Randy Kight

I want to say thanks to all who took the time to give me your thoughts. I'll call Dan, again, and speak to him about options. Maybe see if he can send both models out and I send him a pair back after decision. Wish like helll I could try these things on/out in a shop near by, but I've yet to meet anyone representing said shops that even know what a hard boot is. I'd also like to check out a Northwave, just out of curriosity, as they're constantly mentioned.

Thanks...Do you happen to know any online discussions that I can read that center around this boot in comparison to others, like the 10?

Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. I'd rather err on the side of soft, but I don't want a noodle. I had an old boot back in 1990 made by Nordica called the snowboard hard. Loved them. Anyway, these ATB's look pretty nice. This guy seems to be doing ok in them, if he truly is in them as the title of the vid would suggest. http://shop.virus-snowsports.com/en/shop/produkt-videos/1207/68

Love to hear from anyone that gave these a go last season. I'm currently in old raichle 324's and was thinking these might be a good purchase for my all mountain carving. I'm 230 and have a brand new Kessler custom freecarve/alpine to play with upcoming season. Don't want anything to stiff, I'm no racer and don't care to be, but love to carve all day. My 324's are nice, but old, and I'd like something new. Plan on interfacing these with Fin's TD SW's. These going to be to soft...RC10's? Decisions... Thanks for the time and thoughts. Randy Kight

Stef, According to my son, nose is 11.5 inches, where the tail is about 10 7/8 inches. Of course converting this to centimeters and figuring taper reveals a rather small number...not much compared to stock alpine models. Randy

Thanks for the input on the F2's Stef. Yes, when I get a chance to measure out the taper, I'll report back. Been out of town for a good while so board is miles away. Hopefully Kessler will email back the info, as that will be faster, and I don't recall that info being shipped with the other documentation. And yes...I'm foaming at the mouth to try her out! I'm hoping at my weight that the rearward radius won't be to small, but who am I to question Kessler shape geometry, as he told me thus is what I neede!

Stef1, I wish I could tell you. I'm not sure what the taper is on this guy. I'll send an email back to Kessler and ask...once again, admitting my ignorance. Once I get something back, I'll post reply. I'm excited to lay down some turns on this thing for sure. I've got a question for you. What made you decide to put the F2's on? Any thoughts to Fin's creations, maybe the SW's? Randy Kight

Interesting, and welcome to the carved turn. I just went down the road of updating all my older gear, minus the bindings...no decision as of yet...after being out of the game for the last 10 or so years. I ended up ordering a custom from Kessler as well. Wanted a Freecarve oriented version of their Alpine shape. After explaining this and giving my weight (225lbs), etc. he informed me he knew exactly what I wanted. This ended up being his Alpine, 162 in length with a 23 ww. I inquired about the KST used and his confirmation in reply was as follows: Hi Randy Yes we used KST = variable SideCut. It is starting with 7.8 in front going up to 11 in the middle and down to 8.8 in the back 11m is the biggest one on the center section. Hope this is helping you Very best regards hansjuerg kessler So, I'm currious as to Jack's comments above and from what I gather with my feeble mind, this would seem to be a hookier turn than his normal build. Maybe this is his main mod to make this board more freecarve friendly...don't know, but I'm darn currious now. He sent me the board in April, so I've not had a chance to make any turns on it as of yet given I live on the East Coast. Randy Jack, I'm waiting on the new 5D MK 111, or hell, maybe even what FF Nikon has coming soon to replace the 700. We'll see. :)

My custom Kessler just came in. He basically made me his Alpine in a 163 with a ww of 23. I like lower angles. Been riding them like that for 20 plus years. Although I've not ridden it yet, I'm sure it will be one hell of a carving machine, but will allow me to relax a bit and use in softer conditions. All in what floats your boat. I've got a 164 Volkl Spline, and even a my 230 pounds, I think it carves like a dream. This guy has a ww of 24+ if I'm not mistaken.

Hey Ian, thanks for the vote of confidence, and for all your help. Yes Sidewinders it will be as soon as they're available. Really looking forward to giving her a go. Why the he'll did I buy it in April??? Now I have to stare at it all summer. Really looking forward to dressing it up with some SW's. Probably stick with my old 324's for the moment until I can put my feet into some UPZ's, etc.

I wanted to say thanks to all...Jack, Will G., and others. Somehow I ended up in communications with Mr. Kessler which resulted in a custom 163 with a 23 waist, slightly detuned version of his Alpine showing up on my door step. I'm just hoping I don't have my rump handed to me, but I'm looking forward to next season. Now, soon as Fin has some new Sidewinders back in stock...

Are you set on the F2's? Have you tried Fin's Side Winders? I'm in the same boat you are. Although I've not heard from him lately, I think I have a custom Kessler in the works. Contimplating the SW's or the F2's, but not having ridden either plate, I'm not sure yet. Also, how about the whole plate thing? Any interest in throwing one of these on one of your existing boards?

Michele, It was an absolute pleasure speaking to you on the phone. I learned a ton, and you guys are just as helpful and patient as you were 10 years ago. Keep up the good work, and I look forward to buying a new set of SW's from you guys as soon as you have some available. Randy Kight Richmond, VA

Thanks for the replies. I sincerely appreciate the help. Randy

Been researching Fin's SW's and Frank's PowerLock II's. I want simple, well built and easy to use, just like anyone would. Being in Burton Race over many years and owning a pair of Fin's TD1's, I preferred the "relaxed" feel of the Burton's. The only reason I'm thinking of buying a new pair...I'm about 230, the current set I have are over 12 years old, if not older, and though I don't ride as hard as most of you guys, I don't want any safety issues. So, have any out there ridden the PowerLock II's and can you compare them to the SW's? Appreciate the help and time, Randy

Thanks again for the replies. I don't have endless funds, that's for sure. I've got some in the kiddy for such, but will I have buyer's remorse is the question. I'll check out the doneks and coilers for sure. NewCarver, I'm interested in the specs of your friend's Kessler freecare if you happen to know them. Also interested in replacing my old Burton Race plates, so much appreciate the response Ursle. This is going to add up fast and sting a bit... Thanks again to all. Randy

Lowrider, I very much appreciate you taking the time to send me an email. I'm reading through that now. Randy

Thank you very much Michele for your thoughts. I agree, and this is why I post such a thread. I hear that the boards nowadays are much more forgiving and better all around, but there's no way I can think of to get on some of this stuff to try out...wish I could. I mean, I'm happy on my old Volkl Spline, which is no race board by anyone's stretch of imagination...but my curriousity is very much alive. I'm on the verge of pulling the trigger on a custom Kessler...but what I don't want to do is answer any questions incorrectly in such a way that would leave me with a board I cannot handle. As I've read in some of the reviews, maybe a softer version of the Alpine...have no idea what length...and maybe a ww I can run some lower angles on, such as 45 or so. Again, I appreciate the input.

Nevermind Big Canuck, I found the VSR info. Thanks again. Can anyone out there tell me that buying a custom kessler, maybe a freecarve variant of the alpine, will kick my ass and not be the board to ride given my desc above?

Thanks for the response. I'll read through the plate thread. Big Canuck, what is a VSR 170? Is this a Virus board? I'll be happy to research this. Randy

Morning guys, its been a long while...hope everyone's doing well. Last time I was on these boards was before my first son was born...8-10 years ago. Haven't been on the snow very much at all during that time. I'm fired up again. Took my 3 sons up for a short week to one of my local resorts and got them on the snow for the first time...a point in my life I was really excited about. They loved it. And I made some turns for the first time in a long while, and it gave me goose bumps! So... I'm interested in what's been going on in the board design arena over the last 10 years. And I'd like to update the board I'm on now, but would like to get the group's input on a few things if you guys have the time and patience to read through this... - 5'9" - 5'10". - 225lbs - Powerlifting for too long made me look like a troll...knee surgery. - Current boards are a Volkl Spline 164, Burton M6, F2 Fire. - Bindings are Burton Race with cant in back, flat up front. - Owned Fin's TD1, but a little to stiff for my liking and stolen years ago. - Raichle SB324 boots. - I love to turn, short turns, long turns, vary my radius's during the run. - Don't care about any parks or pipes or air. - Want to take advantage of a nice powder day if they every come. - Not a true speed demon...don't mind it as long as the board is stable. - No interest in racing. - I've grown up riding old Burton asym boards, so I've always ridden 45 front 35 back. I'm not stuck in cement on this, but its been what I've enjoyed over the years. - Ride East Coast USA, usually narrower and hard. The volkl spline has been great. Soft and stable enough for my weight and very "easy" for me to carve linked turns and wide enough to handle my lower angles. So reading these threads the last few nights the Kessler caught my eye. Looks like it's a design change from days of old. I watched some of the vid reviews and it has really got my attention, as I gathered from some that although they were no racer, they loved the board. I spoke to Bola out at All Mountain and got some more information...extremely informative and nice enough to deal with all my questions. I'm hessitant, as I don't want to get into something that will kick my ass all over the hill. All I want to do is carve all day in varying conditions and take advantage of the newer designs/materials. I'm also hessitant about the WW of the Kessler Alpine. Looks over my head. So, Bola recommended a custom. For those that have ridden the Kessler and might be a similar rider as I given my brief description above, what are your thoughts? Can I get into something like the Alpine, maybe with a custom WW to handle my lower stances, and not have my ass handed to me? I've looked at Kessler's BX online, but this looks a little wider in the WW than what I'm after... I've rambled entirely too much. I'd really like to hear from anyone that can help direct me on this...as I'm close to dropping a wad of cash, just don't want to do it blindly. Oh yea, what about this plate thing? :) Kind regards and thanks for the time, patience and help. Randy Kight Richmond, VA USA