Snowboard size -
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- SLAZ
snowboarders question:
I have been riding for about 2 years and always ride a 158". I want to get a custom board done but the only sizes available are 155" and 163".
Should I try going up or down? I really don't know how the size difference with affect my riding...
I am about 6 foot and weigh 180lbs.anyone swicth sizes lately? What would you recommend?
- dstlb0
Depends on the terrain you ride, if you go off piste a lot and ride powder you need a big board, 163 would probably be about right, if you're riding pipe and park you can probably get away with a smaller board, not a 155 though, that's much too small for your weight, not that you're a fat bastard or anything but it's too small. 158 or 160 would be better.
I've just moved from 158 to 162 due to being a bit too lardy and sinking in the deep stuff too much.
- SLAZ0
thanks dstlb...nice points, i usually ride in man made snow, not real powder like in Colorado or that. I live in NYC and usually go out to PA or VT.
I always thought, the smaller the board, the more trick you could pull, the larger the board is for more downhill. Is this statement false?
Just wondering.
- 2cents0
dstlb is pretty much bang on...i'm about exactly your size...a bit lighter and i rock a 160 and a 163.
just picked up a bmc 168 and to tell you the truth i really don't notice the size difference. if anything my 168 handles better than the other two...was even sessioning some rails and booters up in the park the other day with it...only thing i find hard to do on it is butters since i have alot more nose and tail to play with now.
- SLAZ0
2cents...was it a big adjustment getting the board around just as fast and the 160 and 163?
How long did it take you to adjust to the bigger board? I have rode a 160, but not a 163...just thinking in my mind that it is a lot my board to swing around, if that makes sense.
I am thinking of buying one of those package deals from Monument (163" Monson) to try and get used to it before I get my board made and see if I even like it. It is pretty cheap, only 250 and you get bindings.
To get a custom board done it takes 3+ weeks and costs $400 beans...so I would rather just wait till next year for it before I waste good money this year.
- mbr0
Don't forget to look at the contact area, it can vary dramatically. I've looked at 160 boards that had the same contact area (or edge area, or something like that) as a 154, making it essentially the same length. Some boards just have larger noses and tails, usually for riding in powder. So look, because not all longer boards will ride like they are longer (look at what the manufacturer says it was intended for - freestyle boards won't have the longer tips because they weren't really made for deep powder, for example).
- esko0
mbr is right contact area is very important, but as far as size I would say you don't want to get a bigger board given the terrain you ride. unless you are more of a lean back and make nice turns kinda guy.
I think what your riding right now is pretty ideal, sucks you can't get that.
- rd110
the other name for contact area is also refered to as the "effective edge." It's important because some boards are cut more parabolically, so that when the board flexes, all of the edge holds through the turn.
Depending on what foot size you have, you may want to make sure that your toes won't drag on the smaller board.
- unknown0
I ride small 154", Santa Cruz
- unknown0
the difference in size is that you will have more control with a smaller board, hands down truth
- unknown0
Take a look at Terje and the small guys on tour, they all use small boards for tricks and power cutting. You can use large boards as well it all depends on your style.