How much board is too much?

Hey All!

I started riding last year, but could only go a handful of times due to poor conditions in Michigan. I used a really cheap Avalanche (didn't want to break the bank and discover I hated it).

Well I LOVED it! I'm heading to the French Alps for a couple months and am looking for a good but cheap beginner board. I am 6'0", 138lbs, 21 y/o, size 11 Men's boot, female interested in getting better and having fun doing some freeriding. I haven't found any women's boards over 158 so I have focused on men's boards. A guy at a local shop was trying to get me on a 161 Rome Machine. Is that too much board for me? Not to mention that it is made for more freestyle. Plus it is $390 and I would prefer to buy a lower end beginner board this year and upgrade next year.

Suggestions???


Other boards I have looked at include:

162 Nitro Resistance (2006)
161 Forum Recon (2006)
161 Forum Recon (2007)

1. Those lenghts are freakish long for you. Go for something in the 149-153 range.
2. Idk why he recommended a machine, because that thing is a jib stick and is super buttery. not really good for freeriding.

Idk if there are any wide girl boards, but take a look at a Rome Manual. retail 319

Originally Posted by JolieAmie

Hey All!

I started riding last year, but could only go a handful of times due to poor conditions in Michigan. I used a really cheap Avalanche (didn't want to break the bank and discover I hated it).

Well I LOVED it! I'm heading to the French Alps for a couple months and am looking for a good but cheap beginner board. I am 6'0", 138lbs, 21 y/o, size 11 Men's boot, female interested in getting better and having fun doing some freeriding. I haven't found any women's boards over 158 so I have focused on men's boards. A guy at a local shop was trying to get me on a 161 Rome Machine. Is that too much board for me? Not to mention that it is made for more freestyle. Plus it is $390 and I would prefer to buy a lower end beginner board this year and upgrade next year.

Suggestions???


Other boards I have looked at include:

162 Nitro Resistance (2006)
161 Forum Recon (2006)
161 Forum Recon (2007)

I would definitively buy the forum. It's a much more trustable board.

[PaoloSmythe]

you might need a wide board; what is US mens 11? is that a UK10?

if so then you might wanna check a wide board. i think Ride do some funky ones. and by your height i wouldn't want to go much longer than the mid 150s, maybe a bit less on a wide plank if you find one (but really, i am honestly kinda clueless coz i live in metric more than imperial measurements! still at least snowboards are measured in cms )

Take a look at the Burton Bullet 154. It is a wide design and stands at $300 retail. If you're unable to find any wide boards that you like you may want to invest in some gas pedals to eliminate toe drag.

[T.J.]

dont worry about a wide board with a mens 11. i rock 12s and dont experience any drag on either of my boards unless i am really leaning

[DrGreeNThumB420]

forum recon 153M ONLY 180$!!!
http://www.peterglenn.com/pglenn/pro...ffset=2&s_id=0

[boarderaholic]

Getting a wide board depends on what angles you're running and width of your stance. I'd definately stick with mens boards just because of your weight to height ratio. (Shoot me, I said HEIGHT!) And, at your height, eat something...it makes snowboard shopping a little easier!

So which is more important for board length, height or weight? The bottom of my chin would be about 159. (Is that rule not really valid?) Several shop people pointed me towards longer boards. But I sorta felt like I was being taken for a "ride." The friend that got me into boarding is in the army and not reachable to guide me in my search and my friends ski. So I am open to any suggestions from you people who seem to have your stuff together.

[DrGreeNThumB420]

weight is more important^^ if your only 135lbs i would suggest smaller then a 159......unless you are planning backcountry riding in all powder