3cm difference in snowboard length

I am new to snowboarding, male, 5'3", 165 lbs. Upon hearing that I
have bought but not yet used a 154cm snowboard elsewhere, people at
snowboard stores tell me how much better a 151cm snowboard would be
for me and try to sell me one of the very few 151's that stores in my
area (California east bay area)carry. They claim that the 154 will be
substantially harder to maneuver.
The 151 fits the age old criteria of being right below the nose,
but most 151's claim to be designed for people a littler lighter than
I am. It is just such a conundrum that people of the same weight but
1 inch taller or with a nose that starts 1 inch higher would be told
to get a 154 by the same salesmen.
I understand that this sort of conundrum can never be solved and
is not extremely important, but I would appreciate if people would
like to share their opinion especially on the maneuvarability issue
raised. Returning the 154 is still a possibility depending on what
you all might suggest.

"Jude" wrote

The 151 fits the age old criteria of being right below the nose,
but most 151's claim to be designed for people a littler lighter than
I am. It is just such a conundrum that people of the same weight but
1 inch taller or with a nose that starts 1 inch higher would be told
to get a 154 by the same salesmen.
I understand that this sort of conundrum can never be solved and
is not extremely important, but I would appreciate if people would
like to share their opinion especially on the maneuvarability issue
raised. Returning the 154 is still a possibility depending on what
you all might suggest.

Data point for ya: I'm 5'11" and same weight as you are, and
I have a 160cm board for freestyle and 164 for freeride.

Weight is more important in board selection than height.
If anything, 154 is too short, not too long.

Bottom line: don't sweat about it, just ride it. Once you start
riding good enough to know what you want, do lots of demos
and buy the right board. For now, just ride what you have as
much as you can and think about your gear as little as possible.

"Jude" wrote in message
om...
I am new to snowboarding, male, 5'3", 165 lbs. Upon hearing that I
have bought but not yet used a 154cm snowboard elsewhere, people at
snowboard stores tell me how much better a 151cm snowboard would be
for me and try to sell me one of the very few 151's that stores in my
area (California east bay area)carry. They claim that the 154 will be
substantially harder to maneuver.

I am 6 foot and same weight as you and ride a 158 board. The shorter board
is fine if all you plan to do is park/pipe. The 154 seems fine for your
height/weight for an all around board. I have 156 Burton Fish for powder.
Weight range of the board is important, not just height. As you improve, you
may want to try shorter and longer depending on what you type of riding you
do. Have fun on the mountain.

IMHO you can ride a 154, but it's up to your riding style and "feel" the
most. my first board was a 163 which by all accounts is a little long
for me (6', 180, sz11) for everyday riding, but I just didn't like the
way the 159 setup, especially the width (this is before "wide" boards
were the craze). so I exchanged it before ever riding it once. is it
good for park riding? no. but it meets its intended use -- works good
in most situations / conditions, and I still have it as a backup.

maneuvering isn't too hard, foot placement will probably determine that
even more. you have enough weight to control the board rather than let
it control you. how flexy is it??

bri

Jude wrote:

I am new to snowboarding, male, 5'3", 165 lbs. Upon hearing that I
have bought but not yet used a 154cm snowboard elsewhere, people at
snowboard stores tell me how much better a 151cm snowboard would be
for me and try to sell me one of the very few 151's that stores in my
area (California east bay area)carry. They claim that the 154 will be
substantially harder to maneuver.



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