What's wrong with Salomon snowblades?

[Officewallah]

Hi,

I'm a relatively new skiboarder, and I bought some Salamon snowblades last year - you all seem not to like them, but I thought they were great (apart from the non-releasable bindings).

Why do you not like them so much? (I don't mean to start a whinge against Salomon, i'm just genuinely curious and I dont know much about them)



Also, does anyone know if can I put normal bindings on them

[PureVenom]

Well....for starters they are not skiboards they are snow blades. Some others in here ride them too but most people don't care for solomon as a whole for various reasons. Mostly they are a ski manufacturer and they don't support the skiboarding industry at all. The boards themselves are more like ski's.The stance is not center and they have the 8 hole pattern for the bindings not 4. The tips and tails are not 50/50 (more like a ski) and their shape is more ski like as well. Those are just a few things. Like I said...everyone has their different opinions about Solomon. If you are just starting they wont be too bad but if you really start loving the sport like we do and you start advancing you will definitely want to upgrade to some better boards for sure. Anyway...thats my 2 cents....hope that helped ya a little bit bro.

[kirk]

Until you ride other boards, you won't realize what makes the salomon's worse. The major factors are the width, the binding, the binding position, the tip/tail size, and the foam core.

Width - The width of the salomon's are one of the worst things about them. They are very skinny compared to other boards. What does this do terminally to the ride? It makes it harder to float in soft snow, slush, and powder. It also makes for a slower ride because you have less surface area, so your weight is more directly pressed down, slowing the ride.

Binding - Salomon binding are notoriously poor compared to other bindings, especially all metal ones like the bombers, snojam extremes, and the old line bindings. The salomon's are made of soft plastic that, in my experiences and others, is notorious for pre-release at inappropriate times. I've had salomons come off while i was in the air several times.

Binding Position - Salomon doesn't center their bindings like most quality skiboards have. This affects the ride in many ways. One big factor is that it leaves much less board behind you to act as a safety cushion if you start leaning back. Get a little off balance, and you're on your ass. It also affects carving, and makes it much more difficult to ride backwards.

Tip/Tail Size - Being as skiboards are short, a high tip and tail is necessary to be able to power through some of the crud that is in the way. Without reasonable tips, you're much more prone to taking a faceplant forward, or land on the back of your head if riding backwards. Salomon traditionally has smaller tips than most boards, and tiny tails in comparassion.

Foam Core - No how far foam cores have come along, their use in skiboards is far from excellent. My first boards were the salomon SB-10s, and I broke several of them my first year. Foam cores just don't have the strength that wood cores have. At least in my experience, they are far much more prone to breaking, and tend to give a softer feel that doesn't let you control the ride as well.

These are some of the main complaints I have against salomons, and any skinny foam board in general, but until you ride other boards, you won't really have a feel for much of it. I thought my Salomons were great at first, until I got a chance to ride more quality boards. Also, there is no easy way to change the bindings on salomons that wouldn't greatly undermine the already weak strength of the boards.

[Officewallah]

thanks guys, it was interesting to hear your opinions, and I didn't know they had foam cores. it sounds like I'll use these to come up to speed (as it were), and then check out some 'proper' ones - which ones are better?

[Jeff Miles]

check out the new Revel8's, Epic, SnowJams, Canon, and Loken
new boards for 05/06 should be coming out very very soon ..i mean..SOON

[Christian]

in short QFT for all the above threads

[zenderfall]

Originally posted by PureVenom
Well....for starters they are not skiboards they are snow blades.

Well, yes, and no. Snowblades are skiboards in the same way that Band-Aid is a bandage, Jet-Ski is a personal watercraft and Q-Tip is a cotton swab. The sad fact is that while the latter three name brands are well-respected, Snowblades just happen to fall in the "lower" ranks of the product offering.

And that's sad. Think about how much more easily skiboarding could be pushed if people referred to skiboards as "Nicks" or "Lyons" or some other great board made out there.

"Did ya see that guy out there riding those NICKS?"

Snowblades are cheap, easily acquired and also easy to learn on, but the problem with them is that most people reach the limits of those boards before they reach their own. If you want to ride faster, harder, land jumps safely, turn quicker, and power through the many things a mountain throws at you, the Snowblades will not "do it" with you.

The harder you push yourself on those blades, the more dangerous it gets. That's the problem.

If you're the type of person that will stay on the green circles all day, never rides a chair that disappears past the peaks, or decided to not go down a slope after looking "up" at it, Saloman snowblades just may be for you-they are for many people-that's fine for them, they're happy doing what they do.

If you're not and you want to explore more and demand more from the mountain, the boards, and yourself, check out just about any 4-hole mount boards here on this site. I started out with a 90cm. Then start moving towards the longer boards and see if they work for you.

They're all great boards and if they weren't, Greco wouldn't stock them.

[Greco]

Wow guys. It's great for a business to be understood so well by it's customers. You all summed up perfectly why we don't carry Salomon. So well in fact I just added a 'Snowblade' section to SBOL pointing to this thread. Thanks.

Greco
Rider / Owner - Skiboardsonline.com

SBOL | Salomon (http://www.skiboardsonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SBOL&Category_Code=salomon)

[Christian]

Originally posted by Greco
Wow guys. It's great for a business to be understood so well by it's customers. You all summed up perfectly why we don't carry Salomon. So well in fact I just added a 'Snowblade' section to SBOL pointing to this thread. Thanks.

Greco
Rider / Owner - Skiboardsonline.com

SBOL | Salomon (http://www.skiboardsonline.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=SBOL&Category_Code=salomon)

lol love it greco why dont you stickie it?

[Greco]

good idea. consider it stuck.

g

[maxd1989]

I also ride snowblades sadly...i bought them before i really started getting into the whole skiboarding culture and realized the bad things about them. My next pair will definitely be something better, but im not doing any crazy tricks yet, i only really started last season, so it probably wont be a huge deal for a little while at least.

[Jordahl]

Lucky me...I was here before I bought my first pair.

[Greco]

This is a common misconception: "i don't do tricks so i won't benefit from using good skiboards". Good skiboards are better for tricks AND just plain riding and carving. The 4 hole bindings allow more of the board to flex which equals better carving. Quality bindings make a better interface to your boots which equals more responsive boards, turns and carving.

sorry i just had to get this off my chest :-)

g


Originally posted by maxd1989
I also ride snowblades sadly...i bought them before i really started getting into the whole skiboarding culture and realized the bad things about them. My next pair will definitely be something better, but im not doing any crazy tricks yet, i only really started last season, so it probably wont be a huge deal for a little while at least.

[kirk]

Yeah, definately G. Thats why I hate on the other board when someone wants to carve, and they get reccemended atomics or salomons. It really gives them a misperception, especially when you could get a much better board like the bullets or spruces that are made with quality toward that kind riding.

[maxd1989]

Yes i know, but i bought mine before i even heard the term "Skiboard". Im a bit pissed about spending a couple hundred bucks on something that isnt exactly what i want and not being able to return them anymore (30 day returnable thingy is long expired). So...ill just have to stick it out this season until i can get a nice pair of Lokens or something next year.

[Officewallah]

Wow, my first post on the site and I got a sticky (I don't even know what one of these is!). I've just found out at the ski show in London that Salomon are now selling conversion kits so that you can unscrew the non-releaseable bindings and screw on the releaseable ones. These kits are retailing for about £65, and apparently you just unscrew the non-releasables, and screw in the new ones.

I talked to the Salomon reps at the show and asked them how this was likely to affect the performance, weight and centring abilities of the snowblades, but they weren't able to tell me anything, so do you guys know if this is a good idea or not? I'm a girl, I won't be jumping, railing or doing any fancy things with these, I just bought them so that I could use them on blue, green and red slopes with friends who are not wanting to 'properly' ski, so I'm only ever planning to use them on piste.

A good idea, or a waste of money and a safety hazard? What do you think? I'm not willing to shell out the cash without knowing if this is a good idea or not.

[kirk]

For £65 just for the kit, it would be cheaper to get the spruce boards with risers. Thats a lot of money for a novelty.

[Jason]

Definently not worth it. If your looking for releasables...just get spruces...I think everyone on this forum that has them likes them.

[Greco]

true dat. never an unhappy customer.

g

[maxd1989]

Well, im very happy. The ball has started rolling on a deal for me to get last years SnowJam 90's lightly used for $70. Ive just got to sell me Snowblades and then ill be on SnowJams come first snowfall if all goes well, yes!:D

[Greco]

in a different thread someone asked about 8 hole vs. 4 hole boards. (8 hole boards require the bindings attach with 8 screws, usually directly into the board without inserts. 4 hole boards have 4 metal inserts manufactured into the boards which you screw 4 hole bindings into)


8 hole insert boards are definitely inferior to 4 hole, for a number of reasons:

1. 8 hole boards spread the contact area of the bindings over a larger area meaning less of the board can flex meaning the ride isn't as good, especially for carving.

2. The only companies that make boards with 8 hole inserts choose to use foam cores which do not provide even, lasting or consistent flex and aren't as strong which equals more potential for breakage.

3. No company makes replacement parts or replacement 8 hole bindings. Which means if you ever brake an 8 hole binding you have to buy new bindings AND boards. And, since all 8 hole bindings are made of cheap plastic it's more likely they will break.

4. The universal 4 hole insert pattern is an industry standard and is used by ALL core skiboarding companies. Which means you can interchange bindings and boards and even upgrade your boards and/or bindings independently from each other.

There really is no reason to buy foam core boards that use 8 hole plastic binding when you can buy high quality, wood core boards that use 4 hole all metal bindings for the same price or less.

[valmorel]

Hi officew. I dont know if you are still monitoring this thread, but if you are, here is my 2 cents worth. First, you already have your Snowblades, and seem happy with them, which is fine. Probably most of the respondents here started out on Snowblades. Yes, you can fit the Salomon release kit to your boards using nothing more than a screwdriver, and at £65 for the complete kit including a release binding, it aint bad value. It complicates the issue for us living in the UK because there are currently no "propper" skiboard outlets, but a possible upgrade path for you, should you feel the need in the future, might be to get the Line Pros from Snow and Rock, which I think retail at about £160. They come standard with a Salomon plastic binding, but the holes are also compatible with the Salomon release kit. So, you could plan toward ending up with a wide body symetrical "propper" skiboard by buying the release kit now and fitting them to your existing Snowblades, which will work just fine, then maybe getting a set of Line Pros in the spring sales if you wish to upgrade.
Also, Salomon make a 90cm symetrical board called the SB9, which is a fine little board and often overlooked. Again, they are available in the UK, often quite cheaply, and the release kit fits straight on. I have ridden the SB9, and was pleasantly surprised by how balanced it felt.

[Officewallah]

cheers Valmorel, I looked at the other replies, and to be honest, it seems that the spruce bindings and risers that some were recommending costs much more than the Salomon conversion kit and not available in the UK anyway, it seems. I am happy with the snowblades, actually, I think they're a real laugh and I'm sure once I can work out how to use them properly, I'll have even more fun (I can't understand why everyone keeps saying they're easier than skis, I don't think so at all!). It's interesting how Salomon aren't actually publishing any information about the conversion kit, I guess I'll stick a kit on my Xmas list and see what Santa brings.

[coolman01231]

I used to rent saloman snowblades. Boy did i hate their bindings, They even popped off twice on me when they were attatched correctly.

[mcnabb05]

I have a trip planned this winter for Killington, VT and im looking into buying myself some skiboards. I have been skiing for 9-10 years and just recently picked up on skiboarding (1-2 yrs). I was lookin at Salomon blades online, when I came across this site. I read the forums and have decided to go with a pair of skiboards from here. When I use the rentals from the mountains, I typically find myself on black diamonds but their skiboards dont provide me with as much control and feel as I would like. I also have some experience with terrain parks, but my main goal is to find a pair that best suits my needs. Im open to any and all suggestions. Thanks all :cool:

[NickG185]

i used to ride salomon and now i ride line.

Lines are wider than Salomon
Line has 4 holes compared to Salomons 8
Put both up against the wall and the Lines will bend way more than the Salomons.
Line has equal tip and tail height over Salomon.

Im not selling Line but just using it as an example. Line,Epic,Loken and others outpreform Salomon.

[NickG185]

i used to ride salomon and now i ride line.

Lines are wider than Salomon
Line has 4 holes compared to Salomons 8
Put both up against the wall and the Lines will bend way more than the Salomons.
Line has equal tip and tail height over Salomon.

Im not selling Line but just using it as an example. Line,Epic,Loken and others outpreform Salomon.

[Greco]

yeah but that only applies to lines made before like 2003, new lines no longer use the 4x4 pattern, you're stuck with cheap, plastic 8 hole bindings now. a true decline.

g

[NickG185]

Thats true but i have the new 06 lines and even with 8 still have more flex than my salomons.

[Greco]

nick, we'll ride at thunderridge when it opens and i'll let you demo some 4 hole skiboards.

g

[Jason]

if those graphics are the same ones im thinking of...they look terrible.

[NickG185]

Sounds good. Im positive theyll have more pop than 8 holes.

[jeff-0]

i dont really see whats so wrong with the salomons i have. they r the salomon sb 9's. they are center mounted non-release bindings, tip/tail is the same and they r pretty wide. sounds like a regular skiboard to me.

[maxd1989]

http://fps01.plala.or.jp/~hornet25/SB9.jpg

Thats funny.. they do look like real skiboards. But you still need to take into consideration the foam core, the 8 hole mount, and the plastic bindings.

[Jason]

i like the graphics but the bindings make it look bad

[MikeMtn]

Originally posted by jeff-0
i dont really see whats so wrong with the salomons i have. they r the salomon sb 9's. they are center mounted non-release bindings, tip/tail is the same and they r pretty wide. sounds like a regular skiboard to me.

I do hear good things about the SB10, and I think the SB9's are similar. Even considering the foam core, 8 hole pattern, etc. If they seem to perform well, and you are happy with how you ride them.... great. But, you'll never talk me into a pair of the skinny salomons.

[NickG185]

my line pros are basically the same as those. in my opinion they arent bad but im definately looking into 4 hole becuase 8 just wont give me consistent flex

[ridefakie123]

this is my first year skiboarding, and i have salomons. i hope they hold up for me.

[NickG185]

theyll hold up.

[ridefakie123]

yo nickg, i live in brewster, do u skiboard at thunder ridge?

[guigui]

Originally posted by maxd1989
http://fps01.plala.or.jp/~hornet25/SB9.jpg

Thats funny.. they do look like real skiboards. But you still need to take into consideration the foam core, the 8 hole mount, and the plastic bindings.

Damn man i love those graphics...

Can someone tell me how old are these Sb9 ?
it's sick cause i know every graphics of the sb9 and sb10 from the beggining to the end and i've never seen this one in france.

It's a mix between the graphics of Sb9, Sb10 and SbPro of 2001.

ps : it's been 4 years that i ride Salomon Sb10 and i've never had problems with it. I just broke a screw of the binding but salomon repaired it.
I mean, i know salomon is far from the REAL skiboard brands as epic or revel8, but i just want to say that i never had troubles with its.

Good ride !
peace
guigui

[Mark]

skiblades suck for landing big airs... i always got tripped up with them.

[Jason]

yeah landings for anything are definently sketchy.
monday i was riding and there was a snowblader out there riding (josh wyrik) and he could grind rails and do all this stuff but his landings were terrible. it kinda looked like he was dancing when his feet were wrapped around each other and he was trying to get them back to normal

[Macka]

Yeh, I know what you mean. I used to ride Salomon Minimax's and they were pretty sketchy sometimes, especially when you've landed from quite a height.

They performed ok, and held up fine though.

Not too bad.



Andy

[JUNGLEKID5]

MY WIFE RIDES SNOW BLADES BUT NOT NEXT YEAR SHES GETING SOME BOARDS THAT ARE MORE STABLE. GREAT TO LEARN ON

[Mark]

nick G tried to PM you my Mick nicks are for sale PM me