Expert help needed with tough decition...
 

Hey,

I am looking to step up my game with a new board. I have narrowed it down to three roughly equally priced boards. I was hoping i could get some insight from advanced riders or people who have personally used them. My choices are all from 2008. Forum Grudge, K2 Zeppelin and Burton Custom.

My Riding Style: Intermediate/Advanced
-Love tree runs
-Love powder (but rare to find here, not a major deal breaker)
-like jumps and rails
-Like the occational fast run
-Do not ride pipe, but may try more this year

What is the best fit for me and why?
Are there any boards in this list you would NOT recommend?

I appreciate all your help!!! :D

forum grudge. I work at sierra at tahoe and everyone is riding forum now. I have heard nothing but fantastic things about the grudge and im actually gonna get the wide version for myself, the bully.

That is very broad spectrum for one board to cover. I have ridden a Custom a few times, and personally, I would not take it anywhere near the park, esp rails. FAR too stiff, IMHO, for that type of terrain. Best advice I could give you is figure out what your primary style of riding is going to be this year, and get a deck that leans a little more in that direction.

So the Bully is just a wide version of the same model? I have a 10 boot should I be looking into the Bully instead?

re
 

Mainly I spend my time ripping down tree trails, groomers, and often hit jumps. I will hit a rail or box if it is in the way... but I am not a park whore... More of an All-mountain rider... hope that clears it up a bit.

re
 

If I feel like smacking around on rails for a few hours I will pull out my old burton... so no worries there. I guess I am looking for high performace all around. Great for carving, fast, poppy, ability to handle well in most conditions and hit the big jump when needed.

Why isnt the Never Summer SL-R on your list? Such a great allmountain and freeriding board, pops nice too for jumps.

of the boards you want I would go with the custom or zepplin but I think in the next couple seasons you'll wish you had avoided a board with camber as they are quickly being replaced by reverse camber/rocker boards so I would recommend the SL-R or a K2 turbodream. Note that next season burton will be offering three boards without camber and K2 will be offering 5 in just the men's models

not at all.
or you can look back in 3 years and say thank god i didnt fall into that fad...ive never used a reverse cambered but they arent ideal for all situations i hear.

My other problem is that I am trying to keep costs low (thats why I am buying an 08). I have not come across a good deal on the NS SL-R, but I did find a great deal on the Neversummer 09 Evo-R... any opinions on that board? I know neversummer is sworn to be an awsome board but I have never riden one and am weary about getting one and not loving it. Has anyone riden the Forum Grudge? It was my leading choice but I havent heard anyone say good things in this post...