guesswho

Hey, thanks for the quick replies guys. So it seems that most (if not all) are in agreement, Im better off with the size they sent me. But Im wondering, is it possible for boots to be too tight even before being molded? Or does the mere fact that I fit into a 25 mean that Im too small for a 26? -Adiel

Hey everyone, I just got my first pair of hardboots in the mail last week and Im having some isses with how the boots are supposed to fit. So, heres the deal: I measured my feet just as it says to do at the Bomber store and I got a 26 and a 26.3 for left and right respectively. So, I ordered a 26 boot from bomber. When I got the boots it turns out they sent me a 25. When I tried them on, they were very tight, as to be expected. But when I do the finger test to see how the shells fit, I get two fingers behind each heel like its supposed to be. I wore the boots with liners for a little while and strapped into my bindings, and while they were very VERY tight, it made me think. Will the liners expand enough after heat molding to give me a comfortable fit? Should I send them back and get the size I ordered? How tight are they supposed to be before you mold them? I am taking a trip to vermont on Jan 6th and I really need to get the boot issue settled before then. PLEASE HELP!!! -Adiel

Hey all, I am taking a trip up to Smuggler's Notch VT the second week of January. I am very new to carving and am looking for some one to watch and maybe pick up a few pointers from. I know no one wants to spend their time on the slopes tutoring a newb, so Im just looking for some one to ride with for a couple runs. I have been snowboarding for about a year, but on a freeride board. I rode my freecarve board once so far, but with softboots and bindings. However, I ordered new gear and should be on a full carving setup before my trip. I'll be riding my ass off for 4-5 days straight trying to get the most out of my new gear and the new mountain (new to me anyways), so if you want to join me, let me know :) -Adiel

Hello, I recently purchased a used Head Ax Freecarve board. This is my first board and I am looking for some information on it. I would like to know where this board lies on the spectrum in terms of stiffness, ride characteristics, handling, etc. If you remember anything about this board (its a couple years old at least) of have ever owned one, please let me know. Anything will be helpful. Just a little BUMP to get some attention. Thanks! :) -Adiel

Sorry, I got a little busy lately and forgot about the mess I started here, lol. You guys are awesome! I love that passion you guys have. Its amazingly similar to the kind you find on the inline speedskating boards. In certain aspects speedskating and hardbooting are pretty similar. I think recreational skating is to speedskating as freeride is to carving. Both are just much more focused forms of the original where precision of equipment and technique especially are paramount to success. Yes, I am a beginner, but I am not afraid to dive right in. I feel confident enough that I can pick it up even though the learning curve is a little steep. Hopefully, my experience with body positioning and extremely controlled weight transfers will serve me well here. Michelle, in addition to skating, I longboard as well, I dont know if this helps you understand my background. Also, I will try to find out what the current binding angles are on my freeride setup to give you guys an idea. Zoltan, I am about 155 lbs and usually ride mountains like Hunter and Windham, much smaller than those big beautiful hills you guys have out west. So its basically hard pack/corduroy in the mornings with some chop towards the end of the day, depending on if its a popular trail or not. Wierdly enough, I feel the same way about the binding angles. Because my board has like a 250mm waist, I cant afford to go that high for fear of too much underhang and not enough leverage (I think im using the term correctly). But I do feel that I would be able to shift my weight and lean more correctly if my binding angles were higher, but again it could just be my inexperience talking. Also, Im not really sure about how the demo process works. Can you sample multiple boards in one day? Is the Startingate located ON a mountain, or close to one? Is there a fee? Contract? Kidney exchange? Im afraid to think of what kind of deposit I would need to put down on an $800 board with $400 boots and $300 bindings. Plus, I will have to drive up from NYC for the day. Not sure I could afford to spend the night in a hotel. *Thinks about it* Good lord, how much will I be spending Sean? Unless theres a major sale, I dont think I can handle the expenses. This isnt really a sport for the financially challenged, is it? lol.

Well, Im coming from inline speed skating, another sport where precise boot fit is absolutely essential. There, boots also use the mondo point scale, and a 27 fits me like a very snug glove. We actually use the same exact method to measure boot size as Michelle mentioned. As for the metal boards, I would love to get one, but right now my choice is either get a mid-level board or continue trying to carve in my super softie freeride setup, and that just wont do. I actually do have wide feet, so maybe I will look into head boots. But I have heard some that people have had major issues with head warranties. Any comment on that? I think Im gonna have to think about the bindings a little bit longer, because the standard ones may be more compatible, but I am really only going to have one setup for a while. Plus, Im all about the convenience, lol.

Thanks for the advice. I think I might actually use Bomber's Spring sale for the board and bindings and save some money for next season. I dont think I'll have a hard time finding good bindings, but I dont know about the boots. I am a size 27, and its not available in any of the boots. I guess I'll have no choice except to go to the starting gate and get them in person, which is probably better because I get to try them on. Would I be correct in assuming that 27 is a popular size and will sell out quickly? Can I expect them to be more expensive at the store than on the website, or is the pricing pretty standard? And I know there probably isnt a simple answer to this, but should I, as a first time hardbooter, be looking into getting step-in or standard bindings, and why?

lol, Thanks. Man, you guys are awesome with replies. Actually bobdea, heres a pic of the what I ride http://www.mamboo.ru/upload/burton07elite_m.jpg Also, those boards you recommend sound like a good idea, but price is definitely a factor here (broke college student), I will keep an eye out for those boards in the classifieds though. Same for the Priors Tex mentioned. Question: How bad are freecarve boards at handling bumps and end-of-a-crowded-day trails? I'd like to go with a freecarve, but the all-mountain seems a bit more reasonable. Is the Silberpfeil unusable on crud? Some of you guys seem to think its a not a great choice, but its a bit more affordable than others, even new. And I know graphics arent important at all, but its a SWEET looking stick, lol. I was a little concerned about out-growing it, so thats good to know, Fin. I read that there should be atleast one softer link in the chain, be it either boots, bindings or board, because if theyre all stiff than it makes for a crappy ride. Where is the Silberpfeil in terms of stiffness, compared to other boards? I see where you are coming from with the boots. Its the same thing in speed skating, proper boots come first, then everything else afterwards. High 160's it is! I was just a little concerned. You're right, my freeride 158 setup is considered fairly large, and isnt very flickable at low speeds. I have checked out the welcome center before, its a great source of info. "carving the norm" is what helped me with my first carve more than anything. I guess I'll plan a trip up to the starting gate at stratton. Its like a 5 hour drive, so I may try to make a weekend of it this winter. Man, it is way to early in the summer for me to want to ride THIS bad. How do you guys do it? My longboard just isnt enough! I keep looking for a lift when I get to the bottom of a hill, just to remember that I have to push MYSELF back up to the top. That is unacceptable.

I am looking to buy my first alpine board, after my first season on a freeride board. You might say Im jumping the gun, but I love diving into things head first, and it always seems to work for me. I'd like to think that I learn pretty quickly. I learned to carve on my freeride board on maybe my 5th trip to the local mountain, using only what I have read on this forum and alpinecarving.com. Im not saying Im really good at it, but I can definitely lay down a trench. I am currently on a soft boot/binding setup with a 158 burton elite (eff edge. 121cm, waist 25cm) freeride board. As to be expected, the board wobbles and flexes like crazy during a carve, and I know thats just not right. I am about 5'7-8 and weigh about 155-160 lbs. I longboard frequently in the summer, and feel comfortable hitting intermediate snowboard trails in the winter. Again, I've only been on the slopes like 8 times or so, it was a short season from what I hear. Judging from the characteristics of the different types of boards at alpinecarving.com, Ive decided to go with a freecarve board, and am currently in love with the F2 Silberpfeil :) I've heard this board is rumored to have a bit of a steep learning curve, but I feel confident enough in my abilities, that I think I can tackle it. (I hope im not coming off as over-confident). I was thinking of getting the board new (or used if I can find it), some cheap used bindings, and some mid-level boots (high end if I can get them on sale). So, my question is, am I completely mental? What length should I get? I was thinking a 162. If this isnt the board for me, any suggestions? P.S. I live in NYC so, unfortunately, demo'ing a setup and trying stuff on, isnt really an option for me.

Thanks for the feedback guys, you've been a big help. Not only did you respond quickly, but in abundance. Sorry to tell you, but I am definitely coming back here with all my annoying newbie questions, lol.

I have a 158cm burton elite freeride setup with soft boots. Is it possible? Is my board just way too short (I'm a smidge under 5'8)? Are the hardboots absolutely necessary? I am talking low speed carving here, nothing serious. I am still a beginner and just bought this setup so I cant afford to change it now. But something about carving just calls to me, lol. It looks freakin' awesome. I have tried it at home and it is possible to angle the bindings toward the nose and lean them forward for a deeper knee bend. Am I over simplifying? I admittedly know very little about alpine. Also, it might be important for you guys to know I live on the east coast in NYC, so I can only get to smaller mountains with mostly man-made snow, and maybe occasional trips to new england.