Jack M

That would be a Cruzer. The Cruise (or was it Cruize?) had a rounded kicktail. And will the real >20 year hardbooter please stand up? Was it mellow johnny or Bob J that voted 20+?

how bout it? how to count: If you started in 2000, 2004 - 2000 = 5 inclusive. This season is 2005, don't count it. Let's say 5 days or less counts as a half season.

Burton did put a lot of passion into alpine, and for many years they did own alpine, that can't be denied. Burton used to be the racing juggernaut. I think the passion began to fade around 97-98 when their race boards seemed to stop evolving. However they continued to offer a robust line-up of alpine boards through 2001, including race, freecarve, and all-mtn. They also offered a full spectrum of hardboots and plate bindings, including race and freecarve boots, standard and step-in race and freecarve plate bindings, and even women's boots and kid's plates. Their delusion that there was nothing wrong with their bindings was self-reinforcing, due to the fact that Burton bindings were on more podiums than any other. When they lost that passion and decided the money wasn't worth it, they tried to sneak out as if nobody would notice. That's the only thing I fault them for. -Jack

The best time I've ever had in bumps was had on a Donek 171fcII. I think the wider waist (19.5cm) and resulting lower angles help with maneuverability. For me I think 171 is the perfect bump length. I agree that a short SL deck would be more work, but I did <b>not</b> enjoy my 186 in the bumps. I've never tried an all-mountain carver, maybe that would be more of a good thing?

just saw this on www.maddmikes.com: "All products we sell have a 2-week money back guarantee if they do not meet your expectations."

Oh hogwash. Any of "The Three" could build a Madd given the recipe. Kind of like how Miller now brews PBR and Schlitz.

Just for the record, I do not represent Madd at all. I can just see both sides of things. I spent a summer working with a guy starting his own snowboard factory. Granted, it was small, but I learned how to make boards and some of how a factory runs. It's no cake walk. Also, knowing Shaggy, I have every confidence everyone will be taken care of when all is said and done.

Here's some reading to help you get started: Welcome Center

Wha?!? Zardo's notwax should be illegal!! It is TOO fast for public consumption! It violates the 2nd law of Thermodynaics! It's the snow equivalent to flubber! You may actually become younger while using it!! Damn you Helmut Karvelow for sneaking it onto my board!!

Rick, I too was skeptical about all the claims about Madd boards.... until I rode a new demo in March of this year. Believe me, these boards ride like a dream. I think many of these issues are going to seem less earth-shattering when people are actually able to lay edge to snow and enjoy their new toys.

You have to take into account that all or most of these boards have names on them. Blem's like these and other mishaps happen in any production run of snowboards. Normally the board would be tossed in the demo bin, and another one would be grabbed off the stack and shipped to the customer. But since all the boards have names on them or are otherwise spoken for, that's not as easy to do. I have no idea how many extra "back-up" boards they made in anticipation of goofs, if any. Not sure how this one made it out the door, but I'm sure Moxie will tell us all how Madd resolves the issue!

Actually, it's a bbam - pronounced "ba-BAM!!", kind of like Emeril.

and how's the car?

1. Several old farts hang out here, and the average age of alpine snowboarders is significantly higher than freestyle snowboarders. 2. Some reading: Welcome Center 3. The Classifieds: here.

seen the Welcome Center?

it wasn't. I thought you were just being helpful.

actually I wasn't. like I said, it was late at night, and an irrational post. it's gone.

Oh, I'm sorry, do Burton bails <i>not</i> break all the time? :p Unnecessary. Then you'd be getting boot wear and/or unpredictable play. Why not make the closure system unbreakable, and engineer the flex in somewhere else? Now that's just crazy talk. Plastic toe clips. peushaw. Compared to what? Skiing? No. Softboot snowboarding? No. (Burton's topshelf 2-strap binding is $350)

not speaking for fin or bob, but i'm sure this could be accomplished with the existing e-ring system, and just making it cushier, perhaps also with more travel. no need to compromise safety with weak components. bombers are engineered bindings. if you're not engineering, you're guessing.

Thanks Mike, I'm sure the wait will be worth it.

I actually just got off the phone with Shaggy, they're putting together a newsletter now.

http://apps.volvocars.us/enewsletter/04/news07.htm

used older/softer Burton boots, the Furnace, in the SLC Olympics. I don't know what he's on now, but he likes the soft/soft combo.

Pretty sure the A75 only does 15fps video, whereas the W1 and SD300 do 30fps, which is TV quality. 640x480 is TV size, but you need 30fps to be smooth.

umm.... no. I'm just someone who makes a living by programming. I like to think that what I do has some monetary value.