Snowboarding

Ah yeah that sounds good then.

Where do you guys suggest I look for a board? Any fave shops?

For general browsing (in London), Snowbaord Asylum in the downstairs of Ellis Brigham in Covent garden and the Snow + Rock off Long Acre are both decent I find. Might be starting the end of season sales soon/taking stuff out of the shops soon though so may not be a great range.

My local shop seems pretty good. Midland diving center in Leicester.
Their online store is called magic toast.com
Always seemed helpful when iv been in store and have some decent kit.

Only open weekdays though so if your going in it's abit of a hassle.

I've got 5, wanna buy one?

If you want to support OG local, Finches Emporium is the oldest ski shop in London, but I doubt you'll be getting a deal and I don't know how new their current stock is. Makes you feel good and swag points though. They had an original Burton Nug in there a few years back, don't see them around anymore.

Lol! What you got? Also, your custom graphics?

Because I'm a chunky monkey, it would need to be bigger side (159-162ish), for mostly beginner/intermediate, groomer/all mountain and most of all cheap and cheerful cause ill probably have got it wrong and so will have to start again. I think.

For a good neutral stance (assuming you're not a hardcore carver or anything) we used to jump up and down a bit in a comfy wide-legged stance then look down and see where our feet had settled, then take that as binding spacing and angles.

Sounds way too simple to work but it it works then it doesn't need fixing aha board turned up today. Just waiting on the bindings then I'm going to take it all to my local shop and buy some boots and ask nicely if they can help me set it all up.

Ugh rider weight and height can generally get in the bin, what size feet are you?

I have this DWD Maet in a 158cm: https://www.snowboarder.com/gear/snowboards-gear/dinosaurs-will-die-maet-snowboard/

And this Salomon Answer in a 159cm: https://www.rei.com/product/790388/salomon-answer-snowboard-0910

The Salomon honestly has seen better days and I think has a narrower waist width (for regular feet sizes) but it's one of my favourite boards I've ridden. It's mega poppy and is really fun for an all mountain deck, my only issue are my feet are too big for it.
The DWD is also all mountain but in better condition, slightly wider I think too. Still loads of fun as it's a little softer flex.

DWD you can have for £50 and the Salomon say £40 as I think it'll need a service (maybe £20/£30) - Can upload photos if you're interested.

Photos would be great!

I'm a Burton 43.5 / US10. 5 but weigh 100kgs

@brokenbetty and had the guides to ourselves today

3 Attachments

Snowbaord Asylum

They seem closed due to Covid for the foreseeable (by Internet, may not be updated)

I was in there about a month ago so unless it’s a new update from them I’d suspect they’ve just not changed the info?

Wonderful! Thank you!

Won an eBay snowboard for a steal. Fucker cancelled and refunded saying courier was asking too much. Dickhead.

Shit behaviour, I won my evil twin on eBay for a good price and postage was £30.

eBay is a cesspit

Not sure I can even neg him, seems once it’s cancelled ,transaction is closed. Not that it’ll make a difference.

Which raises a question, can a board be changed over time? If it was once a stiff board cause of “internal rods”, can the stiffness or characteristics of the board change? Is there a risk outside the obvious inherent risk when buying an older board? Or is a board a board and the sales tech speak just mumbo?

Boards can certainly get flexier and flatter for instance. Take a standard camber board with plenty of use over many years it'll get closer to flat. Less pop etc but it would take some time and use for a super stiff board to ever become super flexi if ya know what I mean.

Having said that, most people will use a board a couple of weeks a year? So, with answers to a few questions you can work out whats what.

I am lucky enough to only have done seasons and when you're using a board 5 times a week for 5 months its easier to see that change. I did 6 seasons in a row and only had 3 boards of my own.

Unlike bikes I was very much run what ya brung. (K2 Ultradream for everything in the end)

I was worried about this,
as I kept my previous boards for a decade each.
First one had 2 seasons rental under its belt,
the second a year of use by a local.
First one softish all rounder,
second ultrastiff freeride,
none primo brands.
Nothing changed ,
disclaimer I m under 70kg,
never ride around resorts.

What's your stiff ride? (snicker snicker)

On board chat I've done a couple of seasons so had about 4 boards at one point.
Now I just can't be arsed and so look for a rental shop that will do a premium rental.
Went to morzine a few years ago and got a Burton custom X which was dreamy.
I got back from.meribel last week, had a decent Burton board and boots but was let down by crappy rental bindings.
After a three year hiatus and being the wrong side of 40 it wasn't like I was going to be hitting the park so was totally adequate.
Benefits are have a freshly waxed board and not having to pay the additional baggage charges. Plus it can be interesting trying to fit into the rental car if everyone turns up with skis or boards!

TL:DNR Sometimes renting is better than buying imo

Rental is a bit of a lottery, speaking as someone who has never owned my own. Depends so much on size of resort/shop and time of the season etc. I've had brand new boards still in packaging down to shitty, knackered boards with blunt edges.

TL:DNR Sometimes renting is better than buying imo

This has been my opinion for years. When I started I immediately bought a helmet and boots because I don't want to wear the sweat of others. But premium board every season sounded great. Though this time I found the staff more than irritating. Also, judging me soley on my height is irritating as I'm significantly heavier than what I look.

But mostly I'd like to own my own for a little while. So I can improve because I know the ride. And the setup is mine.