have it I can't say anything good about the brand or recommend them?

I like NS boards, not saying they are the best, but I genuinely think they are very good boards. I don't see why you have a problem with that.

Also when you hit a natural lip and land switch in powder of a 180 its just hard with a very directional board, a little setback is not an issue, but for me I tend to dig the nose in and tomohawk on a big setback board with taper going the wrong way. Maybe if I had more skills:dunno:.

When I get out of the powder and am riding groomed runs I want to play around, thats just my riding style. Which is why unless its very deep I prefer to stay close to twin in shape and setback.

You prefer your riding style I prefer mine, I don't see the issue?
 
#20 ·
I ride a salomon powdersnake 160 which is huge for me(5'6" 150lbs) but I love it and it is a sweet ride. no issues on groomers and floats thru pow perfectly. I push that sucker thru tree runs with no issues. you wont be disappointed if you go with it


took it out yesterday and had blast
 
#21 ·
Just want to say I appreciate the help you guys are sending. Clearly passionate..it's awesome!

It'll be a deck for japan and other big pow days with my other board doing the rest.

I just don't want to be stuck on a board that can ONLY handle pow if i feel jumpy and playful. So TBH the powder snake looks on the money....for that matter so does the sick stick from salomon.

Can anyone comment on the difference between the sick stick and the powder snake? Angry's review said the powder snake was stiffer than the sick stick if i'm not mistaken which was contrary to my impressions.

Cheers!
 
#23 ·
Powder Snake and Sick Stick are same shape but different construction. Sick Stick is in some ways more high end and more expensive, but also somewhat less durable.
Difference in flex is different rather than firmer/softer - Sick Stick is a lot snappier.
 
#22 ·
I've never ridden the sick stick so couldn't tell ya. There's a few powdersnakes on eBay for cheap. Salomon has the Grip board which floats nicely thru pow too. I ride the 154 centered stanced and have no problem staying on top of the fluff. Does great on groomers also but ironically has very little grip on ice
 
#31 ·
US postal address

Thanks for all the help guys. I've decided on a 153 powder snake. Im having difficulties finding any in Australia and now can't find anyone who will ship to Aus. I'm considering the option of sending it to a US address. I'm wondering if anyone would be willing to help me out with an address and then forward it to aus? Alternatively, does anyone know of a way I can do it directly?

I'll keep searching but it would be nice to know that option is open to me.

Cheers
 
#36 · (Edited)
Regarding shipping items to Australia from the US, I think the main options are Price USA | Shop where you want and Ipsparcel.

Difference between them is with IPS, IPS give you a shipping address and you use that address to have the Item/s shipped to, then they forward it on. Price USA buys the item for you and then they technically sell and ship you the item as a secondhand but in as new condition item.

I have used Price USA last year as the payment methods for IPS back then weren't as good.

The actual box size of my board (Ride Berzerker 155) was: 3" x 13" x 61" for a volumetric shipping weight of 11lb.

Below is all the charges involved. I think shipping has gone up so maybe expect to pay around $50 extra in shipping. It should be a fair amount cheaper in shipping to get one of these companies to do it rather than a person, but it also depends on how that stacks up to the extra charges they tack on. The exchange rate that PRice USA uses is 3c lower than the spot rate, so they pocket the difference:

Order Details
==============================
Estimated New USA Price + USA Fee: US$305.24
Actual New USA Price + USA Fee: US$305.24

Estimated USA Shipping: US$0.00
Actual USA Shipping: US$0.00

Delivery Protection: US$7.63
Return Protection: US$0.00
Paypal/Credit Card: A$22.08

Exchange rate: 0.973
Deposit Paid: A$250.78

Actual Box Size: 3" x 13" x 61"
Actual Shipping Weight: 11 pounds

Estimated Cost of Shipping & Handling to Australia: US$154.21
Actual Cost of Shipping & Handling to Australia: US$128.74
================================
Final Total Cost: A$476.56
================================
 
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