New Board

[tomstampy]

Mammoth was nice enough to remind me it's almost that time again.  The time of year we drop wads of cash.  I want my own board this season.

I've narrowed it down: 
- Either save some money and go with the entry Burton Clash, found for $250 shipped,
- or take reccomendations and splurge on the Arbor Element, found for $400 shipped.

I still

Comments

[ducati]

Have you gotten a chance to ride the Arbor? That's a fine looking board. A bit stiff. Wide, but responsive. Mirzu swears by his. I think it's a great board for big-mountain riders, shines as a powder hound, but lacks in the park a little. If that's the ride you want, then look no further.

At a glance, the Clash appears to not be cut all that differently from the Custom... though a probably a bit less responsive due to wider arcs. It appears to be on the opposite end of the spectrum as the Arbor in that it's light and pretty flexible. Hit a few rocks and you'll definitely feel it.

You'll likely get a couple more seasons out of the Arbor. I get the feeling that with the Clash you'll be ready for another board in two years (tops). But that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you get way into boarding you'll probably want to move on in about that amount of time anyway. Hope that helps.

We should ride together this season at some point. :-)

[mirzu]

The element is a great all around board. George rode the wide, the regular is more nimble and will most likely be my next board. From G's analysis you are looking at two very very different boards. What kind of riding are you looking to do?

If you can find a pair in your price range I'd suggest Salomon bindings. The sp3, sp4 or spX from a couple of years ago should be great. The toe strap does not come out of the clip which makes that in and out faster, they are responsive and well built.

I normally wouldn't suggest it for anything, but Ebay has been very good to me for snowboard gear. Lots of smaller shops sell their old inventory on it so you can get new stuff from 1-2 years ago at huge discounts, but there is always the risk of scams and such.

[ducati]

I'm with Mirzu on the bindings. I finally have to replace my Burton clickers this season... god I loved those. If I don't go with Flow (this year's are significantly lighter--a plus for backcountry, but $$$$) I'd go with a set of closed toe-strap Salomons.

And regarding eBay: BLASPHEMY! Quite a bit of our next car is coming from them, ya know. :-P

[mabuddha]

i agree re eBay... marc got my burton feelgood es on ebay for like 350... normally i think a $600 board. too bad i hardly got to ride it last season :-p

i got marc's burton custom from hhjobbing.com. they have a store in downtown LA and one in Torrance and a lot of their stuff are seconds... perfect board technically, but with cosmetic imperfections in coloring.

and there's always skidazzle...

[mabuddha]

i should add that in-store inventory & pricing is not represented well by hhjobbing's online store.

[puplet_loaf]

Buy both! And three pairs of bindings!

Oh wait, I'm not helping, am I?

[tomstampy]

wasn't it you who convinced me to go with the more expensive boots (which I love) near the end of last season? Actually I think that *was* helping. =D

[redstickman]

I'd get the Element, myself.

But who am I to tell you what to get? I was at the Burton sale in Oakland earlier this year and passed up a Custom X for $400.

I think I'm too in love with my board and want to give her a good rogering, one last year.

[tomstampy]

>> But who am I to tell you what to get?
Well, since I did get the Element - apparently you are:
"RSM!-decider of the SnowBoard!"

[redstickman]

sweet!!!

i think a mammoth trip is in my near future. :) a few of us are also looking into whistler.

[ducati]

Whistler?!?!?! TAKE ME WITH YOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!

[librakaos]

a good board is nothing without a set of flow bindings... if you don't spend the cash on the bindings, might as well not get a board.