trying to determine a good board for my needs

I'm a new boarder (I've only been a couple times), but I think I know
what sort of riding I want to do. I'm more interested in freeride then
anything else. I am a rather large fellow: 6'3" 220lb and I got some
solomon boots 11 1/2. My weight floats a bit depending on how busy I am
at work, but I generally range between 190-220lb.

So I'm trying to determine what boards I should try to demo.

thanks,

--Matt

wrote:
I'm a new boarder (I've only been a couple times), but I think I know
what sort of riding I want to do. I'm more interested in freeride
then
anything else. I am a rather large fellow: 6'3" 220lb and I got some
solomon boots 11 1/2. My weight floats a bit depending on how busy I
am
at work, but I generally range between 190-220lb.

So I'm trying to determine what boards I should try to demo.

thanks,

--Matt

Hey Matt... based on what you've said - I'm going to get right to the
point and suggest that you get a Donek Wide or Sasquatch snowboard in
the 160-165cm range. Donek is a very small Colorado-based company that
turns out exceptionally good high-end snowboards. If you do a search
online on this newsgroup, you will see it mentioned a LOT of times by
myself and several other people who have ridden their boards. All of us
try to promote the company because "word of mouth" and a few team
freestyle riders and alpine racers are their only form of
advertisement. You can check them out at www.donek.com.

The Incline/Wide/Sasquatch line is one of the best freeride boards in
existence. Handmade with high quality materials, it has an excellent
shape for carving freeriding, with a stiffness that will easily support
your weight even up to 220 lbs. If you want to zip in through the
trees, I would recommend getting the shorter/less stiff models like a
162 Sasquatch, definitely get the Sasquatch (the wideset model for "big
feet") or at least a Wide 165 as well if you ride deep powder a lot as
it will float better (you are borderline in your boot size so you could
do either one).

By now you probably are like... "whoa, this thing probably costs a
fortune" but no, the Wide sell for $370 and the Sasquatch goes for
$380. The difference being that since they tend to make the board when
you order it, they don't have much inventory around so you aren't
likely to find one on a spring clearance sale. , but I recently saw a
used Wide 165 on sale on Catek.com's forum - you might be able to score
one for even cheaper.

======= From Catek.com forum
=============================================
For the ultimate soft boot setup, I am considering selling Donek 165
Wide, Black tope sheet and Bottom with Red Logo, one chip in Topsheet,
perfect base. Let me kn ow if there is any interest. No pictures until
I get back in a few days-

================================================== ========================

More info:
There are a ton of other companies, boards, etc... but I'm trying to
keep this post relatively short - ask me if you have questions or want
more board suggestions. For more information you can search this
newsgroup using www.dejanews.com. You can also search www.freecarve.com
as well. Some people here like to frequent an alpine snowboard
community at www.bomberonline.com, but I can tell you what the people
there will likely suggest - get hardboots, Bomber TD2 bindings, and a
BX/All-Mtn board. Now while I think this is a perfectly good
suggestion, I'm not to keen on how some of them driving it into your
skull like a railroad spike (I'm exaggerating). Of course if what I
just said intrigues you AND you've have sever footpain from
softboots... then by all means check out the site... there is a a TON
of information and people there waiting for you.

wrote:
I'm a new boarder (I've only been a couple times), but I think I know
what sort of riding I want to do. I'm more interested in freeride
then
anything else. I am a rather large fellow: 6'3" 220lb and I got some
solomon boots 11 1/2. My weight floats a bit depending on how busy I
am
at work, but I generally range between 190-220lb.

So I'm trying to determine what boards I should try to demo.

thanks,

--Matt

Oh, I forgot to mention a KEY thing I love about Donek. They are very
confidant that you will like their boards and really care if you enjoy
your board that they offer two great programs. The first is there FREE
demo program, yep... you just call them up (you will likely talk to
owner/maker Sean Martin or his wife), give them your address, and what
board you would like to demo (if you don't know what you want, Sean
will offer suggestions and lots of information)... and they will mail
it to your for free. You ride it to see if you like it, have it waxed,
and send it back. You pay for shipping back - so it isn't free free,
but still I wish other companies did that. On top of that... if you buy
a board and decide you don't like it within 30 days of receiving it,
send it back and they will refund you the board AND the cost of
shipping. It's that type of customer service ontop of a great board for
a good price that makes Donek the first company many people suggest.

Again I'm not paid by Donek (I don't even get free stickers from them),
and there are several other board manufacturers that are great as
well... which I will again mention if you ask (but not here to save
space as you can see I'm a bit wordy in my postings).

It's that type of customer service ontop of a great board for
a good price that makes Donek the first company many people suggest.

I'll second lonerider's Donek suggestion and for mostly the same reasons.

Their Freeride series is IMHO a great choice for a heavier rider such as
yourself, the boards will support your weight and handle crisply. I weigh
195 and ride a Wide 161 with soft boots and an Axis 172 with hard boots, and
I have an old Incline 168 that I use as a rock board. Just great stuff all
around.

My first Donek's stability helped me gain the confidence to push through the
"Terminal Intermediate" barrier and start riding a lot better. It also was
my "gateway board" in to carving and later hardbooting.

Mike T

Mike T wrote:

I'll second lonerider's Donek suggestion and for mostly the same
reasons.

Count me in to... I'm 6'2", 210, with a size 10.5 foot. I ride the
Donek Wide 165 and really like it for powder, bombing groomers, and
general freeriding with moguls and a few jumps thrown in here and
there.

-Dave

There certainly seems to be a vocal group of supporters here. I am
feeling sorely tempted. I wish there was more of this season left so I
could do the try it to see if I like it. I guess it will depend on if
I the snow holds up a bit longer. Thanks for the advice guys.

--Matt

Matt wrote:
There certainly seems to be a vocal group of supporters here. I am
feeling sorely tempted.

One thing to keep in mind that it's a pretty stiff board and is in its
element when cruising at a decent clip. As a beginner, I think it
might challenge you a bit at first as compared to the (likely floppy)
rental boards, but in the end you'll like it.

BTW, I learned about 8 years ago on a K2 Eldorado 169 (I weighed about
40 lbs more than my current 210) and have stayed with stiff, freeride
boards since then (a Ride Timeless '67 and then the Donek Wide '65).

The Donek Phoenix might be more your style, though the Wide is a great
deal at $100 less than the Phoenix. My advice would be to perhaps find
a board that suits you on closeout this year, or wait until next season
and see if you can demo a Donek. Personally, I like to buy my gear at
the start of the season. There are some modest early-season deals and
you get to enjoy your gear right then and there. End of season deals
can be great, but availability of size and models really dwindle and
you don't get to really use the gear until next season. My two cents.

-Dave