Had my 158 Endeavor Alpha out for the first time yesterday, using cartel x est bindings set at reference 21, -9. I'm 185 lbs size 8 boot and had originally debated between the 158 and 161, I'm very glad I went with the 158. I enjoyed the board and it is a strange combination of lively and damp.
The tips have some give to them and the board stiffens up just outside the insert packs until it becomes a death plank between the bindings. Turns have to be initiated off the front foot, and there was no torsional give, or ankle steering to speak of. There were a few times I found the board locked hard into a carve that it just did not want to release without effort. Down, or across the fall line the board is fast and stable. Edge to edge I found it to be slower than expected, I attribute this to the stiffness of the board, as it is pretty narrow.
At the end of day one it's still not broken-in and it will be interesting to see how the characteristics change over time. It didn't feel like a complete workout while I was riding it, but today my legs are tired and stiff in unexpected places like the adductors. I
The tips have some give to them and the board stiffens up just outside the insert packs until it becomes a death plank between the bindings. Turns have to be initiated off the front foot, and there was no torsional give, or ankle steering to speak of. There were a few times I found the board locked hard into a carve that it just did not want to release without effort. Down, or across the fall line the board is fast and stable. Edge to edge I found it to be slower than expected, I attribute this to the stiffness of the board, as it is pretty narrow.
At the end of day one it's still not broken-in and it will be interesting to see how the characteristics change over time. It didn't feel like a complete workout while I was riding it, but today my legs are tired and stiff in unexpected places like the adductors. I
