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#1
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Opinions on softie setup
I'm an advanced/expert rider who has been riding mainly plates for the
past couple of seasons. I ride other gear as conditions dictate, and have worn out all of my old freeride/softie gear, so I'm going to look at a new setup. My wife (bless her heart) is going to buy me a new board, and I'll deal with the boots/bindings myself. I currently ride a Donek Axis 177 with TD1 stepins and Head Stratus Pros as my main ride, an old K2 Ginsu 163 with the same boot/binding combo as a backup carver, a K2 Zepplin 163 with HB Clickers and K2 boots (about 5 years old, forget the model) as a freeride board, and I did ride an OSin 4807 178 with plates until I destroyed it on a rock. I ride mainly in VT with a trip to Idaho most seasons, and am much more of an all-mountain carver/freerider than a freestyle park/pipe jibber. This is going to be my secondary setup; I'll probably ride this 30% of the time. I find that when I ride with friends or coworkers they can't keep up with me on plates, plus even in VT we get powder days every now and then. I'm 5'8" and 200+ (fat *******) with size 8 feet, so I don't need a very wide board. I like a longer sidecut generally, though it's not my primary criteria. I'm looking for something that will let me carve in softboots, ride powder, and maybe run through the park just to show the kids that fat bald guys can still go big. I think I've got the boards narrowed down to the following choices, in my preferred order: Donek Incline 164 Prior MFR 168 Arbor Abacus 64 Arbor A-Frame 66 Arbor Element 65 Volkl Selecta 168 NeverSummer Titan 169 Nidecker Platinum 168 Burton CustomX 164 Solomon Burner 172 These boards all appear similar (other than the Abacus, which is a pintail), but I figured that some of the regulars here would have ridden several of these and might be able to provide some real-world feedback. Also, I need to get a new boot/binding setup, and I am woefully out of touch with what the top gear is now. As a plate rider I obviously like stiff boots, but I'm hoping to get something that's comfortable and doesn't kill my feet. My Heads are finally comfortable after several fitting sessions and custom footbeds (thanks to the fine folks at the Starting Gate). I've decided that based on market forces, stepins aren't much of an option, unless I go the Flow route, and I'm not sure I want the extra weight. I have wide feet (EEE), and have always had a problem with the toe straps, so I'm strongly leaning towards bindings with toe cups. I would appreciate any feedback on that decision. I know that several folks here have liked the old Solomon Malamutes, and I've seen good reviews of the F22/F24, but am open to any suggestions. Finally, I have infant twin boys, so I won't get nearly as much slope time as I would like, so I am probably willing to sacrifice a bit of performance for something that is going to fit and work well without numerous tweaking sessions. Jeremiah |
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#2
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Opinions on softie setup
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#3
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Opinions on softie setup
wrote: I'm an advanced/expert rider who has been riding mainly plates for the have worn out all of my old freeride/softie gear, so I'm going to look at a new setup. My wife (bless her heart) is going to buy me a new board, and I'll deal with the boots/bindings myself. I currently ride a Donek Axis 177 with TD1 stepins and Head Stratus Pros as my main ride, an old K2 Ginsu 163 with the same boot/binding combo as a backup carver, a K2 Zepplin 163 with HB Clickers and K2 boots (about 5 years old, forget the model) as a freeride board, and I did ride an OSin 4807 178 with plates until I destroyed it on a rock. I ride mainly in VT with a trip to Idaho most seasons, and am much more of an all-mountain carver/freerider than a freestyle park/pipe jibber. This is going to be my secondary setup; I'll probably ride this 30% of the time. I find that when I ride with friends or coworkers they can't keep up with me on plates, plus even in VT we get powder days every now and then. I'm 5'8" and 200+ (fat *******) with size 8 feet, so I don't need a very wide board. I like a longer sidecut generally, though it's not my primary criteria. I'm looking for something that will let me carve in softboots, ride powder, and maybe run through the park just to show the kids that fat bald guys can still go big. I think I've got the boards narrowed down to the following choices, in my preferred order: I wouldn't recommend the Incline model for powder as they are just too narrow and you sink a lot (I had an Incline 155 am I'm 5'9" 150 lbs, size 7.5 feet), the stiffness makes it a little bit of a chore to handle in the trees as well. Either go with the Phoenix (I had the 155 model) or the Wide mode if you want to be able to ride some powder. Both would work well for your needs. The Prior MFR is a possibility. It is a very different feel than a Donek, much more dampened and plush a ride. Floats in powder well. It doesn't have quite as much grip on ice though. Being a lighter rider, I liked the dampening in them compared to the Doneks. Tanker is another option. I ride a Tanker 172 right now, but I bet you could ride anything between 182-200cm boards. You can find their boards at Hardbooter.com or Exoticboards.com. They again are longboard made for going faster, riding, powder, although I've hit the park with them and they are totally capable their too. Finally, my favorite boards currently are the Madd boards (http://www.madd1.com/home.htm). I love the Madd TT158 (also have a Madd 170 alpine board). It is an awesome carving board, great in the park, and still floats pretty well (for my weight) in powder. Madds are know for their exceptional edgehold, particularly on ice. For you the BX 168 would be ideal, although you are going to again leave everyone in the dust with that board (maybe FS/FR 162 might be more playful). If you are interested, email them as I know they give demo's in the New England area. They have a deal right now if you buy an freeride board, you can get a pair of TD2/Cateks/F2 plate bindings for 50% off (free if you get an alpine board). Deal ends this Wednesday. Also, I need to get a new boot/binding setup, and I am woefully out of touch with what the top gear is now. As a plate rider I obviously like stiff boots, but I'm hoping to get something that's comfortable and doesn't kill my feet. My Heads are finally comfortable after several fitting sessions and custom footbeds (thanks to the fine folks at the Starting Gate). I've decided that based on market forces, stepins aren't much of an option, unless I go the Flow route, and I'm not sure I want the extra weight. I have wide feet (EEE), and have always had a problem with the toe straps, so I'm strongly leaning towards bindings with toe cups. I would appreciate any feedback on that decision. I know that several folks here have liked the old Solomon Malamutes, and I've seen good reviews of the F22/F24, but am open to any suggestions. Bindings Historically, wide feet don't work with Salomon boots. I have narrow feet and like my Malamutes, which makes me think they aren't going to fit you (worth a try). Otherwise try Burton Driver X or maybe DC Shoes Allegiance boots. Finally, I have infant twin boys, so I won't get nearly as much slope time as I would like, so I am probably willing to sacrifice a bit of performance for something that is going to fit and work well without numerous tweaking sessions. Well that pretty much invalidate the Catek Freerides, as it will take several rides to tweak them to you liking (they will be different from your plate binding cant/lift settings). I would suggest Nidecker 900 or 800 Pros (I have the 800 Pros) or Burton C60. Those both are pretty stiff strap bindings. The Nideckers are more solid and dampened with the LDS pad, the Burton is lighter and has toecap straps (the nidecker toestraps are a hybrid cap strap that's kind of a mix between the traditional and toecap design). |
#4
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Opinions on softie setup
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#5
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Opinions on softie setup
My .02 the A-Frame is a great freeride board. It kills everywhere but
in deep powder due to it's stiffness, short nose, and narrow width. It eats ice for breakfast and has amazing edge hold. It's damp and stable even up to ludicrous speed...after that well it's all just ludicrous. At your size, I'd look at the 170 in the A-Frame if you go that route. You'll like the extra edge there and length for what little float it has in powder. If you get no more pow than 1.5 ft It'll be fine...deeper and throw in trees and you may wish you got the Abacus. For the ice coast rider and occasional powder hound it would bring many a smile to your chubby face . The stiff tail is a hindrance if you're trying to ollie or pop off jumps, but just ride the kickers out and you have a stable landing platform. I prefer a narrower stance on it to soften up the tail a tad for less of a blast through it all type of ride. Bindings, I'll second the Nidecker Pro800's. or the 900 (carbon). I'v ebeen on mine for three seasons now and they are as comfy and stiff as the day I first laid eyes on 'em. J |
#6
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Opinions on softie setup
lonerider wrote:
Bindings Historically, wide feet don't work with Salomon boots. I have narrow feet and like my Malamutes, which makes me think they aren't going to fit you (worth a try). Otherwise try Burton Driver X or maybe DC Shoes Allegiance boots. As a wide boot user (US9.5 wide), I think there is one notable exception to the above statement - I picked up a new pair of Salomon Synapse Wide boots last season, and they have fit extremely well for me so far. I really like the lacing system they have on the Synapse model. |
#7
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Opinions on softie setup
Driver-X boots, C-60 bindings & the Custom-X. Won't be the best in
deep stuff but, nothing that rips groomers is. |
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