Which board?

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Hello. 

I'm a somewhat new rider.  I've been boarding since I was 12 (25 now) but I never did it alot.  I was able to get down the hill just fine when I was younger, but after my parents bought me a new board at 15, I haven't been able to ride since.  It was a Lamar Primary 154. 

Last year, I went to the UP with a few friends and had a friend of mine (she's a snowboard instructor in wisconsin) test my board.  She's about the same height as me, but probably 30 lbs lighter than me.  She couldn't manage the board and told me I need to get rid of it.  I would assume she knows what she's talking about even though the board with probably not the right size for her.  I ended up selling the board last year. 

Now I'm in the market for a new board for this years trip.  I've been looking at a few boards, but I'm not sure which is the best deal.  I ride mostly all-mountain, but would like to start getting into some park, so for that reason, I'm leaning more towards a twin tip board.  I've also been concerned that I might be buying a board that's to advanced for me to re-learn on.  Can you guys give me some input on these boards. 

Here's my current choices:

Found a Rome Manual 156 for sale locally for $150 (It's a 2008)
Capita Stairmaster 156
Rome Slash 156

The manual and slash are wide boards, and I wear a size 11 boot.  Should I stay away from wides or what?  Also, the calculator says I should be riding a 158, but I tested a 155 last year and loved it. 

So experts...what's the best bang for my buck?   

I'm also looking at Burton Triad bindings and Rome boots.

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Anyone? 

[rowan]

With a size 11 boot, you can probably ride either a wide or regular board because you are right on the threshold of a wide anyway.  I'm not very familiar with the boards you have chosen, but if you get some stats on them, we can start pointing you in the right direction. 

Can you get the actual width and/or flex of the boards?  Also do you plan on doing all park, or just jumps/just rails? 

I think you will be fine with a 156, it should ride basically the same as the 155.  Some companies do only odd sizes and some only do even, some do both.  If you are learning, shorter and more flex should make things easier especially learning park    

If you plan on learning big kickers you need to think about a stiffer board, but if its medium jumps and rails that interest you, you should stay on the softer side (flex 1-4).

Hope this helps, get back with any additional info you can about the boards and we will be happy to help!  Sorry about the delay, Christmas is making things a bit hectic.  Hopefully Frosty will be able to weigh in on this post as well.   

[Suthrncomfrt1884]

Here's the specs of the Rome Slash.  It's the board I ended up buying.  From what I've heard, Rome puts out very good quality boards at great prices, so I stuck with them on the board and bindings. 


http://www.romesnowboards.com/product/boards/slash/

and the bindings

http://www.romesnowboards.com/product/bindings/arsenal/


The ones I bought are 08/09 models, but I don't think too many changes were made this year.  I can't find any specs on last years.