lonerider

I would say that the Phoenix acceptable/sufficient in soft snow (more so than the Khyber on hard snow). I did get thrown a little bit in crud, but I am a good 25 kg lighter than you and everyone else (most of whom are heavier than me) have not complained about the board throwing them around as much. Part of it also way that I didn't like the 8m sidecut for the 155. I really would have liked it to be a bit longer (would carve a tighter arc than I wanted for a given board inclination). Finally I was also suffering from a bit of boot drag (even though I have 25cm boots) again because the board would really trench into the snow - normally a good thing but I would go in so deep my boots would drag. If I could get a 152cm Phoenix with a 25cm waist and a 8.5m sidecut, I would be in heaven, but that would be a custom and there are so many other boards out there to try.

Well, these are just my experiences as I roam through all the boards in the world for myself as I would like to find good boards to ride. A better way to think about it is that the Phoenix is still very good while riding in powder and rarely think "darn I wish I had my super powder board," whereas there might be a time or two where you might prefer have a more symmetrical board setup compared to the Khyber on jumps. I do again urge that snow conditions are important. I live in California and the snow here is often soft and bumpy, so the Khyber is more at home here. However, on frozen windpack, the Donek will feel more surefooted. However, since I believe most European resorts (big ones) tend to be at high altitude, I suspect they will be firm more often than soft. Yes Tankers are very long... but they are surprisingly like. The latest 172s weigh as much as a typicaly 158-160 board (Prior are actually a little on the heavy side and I can't remember, but I think the Tanker 172 is lighten than the Khyber 160). Sorry, to throw that wrinkle in... but for me... the lack of pop in the tail was a showstopper.

As I mentioned, it kind of depends on the snow type. If the groomers are fresh or even wet/soft, I would say I like the Khyber better. If the groomers are firmer/refrozen... I would say the Phoenix. I reiterate that the Khyber's taper will feel a bit different than what you might be used to.I will say that the Phoenix is better in powder than the Khyber is at freestyle. The Phoenix is quite capable in powder - decent flotation and pretty nimble. The Khyber is better when there is 3 feet or more of fresh powder and/or when you are in the trees where the gaps are 1 meter wide or less (that's pretty specific powder conditions). In contrast, because of the large setback in the inserts and the skinny tail, the Khyber is a little awkward to spin on. It isn't impossible, but not a board I recommend trying to learn how to spin with. The Madd TT158 are excellent on firm conditions and good on wet conditions. They are also a very very good freestyle board. However they powder riding capability I would rate only as good compared to the very good for the Phoenix and excellent for the Khyber. My problem is that the TT only comes in 158cm (I would have liked something smaller for freestyle, like a 152cm). For you at ~200 lbs, you need the CFB model as I'm 150 and I like the SS model. Tankers are very good in powder, very good on groomers, but only "ok" in the park in my opinion back they have very little pop (not much energy return for ollies). They are also excellent riding in any type of snow (hard/soft) Overall, I think the Phoenix is still probably you best bet... let me try to summarize my comments in a little table: (EX - excellent, VG - very good, GD - good, FA - fair) (Powder, Freestyle, Trees, Hard Conditions, Soft Conditions) Phoenix--(VG, EX, VG, VG, FA) Khyber---(EX, FA, EX, FA, VG) Madd-----(GD, EX, GD, EX, GD) Tanker---(VG, FA, GD, EX, EX) Since you want to be riding powder... I would generally push you towards the longer lengths since you are 25 kg heavier than me. You are heavier than the recommend weight range for the Khyber 160 and probably the Phoenix 160 as well. The Madd TT158 CFB is very stiff and might be able to hold you, but the SS is too soft (maybe gofor the FR/FS models as they are longer/wider). The Tankers... well you can go from 172cm (smallest they make) to 200cm.

AMF: Yes Khyber: Yes is is powder oriented and very good in soft/bumpy snow. Ok on firm snow. I didn't ride it on ice (smooth and glassy), but I did ride on concrete hard windpack (winds were gusting up to 40-50 mph, err... 65-80 km). Oh, I forgot to mention that is has a lot of taper to it. This means the board will automatically exit the carve about 3/4 of the way into the turn, this is nice in the trees as you can quickly cut back and forth through the tree (i.e. won't get stuck in a turn). However, it forces you to keep the nose pointed down the fall line more (whereas with other boards you can carve until you are going directly across the fall line). Phoenix: Yes, it is the best all-around combination. That's not to say it's the best board (it depends on what you are riding/doing). 1. Yes, the Khyber is well suited to straight airs inside/outside of the park (the link I posted previous will take you to a photo of me jumping a Khyber Split). The tail has a good amount of pop to it. 2. Both boards feel "small" for their size. For sizing with the Khyber, I would at the very least suggest the 165cm/170cm depends on if you prefer shorter/longer boards and softer/stiffer flex. I'm 175cm/65kg and I ride a Khyber 160 (I have ridden the 156 and it felt a little short because of the taper). For sizing the Phoenix, I would definitely go long, while I typically like 155cm ranged boards, the Donek Phoenix 155 felt very short (light and quick turning... too quick turning). I think I would have been happier with the 160. For you the 163W or the 165 for sure. For further refinement, email each company and they will be happy to give you their expert opinion.

The Khyber is quite good on soft groomers and wet/bumpy snow, on frozen grommers or firm hardpack it is acceptable, but not amazing. That's where the Donek is better - firmer, flatter snow. On groomers with wet bumpy sections the Doenk would tend to get throw me around a little more though... so that's why I asked what type of snow you get over there.

I have owned the Donek Phoenix 155 and have ridden the AMF 153 and 155. Without a doubt between the two boards the Phoenix is more what you are looking for, it is a little and nimble board, easy to navigate between trees, and floats well in powder (for a freestyle board), and is an excellent freestyle board (easy to spin off of jumps). I found the AMF to have too short a sidecut and too soft between the bindings to be fun outside of the park.Another board you might want to consider is the Prior Khyber if you rarely do rails or spins in the park. It is designed powder/trees and is better in that respect and is perfect good for straight airs. I don't know what the snow is like in Poland, but the Doneks are better on firm, flatter snow... while Priors are better on bumpy,wetter snow.

I've owned the Donek Incline 155 and the Donek Phoenix 155. Between the two the Phoenix is much more park friendly as it is not as stiff (bot longitudinally and torsionally), this also makes the Phoenix WAY better in the trees, where the Incline's narrow and stiffer profile make it positively a chore to manhandle through the trees. I've been told the Wide model is better in power, but probably not great. The Doneks like firm conditions... wet/soft conditions and their stiffness/liveliness (less dampening) make them a workout to ride, unless you are big, heavy guy.The Tanker are very damp and can be ridden virtually anywhere... however they have very little pop out of the tail, which makes them more of a high speed cruiser than a quick, darty, dynamic slashing carver. The lack of pop also makes them not as fun in the park, although they are light and easy to land off of jumps. Prior Snowboards are also damp, and have more pop in the tail. I would recommend these to most people (the MFR as I don't like the short SCR of the AMFs) Madd Snowboards are very damp and have a ton of pop in the tail, I really like the TTs, they are my favorite board... I only put them below the Priors because they are smaller and the level of customer service inconsistent. Still in my opinion, it's what I would get.

He's got you there Bob. :D

Hello all, being of Chinese descent (American-born, but my parents were both born in China but moved to Taiwan following the civil war), I have often participated in discussions about the social, economic, and political situation in mainland China both within my family (my uncle was a professor of Mathematics at Beijing University, my mother worked at the United Nations for thirty years) and while in college (Wang Dan, student leader at Tiananmen, was a classmate, although I didn't know him well). I have travelled to China several times, both as a child and as an adult. My parents took me to the Three Gorges prior to the dam being build so that I could see it before it was gone. I have visited Beijing in 1987 and 2001. I have been to the factories in Shanghai as a VIP guest and yet have also talked with my friend who spent a year in Sichuan teaching English while covertly collecting old newpapers (poorer people used to use them as wallpaper) for her thesis (a risky endeavor even for a natural born US citizen).With all that background and a Harvard education... all I can really tell you in general is that the situation is very complex and to simplify things in a single line or two really misrepresents what is going on over there... actually I should say "here" since I've been in China for the past couple of weeks travelling for fun (hopefully my posting won't be censored as they monitor all internet traffic... incidentally Youtube is blocked right now). I still don't believe I fully understand what's going on myself. What I definitely know is that the Epoch Times is ridiculuously biased as it is Falun Gong-run paper. Not that there is anything inherently wrong with Falun Gong or being anti-PRC, but if you actually know anything about China and read the Epoch Times on a regular basis (read their articles on their own Nine Commentaries), you will realize that they are the political equivalent of the "National Enquirer," in which while many stories might have a seed of truth, they are often twisted and exaggerated to comic proportions (even worse than the state run papers sometimes). I actually read it at lunch sometimes for amusement, much to the dismay some of my friends who are more "active." So if I read in the Epoch Times that the Chinese government is allegedly impressing people into slavery... I take that as the government and state-sponsored companies are doing some very unethical and immoral business practices (like forcing workers to DEPOSIT money when they join to keep them from leaving work or changing jobs within a month and enforcing curfews in which workers are locked in their dormitories during the weekdays) ... but not actually forcing people into the traditional definitions of "slavery." Also, I agree that the Chinese government has a vested interest in its companies making more money (perhaps to the detriment of its citizens). I would though like to point out that the US Defense Intelligence Agency estimates that the Chinese military budget is somewhere $85 and $125 billion dollars. In contrast, the United States spent $585 billion dollars for its military (roughly 20 times per citizen, still more than double if you account for cost of living differences).Of course you might say that the US government and military has the American's people's best interests in mind. Probably... but I can't help but notice that last year Halliburton has made roughly $14 billion dollars in revenue this year alone for contracts in Iraq. Also, despite claiming that it was maimed by Katrina, following the start of the Iraq War, ExxonMobile was able increase it profits nearly 50% in 2005 to $36 billion dollars and nearly $40 billion dollars in 2006 while also being under investigation for human rights violations in Indonesia committee by its employees. But there is a perfectly good explanation for all of that you might say... and there might be... my only point is that things are more complicated than they seem in China. Anyways... I probably said more than I should.

So all of this is my personal opinion, which varies from other peoples. Yes, the point is to get something that feels different from your hardboots/plate setup and having ultimate carving power all the time is not the point of this setup.A malolo will be good combination for powder and park. I have NOT ridden the FR2 (I rode the FR1), but even with a thin dampening pad and a 25% weight reduction, it's just not what I would recommend for someone doing park and powder. If you are in good shape, have healthy ankles and have good fitting boots you won't need the ultra-stiff boots and bindings.

I have done a lot of park riding and limited BC riding. Are you using snowshoes or splitboard for BC?I own the Nidecker 800 Pros and have owned the Catek Freerides. How much do you weigh? With size 12.5 feet, I'm guessing you are over 200 lbs and so I think those two bindings would be good for you. I'm only 140 lbs and the Catek Freeride FR1 were a little too stiff for freestyle in my opinion (bruised heels and ankles), unnecessarily stiff for powder, and a bit heavy for backcountry since I didn't need the extra stiffness, powder, and the cant/lift adjustment (in comparison one FR2 binding is heavier than BOTH Burton C60 bindings). I wouldn't suggest the the C60 to you at your weight as you might shatter it. So maybe the Nidecker 800s. For boots, people like the Burton boots for backcountry also because of their Vibram rubber soles. Salomon Malamute is a good stiff BC boot (I have a pair). As are Nitro Darkseids. For freestyle I have the Nitro Teams which are medium stiff - but made for ppl with narrow heel/ankles. Hope that helps.

I've ridden the Madd TT158SS and TT158CFB and the Madd Alpine 170 F2 and agree that the softish flex belies the incredible edgehold on ice/hardpack. Somehow Madd is able to give you virtually unparallelled edgehold on firm conditions without forcing the board to be super stiff... actually, Prior's Metal alpine boards are like that too (pretty soft flex, but better edgehold).The 159 is a good all-around size for a versatile, freeriding in softboots unless you are a Sasquatch .

That article is a piece of satire designed to make fun of people who like to categorize other people. Here's a quote from the author of that piece after I commented that I thought the article was silly and didn't get its point.

Blasphemy! (all in good fun before this topic gets toasted extra crispy).

It's been done and it works decently. If you want more info, try using Search as it has been discussed many times.

I had a Oxygen Proton 164GS with Titanium Cap. I would say that is only mildly damp, decent edgehold, wider than typical (19.5), torsionally stiff and above-average stiffness. It was far better than my Burton UP162 of similar vintage, but no way "ahead of it's time." The flex pattern wasn't that great in my opinion and there are several other brands of boards I would pick in terms of quality/construction over it... still it was wide, had a long sidecut, and was cheap - great combination.

Nice.

And wait 2 years. I love my Coiler EX though, way better than my 2002/3ish (blue titanium cap) Proton.

There was also the Salomon SP4 Shaped which had an upper "wing" that wrapped around a bit to allow you some extra lateral leverage. I think highback rotation does most of the work because you only really need the "side" support in the direction of your heel edge at higher binding angles. Then again, I've found all the arguments for going past say 45-40 degrees in strap bindings to be unconvincing. I would probably recommend going up to 35-30 degrees at most.

And no one carves harder than Bordy! I figured I was just too small too at 5'9' 150 lbs since most people who rave about them seem to be on the hefty side (except Ken L who sports them on his Khyber). Nevertheless, the FR2 are a work of art.Personally, I don't mind the lower highbacks on my C60s (I did notice that they were pretty short), because I use them for freestyle. For my freeride setup, I use a pair of Nideckers and I have a set of Bent Metals as well.

Board is sold!

Board (only) is still available.

All you do on a freebord is skid, it doesn't carve at all. If you want to be able to stop you haveT-board - turn hard with the rubber wheels and it will skid Dirtsurfer - leg brake (very effective and intuitive, difficult to brake too hard so you won't pitch yourself off the "board") Flexboardz - latest models come with handbrakes, haven't tried it yet. I understand your apprehension about being able to stop. Even though I know how to coleman slide and foot brake, I still don't feel entirely comfortable going at high speeds down a road. That's why I'm looking at the Flexboardz myself (Dirtsurfer is fun... but it really is made for near-straight-lining down the fall-line).

Compared to the Tierney a Flowboard will also be tippy like the Tierney. The Flowboard is much slower because the wheels are smaller and because as you turn you have to overcome the inertial of spooling up another small wheel. Hammerhead is a little faster, but also need steep hills. Neither can stop very easily (they don't skid) so you will need to footbrake,I suggest a longboard like the Loaded Vanguard (I have owned two). Or maybe a Flexboardz (looking at that myself).

x3.!.!.!