Jack M

Not worth the weight. Same goes for Vist. Sure, if you're racing on a mac 'n cheese budget, of course get a used one of those if that's all you can afford. OTherwise, for a relative bargain I have to believe a Donek plate would be more competitive, based on the design and effectiveness of the mechanism.

obsolete.

What do you weigh? If you're less than 180, I'd say the 173 will be a more versatile snowboard. Same sidecut, so it should carve similarly to the 177.

of course not.

Thanks for the offer, but Hangl = fail. ;) This doesn't make a lot of sense because you are going to get one set of answers based on peoples' dream board, and another set based on the holes in peoples' quivers. Those are answers to two very different questions. If I could only demo one board it would be an SG 163SL because I already have a Coiler 171 and 185. Is that relevant to you? If you demo a Kessler, you'll probably love it. But you won't know if you would have loved an SG more, or a Coiler enough to justify saving half the money. If you simply can't get to an Expression Session, then yeah, demo'ing a lot of boards is expensive or not feasible. Then you need to be asking the dream board question, and buy on faith.

the ones that fit right.

Umm... the point of demo'ing boards is to try lots of different boards to see which one you want to buy. So I don't understand the question...? I "need" a short board. I'd like to try an original Madd 158, an SG 163, a Coiler Metal SL 164, a Coiler Angrry, a Donek 162 Metal SL, and a Prior FLC 163W.

Yes. http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/newhotness.cfm

I think you're over-thinking it. I ride a 21cm waist board here and love it.

So far it looks like the premium for the Boiler buys you Bomber-quality hardware, about 8oz, 0.25" lower height, and greater stiffness. And CF bling factor.

No time to read that article at the moment, but I would not ride without my custom footbeds, which are very firm and structural. Going on 13 years now, no issues that I know of. I don't use them for any other activity though. As for asymmetrical body development from carving, I found with glass boards like Madd and Donek, my front leg would get a much bigger work-out. I'm finding metal boards benefit from a much more balanced technique.

Don't forget the reviews forums! http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=51

Sure you do. The majority of riders... well, let's just say if the majority of riders' decisions mattered, we wouldn't be here now would we? Hello, Sidewinders? Hence the 3rd strap.

Nice! I have always believed 3-strap bindings are the gateway drug to hardboots, and are awesome on their own. I like the rocker idea, but I have to admit it looks heavy.

More cant and lift adjustability. Entrance into "the club". ;) At your weight they should last a lifetime. Get the soft e-rings and you'll be comfy.

correct; at least that's how it's supposed to work.

My understanding of it on skis was that it was inclinating the skis at different edge angles due to your knees being together. That has no analogy to snowboarding, so.... yeah. Snowboarding with your knees stuck together is not a good thing, but I think calling it A-framing is a misnomer. That's a ski term with a specific meaning about the edge angle of the two skis.

I rented a Supermodel 168 at Jackson Hole last year for 3 days and it had the channel. I experienced no issues and it seemed like the system worked fine.

What are you a lesbian? Get an Impreza instead. ;)

Coiler.

That person would still benefit from toe lift on the front foot and heel lift on the back foot. Sure it does.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dear-Boyne-Please-send-new-lifts-Love-Sugarloaf/180383608652805

sounds like he didn't get the reach-around from his bf last time.

And you can't even spell espresso? :p I am on dpreview.com and dgrin.com for photography. Rarely bimmerforums.com for my car.

Seth Wescott says BlueB is wrong. :p Seriously man, I could not disagree more with your post. There are things that Softboots can do that Hardboots can NOT do, and vice versa. Neither is "wrong". Get a grip!