October 21, 2005
Can O'Worms
Bordick asks: I probably shouldn't do this because every one will start blathering their opinion but. . . I will be getting back into snowboarding after being out for a few years. Since boarding in Corpus Christi, TX was hard, I stopped following it. Who is making good boards? Are there still primarily two types of boots (soft and clip-in)? What size should I be looking for? When can my yard rats start with me? I'm sure this is a big mistake. Boards: Burton, Rome or Palmer - Possibly Lib Tech or GNU
Bindings: Burton or possibly Technine
Boots: Burton, 32, DC - whatever fits the best. Clip-ins are pretty much dead. I think there's only a couple models still made and this is probably the last year for those. I think some of the ski makers make decent boards (K2, Salomon), but I choose not to buy from them so I can't tell you much about them. Length is based on weight and what kind of riding you want to do. I've ridden a 155, 156.5, and 160 and they've all been okay. Guessing at your weight from the last time I saw you, you probably can't go wrong in the high 150s. You'll get a good balance of stability at speed and quick turning. Anything less than like 155 is probably too short and anything much over 162ish will feel like a barn door. If you're not going to be going mach 8, closer to 155 is probably better. As for kids, you may as well ask me if breast feeding is better than formula. The smallest board Burton makes is for a 35-45lb kid. So that's like, what, 9? In all honesty I have heard it's easier for 3-4 year olds to ski but after that they can ride. -ed.
Burton makes wonderful equipment, but even Brian won't deny that you gotta fork out the cash for their stuff. I ride on a Nitro Griffon, and love it (board was 150). As far as bindings go, clip ins are dead, but if you are looking for simplicity, there is a company named Flow that makes very innovative easy in easy out bindings that I have heard great things about. Basically, the heel support flips down and up and locks. pretty money.
As for kids, you may as well ask me if breast feeding is better than formula
Poll question?
Very correct. Burton stuff is expensive. There is an outlet store up in Wrentham, MA where I've heard of good deals, but I'm not sure what all they sell.
www.the-house.com also usually has good package deals, and a whole section for the little ones.
I believe that hendrix also shops here.
Only when I'm in North Carolina. I learned not-English just so I could shop here.
i've been to the wrentham outlet. they seemed to have all of the equipment necessary (i.e. boards and little plastics things that I don't understand). Their staff even has some extra "pseudo stoner douche bag with rich parent's attitude required to be a true snowboarders
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I don't think board shops hire pseudo stoners. If your urine sample doesnt have as many red flags in it as a march around the Kremlin in 1978, it's time to pack your bags and look into accounting. They want the genuine article.
On a related note, this weekend I moved into my new house, and put my racks on the jeep to transport our bikes, skis, snowboard, etc. and mounted my yakima box. I looked very XTREME for the ride over. Or retarded since I had skis and a board on my roof on an 85 degree day.
Fuck Burton. Expensive and overrated. There are other companies delivering cutting edge products at a much more reasonable price. Salomon, Gnu, K2, Ride even.
Go with Lib Tech though. Great boards with extreme technology. I ride a Dark Series 58 from a couple two three years ago. Extreme Drake bindings which are totally extreme. You'd be good with anything from a 55-62.
Kids are always a tough one but at least their stuff is relatively in expensive. I taught Boarding in high school and we'd get kids who were around 6 and up. There was a little kick ass extreme boarder who was 3 (and did pretty damn well on a board) but that was an anamoly more than anything else. Generally, if your kids can standup on a moving skateboard then they can probably start learning to board.
maybe you want something like this.
snowboarders are cool. can I join your club?
if you want some good pricing on boards and boots, and a selection on some decent snowboard-wear, check: http://www.the-house.com/
they usually have really good package deals going on for board+bindings, and they usually throw some free stuff your way if you spend X amount of dollars.
wow, maybe i should have read bob's post before i posted this one... i'm retarded
Hey jay frank blaise, does that board come with parachute pants?
Brian, you may want to keep this tidbit. . . Breastfeeding all the way. It gets the old lady back down to fighting weight in no time.
Thanks for the board advice.
For people that are using non-Burton binders, what kind do you have? As much non-fun as I've had with some of mine, all the other stuff I've seen seemed even worse.
I'm using Drake bindings. They are surprisingly comfortable and due to the enormous straps there is very little binding bite. The only downside is that they are slightly heavy. I had always remembered Drake being sort of a ghetto company but they actually have some good items now. The bindings are the tits.
The drakes that I have are the older generation of the "Podium". Built really strong but again. Pretty heavy as a result.
ok- crazy- but i saw a baby board at Target (Tar-zhay) this weekend that looked like it was for a 3-5 year old. Toy section with the sleds. I know it's not Burton- but it'd probably work for what you need. (And yes- I did walk around exclaiming how cute it was)
Wow, I can't believe nobody even noticed the stroke of genius that is Andy Bordick. "Breastfeeding all the way. It gets the old lady back down to fighting weight in no time."
I nominate this for best quote '05.
Holy shit! I totally missed that, but now I checked it for Great Comment.
Andy is now also officially in the "I'm glad my wife doesn't read this site" club.
This also seems to be a good site - some decent deals to be found in the closeout sections: http://www.sidewayspeople.com/site06/default.asp
Thanks, I took a trip to Norway last week and bought the latest Transworld Snowboarding which reviewed a bunch of '06 boards. Most of the comments here were the same that TWSB came up with.
BTW, the old lady would agree about the booby milk comment. . . but I AM glad that she doesn't read this.
This popped up on burton.com today from one of their pros:
HI!. I think 4 1/2 is plenty old. Dave (Downing) my husband took our nephew snowboarding at 4. He got tired after just a little bit and then took decided to put a piece of webbing around his waist so Dave could direct him and prevent him from slamming. It worked great and our nephew could get the feel of turning his board and just having fun without falling the entire time. I think at that age it’s all about them having an enjoyable experience from the beginning!
http://snowboards-for-sale.com/ has a great selection of boards, and you can find a huge selection of snowboard helmets, and snowboard pads there too to save your body from slams!
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