[WigMar]

Anyone have feedback on the Pentaquark? That beast looks like it's a next level carver. I'm loving that shape and the tech specs. Seems like it may fit between the Surfari and the Unw8 and perhaps carve better than either?

 

[WigMar]

That's a mighty fine picture. Do you have any new insights since those Amplids came in the mail? Could you feel the anti-phase?

 

[WigMar]

I also picked up a 160 Penta from the outlet. It arrived Wednesday, but it's finally been puking out here so I've been on my Tailgunner still. Having the Penta on deck has me actually looking forward to my next groomer day. It looks fantastic. You can see the honeycomb in the nose, and the antiphase through the base. I'll report back after I have a chance to put it through it's paces.

 

[WigMar]

Everyone knows Jones already holds that title. Hovercraft, Flagship, the new Strata...

I have a Flagship, and I'm looking for more. I'm not a fan of the magnetraction. I'd prefer fuller camber with less rocker. I have love for Jones, but my new Penta looks to be more purpose built for carving and speed than my Flagship.

 

[WigMar]

I had an excellent bluebird groomer morning on the Pentaquark the other day. The edge grip was violent. Anti-phase keeps the whole nose eerily DAMP. Tons of acceleration, with so much control at speed. The same style carves I do on blues and greens are now seemingly accessible anywhere at any speed. I was laying down heelside carves like it was nothing, and wore a bit out of the seat of my pants. For all that grip, I found it pretty easy to break out of a carve into a hockey stop, which helped me feel safer with all that speed. I did duck into a hidden tree stash several times, and it reminded me of the old days. It's been a long time I had full camber in powder. Same rules apply- keep your nose up and hold speed. It felt good in there though. I was worried it wouldn't be nimble enough but it was fine. Jerries showed up and I had to retire the Penta around 11. The slopes were too crowded and I couldn't make myself ride it any less aggressively. I'm stoked on the Pentaquark! I rode it hard, and it has so much more to give. I'm looking forward to growing as a rider with this board.

 

[WigMar]

honestly that’s what is keeping me off this board, I dont like to switch out mid day and I always end up riding with the afternoon crowd. So it’s probably back to the Sims for me.

Yeah, I'm wondering what to do about that. Maybe I'll leave another board in the car or something. I'm a little leery of leaving a board locked up at the resort. Perhaps if I used a bike lock... I've never looked into ski lockers, maybe that's a viable solution?

 

[WigMar]

The Pentaquark is really stable at speed. If you're just looking to rip carves, that's the one I'd be looking at. I think the UNW8 is probably more all-mountain. The Pentaquark has handled the freeride I've thrown at it pretty well, but it really comes alive on the groomers. I'm happy with the feel of the biax. I think triax would have been too much. It's already demanding to ride. The edge hold is violent, and there isn't a speed limit.

 

[WigMar]

With the crowded slopes, speed is more of a problem than agility. I feel like I'm bound to get my pass pulled for being that much faster than those around me. If you're in an area where people ride fast, you probably won't have a problem.

I've rode some powder and trees on the Pentaquark. It's full camber with as much of the nose cut off as possible- not an ideal powder ride. You've got to float the nose by leaning back. I do like the antiphase though. It was really nice through chopped up powder. I'd love to try a Surfari.

 

[WigMar]

So did @WigMar ride your Yup and did he give it back

Yup, I was on the yup. I'd been on a slush slasher all day before that, and the Yup felt playful and fun even in comparison. I was probably over the weight range by a bit. It carved well, and I really noticed the tail has a lot of grip if you want.

 

[WigMar]

My theory is you can ride a 1x12 in powder

Yeah, powder is all about the shape! You don't need edges or a fancy ptex base. The early SpringBreak plywood powder shapes really speak to me.

 

[WigMar]

Pentaquarks are on ebay right now too.. $330 plus shipping. I was hoping for a Surfari, but no luck. I'll acquire one of those when the time is right.

 

[WigMar]

That's a good deal!

I'm a little over the weight range on my Surfari 161. I've been very happy with it. It would be cool if they made a bigger one, but it still bombs. I think your assumptions on the sizing are correct.

Thankfully I got a 160 Pentaquark before they sized it down to a 158. I'm happy with that size.

 

[WigMar]

The Unw 159 will ‚outcarve’ the Surfari, even at 161 so yeah, it’s a matter of how nimble you want it to be.



I wanted to add an old 160 2018 Penta but my bud has just managed to do that. He has not ridden it yet but just told me it is much closer to flex in Surfari 157 2018 than to my Pentaquark 158 2020. I can’t wait to try the older Pentaquark.

I’m really happy with the new 158 Penta but at my 86-89 kg I’d love if they added another size like 163-164 with 9,3-9,5 m sidecut and ~135 cm EE.

Yeah, what's with their limited sizing? I'm 100 kg, and still enjoying things. However, I wouldn't mind if all my Amplids were a little bigger. A mid 160's Penta would grip!

 

[WigMar]

Update for those interested on Amplid Pentaquark 156 vs Amplid Pentaquark 158. I own a 156 (older size, different factory) and have friends with 158s. I was able to compare them this morning back to back and can report that there is a big difference in longitudinal flex, but not as much torsional stiffness between the two sizes. I have a Size 8.5 boot and I weigh 155lbs and the 156 flexed more like a Surfari and the 158 was a good bit stiffer. I'd say the 156 was a 7/10 and the 158 was a 9/10 at my weight range. The 156 was easier for me to launch out of carves and reduce my carving radius by manipulating the camber than the 158 was, but when you activated the 158 you had noticeably more pop out of turns. Both are great boards and I'd be hardpressed to say which I like more, but there is quite the difference between the two, much more than I would have expected.

Riders at 165/170+ weight would definitely like the new one better, which is probably why they changed it.

I've got a 160 Penta. I'm pretty sure it was made at the old factory and is probably softer than the 158 is now. They used to offer two sizes, and now only offer one stiffer size. I think I'd rather have the 160 than a stiffer 158 anyway. I wonder how much of the flex change is due to the factory change.

 

[WigMar]

Where is the magic huh? I think my Pentaquark is greater than the sum of it's parts. It's a traditional haul ass board built with the newest tech around. From the specs to the build technologies, it's just really dialed.

The overall board feel is awesome. Here's what makes it really stand out to me: it somehow rides damp but lively. Your Tom Sims Pro probably rides damp. Traditional haul ass boards achieve dampness with extra epoxy, wet layups, extra stiff triax and carbon, and a thicker core. That's damp and heavy, and has a particular feel. On the other hand, Amplid built a very lively board and damped that down with antiphase and hexo2. Because they built a lively board, it's really light. Like, really, really light for how damp and stable it is. The hexo2 cutouts in the nose and between the feet reduce weight, reduce vibrations, and dial in the flex pattern. I know others have said that antiphase works, and it certainly does. The implications of that are larger than it might seem on the surface. It isn't just damp, it's hella lively and responsive too.

 

[WigMar]

The board feels completely loose and I don’t trust it so wouldn’t fully lean into carves.

That's really interesting. I wonder what's going on with that. My older 160 Penta is very confidence inspiring for me. It's a little bigger and softer than what's manufactured now. I do ride my Surfari more, but I love my Penta for those groomer days.