guesswho

Actually, I'd like to add Zanci's question about Pogos. What about the other smaller and less well spoken for brands out there. For example the ones available at the Bomber store like Volkl, Nidecker, and Ogasaka. What should someone know about these brands before considering them?

Budget concerns are DEFINITELY an issue, lol. Otherwise, the one-of-each plan would no doubt be the way to go. Wow, the Prior WCRM with the clear topsheet is sexy as hell. The silver surfer was always my favorite growing up. Do the newer WCRMs not have exposed metal on the surface? Great reply BlueB! Thats exactly what I was looking for. Also, thanks to everyone else that has chimed in. I'll take as many "2 cents" as I can get. With Coiler, Prior and Donek all being great boards, I think I think I am leaning towards the WCR metal as the Donek metals are $1000 (and still kinda new on the block, no offense Sean) and the Coilers have a long lead time. The prior seems like the best combo of price, quality and availability. I live in NYC so the conditions I ride are average east coast crud. Not too much soft powder, just generally hard pack and a bit of ice with occasional corduroy. The trails Im used to are not very wide or long, Id say pretty average width wise but no where near the length of trails in the rockies or elsewhere. As Im not super comfortable at high speeds I was looking for a board with closer to a 10m sidecut. Does an 11m or 12m ride that much differently? Also, what about length? I ride smaller east coast mountains that can sometimes get crowded so short is good, but I want something to take with me when I get to the larger mountains further north. Is there a big difference in feel from 168-172? Something is telling me the Prior 169 is good, but the 173 is seducing me on account of, you know... bigger being better and all, lol.

Thanks for the info and the lightning fast responses, but could you please provide a bit more info as to why you recommend those? Bob, why (in your opinion) does the WCR out perform any other option? Shawn, why do you think the Coiler helped take you from newb to competent? Tex, thats a great point regarding customer service. However, Im about 99% that the metal boards are way out of my price range. From what Ive seen in other sports, getting your technique right the first couple years will go ten times further than having the best equipment. Thats why I didnt think it would be necessary to splurge money I dont have just yet. Is not having metal going to hurt me?

So, I could be opening up a can of worms here, but here goes. Im looking to buy a new board some time before the winter comes but I just dont know how to decide between different brands. The three Ive been looking at lately are the Donek Freecarve, Prior WCR and the F2 Silberpfeil. Im somewhere between a beginner and intermediate hardbooter. My current board (and the only board Ive ever had) is a really old Head Ax, 163 cm and very stiff. Im looking for something a bit softer (medium flex) and more forgiving but longer (168-170) with an intermediate sidecut (more than 9 but less than 11). Im 5'7, 160 lbs and been riding for about 2-3 years. I can easily check the stats for a bunch of different manufacturers but numbers dont make a board. Any advice on what I can expect to get with different brands regarding everything from quality to general "feel" would be great. Sorry if theres a similar post to this elsewhere, but if there isnt, maybe we can make this an impromptu "brand shopping guide" for other beginners to reference.

Hey guys, Nice to meet you. I knew I wasnt alone. Its funny, Ive seen some of you post often elsewhere but kinda figured "they seem really experienced, theyre probably out west or further north" lol. DjulezD - Thanks for the suggestions but Im no where near comfortable enough to carve on blacks or double blacks. I can ride them without too much trouble but carving on them... not quite yet. Ive pretty much carved alone with the exception of one or two days where I just happened to meet someone, so Im still learning. I can rail but usually end up scrubbing off speed by skidding after every couple carves. Are you leaving the city for good, or just for the summer? P.S. "guesswho" is just a screen name Ive had for years and just never bothered thinking of something better, lol.

Like a "great job this past season Mr. Smith... what are you riding and why?" I think thats a good way to go about it. Also, to return to Big Canuck's question, how can we make sure our names are on the list for one of those limited edition volume 1's? :) -Adiel

Hey, I am REALLY looking forward to issue number 1. I also want to offer some encouragement. Coming from someone that tends to lean towards the small niche sports, its definitely not easy to help grow the sport and reach wider audiences. That being said, I disagree with your thought on product reviews and comparisons. Yes, product reviews tend to be biased and are hard to make valid because of all the variables. But, you have a rare opportunity to surpass those difficulties. There are plenty of places to get advice on generally accepted standards of good technique, but for a beginner, knowing what equipment to buy can be a very difficult choice. Imagine if you had a comprehensive buying guide that was NOT biased and made sure to remain objective. All the beginners (and pretty much anyone looking to buy new equipment) would consult the magazine first since those reviews are so hard to find. Also, Im not sure if it has been mentioned yet, but a guide to help beginners select the right equipment would be great too. Not brand-wise, but how to select the right size, stiffness, sidecut, etc. Something to help them figure our what attributes they need and want from their equipment in order to get to where they want to be. Im sure I wont be able to convice you to do product reviews, but I think the equipment attribute selection is really necessary. Looking forward to seeing more pages! Nice layout/designs

Hey Everyone, The purpose of this post is to try and find other hardbooters here in NYC. In a city with 8 million people there has got to be more than a handful of us. There just HAS to be! There is of course another likely scenario that there is a carve scene and Im just not familiar with it :P I know the summer hasnt even started but I'd like to try and find some people before the cold comes rolling around in hopes of meeting up when it eventually does. So, either way, Im going to introduce myself and I hope others from the NYC area (and a little beyond) will do the same! Me: Adiel I live in brooklyn and have been snowboarding for about 3 years. I drive but dont have a car so I usually end up taking bus trips from the ski shops to either Hunter or Windham. I try to get out once every other week or sometimes every week, depending on the state of my wallet :) Your turn...

Hey, I'll take the board if Stopher doesnt want it. I hope Im not too late. You only posted 16 hours ago! lol Let me know. Thanks, Adiel

Thanks for all the info guys! :) Im literally saving every penny I make from here till new years to go on this trip so I dont think I'll be getting the 3 valleys pass. But I see that Val Tho alone has a massive amount of trails so Im hoping it will be ok. I'll try and be vigilant weather-wise too. I guess I should start boning up on my french, huh? How do you say: "Come brother, let us bomb this sweet sweet mountain side"? You know, just in case, lol.

Hey, I sent an email about payment info. Did you get it? Let me know how you want to carry out the transaction. Thank :)

Can I get you the payment in a couple days? Paypal ok? Thanks. -Adiel adiel _ fernandez at yahoo.com

Whoa, I just got an amazing oportunity to go to the alps on an awesome package deal. But I need some advice. Ive never really been anywhere but the north east United States (sad, I know) so Im not sure what to expect in terms of conditions. I would imagine that they get loads and loads of fresh powder pretty frequently. Can I expect to carve at all? Ive got a 163 Head freecarve (probably older than it sounds, lol) and a 158 burton elite freeride board I can also use for powder. Obviously, I would much rather use the freecarve. Think I can get by with just the freecarve? Anybody been to the Alps? Im staying at Val Thorens. What can I expect? Any alpine snowboarding done over there?

Woohoo!!! Im taking a trip to france for a college ski/board trip. Im EXTREMELY stoked. However, i need a boardbad that will be tough enough to endure an international flight and fit my two boards: 1) 163 Head Alpine board 2) a 158 Burton freeride board If I could fit both sets of boots in the bag it would be ideal, but it has to fit atleast one set. Wheels would be greatly appreciated. Im looking to pay about about $100 - $125 for it, but am willing to negotiate if the bag has more or less what im looking for. Thanks for looking! -Adiel Adiel _ Fernandez @ Yahoo dot Com (my email, not too hard to figure out :P )

Hey, Im interested in the bag, has it been sold yet? Did you send me any pics? I dont think Ive received any but maybe it got spammed in my filter. How much do you think shipping would be to New York City? Please let me know.

Hey Radial, Im thinking of getting another board for summer carving. Im currently on a sector 9 thats about 39 inches long, and in my opinion way too stiff for my weight. The T board looks pretty crazy, but according to their site its "the closest thing to snow". How is it when youre on flat land or trying to skate uphill (god forbid :) )? How do the Carveboard (pneumatic tires, no?) and T boards compare? Im really not an extreme carver, though I do learn quick. This past season was my first on hardboots, but Ive been longboarding for a couple years now. And btw, a lift driver? Genius. Pure Genius. Need to get me one of those.

Hey, Can I see some pictures of the bag? guesswho122084 @ yahoo . com Thanks :)

Hey guys, I posted on the other thread, but I figured I'd post on this one too to improve visibility. I live in Manhattan, NYC and I'd love to be able to get out to rail with you guys but i dont have a car. Is anyone going from the NYC area that would be able to pick up an extra passenger? I'd be happy to split the cost of gas. Let me know :) Thanks, Adiel

Hey all, I live in manhattan, NYC and would like to make the trip up to ride with you guys. One teeeeny weeeeny problem though... I dont have a car :( Anyone driving up from nyc that wouldnt mind picking up an extra passenger? I'd be glad to split the cost of gas and such. Let me know :) -Adiel

Damn, that sucks big time. Sorry to hear that, the same thing happened to me a couple years ago right at the beginning of the season, except it was summer and a different sport. I didnt get a plate, just a strap. I was told that theres really nothing that can be done to immobilize a broken clavicle. I didnt know a plate was possible. The only advice I can give is to sleep sitting up. If you dont have a comfy couch then prop as many pillows as you can under your neck and back till gravity isnt pulling your shoulders to the side anymore like it would be if you were on your back. I had most of my arm back after 6 weeks, but was up and around after 5. Still have a bump though, several years later. Oh well, its a good scar to show the ladies, lol. Good luck dude. The season isnt over for you, you should still have a good month or so after recovery.

Hey, Sorry but, oddly enough, I havent recieved any message from you or any one else. Im not sure why, the email address I have listed in my profile is correct. If anything just send an email to guesswho122084 (at) yahoo.com. Thanks. -Adiel

Ahhh! My brand new boots smell like bacon! Wait a minute... MMmmmm, my brand new boots smell like bacon, lol. Hey John, That would be great, Ive actually never been to Butternut. Late january might be a little early to take time off work since Im already taking the second week of Jan off too and I started the job about a month ago, so its a maybe. Definitely thanks for the invite though. Just curious, about how often do you get out and what mountain do you visit most often?

Hey, Im going up to Smuggs that week too. Im getting there on the 6th and staying till the 11th. Ive never really been there before, but Im looking for someone to do a couple runs with. Im kinda new to hardbooting and wouldnt mind the company of a fellow carver. Let me know if youre interested. -Adiel Fernandez

Yeah, their website is Bladesnyc.com. Its not a bad place to go, but its kinda limited, only saturdays and sundays to Hunter. I come from speed skating where it is also necessary to have a perfect boot fit. Speed skating boots are also heat moldable, but im not sure how similar the two behave once heated. I know that BomberOnline mentions several times in several places that its best to have it done by a professional and that if not you are doing it "at your own risk!!!" I guess what Im getting to is how easy is it to screw up? Whats the worst that can happen to your boots if you do? This is, of course, baring the possibility of cranking it up to 500 degrees and roasting em, lol.

Hey guys, Im actually in the same position. I just got my first pair of hardboots and Im looking to get them molded before I take a trip up to VT for a week. I'll be going to Smuggler's Notch, so its no where near the Starting Gate. Plus Im going on a bus trip so I wont be able to get over there unless everyone on the bus wants to go, lol. I WAS going to go to paragon, but that was mostly because I didnt know of any other options. I wasnt really sure of how good a job they would do. I havent called Surefoot, but do you guys know how much they would charge to mold the liners of my Track 325T's? I didnt know there were other trench diggers here in NYC, much less manhattan! I do use the term "OTHER trench diggers" lightly though as Im not sure if Ive fully established my carving skills just yet. So, how many of you guys live in NYC and where? Im on the upper west side of manhattan and I usually take the blades bus trips from their 72nd street store. I'd definitely love to meet another carve junkie once I get back from VT, so let me know if you guys would be interested in taking a bus trip together :)