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#1
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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 |
#2
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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. |
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#4
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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 |
#5
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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 |
#6
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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 |
#7
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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 |
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