[Rip154]

I had the Rome PDMT, but at the end of the day, there was something I didn't like about it. I sold it and enjoy my Morning Glory alot more.

I have a split version, there seems to be a sweetspot with it, from «hate it» to « pretty good», I put it some ahead of ref. The nose is kinda soft, and gotta be careful with the input on it. I have the smaller version, so that affects my view of it I guess.

 

[bseracka]

With only the two bolts in the midline it just doesn't feel locked down... sensation of a little heel lift, and it can be wobbly on edge. Lots of people love that board feel underfoot, but I like a solid platform.

Are you using standard bindings, or est? I've only run est bindings on my channel boards and have never felt what you're describing. It does sound disconcerting to say the least

 

[Rip154]

Are you using standard bindings, or est? I've only run est bindings on my channel boards and have never felt what you're describing. It does sound disconcerting to say the least

Some discs and bolts don’t work well with it, and I’ve felt something similiar with the Contact Pros with minidiscs and channel, had snow building up under the binding fast.

 

[Board Doctor]

I've never tried EST, just Burton Re:Flex, Flux TM and Ride C9. The Ride C9 has a pretty solid platform, but even it would lift a bit.

 

[Dragonsi]

Amplid Spray Tray (one size for riders weighted 45-75 kg) and Telos Back Slash I think counts right?

 

[smackington]

I really HATE the channel system when I'm on edge though.

The Skeleton Key looks amazing for what I want, as well, and end-of-season sales saw them down to $300 last year. But I just can't do the 2 bolt Channel system. My loss I'm sure but whatever. Burton and I will both survive without each other.

 

[Board Doctor]

Telos Backslash should definitely be on that list! Amplid Spraytray is leaning towards a shorter pow board with swallow tail.

 

[mjayvee]

My daily driver could easily be the 2021 (1st year) Rome Stale Fish with 2022-23 Union Ultra (1st year of the new version).

But I enjoy this setup much more for powder & party boarding and I try to save the SF for those kinds of days.

I have tried stiffer bindings on the Stale Fish and they were not as fun (Rome DOD & Union Falcor).

For my preference, the SF is best ridden surfy & carvy versus aggressive & precise.

 

[Board Doctor]

My daily driver could easily be the 2021 (1st year) Rome Stale Fish with 2022-23 Union Ultra (1st year of the new version).

But I enjoy this setup much more for powder & party boarding and I try to save the SF for those kinds of days.

I have tried stiffer bindings on the Stale Fish and they were not as fun (Rome DOD & Union Falcor).

For my preference, the SF is best ridden surfy & carvy versus aggressive & precise.

I totally hear you... but as much as I like it, I could use a little less width and a little more dampness in firm conditions.

 

[phosfiend]

KNWN Northshore (love it)

 

[Board Doctor]

KNWN Northshore (love it)

Interesting… I would like to try some Canadian Aspen as well. Some of the Rome pro riders use to prefer their Aspen boards coming out of Quebec. If I ever see an old Pow Division I’ll probably snap it up.

How’s the dampness?

What size are you riding and what‘s the width of the nose and tail? Effective edge?

Might not be as setback on board as I like though.

 

[phosfiend]

Interesting… I would like to try some Canadian Aspen as well. Some of the Rome pro riders use to prefer their Aspen boards coming out of Quebec. If I ever see an old Pow Division I’ll probably snap it up.

How’s the dampness?

What size are you riding and what‘s the width of the nose and tail? Effective edge?

Might not be as setback on board as I like though.

Here’s my very unscientific review. I’m riding the 154: KNWN Northshore 154 (Canada made powder oriented board)

Truth is due to injury I couldn’t push it hard this season. It’s a good but not amazing groomer carver (I got it up maybe 55km/h one day, but started feeling some decent chatter).

As for dampness, I don’t have a ton to compare to. It definitely doesn’t feel numb though, I still feel a lot through the board.

Not sure of the effective edge, but there’s about 20mm of taper. It’s ~31cm wide at the nose and ~29cm at the tail.

I only got two technical powder runs in before re-injury, but it was incredible in that environment.

 

[MrDavey2Shoes]

The Gnu Super Progressive Air Machine definitely fit the bill while it was out. That board was soooo sweet!

 

[MrDavey2Shoes]

 

[Dragonsi]

Slash Vertical?

 

[Board Doctor]

Peace Seeker

I‘m intrigued by a tighter sidecut up front, but even at 40% off I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It’s stiff and the 151 only has a 1040mm EE. I just don’t get it.

The Nidecker Mosquito looks WAY more interesting. The 152 has an 1170mm EE, it’s only 1cm longer but has another 13cm EE!

My 153 Stalefish has 1152mm EE and I push it at 175lbs (the max weight), though it’s up there with my 157 Maelstrom (1190mm EE) and I don’t think I’d ever fold the nose. In soft snow it fits me like a glove. For firmer snow I’d like something damper, a little narrower, and without the 3D.

 

[dwdesign]

I have an OG Amplid Surfari 157 which I think is the 2nd best board I own -- so I think it's a great powder board and exceptional carver with a 9.1m sidecut radius. My favorite deck in the quiver is a '08 Nidecker Ultralight -- with the main wanting desire is to have some early rise in the nose for better float (full camber, 21mm taper). The NIdecker Ultralight is super turny with a similar sidecut and EE to the Mantaray, and also not overly stiff.

I know it's not exactly in the same vein as a Mantaray, but I just bought a '23 Nidecker Smoke 158 (but unsure if I'll get a chance to ride it this season). Nidecker claims great float and carvability so I'm throwing this in here (even though the taper is only 9mm, and there is no moon tail notch). It's a touch burlier in stiffness than the Surfari, but definitely not a 10/10 stiffness as the NIdecker website states.

 

[Board Doctor]

I contemplated the Smoke but went for the Stranda Shorty. I absolutely love the way that it carves… at speed. It’ll do slower carves, but the 164 can be a bit to maneuver. That’s where the Stalefish came in, but it gets a bit rough when the snow gets hard.

I’m not opposed to a surfy-turny diamond tail. I like the K2 Special Effects in pow, and I think the wide waist really benefits from the swallowtail in the pow. I don’t think I’d want a swallow tail primarily on groomers though.

 

[Demi9OD]

We need more people to review the NS Valhalla. Maybe next year it won't be limited.

 

[Dragonsi]

I have an OG Amplid Surfari 157 which I think is the 2nd best board I own -- so I think it's a great powder board and exceptional carver with a 9.1m sidecut radius. My favorite deck in the quiver is a '08 Nidecker Ultralight -- with the main wanting desire is to have some early rise in the nose for better float (full camber, 21mm taper). The NIdecker Ultralight is super turny with a similar sidecut and EE to the Mantaray, and also not overly stiff.

I know it's not exactly in the same vein as a Mantaray, but I just bought a '23 Nidecker Smoke 158 (but unsure if I'll get a chance to ride it this season). Nidecker claims great float and carvability so I'm throwing this in here (even though the taper is only 9mm, and there is no moon tail notch). It's a touch burlier in stiffness than the Surfari, but definitely not a 10/10 stiffness as the NIdecker website states.

Whats the best board you own? 👀 Also, what's the difference between the OG version and the current model?