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154 or 157. That is the question. One final annoying question.

7K views 66 replies 18 participants last post by  kvw 
#1 ·
I'll keep it short. I know this has been asked many times.
PROTO HD - I'm in
Size?
Weight 180lbs athletic.
Height 5'8-5'10 not sure.
Shoe size 9.5-10US
Intermediate, rapidly improving (or so I like to think)
Riding: may spend one day all day on the groomers and the next all day in the park. All over the place. Like jumping off/on anything possible but also speed and tight turns.

And there you see my problem. What size.
It will be my one and only board for at least this season. I need to get it right.

Thankssss, you're all legends for helping.
 
#7 ·
I was faced with the same dilemma, had a 157 but didn't think it would be right for me so I took it back for a 154. I have about 9 days on it so far this season and really like it. It rides long for a 154. Rode it with Now Drives and the IPOs set up soft. Definately go with the IPOs. I am weighing in at 160, 5'8".
 
#16 ·
i'm 5'8, 180 lbs and i went with the 154. i went with the 154 to give me some motivation to lose 10-15 lbs and i wanted a more playful ride even though i'm about a 75/25 split between groomers and park with plans to progress more in the park.

i thought about the 157, but i'm saving that size for the end of season sale on a trice pro hp for more those days i wanna bomb the mountain.
 
#22 ·
Ah right. So maybe the 157 is more ideal?
I just looked on a tape at 3cm and it's nothing... But I still can't decide nonetheless ha. Probably won't feel that different. I think it's the price that's getting me... Can't sink that much and then wish I had the other size.
 
#32 ·
I really like the Drives. I just think the IPOs are a better match on the Proto. They really let the board flex like it should. I have the Drives on the Raptor and this seems like the best match for this board.
I have not ridden the Unions so I can't compare.
 
#38 · (Edited)
Hmm, sort of thinking of the Selects also. Need a new set to either go on my 154 Jackpot (hard to mess with the Union Chargers on there as that combo worked great and really brought the board alive) or a 154/156 Yes Asym. I like responsive bindings to get the flex/power I want out of boards. Tempted for another set of Chargers but been meaning to try these Now bindings.

Edit: SAVETHISNOOB Just saw your reply. Yeah, I would say hypothetically stay around 156cm for a do everything and fun size. I will say I know much heavier riders than me that ride 154's also but some people on here would even go longer than 157cm so it depends on preference as well. I wish the Yes Asym came in 155cm, that would be perfect more aggressive stiffer board for me. 156cm is my cut off, I wont touch anything longer then that anymore and I sold my last 156cm in less than one season.

Also, I know what you mean about the quick nimble turns. I am sort of in the same predicament right now choosing between 154/156 for my Asym. With the 154 med/soft freestyle boards I have I do feel gravitated towards quick and nimble turns which is great most of the time (even in pow if its steeper tree or rocky technical lines) but I hate when I have to hold back on wide open runs or blasting through chop. I ride with some quick skiers also (ski patrol for over 20 years that can rip) and when we drop runs fast together I wish I was on a bigger or at least stiffer board. Even on the east coast now as the snow is much more icier and more edge hold is required.

Alps would be more like the West Coast here. The East Coast is like like oversized hills compared to outwest with way less snowfall, often relying on artificial snow and calling ice with crusty stuff on top "packed powder".
 
#44 ·
Either way you're going to compromise something here. If you go with the shorter of the two you're going to be giving up a little of the stability of a longer effective edge. If you go with the longer of the two you're going to be giving up some nimbleness. I'm 6' and 185 and don't like the 157 for tech jib tricks, like I said, it rides long. But it's fun as shit all over the mountain.

I also have to add that if you make the board jib friendly, i.e. detune the edges, it's going to ride like shit everywhere else. Even slightly detuned the edge profile offers nothing in the area of control. So that being said, get the 157, stay away from jibs, keep the edges sharp and enjoy the shit out of it.
 
#48 ·
Another question to add to the mix outside of the effective edge...The thing that stands out to me is what looks to be a very tight side cut radius at only 728cm (yes admittedly thats an average of the multiple side cut radii that make up this board). I think my old board was around 8m, and thats all mountain freestyle board, very stable and good for ripping big long carves.
Is the HD/HDX in 154-158 range any good for long radius big carves?, or does it keep trying to turn small radius turns because of the seemingly aggressive side cut?
Anyone that rides one of these that can verify how it copes with big long carves at speed? Guessing the longer board will be slightly better in this aspect, but for myself and the O/P does the board do this very well?
A number of alternative manufacturers seem to have less sidecut, like Lib tech TRS in 8.2m in 154 and 8.3 in a 157, which seems like it would hold up ALOT better on ripping? Anyone with any feedback on that would be appreciated.

cheers,
 
#49 ·
You're never going to really know which you prefer until you own more than one board and can ride them interchangeably over a season. You may find that early in the season you like the shorter board and later after you have some days under your belt you may want the longer length. Most importantly as an intermediate rider you want to go through the firsthand experience of riding different board lengths and sensing how it affects you and finding where the natural sweet spot is for you.

Anyone can ride a shorter board, but it's not a shortcut to progression, if anything you can develop some bad habits with spins and a number of other core mechanics. Riding a full size board will also force you to master proper body mechanics (hopefully) in your riding, and to understand the importance of good form and style. You don't want to be that spazz trying to throw flat ground spins when you don't quite have your riding dialed in. There's nothing better than watching a good rider, with good mechanics and style effortlessly integrate subtle elements of tricks into his riding.

There are plenty of advantages to a properly sized board as well. For one, you will get better pop, and loading and unloading from a board that can adequately act as a lever for your body. I also prefer a full sized board on bigger jumps, something that has some counter weight to it in the air. And dropping into a pipe can feel sketchy on a board that is too short for you, and you want all your balls for that drill.Not a plus in the trees but I wouldn't buy a board just for trees if you can only afford one. Buy something that will progress your learning, riding, and personal style.You can always find a short park stick on Geartrade for cheap, but good riders don't need short boards in the park. Technique will trump 2-3cm everyday.
 
#54 ·
Only just seen this detailed reply, thanks for your help! Much appreciated.
Sounds like I should go for the 157 for now. I hope to keep it for a few years...
As posted above, I was hoping to use one board only this season (only time I can board is on trips and flight restrictions etc etc).
I am hoping to move to resort for a full season in 2014/2015 and would be bringing the proto with me then. Maybe I should get the 157 and then get a park stick when I'm out there. That way I can use the proto free-ride/all mountain and ruin the park stick on rails etc.

Always seems a shame though to buy a sweet $600 board and then use an old cheap board instead in the park... and lose out on the pop on jumps.
 
#50 ·
OP, if you are 180 and athletic, the 157 is perfect. I'm 210 riding the 160, and if I was back at my "healthy" 175-180 weight, I would be on the 157 for advanced, all mountain riding like popping off rollers, shredding hard and jumps in the park. You seem to be heading that direction, so at the end of this season, you will be happy you went with the 157.
 
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