AussieCarver

Hi Dan, Yeah, had an older F2 Speedster at Ruined Castle during the 'good' week a few months ago and it was awesome fun (until it got all chopped up). I think the one I've picked up will be a good board to have for good conditions and I might try and pick up an AWD board at the tail end of the US season. Here's hoping the USD:AUD stays around the same! Cheers mate and might catch you up there next year eh? Pete.

Sorry, I'll try again with pix (like I said... learning fast!) -------------------------------------- Hi everyone, Still a new guy, but learning fast here in Australia. Have a couple of questions about gear that I have: Warren, one of the BOL members here in Melbourne, has generously donated a board to me, which is just amazing. The board is a Prior WCR 167 and looks to me to be pretty racey. I'd appreciate any info on the board beyond what I know above. Warren also gave me some Blax step in bindings for the board: Which is also extremely generous (the carving community might be small down here, but it's pretty damn helpful). Warren said I might need to get some bits and pieces to get these bindings working again. First thing he said was one of the centre bolts might be a little threaded, so I might need to replace it (he couldn't recall which one was threaded, but I guess I should find out if I can get replacement parts for this online). It also looks to me that there is a dark plastic piece missing from the heel (see the left hand side of the binding on right). Does it look strange to anyone else? Questions: 1. Firstly, are these bindings any good? Can people see any issues with them? 2. If they are good, can I replace parts? And where do I find them? 3. If they're not, what bindings should I get? (Steps ins or ?) I'm an average carver that likes speed! Next issue: I recently posted on BOL that I got two new pairs of these boots for $150 each (which people tell me is a bargain). From what we've heard, they're Indy boots and quite good. The feedback was that we should pick up the BTS system for the boots, which we're doing. (thanks for that advice guys). So... Question 4: How do I get the fittings to match these boots with my new step in bindings? Can anyone help there? I'll need some kind of pin arrangement in the heels? Anyway, Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. And finally... In terms of boot comfort, my pair are fine, but the pair I gave to my friend are a little problematic. One of his liners is super comfy, but the other has been crushed so badly (been stored incorrectly in the shop for like 5 years plus) and it's super uncomfortable. He's trying to clamp it back in shape, but it's not looking good. So Question 5: How we get another liner that will fit these boots (Is it possible to buy just one?) Here's a pic of the liner and the serial number: Thanks in advance for any help, info and advice you can provide! - Pete

Hi everyone, Still a new guy, but learning fast here in Australia. Have a couple of questions about gear that I have: Warren, one of the BOL members here in Melbourne, has generously donated a board to me, which is just amazing. The board is a Prior WCR 167 and looks to me to be pretty racey. I'd appreciate any info on the board beyond what I know above. Warren also gave me some Blax step in bindings for the board: Which is also extremely generous (the carving community might be small down here, but it's pretty damn helpful). Warren said I might need to get some bits and pieces to get these bindings working again. First thing he said was one of the centre bolts might be a little threaded, so I might need to replace it (he couldn't recall which one was threaded, but I guess I should find out if I can get replacement parts for this online). It also looks to me that there is a dark plastic piece missing from the heel (see the left hand side of the binding on right). Does it look strange to anyone else? Questions: 1. Firstly, are these bindings any good? Can people see any issues with them? 2. If they are good, can I replace parts? And where do I find them? 3. If they're not, what bindings should I get? (Steps ins or ?) I'm an average carver that likes speed! Next issue: I recently posted on BOL that I got two new pairs of these boots for $150 (which people tell me is a bargain). From what we've heard, they're Indy boots and quite good. The feedback was that we should pick up the BTS system for the boots, which we're doing. (thanks for that advice guys). So... Question 4: How do I get the fittings to match these boots with my new step in bindings? Can anyone help there? I'll need some kind of pin arrangement in the heels? Anyway, Hoping someone can point me in the right direction. And finally... In terms of boot comfort, my pair are fine, but the pair I gave to my friend are a little problematic. One of his liners is super comfy, but the other has been crushed so badly (been stored incorrectly in the shop for like 5 years plus) and it's super uncomfortable. He's trying to clamp it back in shape, but it's not looking good. So Question 5: How we get another liner that will fit these boots (Is it possible to buy just one?) Here's a pic of the liner and the serial number: Thanks in advance for any help, info and advice you can provide! - Pete

Is it still up for grabs and is there any room to move on price? Regards, Pete

I am still looking... how much is it and can you send me some pics? my email: pjames@gdj.com.au Thanks!

:) Hi Tekkhead! How was that Rossignol board? My mate is taking the same board with us next Monday for me to try out.

Thanks Michelle. I've read about the RAB and BTS and I'm all over that! Need to gets me some of those. And that Plate gizmo looks awesome. I've worked a bit with Carbon Fibre and epoxy in surfboard construction. It's cool stuff. Actually, maybe Bomber Gizmo could be the name huh? Your comments on the pumpkin boots I've picked up make me feel all warm inside like I've done something good! As it turns out, there is a second pair at the shop (same size as the ones I got and bright orange too) that fit my mate like a glove and he's picking them up too. This has given me some credibility with him (as I have zero credibility in this discipline, earning a little is good) and he is going to join me on Monday, give me some tips and let me ride a couple of his boards including a Nidecker Escape and a Rossignol race board. Cannot wait!!! As for Aspen... I DREAM of Aspen. But at the moment, I'm kind of committed to Indonesia and left hand barrels. It's a bit cheaper to get there and I wager that the beer isn't quite as expensive. But one day... one day. Anyway, I'm stoked that people are so friendly and that the original owner of this thread hasn't ripped my head off for invading it. I shall back out quietly now and start my own! Cheers, Pete.

That sounds like I done good. Hey, whats an RAB and a BTS? I know what ASAP is!

Thanks for the big welcome. It’s a bit lonely down here in Oz for hardbooters (can you hear the crickets in the background?) Great advice bOardski. I’m looking forward to using the Nidecker Escape as it represents an escape from softbooting! Since my last communique, I've been offered a couple of boards from a mate at Quiksilver in Australia. This is what he has told me about the boards and boots he's allowing me to trial: "One’s a classic alpine Serge Vitteli carve board with Arcane step in bindings also a pair of size US 9 compatible boots. Put what ever bindings you want on it. Same as the other board it’s a Current model Lib tech skunk ape which is an all mountain board most suited to regular hiback bindings and soft boots but again try what ever floats your boat. Check the Banana and double camber in the bottom line and the magna traction sidecut. The sucker still carves in soft boots." So there you have it... I will probably need to translate some of what he has said here into English, but it will be fun comparing these boards with the Roadster and the Escape. G’day Leeho! Man, I reckon I’m about as far away from you in Kalgoorlie as I am from the US! At least we’re on the same continent anyway. In answer to your question, the model of the Deeluxe boots I bought about half an hour ago are Salt Lake City 2002. Here's a pic: Eight years old and a shocking colour… so I bargained him down to $150 which I reckon is half OK given that they’re probably the only other boots that are going to fit me anywhere in Melbourne (probably Australia). Anyway... they fit great and are super snug. Looking forward to comparing the old Raichles and my new tangerine specials. If anyone can tell me anything about what I’ve just bought, that would be good! Particularly what bindings will work well with them and whether they’re compatible with these mysterious Step Ins I keep reading about. I’d love to see a pic of what the step ins look like with the boot and the binding if anyone has one. Good advice too Kieran (and I took that advice and bought the Tangerine specials) but it’s unlikely my skills will improve inside a day (the snow is melting in the Melbourne Spring sunshine as I type). Monday is the day I’ll test it all out on the last bit of white. Great welcome oldsnowboards! Money is OK… not too much of an issue, but like I said herein, managed to get them for $150 so I’ve got two pairs – one softish, ancient and wacky and the other more modern and snug for $230! Can’t be too bad eh? I’ve even got the guys in the hire shop saying ‘Can you bring your board and boots in so I can have a go of this hardboot thing? Looks interesting!’ So think of me as Pastor Pete, spreading the Carver Gospel Down Under. Thanks also SunSurfer, I’d love to get to NZ where real snow is. I’ll check out Trademe too. Good advice. Finally to Lowrider… I don’t know what a plate is or does… but I will hopefully learn and I will be happy to track one down when I found out! Cheers guys, Pastor Pete.

Sorry to piggyback on the new guys to this great site... but I'm new too -albeit on the other side of the planet in Melbourne, Australia. I've been a surfer for most of my life. I skied for a while, then crossed over to soft boot snowboarding about ten years ago... but you know what? I always thought snowboarding was the poor cousin to surfing. Then two weeks ago, I borrowed some too tight Burton boots and an old F2 'Route 66' Speedster from my business partner. YEEEEEHAAAA! ::):):):):):):):) I had an absolute ball! Why in hell do people bother with soft boots? It just doesn't compare. Carving is amazing and even though I'm not laying down on the snow like you guys probably do, I'm hooked - it's just like a bottom hand turn in surfing! So, I spoke to another mate who also rides hardboots about next steps. He said I gotta get good boots (good advice also in this thread) and he told me that he's got these old Raichles that are just like comfy slippers - he said he wouldn't swap them for the world. They're the ones with the Vibram sole. He said I wouldn't find them anywhere in Australia... but guess what? I did! Went to the local hire joint and they found these in the corner under a bunch of cobwebs: The guy in the shop didn't even know how they worked. They're virtually new and I got them for $70. They fit beautifully and are more comfortable than my soft Sorells! I can walk around in them with no pressure points whatsoever. I'm super excited and I'm sure everyone out there is saying 'Why? They're ancient boots!' Now I'm on the hunt for a board (even harder to find here in Oz). So maybe I might have to buy from the US. But before I commit to something, this weekend, before the snow disappears here in Oz, I'm going to try out either one of the following two boards: This circa 2000 Roadster from the guy with the old Raichles like mine: and this more recent (I think) Nidecker All rounder on the left from his bro: A couple of questions: 1. If I'm only going to try one board, which one do people think I should test drive? 2. I also found another pair of more recent boots (new this time... Deelux) with a bunch more straps and much less forgiving than my new/ancient 'comfy as old slippers' Raichles. They fit well and feel like they'd be much more solid - like ski boots. The shop owner said I could have them for $200 bucks (the guy wants to get rid of them I think). Should I snap these up in case they're better for a more 'racey' board like an f2 Speedster that I might get later? Maybe they'd be more compatible with step in bindings? Oh... and how the hell do those step ins work? They look awesome! I really am showing that I don't know much. But what I lack in knowledge, I more than make up for in enthusiasm! Thanks heaps for any advice! Pete

Thanks Bora20. I'll check out the Prior site. And good advice on the boots. Thanks also Kieran. That board looks more All Mountain, but it's a 'Speedster' which I had assumed was more of a down the line board. Am I wrong and can someone fill me in on the board? - Pete.

Hi Patrolla, I'm in Melbourne. Looking for a board. Is yours still for sale? - Pete.

Hi people. First post. I live in a land where hardboot carving is virtually unknown. I borrowed an F2 Speedster and boots from a friend with same foot size a couple of weeks ago for the first time and I'm hooked. I was the only person on the mountain in hardboots. Now I gots me all sortsa problems. I love it bad, but there ain't nowhere to buy any gear down here in Australia. Like NOWHERE! So you guys are a lifeline to sanity. So... I don't have a board. I don't have boots (how the hell do you try boots on halfway around the world?) and I gotta convince someone that I'm a normal person who is actually going to pay them from way down here. HELLLPPP!!!!! My mate here tells me I need an all-rounder like the Donek Axxess (or similar). What are the chances someone has one for sale? Who knows? But it's worth a try huh? I would also like to buy something second hand and near new rather than fork out for brand new. Any help (like ANY HELP) would be appreciated here on the moon (might as well be the moon!). Don't be scared by the logistics of getting the gear to Australia... there must be a way... and I'm a reliable buyer. Thanks a million. Pete.