That Guy...

For the offroad stuff, there is the DL line, which are more or less the same bike with some "adventure" bits on them. If there is any doubt of the platform's off piste capability, I offer this as a reference. :) http://supermotojunkie.com/showthread.php?88535-fernley-vet-national-and-GP-pics

Some of my favorite people to ride with are skiers, and they're always lightheartedly busting my chops about being just another damn jibber ruining the mountain. I joke back, "Don't make me go get the Coiler. I swear to god, I will get my 196cm Coiler out and while you're at work all week, I'll be going sideways down all your favorite powder fields from first to last chair."

Nothing at all. But like they say, you'll never progress if you spend all season on the bunny slope. That's what ends up happening- they buy some beginner- coddling band aid and spend their entire progression on it. At some point pretty early on- usually shortly after turns are first successfully linked- that beginner board becomes a hindrance. Besides, it's not like snowboarding is really that hard to begin with, even on a fully cambered board.

I was about to say... I'd take an SV over any inline any day of the week. I keep wondering why I don't have an SV in my fleet yet. It's like, the Miata of motorcycles; any question that starts with "which bike would be good for..." is always answered with "SV."

You say "only" like the SV is a transitional bike. I would take an SV650 over any inline. Also, re: your offense... are you legitimately offended, or is that a tongue- in- cheek comment?

You are not high. I see ugly riding every day, be it on boards or motorcycles. Cheap equipment allows halfwits to partake in something that would otherwise be unobtainable. To make a parallel between bikes and boards- you'll almost never see a dipshit on a Kessler or a Ducati, but you see plenty on Romes and GSX-Rs. Regarding the technology and technique that goes into "the others," you have to look at what the purpose of these boards and the technique used to ride them is. Flailing around in a park and jibbing off crap doesn't require the same stuff we use on this side of the fence. To wit, everything has a purpose, and ours is as alien and nonsensical to them as theirs is to us. That having been said... Kessler and Ducati can get away with the same solid colors year after year because the people that buy them understand the value of the technology and racing pedigree contained within. Rome and Suzuki change graphics and paint colors yearly or nearly so because they're catering to a less discerning demographic that's worried more about image than uncompromising performance. I had a thought this year while riding the lift discussing this very topic with a skier friend- snowboarding is in its malaise phase right now. Companies are looking for the next big thing and are grasping at straws, trying out any and just about every new development in hopes that it'll catch on and revolutionize the sport. Thing is, it's all bullshit. Case in point: magnetraction. If there is any one design feature out there that could be the poster child for lack of understanding how boards work, it would be magnetraction. Rather than design a board that- as you say- rewards skill, they build one that hinders it. It is the automatic transmission of snowboard design, promoting disengaged laziness everywhere it goes. Once the manufacturers start weeding out their useless designs, and once (if- big if) interest shifts from image and towards skill, you'll see an upswing. Thing is, that's just not going to happen any time soon. As a side note- I had the chance to put a file on a magnetraction board this past season. It was pretty much untunable. You can bevel the base edge all day long, but good damn luck giving the sidewall edge a consistent shape.

What temp range wax would you recommend for re-entry?

Everyone should start on a 185 Kessler. I say that only because they haven't come out with a 195 yet.

Having a speed record for a while as your main claim to fame is one thing. Having a consistent presence on various podiums is another. :)

For me, the difference is between taking a week or two off to recover and contemplate my poor life choices, and just calling it a day early and having a brew in the pub next to the lodge.

I have both 5mm and 6mm versions of the binding and don't have the problem you describe with my HSP's, both with stock heels and with Bomber Fintecs. Corey- I'm assuming the 3D printed version is just a prototype and the production pieces they speak of are being made from metal.

Ignoring everything else, the fact that you have only six days in hard boots is enough for me to say to stay off the 185. Now, delving deeper... I have never ridden an F2, but generally speaking, a 185 GS board is not something to be trifled with. Bring your A game and don't get stupid, or prepare to be hurt. Unless that Silberpfeil you're on now is an absolute clapped out turd, it will take you further than you're giving it credit for. Like you, early on I thought that I was ready for a 185 after a short while on a 168. I had my ass handed to me by said 185 and went limping (literally) back to the 168 to get more learning in. When you'll be ready for the 185 is impossible to answer. You'll never be "ready" for it. It's unlike and probably more intense than anything you've ever experienced on the snow, and the best approach is that of extreme caution. As for the speed? Depends on the snow, the pitch of the slope, side cut, board construction, and where you fall in the weight range. For what it's worth, there's about a 10- 15 MPH difference between my 168 and 185 Kesslers. More to the point, on the same slope, I can link C turns within four cat tracks on the 168 (8-12M radius), but need seven for the 185 (12-21M radius). Since the 185 you're looking at has a single radius of 18M, expect it to need more room than mine. If you don't have the real estate to let a 185 run and maneuver, you're going to hurt yourself or someone else. As I told another fellow on here via PM, don't skip leg day or ignore strengthening your core muscles if you plan on riding a 185, because when that nose comes around through the fall line and the g- forces start really building, you'll get sucked right down into the board. If you can afford to buy it and not ride it for a while, go for it. The step from 169 to 185 is unfathomable. I'll second the wise suggestion of getting an intermediate board in the 173- 177cm range to ride before you get on the 185.

No worries! That does bring up a question I've been wondering about for a while- how close is the bolt width on the Bomber sole blocks compared to the F2 base plates?

I can't recall the brand, but I've seen some M22 boots before. I want to say they were either Deeluxe or Raichle. A better question, Jennifer, would be what size do you need?

I can't tell for sure, but it appears that the vertical part of the bail isn't completely resting on the plastic behind it. Is there a gap there, or is it resting on the plastic? If there's a gap, the bail might be bent. Remove the bail from the plastic by folding it forward and pulling the sides out, then lay the bail on a flat surface to see if its bent.