broke board in Japow - new board needed - advice please

[loc]

hey guys
i broke my ride timeless 161 in japan - gutted
so now i can uprgrade though without feeling guilty

want an all mountain board that i can take into the park every now and then when it's too icey or crapola to ride the runs

Was looking at staying with ride and going for a concept tms or ul

or thought even a nitro template

any advice?

[Paul Oberin]

If you were happy with Ride, stick with them they are a good brand, I think Frog mentioned he will be doing a report on some Nitro boards on new Equipment review pages over the weekend, you may want to have a look at that also.
I also like the brand Option myself, and use a Redline at the moment, I find it a good all round board, although i don't go into the park very much if at all.

[loc]

my excuriosns into the park are so small it hardly requires a mention

i just don't want something that is so stiff that i can't hit a few features

[Donza]

Rome Agent. Really nice board to ride, good moderate flex poppy and responsive.
Are Option still around? they seem to be in a massive decline overseas- would be a pity as I loved their boards.

[The Frog]

Here is the image of the new season Rome Agent from the equipment guide.
http://www.snowatch.com.au/images/rome_agent_snowboard.gif

Apparently the designs are hand painted so no two are alike.

[popshuvit]

I agree with Paul about the option boards.
I bought a option signature last winter & have been very impressed with the way it handled the aust crud, the Japanese groomed runs (packed powder) and the fresh powder in Japan.
And it has good pop... don't know about rails or pipe.

[Tobi]

Dr Al & TCO both have an Option Mendhall.

Both love it.

Dr Al does a fair bit of park and kills it on the runs with it also.

[Caboose]

Originally posted by popshuvit:
I agree with Paul about the option boards.
I bought a option signature last winter & have been very impressed with the way it handled the aust crud, the Japanese groomed runs (packed powder) and the fresh powder in Japan.
And it has good pop... don't know about rails or pipe. i think you would eat your teeth if you took the signature into the park

that board has two lines and if you aint on the rails you are on your face

[ 14.03.2008, 01:07 PM: Message edited by: Caboose ]

[Paul Oberin]

I have had 2 Signatures and found them to be very forgiving, but also exceptionally good in performance, my next board will most likely also be a Signature.

[Donza]

You mentioned the template.
That board got a really good review in Future snowboarding mag board test.
I'd also suggest something out of the mervin stable.
Also every GNU and lib tech i've ridden i've loved.

[Caboose]

i'm sorry paul i can't agree

the signature i tested in thredbo last season was an angry mother

it has been the most "on" board i have ever ridden

basically i found that if you were on an edge you had to complete the full radius or jump turn to get off it

the board may not have been detuned properly that i tested, but i thought they came with a factory detune theses days

very stiff to, felt every bump/mogul

[ 14.03.2008, 01:17 PM: Message edited by: Caboose ]

[Polaris]

maybe competency is an issue Cabby tongue.gif graemlins/cold.gif graemlins/outtahere.gif

[Caboose]

maybe personal preference is an issue, maybe different specs from different year??

anyway it is my opinion

i wouldn't take that board into the park with any serious intent

[ 14.03.2008, 01:19 PM: Message edited by: Caboose ]

[Donza]

I found the signatures to be really whippy out of heelside turns. You just couldn't be lazy on the back foot.
However it had great pop.
I always a bit funny about brands that are in decline. Maybe i'm just a ****er for marketing.

[loc]

hey donza what sort of stuff did they say about the template?

[Paul Oberin]

Originally posted by Donza:
I found the signatures to be really whippy out of heelside turns. You just couldn't be lazy on the back foot.
However it had great pop.
I always a bit funny about brands that are in decline. Maybe i'm just a ****er for marketing. I don't know where you get the idea that Option are in decline, can you back that up with some stats, or is it just a feeling that you have, I am finding it to be the opposite, I have seen real growth in the retail sales of Option.
If you were influenced by marketing you would have Burton head to toe. ;)

The Signature like all good boards does need a rider to have half decent riding ability, any rider that can't carve clean lines and normally slides a board around by using counter rotation would struggle a bit, the setup is another factor, having to load up the back foot indicates a setup problem to me, I haven't found any need to load up the back foot when riding mine, and found the heelside turns to be smooth even over the icy and bumpy pitch.

[ 14.03.2008, 01:57 PM: Message edited by: Paul ]

[Caboose]

Originally posted by Paul:
any rider that can't carve clean lines and normally slides a board around by using counter rotation would struggle a bit graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif graemlins/big_laugh.gif

i like this bit tongue.gif

[Donza]

http://www.futuresnowboarding.com/2007/10/burton-t6

Thats the link to the reviews.

I love to load up the back foot..Big berm - bang.
Who doesn't want to get aggresive if theres something to gouge the bejesus out of.

My Observation about option was based on a couple of things.
1. Brand prescence in board tests editorial or lack of.
2. Seeing quite a bit of stock on sale both here and overseas.
3. Decline in Team riders. Option used to have a sick team.

[Paul Oberin]

Fair enough, I am not sure about that magazine, but for most magazines if you don't take out any advertising you don't get reviewed, so that may be the reason why the lack of presence, have a look through that magazine and you may find that every brand reviewed also has a decent expensive add in the magazine.
Seeing stock on sale may just mean they bought too much, if you didn't even see it in the shops at all, to me that would indicate it is in decline, shops must think it will sell to order it in the first place.
Teams change to where they get paid the best in almost all cases, and who can blame them, to me the team they have now is still better than me, and probably most riders we both know.

Option may be in decline, I don't know myself, this is the first I have heard of it, but I will keep an eye on it, I for one have ordered more Option boards this coming season than I normally do, so I hope they sell.

[Donza]

Its kind of sad because i really like their boards.
That whole canadian scence is taking a bit of a hammering due to the strong looney. Remember when Westbeach used to be huge?
Option actually finished 16th (brands that you plan to book this year) in a survey of retailers in SBC business. Which is a bit rough considering its a Canadian mag.
I hope they sell too, the product is strong. That along with a strong retail team helps.

[ 14.03.2008, 04:14 PM: Message edited by: Donza ]

[Tamsy]

Originally posted by Paul:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Donza:
I found the signatures to be really whippy out of heelside turns. You just couldn't be lazy on the back foot.
However it had great pop.
I always a bit funny about brands that are in decline. Maybe i'm just a ****er for marketing. I don't know where you get the idea that Option are in decline, can you back that up with some stats, or is it just a feeling that you have, I am finding it to be the opposite, I have seen real growth in the retail sales of Option.
If you were influenced by marketing you would have Burton head to toe. ;)

The Signature like all good boards does need a rider to have half decent riding ability, any rider that can't carve clean lines and normally slides a board around by using counter rotation would struggle a bit, the setup is another factor, having to load up the back foot indicates a setup problem to me, I haven't found any need to load up the back foot when riding mine, and found the heelside turns to be smooth even over the icy and bumpy pitch. </font>[/QUOTE]Hald decent riding ability....... not me :rolleyes: well maybe i can get down the mountain without too much fuss.

I found when i first rode my option signature that yes it was pretty harsh if you got lazy..... but i slightly changed my technique and bingo, all things good. Besides when you start getting lazy while riding....... injuries!!!!! :D

[chris y]

If it was me for an all round board I would look at , Rome agent, Burton custom x , Forum Grudge and maybe a nitro MFM (maybe -maybe) but the other three would serve you well as an all round freestyle board that would also work well in the park , The other board you could look at is the Atomic Alibi or Rapture , I rode my Rapture last season and it was great right up until I spent a couple of days straight hitting the park jumps at Perisher and now the poor board is as flat as.

[Donza]

I'd buy a MFM on the strength of his section in "optimistic". So sick. Love his style.
Boom eat that heelside.
K2 Darkstar would be another option. In a 161 it would be very nice.

[dopestyle]

good call on the agent. good all round board, great in the park. but if you want a more all mountain board.. rome anthem. agent can be a bit on the soft side (for freerding), anthem is stiffer. both top boards.

libtech trs, travis rice (magnetraction. good for icy aus conditions)

burton custom, custom x, air... . i would lean towards the custom for the best all round performance/ versitility.
all excellent options but what board you ride really depends on your budget, where you're riding, boot size, weight, height etc...

[loc]

i've narrowed it down to 3

nitro template
ride concept ul
burton t6

thoughts?

[Donza]

All damn good high end boards.

What bindings do you? have going to buy?

Though you mentioned going through the park. rails or booters?
Personally i'd take none of these boards near a rail or box (especially the T6)

[Paul Oberin]

Originally posted by loc:
i've narrowed it down to 3

nitro template
ride concept ul
burton t6

thoughts? Nitro having a 2 year warranty might be handy, they would also be a 2008/09 board,as would the Ride board where as all Burton product will be 2008, not that it matters unless you turn them over regularly and sell the old ones off.

[chris y]

Don't go to the park on the T6 it is not built for rail work !!

[Donza]

A few stores out there will be getting 2009 burton product.

[Bear]

Originally posted by Donza:
A few stores out there will be getting 2009 burton product. No they won't as Burton hasn't started making them yet. Never going to happen Donza. The shop might "creatively" tell you that it is 2009 stock but they would be fibbing. ;)

[loc]

booters not rails - rails hold no interest to me

although might slide over a box every blue moon

i have burton P1 bindings atm - in pretty good shape still (even if one of the ankle ratchet straps did snap off half way down a run - not the padded bit the other one smile.gif )

was thinking of getting some new bindings as well - depends on how much $$ i have left

was looking at the ride spi, CAD or alpha Mvmnt or maybe another pair of P1s

[Donza]

Originally posted by Bear:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Donza:
A few stores out there will be getting 2009 burton product. No they won't as Burton hasn't started making them yet. Never going to happen Donza. The shop might "creatively" tell you that it is 2009 stock but they would be fibbing. ;) </font>[/QUOTE]Some shops will get 2008/09 stock mid to late season.(selected styles). Had this discussion with a shop owner very recently. Its to counter the 'ebay' effect from the states.

[Donza]

Originally posted by loc:
booters not rails - rails hold no interest to me

although might slide over a box every blue moon

i have burton P1 bindings atm - in pretty good shape still (even if one of the ankle ratchet straps did snap off half way down a run - not the padded bit the other one smile.gif )

was thinking of getting some new bindings as well - depends on how much $$ i have left

was looking at the ride spi, CAD or alpha Mvmnt or maybe another pair of P1s Did they warranty the P1's. Maybe stick with them. Better straps IMHO than the rides. However the baseplates on the Ride bindings are great.

[Paul Oberin]

Originally posted by Donza:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bear:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Donza:
A few stores out there will be getting 2009 burton product. No they won't as Burton hasn't started making them yet. Never going to happen Donza. The shop might "creatively" tell you that it is 2009 stock but they would be fibbing. ;) </font>[/QUOTE]Some shops will get 2008/09 stock mid to late season.(selected styles). Had this discussion with a shop owner very recently. Its to counter the 'ebay' effect from the states. </font>[/QUOTE]I doubt Jake Burton would allow any country to get his new product before the States gets it, so yes some may be available around later in our year like November to the public, which is when ther shops in the States get it delivered, but any sooner than that and I would say, someone knows somebody at Expression sports or Burton USA, Jake Burton is so patriotic that USA will always get the new product first, let alone a back water like Australia.
Other companies do try to be 6 months ahead though, to try and compete against websites like Ebay.
Burton have a different approach, they restrict exports to Australia of their products by retailers, and as retailers now buy direct from Burton rather than from an importing agent, they do control it fairly tightly.

Things change with time though, and maybe Burton are finally going to allow Australia to be like most the other companies and get the product before the rest of the world, it would be a smart move.

[Donza]

I think its limited to select styles(things like the customs) rather than the edgier elements of their range..
Also i'd imagine ESA becoming Burton Aust might have something to do with it. Changing of the importing structure and all.
Perhaps its limited to larger retailers? Who knows? The shop I was at was one of the larger ones thats for sure.

It can get a bit silly all this 2008 09 etc stock. It must be hard for a retailer when you have 06 07 and 08 stock.

[Paul Oberin]

Having been a Burton dealer myself several times on and off over the last 30 years, I never did understand why they handed over control to an agent then bought it back again, I have seen a few companies do the same thing, sometimes it works other times it doesn't, Burton have done well over the years, from what I have heard recently they are about to have a change of policy on Internet sales, but as I am only hearing rumours, I will not elaborate.

[loc]

its now between the ride and the nitro

whattya reckon flip a coin?

paul have u ridden the template?

[dopestyle]

Originally posted by Donza:
I think its limited to select styles(things like the customs) rather than the edgier elements of their range..
Also i'd imagine ESA becoming Burton Aust might have something to do with it. Changing of the importing structure and all.
Perhaps its limited to larger retailers? Who knows? The shop I was at was one of the larger ones thats for sure.

It can get a bit silly all this 2008 09 etc stock. It must be hard for a retailer when you have 06 07 and 08 stock. i think it will be all australian stores in general. i doubt they will limit which stores can get it, or what items. australia will get the gear same time as the states. burton aus has it dialed.

[Paul Oberin]

Originally posted by loc:
its now between the ride and the nitro

whattya reckon flip a coin?

Paul have u ridden the template? No I haven't, and yes flip a coin, both excellent boards, are they both available and what about price, is one better priced than the other.

[Donza]

I'm for the nitro - on the strength of that future mag review.

[loc]

thats the way i'm heading as well

hard decision when u can;t get out there and actually test ride them

makes it harder living in adelaide as well when there are maybe 1.5 snow stores (they are always coupled with a surf store) that don't really know that much about stuff apart from burton

[Paul Oberin]

I could put you in contact with a person who has ridden the Template, but probably not the Ride board, so not much point I suppose.

[Donza]

Have you check the availabilty of both boards?
With the shop I mean.

Sometimes wholesalers will only import the exact number of units they have indented for sale.
Usually they might have a small buffer stock to take care of special orders.
Check it out because this scenario is more common with high end products.

[loc]

i settled on the Nitro Prolight which is replacing the Template

A few ppl i spoke to had issues with the Ride being able to hold an edge. Not one person had a negative thing to say about the Nitro

so problem sorted - now all i need is to get it out there and have a slide!!!

[foxpuppet]

forget the t6 not for park anyways

[booter]

try any of the LIB TECH or GNU boards with the magne traction edges. i got my first a couple of seasons ago and havent looked at another board since. though in january i got hold of one of those yellow Skate Bananas and took it to chamonix for a couple of weeks. best powder board i have ever ridden, it just floated and made it so much fun. and on the groomers and park it was loose and fast and with heaps of pop. if your into slalom turns they wont be for you and i found that i couldnt stop as hard due to the rocker of the board, not as much pressure on the tips but once i got used to that best board ridden. so far.

[booter]

"was thinking of getting some new bindings as well - depends on how much $$ i have left

was looking at the ride spi, CAD or alpha Mvmnt or maybe another pair of P1s"

i have RIDE SPIs, the ratchets arent really great. they often kinda lock on me and wont budge. however they fitted my boots well.

[SCD1]

dont know if you have tried them but you could try LIb-tech boards. They have great features such as magna-traction and Banana technology. You can demo these at hotham this season.

[SCD1]

We have demo skate banana's for demo and sale up at hotham.

[loc]

been a sweet day for presents at my place

my nitro template 161 arrived today as well as my team tls boots

very nice

i ordered the board from evo on thursday night and it got here today. amazing (especially when you consider uni posted me out some stuff on friday and it only got here today as well!!)

[coops002]

loc, I ride Ride as well. Did you consider the Ride Prophet 161? I've got 2 of them (long story... 159 and 163), they are a great all round board.

[ 30.07.2008, 08:04 PM: Message edited by: coops002 ]

[loc]

nah i didn't actually
looked at the concept tms and ul
but got sold on the reviews of the template

its a sexy looking thang thats for sure