Snowboard question

The Custom is not going to hold you back in any conditions.

As long as you have set it up right (for you) and it is the right size, you'll be fine.

I agree completely with Damo. I had a Custom two years ago and it's probably the best all-around board I've ever ridden. Last year I had the Jussi and this year I've got a 2010 Custom V Rocker and a Process, but if you're going to have just one board the Custom is IT!

Dude, just ride.

On one hand, you put a few weeks on the board in 4 years? No offense, but this board probably won't be holding you back. More likely the other way around.

On the other hand, technology has come a long way in 4 years, and even a pro level park board from 4 years ago would likely be out performed by a mid level park board from today. Same for FR/allmtn boards. As technology improves, it becomes cheaper and more accessible. Nature of the beast.

If you don't ride all that much, and your gear isn't beat up, why drop a couple hundo on a new stick? Will it be worth it? Only you can answer that. Maybe it's better to have more than 1 board. I do.

That's not to say you shouldn't be using the right tool for the job. I happen to like riding an older park board in the glades. It might be that I've gotten used to it, it might be my style, or it might be the right board for that type of riding.

Do you have a friend that is an instructor/sponsored rider? I got into skiing again last year on the cheap thanks to a buddy who is sponsored. Flowed me his season old Head World Cups for $100. Copped a pair of High end boots off demo for $200, Poles on discount for $80. New, all that gear would have been pushing $1500, I got in for $380.

Why listen to me? I was riding or skiing 5-6 out of 7 days a week last season. Skied from when I was 4-11, been riding from 11-25. Just picked up skiing again last year.

IMHO, people blame their gear too frequently when they should be working on technique, tweaking their setup, and spending more time on the snow. Not saying you're doing this, just saying that most of the time people don't want to believe that the shortfall is them or their setup. It's much easier to blame your gear, the conditions, or the damn tourist that just cut you off.

Sorry for the rambling, I'm just excited. The mountains up here aren't open yet, but as soon as we get some snow, I'm riding on my property!

Kevin said:

Ok so much for blaming it on my gear.
Its definitly the right size and Im pretty sure I have it set up right, but on the cheap ass flexy board (with not the best edges) of my mate everything seemed to go easier, kinda like going from a Large v10 to a Yeti 4x if that makes any sense.
I probably need to get used to doing new stuff, and Im happy that I get to keep my board!

Thanks!

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Describe to me how your board was performing vs. his. Details about turn in responsiveness, edge to edge transition, stability at speed, etc. are what I'm looking for.

Gut instinct, sounds like setup to me.


Edit:

Also details about his equip. would help. A more flexy board would no doubt be better in glades or any situation where you're changing direction frequently and hitting sharper transitions.

That said, you'd be surprised how much difference a few degrees of angle in the bindings or moving your bindings a quarter of an inch farther forward would make.

While I don't necessarily disagree with this view, let me offer another perspective. For folks who cannot spend more time working on technique and tweaking setup (whether due to distance or finances), perhaps buying a newer stick that makes things easier is also a valid choice. I've come to realize that I'm too cheap (or too picky) to pay for a lift ticket unless there's fresh pow. So I bought a gently used Fish last year, and now I can just enjoy the ride instead of working on my technique. My $0.02,
- Joe

Jimmysal said:

IMHO, people blame their gear too frequently when they should be working on technique, tweaking their setup, and spending more time on the snow. Not saying you're doing this, just saying that most of the time people don't want to believe that the shortfall is them or their setup. It's much easier to blame your gear, the conditions, or the damn tourist that just cut you off.

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i would just switch to skis & skiing.

TN said:

i would just switch to skis & skiing.

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Pick your poison:

Concussions and being treated like a brobrah, or blown up knees and walking like a robot when you go up or down stairs.

Dull thine edges.

Kevin said:

Agreed!

I just thought that the Custom might have been a board that performs best when its just going down a prepped slope.
Obviously I was wrong and I have to try harder

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If anything, try the board again this season and update the settings on your bindings based on the feedback you're getting from the board. At the end of the season, if you're not satisfied with how it's performing, you can scoop up a last years model or a lightly used demo on the cheap cheap.

Jimmysal said:

Pick your poison:

Concussions and being treated like a brobrah, or blown up knees and walking like a robot when you go up or down stairs.

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so true.

Kevin said:

But when I start to play around a little bit and go off piste, I have the feeling it has a bit too much bite to it which makes the edge cut into the snow and sends me falling on my ass/face.
On my friends board, which was more flexy and probably not in the best shape, I noticed I could get away with stuff a lot more easy. Maybe this is where blue's "dull thin edges" come into place?

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Yes, it is. Razor-sharp edges are stupid unless you're on a carving board or regularly encounter on-mountain ice rinks. It's a lot easier to ride off-piste with edges that aren't trying to dig into everything, yet still most ski shops sharpen everything to a sword blade.

I dunno, maybe it's because we don't get a ton of ice out here, but I've never wanted for really sharp edges on my skis or boards. Not my style.

Kevin said:

This definitly makes sense...
Edges are razor sharp and sharpened by a shop here in Holland.
Im of to buy some sandpaper.

Thanks

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Most shops should have an edge sharpener (that can also dull edges) available for purchase for around $20, or a finer file is also a good choice if you're super careful. Sandpaper bad.

If you're going to bevel your edges, PLEASE don't do it with sandpaper. You've got way too nice a board to ruin like that. Bring it to any reputable shop and tell them you want the base bevelled. They may ask you how many degrees but that's up to you - tell them what you're trying to accomplish and they should be able to guide you.

Maybe it's just that we have a lot of ice on the East Coast (and we certainly do), but I prefer my edges somewhat sharp all the time. Even my park board gets a 2 or 3 degree base bevel but I try to keep the edges sharp. That said, I'm really bad at getting my edges tuned - my boards are lucky if it happens once a year.

You lucky guys in your pow pow...

There are also videos on youtube on how to do a more ghetto base bevel with a file and some masking tape.

do what I do - blast down the slopes and then rip through the parking lot. bonus points if you can make it all the way to your car.

Snowboarding is stupid.

SkaredShtles said:

Snowboarding is stupid.

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Your mom.

To get 122 underfoot skis as my do it all sticks this year or not...the season is looking to be powlicious.

SkaredShtles said:

Snowboarding is stupid.

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I don't get this dulling of edges idea unless you are a park rat and session rails regularly.

My edges are sharp. Sharp edges do not come into play in powder. Your body positioning does. If you are planning a day in the powder, perhaps move your bindings back one set of holes. This will play a big part in stopping your nose from sinking below the surface. Keep your weight evenly balanced and allow the board to flow under your feet. Keep your weight back too until your rear leg is screaming. If this gets to be too much, learn to ride switch.

Dulling your edges will make for an interesting time on the groomed pistes or when you hit an icy section.

Technology has come in leaps and bounds these days with different cambers/reverse cambers etc. However, if your board is still like new then it is still a keeper. The Custom was the pro's choice for a reason. Time isn't going to make it a shtty board.

Your mate's board with it's floppy softness would have been a lot more forgiving to a beginner. Your Custom will take you further as a rider.

Damo said:

<snip> when you hit an icy section.

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Is this likely where you ride?

If so...

blue said:

Your mom.

To get 122 underfoot skis as my do it all sticks this year or not...the season is looking to be powlicious.

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Shuddup you fvckin' Utahrd.

SkaredShtles said:

Shuddup you fvckin' Utahrd.

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Actually, I think 115 will be sufficient. Definitely snagging some BD Justice sticks with the FR touring bindings if I land this rad job tomorrow.

blue said:

Actually, I think 115 will be sufficient. Definitely snagging some BD Justice sticks with the FR touring bindings if I land this rad job tomorrow.

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I said SHUDDUP!

Damo said:

(...)

Your mate's board with it's floppy softness would have been a lot more forgiving to a beginner. Your Custom will take you further as a rider.

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Are soft boards meant/easier to ride/learn?

A friend of mine had a Burton Clash, stiff as hell, and it was the "easiest" board I've ever ridden on.

My assessment having done both, if you're over 25 try skiing. Kids snowboard, adults ski. Any trip to the slopes will be easy to notice. Boarding was huge, but boarding's become a young teen thing.

This thread has too much words...


But no matter how sharp your edges are you should always expect them to catch when you put them down..

BIGHITR said:

My assessment having done both, if you're over 25 try skiing. Kids snowboard, adults ski. Any trip to the slopes will be easy to notice. Boarding was huge, but boarding's become a young teen thing.

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I thought about actually explaining it, but I'll boil it down to this: You're a fvcking moron.

Why is it that skiers care so much what others ride that they have to spew their mouth off at any available moment.

Snowboarders don't care what you ride.

I snowboard as I have surfed since I was a kid. Surfing was my life. I then shifted to France where the nearest waves are 6 hours drive to the east. I do, however, have a fantastic substitute at my back door.

For what it's worth, I ski too. But my board is always the first thing I grab as I walk out my door.

BTW. We can take bladers out of the argument here. They are open season to all.


Ouch. I just realised I may have opened a derailment here...

Not that it matters, Kevin has is answers...

Damo said:

Snowboarders don't care what you ride.

BTW. We can take bladers out of the argument here. They are open season to all.

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sadly not 100% true.

amen to that!

Mark - 'rider' of Fischer RX-8s, Salomon 1080s, Rossignol Scratch FS', Rome Solution and Rome Anthem

so, as somone who has spent time on may diffrent decks, set ups, you name it ( its my job ) here is what i can offer you.

The custom has changed slightly over the years. It has gotten softer. Why is this, its eaiser to ride! For the average rider softer makes the day on the hill much more enjoyable. Easier to turn, more forgiving, and lets you do more stuff, for the average rider. This does not pertain to pro's or people that "race" down the slopes.



Since you only get out a few times a year, i would highly reccomend trying a rocker board. It is a new ride and people are having tons of fun. It is not for everyone but it dosent hurt to try.

the custom is a great board for doing everything, its the most popular +400$ deck for a reason

My boards over the years went from stiff to really soft, to inbetween right now

custom, custom, uninc, x8v ( super soft), customx, vapor, vapor again this year with other stuff mixed in, when i want to test new stuff. I am not a fan of rocker myself as i ride like an idiot too fast for my own good.

Try setting your stance back an inch from referance and try your stance width at 23inches or so, (depending on your height, i am 5'8"). I always ride back and wide from referance. Also, put a click or 2 of forward lean into your rear binding.

This thread still has way too much words.

I agree with Damo though. I have no problem with skiiers but skiiers always seem to have problems with boarders. I know theres some real douche boarders out there but theres plenty of douche skiiers too.

BIGHITR said:

My assessment having done both, if you're over 25 try skiing. Kids snowboard, adults ski. Any trip to the slopes will be easy to notice. Boarding was huge, but boarding's become a young teen thing.

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says the guy that fully believes sidecut skis are "just a gimmick and a fad"