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Offline jrv

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Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« on: January 20, 2008, 11:59:37 AM »
Hi-

I spent the past Christmas holiday in Mammoth and my 7 year old daughter and I decided to try snowboarding so we took a lesson.  By the afternoon session I was able to link some turns.  It was so much fun cruising down the mountain... of course I crashed a lot. 

To make a long story short, I am hooked.  I would like to continue with this sport and I am thinking of buying my first snowboard.  My budget is up to $300.  My info are as follows:  37 years old, 5'8", 190 lbs, size 11 boots, will be riding mainly in SoCal (Mammoth, Big Bear, Mt. Baldy).  My typical riding will mainly be cruising down a mountain and nothing crazy.  I am looking for a board that is good for beginners (i.e., easy to turn, holds an edge real well, stable), as well something that I can grow with in the next 2 - 3 seasons.  I don't want to purchase a poorly made cheap beginner board and have to replace immediately.

Can you please help in recommending a snowboard.  When I entered my info in the sizing tool, it recommended a size 158.  During my initial research, I came across a company called Arbor and noted their beginner board called Formula retails for $299, which is within my budget.  I went to the local store chain and noted that 158 Formula board came up to my nose.  The waist for this board is 24.9.  Is this size proper for me and my size 11 boots and does anyone have any experience on this board?  Your input and advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
JR

 


Offline Frosty

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #1 on: January 21, 2008, 02:54:32 PM »
Hi JR,

I do not have experience on that particular board, but I can tell you that Arbor boards are VERY well made and everyone I have talked to that owns one loves it.  As for that size, that should work for you.  A 24.9 is a touch narrow for a size 11 boot, but if your boot is relatively low profile (and the heel and toe tapers upwards at the edges to help prevent drag) then it could be just fine.  Otherwise, you may want to find a board that is a bit wider, like a 25.2 or like that.  As for length, you might not want anything longer than a 159 for everyday use.

Hope this helps.

Offline jrv

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #2 on: January 21, 2008, 06:01:54 PM »
Frosty,

Thanks for the reply.  It's good to know that Arbor boards are well made.  After further researching I noted that Arbor is based in SoCal where I live.  So, I think I'm leaning towards buying an Arbor and support the local company.  Are there any board company you could recommend that fits the profile I am interested in.  Well made and good price point to me (up  to $300)? 

Also, are there any boots you could recommend that is low profile?  During my research I noted that it may not be a bad idea to spend a little more on the boots because you want to get the most comfortable boots you can.  I already purchased a binding and got a Burton Mission for $90.  Are these bindings OK?

Thanks,
JR

Offline mtnplummeter

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #3 on: January 21, 2008, 08:01:45 PM »
I have the Burton Missions and I love them.  What I have found is that dispite the light weight material they are made out of, they are virtually just as stiff as my friends that are made out of aluminum, and lighter too.  So they are super repsonsive for beginners, but light enough not to weigh you down if you want to catch some air.  The only problem I have had with mine is that one of the toe straps doesn't fully catch when I have it tightened all the way down.  The strap seems slightly stripped.  I am going to send them back at the end of the season to have it looked at and replaced.  So far it has not been any problem while riding, it hasn't came loose or undone.  But if it gets too bad I at least have a pair of Burton Freestyles as back ups. 

Offline jrv

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #4 on: January 21, 2008, 08:52:17 PM »
Thanks for the 411 on the Burton Mission.  The store where I purchased my Burton Mission had another Burton binding that was on sale for $110, I think it was called Cartel.  Does anybody have any experience with the Cartels and is there a significant upgrade in the quality/functionality compared to the Missions?  If so, it may make sense to spend an additional $20 and get the Cartel instead.

Offline someguy

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #5 on: January 22, 2008, 08:30:07 PM »
Yeah. I used to have cartels and i love them....they are so comfortable and a very light but responsive binding. You cant go wrong buying these. The capstrap is perfect to it never comes off and it actually goes around the toes. But you cant go wrong buying any burton binding.
Matt Jackson

Offline Josh

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #6 on: January 23, 2008, 02:37:35 PM »
Have you ridden missions as well?

Earn prizes for searching the web.

Offline Travis Hightower

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2008, 03:03:40 AM »
a good rule of thumb to follow is go by weight rather than height. also the length
of the board will affect speed and turning abilities.

at 190 5'8" you can ride boards between 148 and 158.
on the 148 side, you'll have much more control over turns and
stability, yet speed might become an issue.
on the 158 side, you sacrifice turning ability (not leaps and bounds,
but you'll definatly reconize a difference), but you'll have more speed
and floating ability for powder because of the long surface area.

the width should be ok. 11.5 and up and you start talking about wide
boards. at an 11 you can probably get away with riding either wide
or regular, but if you choose regular stay at the high end of the numbers.

there really isnt any magic formula to sizing up a board though. most board
finders just get you into the ball park. my advice is to ride all the numbers
in between hard and see which responds better for you and your ride preference.

i ride a forum manual 147 for the park and rails due to its flex and i ride a
forum grudge 154 for riding the whole mountain minus the rails.

rome makes some killer snowboards too that will probably be in your price range,
as well as palmer. i learned to ride on a k2 dart from about 12 years ago hahah.

play around with a few boards at your local shop. bend em, feel em, stand on em,
have fun. if you find one you really like, you can usually go online and find the
year before models at a pretty big discount, and alot of times the only thing that
changed is the graphic.

hope that helps!

Offline jrv

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2008, 09:21:25 PM »
Travz-

Thanks for participating in this thread.  Your insight is greatly appreciated.  Does it make sense to start with a softer board for someone who is a beginner rider or just get the proper flex for my given weight?

Thanks!

Offline Travis Hightower

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #9 on: January 25, 2008, 12:59:44 AM »
jrv -

I dont think flex should be a concern for learning to cruise the mountain. if your goal was
rails or kickers it might be good to think ahead and get a flexable board suited to what
your aim was. I think sticking in the middle, 4-5-6, would be a great place to start. Most
boards fall into this category anyways, so it makes for easy pickings as well.
I know thats kinda vague, but usually the extremes of both sides have specific styles that
go with them.

I noticed the board you picked doesnt tell the flex, but by the descriptions its more than
likely a midlevel.  Arbor has nice boards this season for sure! :)

Offline jrv

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2008, 02:26:56 PM »
Yeah, I could not tell how soft / stiff their boards are from their website.  However, they do provide a suggested rider weight for a given board size.  I will based my board size selection on the their suggested rider weight.

Offline Frosty

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2008, 02:27:19 PM »
Quote from: jrv
... Are there any board company you could recommend that fits the profile I am interested in.  Well made and good price point to me (up  to $300)?  ...

Well, I can check that out for you and let you know if you haven't already picked one up.

Quote from: jrv
... Also, are there any boots you could recommend that is low profile?  ...

Quote from: jrv
... I already purchased a binding and got a Burton Mission for $90.  Are these bindings OK?  ...

Missions are awesome!  Where did you score them for only $90?

Offline Frosty

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2008, 02:41:58 PM »
Sims is a great SoCal company as well and they have been making boards since boards were being made.  For a beginner with your specs, check out the Sims Infinity 157 or Sims Oath 157.  At well under $200 they are really great values too.

Offline jrv

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #13 on: January 25, 2008, 03:56:00 PM »
Frosty,

I haven't bought my board but I am leaning towards Arbor as of now.  I will check out Sims as well thanks.  Any recommendation on boots would be great as well.

I got my binding from a board shop called Fastlane in Burbank, CA. 

Offline mtnplummeter

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Re: Beginner Snowboard Recommendation
« Reply #14 on: January 25, 2008, 04:37:42 PM »

Missions are awesome!  Where did you score them for only $90?


I got mine at Sports Authority during SNIAGRAB for $90 as well.  Might be worth checking out seeing if they have any of last years stock left over.
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