Jack M

Sounds like something in the low 170s would probably work. Check out this article on buying an alpine board... http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/how_to_buy_snowboard.cfm

In that case, I'd look for a Donek 171FC-I (11.2m sidecut, 18cm waist), or a Volkl RT 173 (11.7m sidecut, 19cm waist)

I've heard some good things and some not so good things. I've never ridden one. iirc, I think Oxy's are generally a bit softer than other boards.....? I'd check out bobdea's used Donek before a used Oxygen. But if it's a brand new Oxygen for cheap, it could be worth it. Oxygen was made by Atomic, so the quality is there. But I'd go Volkl or F2 before Oxygen, both of which can sometimes be found cheap. You say some conflicting things however. You say you like to go fast, you like steep wide runs, and GS turns. Then you say you like a deep sidecut. Those things are mutually exclusive. Longer radius (shallower sidecut depth) = more speed and stability for fast GS carves.

I will be trying your zylon. Oh yes.... I will be.

here's an article about bying an alpine board... http://www.bomberonline.com/articles/how_to_buy_snowboard.cfm Boots - check out the Deeluxe Indy. (Deeluxe was formerly Raichle) Boards - Donek, Prior, Coiler, Madd, F2, Volkl (in no particular order) Bindings - Bomber, Catek. F2s are decent if you find a used pair.

great job Scott, thank you!

I haven't ridden one, but I believe they're the real deal. Especially after inspecting Ray's boards at SES and seeing him put them to work. Just be prepared to plunk down four figures for one.

8 week paternaty leave, baby! (unpaid) okay, stick to the topic!

I don't know, and I doubt this is documented. But I wonder who was the first person to carve a snowboard consistently and teach the technique to others. What do you think? Or, who do you think was the first to popularize carving?

They had Fin proof read it. (woops, was that out loud?)

Heh, you got me there Dave. Actually our 2nd baby has been a piece o' cake. The first one had major digestive issues, but is fine now. That t-shirt just cracks me up. http://home.maine.rr.com/jjtd/uploaded_images/bro_n_sis1-703388.jpg oh, to follow up on that Tequila thread, I've decided that Herradura Reposado is probably the best value for making margaritas. Nice flavor, decent smoothness, reasonable price. Better than Cuervo Tradicional for the same cost.

Actually, this is my current favorite t-shirt, I gotta get me one o' these.

I'll send you a pic of my PJ if you need a better image! Now can you make one that says "I Hate Country Music"?

http://bomberonline.com//articles/setup.cfm

http://bomberonline.com/articles/how_to_buy_snowboard.cfm http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=3 mondopoint boot size = foot length in centimeters

if asyms worked as well as syms you would see a few pros racing on them. they can ride whatever they want, not just what is available for retail. how many pros race on asyms? oh yeah... zero.

I don't hate them, I just think they're obsolete as far as riding ability goes. They're kind of like 8-track tapes. Can you listen to music on them? Yes. Were they good in their day? Yes. Can they still be used? Yes. Can you still get them? Sort of. Will a 15 year old 8-track sound as good as a brand new CD? No. What I do really dislike is people advising new carvers to go ahead and use asyms because hey, it's all good. It isn't. They have to be used with a different technique, so why should a new carver have to learn one technique only to find they have to unlearn it when they buy their next board? Dumb. I don't know if you're a new carver, I'm just saying that's the thing I hate about asyms.

I still have mine, I rode it for 3 solid years as my only board. It was a great board in its day despite the stubby nose's tendancy to auger in and launch me over the handlebars. However, you would be ruining a collector's item if you t-nutted it to mount modern bindings. Also, it's asym, and there's really not much point to learning how to ride an asym anymore. They're basically obsolete.

If you're considering those boards you'd be remiss to not include Prior, Donek, and Madd in your research. Good luck!

outsider - it's clear to me now!! Can't beat the employee discount. Wow, I didn't know Nitro was made by Volkl. Winterstick is made in Maine, has been for a number of years now. They're not too far from my house.

Van Halen rules.

ahem - 1% thank you very much. No, I've got no attitude, I'd just rather scratch the back of the people who are scratching mine. Of course, and Donek, Prior, and Madd make boards to do that. F2, Volkl, and Nidecker too.

I highly doubt that would be the case. Umm, they support what we do...?

I know nothing about Nitro, but I can't imagine why a carver (especially one active here) buying a soft set up would not be looking at Donek, Prior, or Madd? Derf, the "partial cap" you describe is a manufacturing shortcut. It's easier and cheaper to make a board like that. Probably doesn't negatively affect the ride, but it's not a performance enhancing feature.

http://www.catek.com/freeride.htm