Decision Crunch Time Help

[pinkkid]

First off, I am not new to the sport, but feel like myself, brother and spouse are the only ones who skiboard at our local resorts! Too bad for those not skiboarding, they are missing out bigtime! Anyways, I ride the no longer n business Canon M7's 99cm with the non release bindings that came with them. I feel that I am ready for a top of the line board (Revels) and depending on what length I go with will determine if I use release or non release bindings. I have never had a problem with the non release.
here are my stats: 5'4" 148lbs female; shoulder to ground carving & Spins are what I do most, I do not not have any luck in the powder or mush or chunks with my current M7's and would like to be able to skiboard better in those conditions for sure!
Also, I am ready for jumps with good landing stomps & do some rails; so a board that can handle that abuse. Again, I carve & spin the most right now am 5'4" 148lbs(yes that is holiday pounds added on! so normal 145lbs but winter time I stay 145-148lbs.

Do I go with:
90cm the Tansho(probably my favorite for grapics only)
98cm BWP's
101cm KTP's
105cm Revolts (might be longer than I want)
Then, Release or non release?

I'll get which ever everyone seems to think I should. :-)

Thank you all so very much!!!!!!

[tyberesk]

haha you posted this in like 3 spots already...dont worry in the course of the next 3-4 hours you will have a bunch of responses. I would say go with the BWPs because of safety concerns of how you could handle the KTPs in a crash....one wrong move and your leg could be broke...

[nate]

I already posted on your other topic, but I'd say as far as bindings go, non-release would be fine for the tanshos, for the BWP's you could take you pick depending on how concerned you are about injury, and 100+ you should definitely consider releaseables.

After checking the stats on the boards from release/non-release heights:
According to the recommended heights, you should probably get releaseables for BWP's and up. The BWP's recommend you be 5'5"+ to use non-release, and we don't want any broken legs, they're no fun at all. Also, the BWPs and KTP's are both sold out at the moment, I think I heard they should be getting new boards in sometime in Feb. so take that into consideration if you want your boards now.

Edit: you can also consider the Allz 94cm boards which would be a good length as well

[pinkkid]

Greco mentioned a concer of safety on the KTP's... too long for me anyways. So either the BWP or Tansho.... 8cm difference can be alot! width wise about 1/2 in only, hmm. M7's were... 12.4 at the 99cm.
I know I posted it twice really. Just wana cover everyne reading the forum :-) Thank you again now I just gotta wait til new stock comes in. Hadn't heard much about the Allz, Head also makes a 94cm.. but I am wanting top of the line.
Greco has some double lefts or rights graphic boo-boo's in stock for the Tansho's and a discounted price. Just not certain of the shorter board, I do not want to have to work toooo hard at carving and spinnng!

[Roussel]

tanshos

[nate]

A shorter board will make carving and spinning easier I think, not harder.

[pinkkid]

sweet.

[bee]

I have used the ALLZ boards and they seem pretty nice. I actually got them for my Girlfriend for christmas. She is the same height as you, and I figured it is a good safe size. (Plus she liked the graphics).
The ALLZ boards are extruded bases VS revels sintered, part of the reason why they are cheaper. For all mountain riding it doesn't seem to matter much. Canon bases are sintered as well. I have been told that unless you wax with temperature specific wax before you ride you won't really notice the difference.

I have used ALLZ twice and they seemed nice and stable. A much smoother ride then my 84cm old school line boards. (unfortunately I have never ridden Revel boards)

Don't get the Head boards they don't handle like the real thing, (I have rented them in the past) they would be a downgrade from what you already have.

If you are comfortable with your 99cm boards then I think your fear that 90s would be to small is valid. Unfortunately it comes down to personal preferance so no one can really tell you what will be best for you. They might be better for you, or perhaps worse.

No matter what, they will still be a lot better then the Head boards.

[eldiablodenieve]

Originally posted by tyberesk
haha you posted this in like 3 spots already...dont worry in the course of the next 3-4 hours you will have a bunch of responses. I would say go with the BWPs because of safety concerns of how you could handle the KTPs in a crash....one wrong move and your leg could be broke...

I would think that the weight and length difference would be negligible between the BWP and the KTP granted the ktps are burly in width comparison but they are not that much longer and I wouldn't think they are much heavier maybe a pound or so. I would be interested why you and Greco think there would be that much more of a saftey issue with such a small difference in length.

[bee]

Originally posted by eldiablodenieve
I would think that the weight and length difference would be negligible between the BWP and the KTP granted the ktps are burly in width comparison but they are not that much longer and I wouldn't think they are much heavier maybe a pound or so. I would be interested why you and Greco think there would be that much more of a saftey issue with such a small difference in length.

Perhaps thats because they don't recommend 99cm for her size either, Its just that she has used it comfortably for a long time?

[pinkkid]

several safety factors to consder: My height going longer, width of the KTP's and using non release bindings would be not as safe. I'm used to the length, the 2 inch difference than my M7's may or may not make that much of a difference, but the bindings should be release if I go longer than say 99cm. The width... definelty wider than anything I've been on accept for a day on a snowboard, so I dunno how that would be like.

[pinkkid]

yup, I've been using the 99cm with non release bindings no problem for 4 years now. But maybe if I went shorter, say the Tansho's or even the Allz, I very well may feel a notable difference... dunno. I am used to the non release and have yet to get hurt, but there are times when the release would be more convenient.. but I really don't wanna chase my ski down the hill if I fall :0) but better than a broken leg I know! I just want top performance board that is 'made for me' so to speak.

[jjue]

Hi Pinkkid , here are some comparisons ( I also own the Canon M7)

Canon M7 99cm
specs
124-106-124 running length 78 turn radius 8.0
surface area 1168 sq cm


BWP 98cm
specs
140-105-140 running length 76 turn radius 4.90
surface area 1257sq cm

Revolt 105
specs 145-110-145 running length 83 turn radius 5.8
surface area 1400 sq cm

KTP 101 specs 155-125-155
surface area 1464 sq cm

"stats: 5'4" 148lbs female; shoulder to ground carving & Spins are what I do most, I do not not have any luck in the powder or mush or chunks with my current M7's and would like to be able to skiboard better in those conditions for sure!"



Here are some thoughts to throw in the mix , you like the Canon M7 and ride that well with non releasables .. I think if you wanted the Revel 8 that would best match the Canon it would be the BWP with the advantage of more float , and a tighter turn radius bigger tips and tails but basically similar waist .

If you go up to the Revolt 105 and the Ktp 101 , you make a big jump in surface area better perfomance in pow and crud , like Greco says you should consider releasable bindings with these boards

Here is my take for what its worth , you like the Canon M7 but are looking to upgrade . I would tend to get a Spruce release system and get the Revolt 105 . I like that the waist width is narrower and closer to your Canon with an extra 6cm in length . Although I don't have the Revolt , I have the ALP 110 and the KTP , the Revolt is well liked by many folks here and is a great all around performer . Then you will have a quiver of the Canon M7 with non release and the Revolt with releaser .

The KTP is a great board but the width is definitely something to get used to .. . I also have the Canon M7 and there is a bit of different feel to the width of the KTP whereas the waist of the ALP (same as the revolt ) felt almost the same as the Canon M7 just longer .

[pinkkid]

very helpful, thank you... So, xnay on the shorter Thansho's 90cm?? Yes those Revolts are very popular!

[jjue]

Tanshos are very good boards . some would consider getting a shorter and more manuverable board an upgrade as well :)!

I just thought you wanted a board with more powder and crud ability then the M7 so thinking bigger and longer ...

[pinkkid]

gotcha, thank you, makes sense!

[Kirk S]

ya my first thought was the same as jjue, if you wanna get better in the pow and crud and be an all around better skiboarder upgrade the few centimeters to the Ktp's

[pinkkid]

man..... I am making this too hard I guess of a decision. The KTP's seem too wide but I like em, the BWP's are very close to what I have just better, the Revolts... just seem too long for me and the Thansho's, well they seem to short, I still need some length for speed. here's what I'm gonna do, I'm taking my M7's out this Sunday to the slopes and I will really consider what it is I am wanting to do and improve in, also figure out what I'm lacking in the M7. I will also take a closer look at the what each board was designed for and take that into considertion for what I wanna do.
I do know this, I love to spin like crazy and carve getting those snow grabs!!! Powder & crud wuld be great to go through too as you noted the KTP's will do due to their width. As for the park stuff, I really do wanna do more, I can do the smaller jumps and have actually done a couple of rail boxes, but man I really wanna show those snowboarders up and just prove to myself I can do it at my age. And I know I can do it, I (and my husband) ride quads (Suzuki 400 & the YZF 450) and jumps are theee best. Just havn't given it much time on slopes to do, seems like we are havng too much fun on other runs to deal with the crowded parks.
But in reality on the slopes... I can go down pretty much any hill no matter the steepness but always avoided any hill with mogels, especially with traditional skis, just not my thing seems lke too much work really. I avoided powder & crud because my M7's jus didn't perform well and I'd biff it. I can do small jumps getting some air and landing alright, I have done the rail box a few times and it was alot of fun. Lots more embarrassing practice is needed of course but I can't afford broken bones or bad wrecks, I still work full time, I'm 40 and have a 1 1/2 year old son.... so gotta play it safe and responsible now, all grown up. yeah right.
Speed, I control it. plain and simple, I only go as fast as I need to unless I am showing off or being competitive; in that case, I do everything I shouldn't do so I can win or look good, having fun. And I love to have fun & look good coming down the slopes and have people come to me and ask about the skiboards.
So, with all that mumbo jumbo and more than ya wanted or needed to know, what board? LOL!

[eldiablodenieve]

Originally posted by bee
Perhaps thats because they don't recommend 99cm for her size either, Its just that she has used it comfortably for a long time?

These are recommendations and I would suspect that Greco is going to err on the side of caution with recommendations. Dave Lynham was riding condors with bombers pretty aggressively and i'm not sure if he meets the 5'10" recommendation for non- release. If you are not going to be throwing back flips or backside disasters over rails(like dave did on the condors) I am sure a much smaller experienced rider would be fine on longer boards than are recommended.

[eldiablodenieve]

I love the KTPs but I plan on doing what most other skiboard junkies do and keep getting a bunch of different boards. Since you can't really go wrong with any of the boards you are looking at go with the setup you think is best for you and then just work on buying them all :)

[pinkkid]

I figure in about 5 more years I probably will have 3 or 4 different boards, they keep making them better and better

I just posted a new thread, I had a 'revelation' so to speak last night on what it is I really wanted in a board! LOL!

[Manlenium]

I would hit up the BWPs great all around board for grooms and park.:p

[pinkkid]

Your right, I like and am used to my M7's and the BWP's are similar but much better radius and surface area and just a better board, only thing is... I do not like the new graphics enough to buy them, sorry. I like the graphics on the Tansho's Bantam's Cities and KTP(but decided against the KTP's).
So basically between:
Tansho's
Cities
BWP's
Bantam's... would love to get these for fun as an additional pair, but $$$$$).

[nate]

Just get the tanshos.:)

[pinkkid]

First I have been taking in ALL posts and review and just everthing!!!!!!! As mush as I like the Tansho graphics, I just think they are too small, but I dunno.

Specifically to jjue, Hi!!!!!! I really have been taking in your post in helping me. I ride the M7's and trying to decide between Revolts & BWP's; like everyone else! I think either board would be fine. I can get a new set of BWP's with last years design from Greco, I just wasn't grooving on Ben's design Oh well; same price as this years though... or I can get the Revolts Cities or Chicken.
I really want the board that will still enhance what I can do and am used to on my M7 but also allow me huge room for growth and be more aggressive, if I choose to be more aggressive. But... I don't wanna loose my spin ability and be crossing my skiboards and getting tangled up. know what I mean?
More speed would be great, so I need more stability which both boards have since they are wider even though Bwp is 1cm shorter. I am hoping the 98cm won't look, feel or act too short, especially with the higher tips.
I am hoping the Revolts are not too long and I get all tangled up in them or go too stinkn fast! I think they would be stable enough for that though.
Factors to consider are certainly my heigth at 5.4" and weight at 140lbs and female. I'm strong and pretty good on the skiboards, but a guy at my stats would be different on the boards I think anyways. Be more bold, fast and aggressive.
G has been patient with me as has everyone else in the forums. The KTP..... a part of me thinks this might be the new way to go, mid length and fat... like wearing snowboards on each foot or a tobogan! LOL! But maybe this is the way to go? I like the 101cm, but don't wanna break a leg with th width! Besides we don't get to do powder all the time, and I think the Revolt or BWP would be fine in powder.
To me, Ski boarding is theeee perfect combination of Skiing and snowboarding.... just need that perfect board that combines them the best. KTP is very very very close?

Looking at pictures, these Revel 8's with their blunt tips raised up actually look smaller than their lengths say.
Main things: I don't want to loose what I have and can do already on my M7's. I do want to gain stability, speed, float for powder, edge for ice, and yes manueverabilty for spins and zipping past those monkey boarders sitting across the slopes!

Yes the Revolts have very good reviews, as do the BWP's. Yes the BWP's are for the parks and Revolts more all mountain. 98cm vs 105cm coming off of 99cm. Either board is wider than M7 and more radius(which I like for spins), and more surface area which I like too for stability & carving.
I hope I got my final thoughts of this ridicuous decision down right! Oh yeah, I don't want to feel like I have normal long ski's on and am acting like they are ski boards with no poles... make sense? I don't wanna loose the skate feel either. Those would be my hesitations for the Revolts. I don't want to go shorter than my M7's and loose speed & stability either, my hesitation for the BWP's.
According to 'everyone', these boards are a dream and all fears and hesitations are gone.
Again, I was appreciative of your specific input of comparing all the specs of these boards and just wanted to take it a step further. As for bindings, I just may get the top of the line Spruce prime releaseables! Otherwise Bombers.

Besides jjue, your up in Tahoe, very cool! Close enoug to home.

wheh. sorry about the length!!! Alot here, but gooooood stuff I think!

Thank you ALLLLLLL again!!!!!!

Shelley

[Roussel]

what ever skiboards you choose, you will have a blast either way.

have fun.

[SkaFreak]

I doubt you'll loose anything going up in length to the revolts. I used to ride M7's and switched up and it improved my riding. I personally love the look of the BWP's and would have preferred them, but I'm out west where we get a lot of powder, and the EMP's were going to perform better on soft days. Now I have a pair of Sherpa's around, and if I buy another pair of shorter skiboards, I'll be going for either BWPs or KTPs. It's all about preference and what you'll be riding, but don't be concerned about losing what you can do. It might take you a day to get used to the width on any of these boards, and you'll feel a bit off until you figure out how to get them up on edge, but the moment that that clicks, you will be riding as well as you ever did.

[jjue]

Hey Shelley , nice summary of the decision making process.. you know the trouble with the feast of boards that G has this year , is that many ,many folks are having the very same problems... I think you have narrowed it down to two fine choices... I really don't think the BWP will feel in any way smaller then your Canon M7 , it will have a tighter turning radius and more float because of the wider tip and tail but the waist is similar , and you will feel very much at home ...
I really don't think you will feel that the 105 is much difference then your Canon either .. .most folks who have gone up to the 105 from a wide bodied 99 like the Canon don't really notice much drop off in manuverability ..
The primary difference between the two choices is the BWP will be a better spinner , and the Revolt more float and stability at speed but both will be great choices ... Since you are comfortable with a non releaser on the Canon and have ridden it aggressively for several years . I think you will be perfectly at home on the BWP with a non releaser ... as you go up in the length , especially with a shorter person , the 105 , as G says , should make you think about a releaser . The Spruce pro prime and riser is a great system , but will definitely feel heavier on the feet then a board with a non release system . Remember that the Canon M7 is actually quite a good board and one of the best boards from the era just before the Revel 8 boards came on the scene , you don't need to give it up and it can still be a great part of your quiver . Either the BWP or the Revolt will offer something diferent from your Canon and be a great addition . With the Revolt offering the bigger difference and bigger increase in float , and stability in variable snow , pow etc . but will less of the manuverability of the BWP . One of the things that has made the Revolt so popular here is that the 6cm length increase over a 99 like the canon offers way big gains in stability and float ,beyond what anyone who have expected and yet retains most of the manuverability of a 99. But ... .take everything I say with a big grain of salt . . as , of course , I have never ridden either the BWP or the Revolt , and am extrapolating a bit from what others have said and my own experiences on the Canon M7 , KTP , and the ALP which are my boards.... I also favor the longer boards and my most favorite boards are my 120 to 130 boards and like a lot of stability and float in my skiboards... spinning ability and a real tight turning radius are much less important to my cruising type riding style ..

[Roussel]

BWPs MOS DEF

[pinkkid]

SkaFreak... just by reading many posts too, I say the KTP's if ya really want to ride in Powder and backcountry. You have the Revolts for normal groom runs already, by getting the KTP's you have theeee board for the powder and supposedly it is like Narvana!(set bindings back though).


jjue... again good stuff and after looking at all my replies and tallying up the most board votes, by a very very slim margin the BWP's beat the Revolt. doesn't make my decision any easier really 'cause of the speed stability & float factor the Revolt's have. But I would have to highly consider releaseables which to me a true skiboard has non realeaseables and is under 100cm, but the sport & boards are evolving and I am in it for the long haul and want to keep up. (don't mean to open a can of worms here about a true skiboard, that is changing and skiboards can be 120 130 etc!!!!!). so there, guess I just kinda answered my decision dilema! LOL. the BWP.

WAIT one more thing!!! shoot ..... Hard pack & hard pack powder off piste is, honestly, what most conditions are when I go skiboarding... does that make a difference in the BWP & EMP/Revolt??????????????? most everyone is saying Powder for the Revolt, well there is a difference between powder are packed powder, sure you still need to ride back tips up, but thought I better ask those who have ridden these boards.
thanks!

Now, go with the Dr Sues meet Gonzo graphic or the new BWP graphic? Maybe seeing them in person is better than online, but the new BWP graphic, though I understand the deeper meaning of it all and how they came up with it... is weird. SOmeone said the Dr Sues was pixely and the new graphic were by far crisper?????????????
As for the Revolts, Cities or even the Chicken is cool.

ok, done thanks!
I promise, I will decide and be get on with skiboarding and I agree, the Canon M7 was a very good top of the line board back in that day, thanks for reminding me. I'll keep it for a while for friends to use.

[pinkkid]

Hey roussel, which Tansho board looks better, the one with the Revel8 writing or the one w/o?????? and don't say both! LOL

[nate]

Ah, well, I said Tanshos first, but you want more stability. Go with the BWPs, that way you can stay with your non-release and enjoy great maneuverability.