Looking for advice on new boards

[Casezilla]

Hey guys,

My names Casey. I'm a 23 year old college student living in Santa Cruz looking for advice on new boards. Its cool to see there's a strong skiboard community online. I'll start off with some background info...feel free to skip ahead.

I've been skiboarding since '99 or '00. That sounds like a while, but I usually only ski 1-3 days per season (especially these last few years as a broke ass college student). I started off renting Salomon skiblades for a few years, and as someone who grew up street skating and playing hockey, they were so much more fun and natural than the skiing and snowboarding I'd done prior to that. My buddy (also a hockey player) and I were all over the mountain (Boreal iirc) and hitting jumps our first day on them...It was great.

Around '01 or '02 I got tired of all the rental shops handing me the Salomons when I asked for skiboards ("Oh, you mean skiblades? Here you go!" :mad: ), so I went online and bought the real thing. I ended up with Canon M7s with TD-1 bindings (same year/print as the ones shown here: http://www.a2xtreme.com/2000/0084.htm) and Kneissl Rail "Soft" boots. I purchased based on price (it was all on sale) and description in the online store (no research), but from what I've been reading the past few days, it sounds like I made out pretty well compared to the other boards from that time period I could have ended up with.

The M7s were great--a huge step up from the skiblades. They're the only thing I've rode since. I usually lead the pack when I'm with my (non-skiboarder) buddies and I zoom by everyone on moguls. It has been a ton of fun, but the more I use them, the more limitations or drawbacks I've noticed. They're not great in powder or ice, they chatter or skid at high speeds in certain conditions, and stability is sometime an issue in certain conditions. If the conditions aren't great and I'm not running groomers, I sometimes feel like I'm spending a lot of energy battling the conditions, leaning back, etc., rather than enjoying myself. Some of it may have to do with my technique, but a lot of it is definitely due to the boards. I'm probably exaggerating my displeasure with the M7s a bit, but did get me thinking about new skiboards or twin tips at times.


Anyway, the reason I'm here is this December I'll be taking over Park City and the Canyons for 5 days with the ski and board clubs from all the UCs (except Berkeley, they'll still be taking finals :p ). If I was just doing a few day trips to Tahoe this season, I would have stuck with my M7s, but for a trip like this I feel like I'll want something more. My initial thought was to rent some twin tips for the trip so I can mix it up while I'm there. One of my buddies rides twin tips and they look fun and seem like they'd be easy to pick up after skiboarding, but the more I think about it the less sure I am. I haven't used regular skis in around 12 years and the thought of crossing my tips again is turning me off to the idea. After checking out this site and reading reviews elsewhere, I've decided new skiboards is the way to go, the only question is what boards to get.

I've been looking at the Revel8 Revolts and Spruce 120s based on reviews, but I don't have my heart set on any specific board. Ideally I want a board that I can use all the time and will perform at least decently in any conditions, but I understand such a thing may not exist. My M7s are still in decent shape, so I'm open to the idea of having 1 pair for certain conditions and terrain, and 1 pair for others.

What I'd really like to know is how do the M7s compare to the current boards available? If the M7s were on the Skiboard Comparison Chart, what would they score for Park, Carving, Powder, Moguls, All Mountain? Knowing that would make the decision a lot easier. For instance, the Revolts look attractive, but I'm kind of worried they might run into similar problems as the M7s due to their similar length. On the other hand, I'm hesitant to make the big jump up to 120s without demoing something around that length first.

I don't spend much time in the park, but that's because the guys I usually ski with aren't really into it. When I do hit the park I hit the jumps exclusively (no rails yet). On mountain, I do everything from groomers to trees to diamonds to hiking to hit the more difficult terrain.


Height: 5' 7.5"
Weight: 150-155*
Build: Athletic

Current Boards: Canon M7s
Bindings: Canon TD-1
Boots: Kneissl Rail "Soft" boots


What do you guys recommend? Price is somewhat an issue for me. Not having to buy the more expensive riser release bindings would be a huge plus for me right now.


*Note about my weight: I've been eating big and hitting the gym a lot recently, so I've been putting on weight. I wouldn't be surprised if I'm up somewhere around 165-175+ by next season ('10-'11). I don't know if that makes a big difference, but I'd hate to buy some boards now that aren't optimal by next season due to weight gain.


Few more questions:

How do the TD-1 bindings compare to other bindings out there these days? If I end up getting Revel8's I was planning on throwing my TD-1s on them, rather than picking up new bindings. Any drawbacks to this?

Also, is anyone familiar with the Kneissl Rails? How are they compared to other boots? Am I missing out on anything because they're "soft" boots rather than typical ski boots? Will they work with release bindings?


Thanks for the help! (And congrats on making it through to longest first post in internet history)

[winterparkrider]

with your hieght you cant ride the 120s with non release. so if you dont want to get new bindings aswell I would go with the revolts. they have alot of designs to choose from here and greco has the most amazing customer service. But if you want to go with release you could always up the size of your boards. ALPs , Condors or the long boards. good luck man and keep skiboarding

[Karl]

I was going to suggest the ALPs as well. It's up to you if you want to go release or non-release, don't know how safe non-release would be on a longer board like that though. I'm pretty sure Jack uses non-release on his condors though so I think it's all about the amount of risk you wanna take.

[SkaFreak]

The M7's would probably have scores pretty close to straight 7's in my opinion. Maybe a 6 or two thrown in. Either way, you will feel a significant difference moving to a pair of Revel8s or any of the Spruce boards. I myself rode M7's with the Thias Hardplate bindings for a few years. The TD-1s are pretty good bindings. They are not quite as solid as the Bombers of Zeros, but there are a few riders out there that love them (including Kirk Thompson). If you're tight on cash, I'd say spring for the new boards and use your TD-1's for a while (assuming you choose boards short enough for non-release bindings)

[hyperguy]

Id 86 the spruce 120 unless your going for the risers. Its a great board for you but at 120 its to much torque on the knees. An acl rip is a 5 to 6 month recovery. If you want it cheap try
http://cgi.ebay.com/SKIBOARDS-Spruce-120s-w-Pro-Prime-Risers-Bindings-SKIS_W0QQitemZ270471576456QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSkiin g?hash=item3ef95cbb88
If it stays low its an amazing deal.
Otherwise your a pretty light guy so Ide stick with flexier boards and Ide at least match the M7 length or longer. Go with either the Alp or the Revolts.

[jjue]

The Spruce 120 and the Sherpa 130 , all need to be ridden with the Spruce riser . I think the 120 is an excellent choice and I certainly would not rule it out on the basis of price alone without first contacting Jeff Singer at Spruce . He may be having some great discount deals on his release/riser set up combined with the Spruce 120 this season once his risers come in . If you want to continue to use your non release bindings , then the KTP, revolt , alp or condors would be excellent choices and are all signficant upgrades from your M7.

[cn06]

http://cgi.ebay.com/SKIBOARDS-Spruce-120s-w-Pro-Prime-Risers-Bindings-SKIS_W0QQitemZ270471576456QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSkiin g?hash=item3ef95cbb88

Good price on Spruce 120 + riser bindings.

[Casezilla]

Thanks for all the input.

I wasn't able to jump on the 120 ebay deal because I don't get paid until the 8th, but thanks for the heads up. I'll keep an eye out on ebay.

I'm not against the idea of release bindings, but with the hours I currently have at work there's no way I'll be able to afford new boards + release bindings by the time I'm heading to Utah unless I find another source of income. I definitely want to pickup another pair of bindings eventually so my ski-board-curious friends can try out the M7s while I'm riding the new boards.

Since reading the recommendations I've been looking into the ALPs. My big question here is, will I be okay with non-release bindings on these? There seem to be mixed opinions on that. It looks like I'm just outside the recommended height/weight for non-release on the 110cm boards...how much of a risk will I be taking by riding non-release? Is there any particular action that is more dangerous than others when riding non-release on longer boards? I didn't have any problems with knee twisting on my M7s, so I'm not sure what to watch out for.

Also, what's up with the flex of the ALP. Looking at the 2007 ALP in the store, there are 2 different flex options (soft and medium), but for the 2009 models there's no flex option. What are the pros and cons to different amounts of flex and what would be the best choice for someone like me?

After seeing pictures of the pow at park city from the last storm and reading reviews at skiboardreview.com, I'm also considering Condors. How will those differ from ALPs for someone my size in terms of performance and feel? Is the non-release risk any different due to the added width?

It sounds like any of the boards mentioned (KWP, Revolt, ALP, Condor, 120) will be a significant upgrade from the M7s, so I'm really trying to get a feel for the differences in how the various boards are ridden. I'm all about speed on most runs. I'm on edge most of the time, but usually stay angled as downhill as possible. I generally only do harder more parallel carves on steep icy terrain. I love the feeling of being able to throw the boards from edge to edge fairly effortlessly and the ability to make sharp, quick direction changes. I want something that I'll be able to have fun with in powder and that retains more speed when hitting flatter sections. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[rgzip]

Look in the FS section of this forum. Fightingforair has a set of spruce 120's for sale and a set of exclaim! risers that have been drilled to fit the 120's. I have riden the 120's with those exclaim risers and they work well together.

[pinkkid]

Look again at the KTP's & Revolt's for your next ride keeping your non-release bindings. Read all the reviews you can find and also re read what the storefront description says about them. You can keep your current bindings for now but I'd switch later to the bombers when you can.
ANY Revel8 or Spruce boards will be a step up for you. I myself had the Canon M7 for my first board and was rather blopwn away by these Revel 8's... so stable and fast. Each has their own unique characteristic that you can develop your skills with easily.
Heck, even the super fun flexy BWP would be good, but if you are talking powder, better off with the KTP and longer boards for sure. The Alp as many suggested is great too, but then go release. The Spruce 120 is solid for anything, but also with release bindings. Witht he KTP or Revolt you can pretty much the cover an entire mnountain in any condition with your non release bindings.
Don't go too crazy trying to decide! LOL Have fun and keep us posted. If you can, come to Tahoe in Feb for our second annual Skiboard Shredfest!

[jjue]

Casezilla,
I have the M7 , ALP ( original soft version ) KTP , Condors
use both release and non release bindings but am bigger than you 6 foot 190 lbs

The safest board to use with non release bindings when ridden on the center inserts. would be the KTP , which is about the same length as your M7 ..
Basically it is the length of the board rather than the width that is important in looking at risk .. I think the ALP and the Condor would have a higher risk of injury then the KTP with a non release binding . How much higher , no one can really tell you .

I think at your weight the surface area of the ALP or the KTP should be fine in the pow at Park City , and you may not need the extra float of the Condor . The Alp and the Ktp actually have about the same surface area . The Alp is longer and narrower then the KTP .

The stiffer the board the more difficult it is for lighter weight folks to bend into a carve . .but it is helped by a ligher weight folk being more aggressive . Some folks do not like the stiff and wide shape of the KTP but many folks , including folks your size love it .

The Softer Alp has more suspension there is only one Soft alp and that is the original 2007 model , the rest of the Alps are a bit firmer in flex but not nearly as stiff as the KTP ..

Some folks feel that stiffer boards give them more edge hold in ice.. others like the way that more flexible boards have more suspension in variable snow and how they are easier to drive into a carve . It really is a personal preference.

I think that at your weight you may find that riding the KTP or the Alp center mount will be fine , that you do not have to sit on your tails much in pow with either board . and may not need to use the rear inserts of the KTP to help you in pow .

The revolt is basically the same as the Alp only a bit shorter , the fact that it is a bit shorter would be a bit safer with the non release bindings . it has about the same flex as the current ALPs . I have not ridden the revolts or the current models of the Alps . The Alp has more surface area then the REvolt . the KTP also has more surface area then the REvolt for float in pow

hope all that info helps ..

[Manlenium]

skiboarding....the original twintip.

[Casezilla]

lots of great info
Thanks jjue, that was very helpful.

I'm gonna go with the ALP and take the risk with non-release bindings initially. I feel like if I go with KTPs or Revolts I'm going to regret not getting 110 or 120cm boards by the end of the season. Leaning toward the '07 with more flex right now because it sounds like I'll dig the flex and I like the '07 graphics. Bases on the ALPDORS are amazing though :eek:.



If you can, come to Tahoe in Feb for our second annual Skiboard Shredfest!
Found a great deal on the northstar/sierra double whammy pass, so if you guys go to either of those mountains I should be able to make it.

[Manlenium]

Good choice. enjoy!:D