What is the best Revel8 board for me?

[mi6_]

Hi. New to the site. I came across you shopping for some skis by fluke. I had wanted to try out skiblades several years ago when they became popular. I am now looking at getting a decent pair of skiboards (thanks to this site instructing me on the advantages of proper skiboards).

I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and I can't find anyone who sells actual "skiboards" in Alberta (I guess not many people do this up here). All I can find are Solamon or Head big easy skiblades. So I am planning on ordering some skiboards from the site. I might as well spend some more money and get something that I will get more use out of.

I want to get ski-boards with the quick release Spruce Pro Prime risers & bindings (rather go this route and try to avoid breaking anything). I am stuck between four models, all from Revel8:

Revel8 2008 (or 2007) BWP 98cm Skiboards

Revel8 2007 Tansho 90cm Skiboards

Revel8 2008 Bantam "FITC" 75cm Skiboards

Revel8 2008 Bantam "Samurai" 75cm Skiboards

I have skied for several years, although I haven't the past few seasons. I have been an avid hockey player, ice skater and rollerblader for 20 years. I was thinking that I probably would enjoy a board 100cm or shorter due to my history being based more in skating than skiing. I am also a shorter guy, at 5'6" so I don't want anything too long for skiboards.

I am hoping that someone on here with a similar background can answer this question for me. I want something that is still as close to all-mountain as I can get. My climate here usually gives a good amount of snow, but we have had a few winters lately where we skied on a lot of hard packed artificial snow (ice). I'd like to be able to use them in a variety of conditions. Also, I'm not sure how much I will be into the terrain parks. I have a good one locally, so I may or may not get involved in that. Basically, I am looking for a good all purpose skiboard that will allow me to do just about anything the sport offers. Which board will be the best for me based on my selection criteria.

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. I've read around the site a bit, but hadn't really found anything that specifically helped me in my dilemma.

Also, I noticed when you go to purchase the Revel8 2007 Tansho 90cm Skiboards that you don't get the option of the quick release Spruce Pro Prime risers & bindings that I want. Do they not fit on this particular model? Am I correct in my understanding that any traditional hard ski boot will work with the quick-release bindings?

Thanks!!!!!

Dustin

[Roussel]

i say, defintatly dont go down to the Bantams, those are just too small for your height.

the BWPs or Tanshos would be both great for you. BWPs will be more stable, while the Tanshos will have more of a skate-like feel. I'm about 5'8" and i rode Tanshos last year and loved them.

the tanshos will fit the Spruce Riser releasable bindings. this is the "4x4" industry standard for bindings. there might be an error on the site.

[mi6_]

Originally posted by Roussel
i say, defintatly dont go down to the Bantams, those are just too small for your height.

the BWPs or Tanshos would be both great for you. BWPs will be more stable, while the Tanshos will have more of a skate-like feel. I'm about 5'8" and i rode Tanshos last year and loved them.

the tanshos will fit the Spruce Riser releasable bindings. this is the "4x4" industry standard for bindings. there might be an error on the site.

Thanks for the reply! I was leaning towards the BWP skiboards.

[rob12]

im 5'8'' and have bwps 07s love them i was 5'6'' last season so i can say they will work great for park for your height.

[Greco]

Originally posted by Roussel


the tanshos will fit the Spruce Riser releasable bindings. this is the "4x4" industry standard for bindings. there might be an error on the site.

The spruce bindings aren't listed with the tanshos because the tanshos are in stock but the spruce bindings aren't, yet. we expect the composite risers soon and the pro series near the end of october. i'll try to add them with a note saying coming soon that way you can pre-order the tanshos (or other in stock boards) with spruce.

g

[mi6_]

Originally posted by Greco
The spruce bindings aren't listed with the tanshos because the tanshos are in stock but the spruce bindings aren't, yet. we expect the composite risers soon and the pro series near the end of october. i'll try to add them with a note saying coming soon that way you can pre-order the tanshos with spruce.

g

Will the lite bindings be available sooner by chance???

I am probably going to end up getting the '08 Revel8 BWP if the bindings won't be available until the end of October.

[Manlenium]

More and more Canadians finally getting on the boards.... good to see.

Yeah, we dont have a local dealer yet....Greco is still on the rise so you never know.

I have similiar experience through the hockey and rollerblading. I got into Skiboarding last year.

I have "snowbladed" and trust my when i say skiboarding is more fun, more laughs, more bold. The width is what comes off as the most difficult. You still feel like you want to skate but you are not. But when you comprehend what these bad boys are for.....the ice/snow/packed you realize why the fatness? These things are ment for carving, stabilty, and speed.

I have 3 boards Tanshos, BWPs, EMPs(Revolts). I am 6'0 200lbs and enjoy the BWPs the best. They are underated as all-around boards. They are still great for all mountain riding and awesome when you want to hit the park. They have a great skating feel once you get used to the width factor. They are even better this year too!!

Enjoy!!

Dont wonder when it comes to boards. This is the cheapest shipping and handling without the tariffs you will see.[U]

P.s. I will be posting some releasables for sale on ebay soon. Used one season. Have a look in the equipment section if interested:
http://www.sbol.ws/vbulletin/upload/showthread.php?threadid=4031

[Greco]

Originally posted by mi6_
Will the lite bindings be available sooner by chance???

I am probably going to end up getting the '08 Revel8 BWP if the bindings won't be available until the end of October.

they might be, they near production now so if all goes well it might be a little sooner.

g

[anaesthetic]

I have a similar background to you and am a bit smaller,
and I think the BWPs are the best all mountain option (I also have 90cm SnowJams).

Remember that once you have the bindings you can save up for another pair of skiboards if you want a bit of choice for varying conditions/riding style.

[CrazyBoy-1]

I'd personally suggest the BWPs if you're going for more all mountain than park. I started out on SnowJam 90's, and while that is a decent length (even for me at 6'3") in general, but they just aren't quite stable enough once you get confident and start pushing harder.

[mi6_]

How similar is ice skating/rollerblading to skiboarding (excluding the obvious stopping differences between the two)???? I've been reading around and found a few posts that touched on this, but none that explicitly answered this question.

Is travelling forward on level ground the same, as well as turning around to go backwards? Can you skiboard in reverse on level ground?

I am wondering how much of a change is needed to go from skating/rollerblading to skiboarding? If you are very good on skates or rollerblades, do the skills transfer over more or less?

[SkaFreak]

Riding on level ground, the feel is very much like skates. You can definitely ride backwards on skiboards. They were designed with that in mind when they were first created. There was even a fakie race at the world cup last year. Going to fakie is a bit different than skates, but on a whole the same idea. You have to worry about catching and edge and dealing with the length, but that's no big deal.

[jessincase]

as a hockey player and inline marathon skater, i can say its close, just don't try cross overs.... unless you want to fall spectacularly

[Manlenium]

Originally posted by mi6_
How similar is ice skating/rollerblading to skiboarding (excluding the obvious stopping differences between the two)???? I've been reading around and found a few posts that touched on this, but none that explicitly answered this question.

Is travelling forward on level ground the same, as well as turning around to go backwards? Can you skiboard in reverse on level ground?

I am wondering how much of a change is needed to go from skating/rollerblading to skiboarding? If you are very good on skates or rollerblades, do the skills transfer over more or less?

On level ground it is very similiar to skating. I found when i was trying to move on level ground i was using more thigh then anything. I thought i was going to feel it the next day like hockey tryouts after the summer. I was surprised that i felt absolutly no pain or soreness from the skiboards.

You can go backwards fairly easy, but there is more friction then skates/inlines. You have to work a bit harder, again power directed from thighs to legs.

If you are good on inlines/skates you should have no worries. The transition is smooth once you get around the width and length. Once your comfortable with the feeling you should be bombing and spinning in no time.

[mi6_]

I placed my order for the Revel8 2008 BWP skiboards with the Spruce Pro Risers with releasable bindings. I have mulled over the decision of whether to get the 90 cm Tansho or the 98 cm BWP. Went with the BWP since they are only a bit longer and wider, so they will probably be better for general mountain running and carving which is what I will be doing most.

Now I just hope they get here soon so I can test 'em out!

Thanks for all your help everyone!!!

[Manlenium]

Prepare for big smiles!!!:D :D

[Roussel]

darn there seems to be a lot more canucks on here then last year, we should plan a canadian meet & ride

[Manlenium]

Originally posted by mi6_
I placed my order for the Revel8 2008 BWP skiboards with the Spruce Pro Risers with releasable bindings. I have mulled over the decision of whether to get the 90 cm Tansho or the 98 cm BWP. Went with the BWP since they are only a bit longer and wider, so they will probably be better for general mountain running and carving which is what I will be doing most.

Now I just hope they get here soon so I can test 'em out!

Thanks for all your help everyone!!!

I put them together and seriously you can barely tell.
Sure, in numbers it says 8cm diffrence. But that is not taking the curvature into consideration. That is the total length.
I am posting a pick when I get a chance of them overlapping, and side by side.

[mi6_]

Originally posted by Manlenium
I put them together and seriously you can barely tell.
Sure, in numbers it says 8cm diffrence. But that is not taking the curvature into consideration. That is the total length.
I am posting a pick when I get a chance of them overlapping, and side by side.

Yeah, I'd like to see that picture. I am still kinda second guessing myself over the BWPs. I am wondering if the Tanshos would be a bit better for me with my shorter stature?

How much of a difference is there between the skater feel of the Tanshos and BWPs???

[Manlenium]

Almost unnoticable difference. If you were to switch without knowing you would only feel the lack of tuning you had before. Thats going from BWPs to Tanshos. You feel like you have a little less edge then before, which you do. But other then that feel pretty similiar.

If I were you i would go BWP. Great for bombing, Stabilty and better all around then the Tanshos.

[mi6_]

Originally posted by Manlenium
Almost unnoticable difference. If you were to switch without knowing you would only feel the lack of tuning you had before. Thats going from BWPs to Tanshos. You feel like you have a little less edge then before, which you do. But other then that feel pretty similiar.

If I were you i would go BWP. Great for bombing, Stabilty and better all around then the Tanshos.

Yeah, I am planning on sticking with the BWP. I can always order a shorter board next season if I want something different. The BWP seems to be a favourite of many, so I am sure I'll do well with them.

The only sad part is the Spruce Pro releasable bindings will cover up a good portion of the artwork. I'd love to have Bomber Elite bindings, but I don't think it is worth the greater risk of injury. I know if I go with the Bombers and get injured that I'll be regretting that decision.

[taimos]

Best thing to do is to get someone to teach you how to fall correctly to give you peace of mind. A lot of skiboarders using non-release don't mind too much about the added risk because they knnow how to bail out and fall without injurying themselves. although, there is always a chance of injury (even with releasables)

The BWP is a great choice.

I'm actually riding Tansho at the moment but will be getting a pair of BWP this season. I'll let you know if they feel much differant, although as you've already bought them, my words my be a little wasted.

[mi6_]

Well if I had gone with non-releasables I certainly would have got the Tanshos due to the slightly shorter length. Unfortunately I am out west in Canada (Province of Alberta), and I have yet to see any Canadian skiboarders on here that are remotely close to me that I could ride with.

I would imagine that with the minute difference in length and width between the tanshos and the BWP that there is little discernable difference.

I was considering the Bomber Elite bindings, but I just know with my luck I will break something and be off work for a few months which will suck.

[Manlenium]

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/Manlenium/IMG_0007.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/Manlenium/IMG_0009.jpg

http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd226/Manlenium/IMG_0010.jpg

Here is the comparisons. As you can see, overlapping... your feet sit almost the same. Just a minumal difference.

[tyberesk]

Originally posted by mi6_
Well if I had gone with non-releasables I certainly would have got the Tanshos due to the slightly shorter length. Unfortunately I am out west in Canada (Province of Alberta), and I have yet to see any Canadian skiboarders on here that are remotely close to me that I could ride with.

I would imagine that with the minute difference in length and width between the tanshos and the BWP that there is little discernable difference.

I was considering the Bomber Elite bindings, but I just know with my luck I will break something and be off work for a few months which will suck.

i highly doubt you would break something if you ski within your limits. Its when you go outside of your personal limits you get hurt. As long as you learn how to fall you will be fine with non release.

[mi6_]

Thanks for posting that Manlenium. I agree, there isn't a whole lot of difference.

[mi6_]

Originally posted by tyberesk
i highly doubt you would break something if you ski within your limits. Its when you go outside of your personal limits you get hurt. As long as you learn how to fall you will be fine with non release.

I agree, however it is the situations that you can't control that scare me. There are quite a few situations that you can find yourself in where you risk injury with non-releasables.

I guess in the end, it is a personal decision every rider has to make.

[mi6_]

How is the length of skiboards measured?

For reference:

BWP length: 98 cm
BWP running length: 76 cm
BWP tip height: 5.0 cm

Tansho length: 90 cm
Tansho running Length: 69 cm
Tansho tip height: 4.5 cm

Are the boards measured in length from the top of the back tip to the top of the front tip in a straight line? Or are they measuered from the top of the back tip, down along the curvature of the board to the top of the front tip?

Here is a quick diagram I whipped up to better explain my question (excuse the quality):

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v692/dustinr/Skiboardlength.jpg

With the running length so much shorter than the overall board length, I am assuming that the boards are measured across the curvature for length, not total overall lenght. I can assume this is where the 20 cm + across the bottom of the boards dissapears to.

[Greco]

it depends on the manufacturer. because it's not always the same i added an extra column in the spec chart (http://www.skiboardsonline.com/html/board_specs.htm) awhile back for "along base" and "tip to tip".

g

[Manlenium]

You can see in the pics that the tanshos perfectly overlap the BWPS. The middle 2/3 of the board is exactly the same. You get fatter tips/tail on the BWPs. Meaning more float and teeth for rails.

What Greco said:p

I always thought the "running length" is what was touching the snow, or where the tip tail started to curve.

[mi6_]

Yeah, I was on the new slick Revel8 site the past month, and hadn't looked at greco's chart with the acutal board lengths. Something seemed funny to me when I looked at the lengtsh and running lengths on the boards on the Revel8 website.

I'm going to stick with the BWPs over the tanshos. Not much of a difference. They should feel about the same as the tanshos. My only concern was they would be a bit long for my shorter height (5'6"). The BWPs are only slightly longer than the tanshos, and I think the wider and taller tips will help. Plus the turning diameter is only 10cm difference.

I'm still curious to try out a shorter board though, as well as non-release bindings. I think I may do a set of Bombers and Bantams for sh--s & gigles next season.

Thanks again for taking the pics. I appreciate that.

[Faceplant]

you'll be fine with the length of the bwps. i'm 5'6", too, and use the emps with extreme IIs. as long as you know how to fall and get the boards up and away from catching and twisting on anything you'll be ok. it's just easier to skate on the shorter boards.

[Manlenium]

Great choice you wont regret it.!!!!:D

[Pauly]

if i'm 5'9" and 165lbs, i hear all about people telling me to get BWPs, but i was wondering about KTPs. only 3 cm diff.

[anaesthetic]

Obviously haven't ridden these yet, but should be trying KTPs in Dec. But I imagine they might be a bit harder to learn on than BWPs due to extra width, may be a bit harder to get on edge and manoevre. However, they should be great powder skiboards if you want to go that way.

I think the thing to do is
1) Decide what kind of riding you mostly want to do e.g. piste carving/park/powder
2) Decide what kind of bindings you want release/non-release
3) Check out the skiboard comparison chart on sbol and check out the recommended height for the bindings you want with the boards you're thinking of (go into the individual skiboard details).
4) You can also check out the skiboardaliser: http://howtoskiboard.com/skiboardaliser.php which should give you a general idea
5) Post up your final choices for multiple opinions from the riders on here.

[Manlenium]

I think you will find the width to be a major difference, since the "snowskate" fiasco. Go with what you feel.:D

[anaesthetic]

[i] since the "snowskate" fiasco. [/B]

what now?

I saw a 'snowskate' thing in a ski shop a little while back, hadn't seen one before except on Amped 2 game. It looked like a skateboard mounted above a single skiboard, wierd.

[Aqua]

Originally posted by Manlenium
I think you will find the width to be a major difference, since the "snowskate" fiasco. Go with what you feel.:D

Fiasco you say? Do tell!
*is crazy for gossip* :D

[Manlenium]

If you have been into some of the threads. Pauly was going to buy snowskates and his dad insisted that he had to buy snow skates, because they would last/better for powder.....

But paulys decesion bar was shifted towards skiboards so he has had to convince his dad to get a pair.

[Pauly]

yeah now i have to wait for my dad to come home from the cottage to order my skiboards. but he's not fully convinced, but i think wen i show him that pic in the FAQ with the side by side comparison, he'll let me buy some.

[Manlenium]

Just yoink his credit card.....they will be at your house before he sees the statement...:D

[Pauly]

nah i wouldnt take my dads he'd like kill me. and plus my mom is more likely to let me buy stuff than my dad.

[Manlenium]

Originally posted by Pauly
yeah now i have to wait for my dad to come home from the cottage to order my skiboards. but he's not fully convinced, but i think wen i show him that pic in the FAQ with the side by side comparison, he'll let me buy some.

If you cant get a yes, you can always wear him down until he says yes...:D

[Pauly]

he said i hav to try snowblades first, whcih makes em mad. he said i can get some if i like it, but i still have to snowboard or ski if we go somewhere big like Whistler, whcih makes me mad. he thinks there not durable enough.

[nate]

he said you have to waste your money on snowblades before you get skiboards even after you showed him the picture comparing them?
yea, that would be enough to make a person mad.

good luck

[Pauly]

he said rent, not buy. if anything he'd rather buy me some skis or snowboard. its 30 bucks to rent. like thats not alot. and plus he thinks i'm not gunna like them. and that i wont be able to return them.

[nate]

hmm, maybe you can rent the blades, then buy skiboards and when he sees the skiboards in person change his mind about how sturdy they are?

[Aqua]

Well put it this way, at least you get to snowboard.
A lot of people don't. We are pretty lucky to have snow and families or jobs to pay for it. When you get working and earning your own cash you won't have to worry about it anymore, just be thankful you actually get to experience a great winter sport now. I know a lot of parents who wouldn't pay a dime for their kids to participate in a winter sport :)

[brembo]

your father should try them too, obviously snowblades are not skiboards, but maybe he could get the feeling of how fun are them

[Pauly]

well anything i buy over 200$ is my own money, but my parents hav alot of money. its ridiculous.

[tyberesk]

dude stop being a....and just get them. Tell your parents it is what you want to do. Skiboarding is the only sport where the pros talk to everyone else. Where the owner of the biggest company is always talking to his customers. Just do it dude...

[Manlenium]

Just wear him down...

[robalo]

hey there, I posted in the "new rider questions" in case you want to check by background and style to answer my question.

ok, BWPs are better, comparatively, than tanshos. even for a shorter person. I'm 5.3

but, I do like non-releasable bindings over the releasable ones!
i do like to carve hard, and make some sudden and heavy stops. I dont think i would feel safe always expecting them to prerelease.

question is:
Is it safe for that kind of agressive riding?
the probability of prerelease is in any case high?
or is just like big skis bindings... where we can force them and jump and twist and only in a hard fall they release?

thx

PS: what is the meaning of "construction: capped" in the Allz boards in this chart:
http://www.skiboardsonline.com/html/board_specs.htm

[nate]

sidewall looks like they got to the edge of the board and just cut it. You can (mostly) make out the separate layers on the board. Capped has the topsheet curve down to meet the base. I'm not really sure why, but I've gotten the idea from people around here that sidewall is the superior option.

Edit: oh yea, release bindings are like ski bindings, they're not likely to ever release unless you fall or, especially if you have the DIN release set real loose, you hit a rail or jump weird or really hard.

[robalo]

cheers nate.

thx so much...
I'm still deciding about the bindings.
ive always used non release with 99cm skis, so... still wondering.

but thanks, now releasables are also an option.


second thought... damn... too many options, no decision :S lol

[nate]

I ride EMP's with some spruce risers, and I like them, though i haven't tried any non-release. I mainly got them just because my parents were worried, I probably would have gone with non-release otherwise. I don't really have any way to make a comparison in ride since I haven't ridden non-release, but keep in mind that release will raise you a couple inches off of the board, which probably affects the ride some. You'll be happy either way you go. After all, SBOL's slogan is "no crap!"

btw, i'm about 6'1, 160