NateW

I had the same "A-HA!" moment, but in my case it was leaning forward, carving better, burning out my front quad, moving the bindings forward, and achieving nirvana. So, I say go for it.

This. I've experimented with a couple of different base bevels and the difference is pretty subtle. My main board is 1.5, with a 2.5 edge bevel, and I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference from when it was 1.0 / 2.0.

This is quite possibly the coolest idea since metal edges.

I think some concepts got mixed up during the journey from my brain to yours... I think that "righting" ability has a lot to do with stiffness, and not much to do with length. At least, in my 170+ quiver it's the stiffness that counts. In the 150ish range, the length might be a factor, I wouldn't know. This thread has got me thinking that I should find a stiff 160 and see if it's any more or less fun in moguls.

Last Saturday I paused halfway down a mogully section and someone on the chair asked how long my board was. I was on a 183 at the time... it's not the norm, but so be it. It's been a long time since I rode anything shorter than 170, but I don't feel much difference switching between my 172 and 183 in bumps. I do prefer the 172, but I think that's got more to do with it being stiffer and narrower than it being shorter. I like the stability of a longer board in general though ("longer" meaning "over 160"). Narrower means better leverage on the edge, as someone mentioned already, and stiffer means that if my CG gets too far forward or backward I can muscle myself back to center and the board will support me rather than curl up under me and just let me fall. For the "zipper line," I try to think of my front foot as going straight down the hill, and my back foot swinging around behind me, unweighted in the turns. The "straight down the hill" part doesn't happen nearly that precisely of course, but it's a mental model that works for me. If you want to run a duck stance, my guess is that it's not going to be all that different except that your upper body will be sideways so that you can still get lots of rotation / counter-rotation. It's harder to get high edge angles on your heels, without bending a lot at the waist, when you've got your knees oriented that way. But if you want to handicap yourself like that, go right ahead. ;)

For stance width, take the inseam measurement from some jeans (jeans that fit, mind you - not baggypantsaggycrotch crap) and multiply that by 0.6. It'll get you in the ballpark. I agree with what both Jack and RDY_2_Carve said. If lower angles are easier to get used to, then lower angles are great. Until boot-out happens. Then higher angles are better. Also, don't sweat it too much. If your stance is comfortable, your stance is correct enough.

:lol:

Yes! Great rooster-tails, too. :)

Anyone know if the new-school "decambered nose" race boards solve this problem?

Neat. Consider tapping holes in the main plate, similar to what Catek does, to make it easier to get consistent cant/lift/rotation angles when the bindings have to come off or come apart. Catek uses those screws for support but in your case it seems like they might just be there as feelers. I can imagine that setup holding just fine without them. If the ball and the sandwich plates are off two different types of metal you might be able to use corrosion to stiffen up the joint. It's a real pain with some car parts, but here it could be a blessing. :)

Late notice, but I'll be there too! Gray jacket/pants with red zippers, red Donek 172, ponytail.

I'm fond of that one as well. Not that I'm biased or anything. :D

That too, actually. Proof:

Awww, schucks. :)

Why so wide? I realize it's largely a matter of personal preference but for me the sweet spot is right around 19cm. I found that riding switch is actually easier at 55/50 angles than it was at 45/40.

I had a 172x21x13m Coiler, but I killed it. :( I spend all my time on a 172x19x13m Axxess now.

On the way up to Stevens Pass I stop at the Sultan Bakery and get a "breakfast sandwich." Ham, egg, mustard, awesome. They're huge. I eat half on the way up, and at lunch time I go back to my car for the other half.

What is the deal with that rabbit-looking thing?

It totally depends how I feel when I wake up in the morning. 50/50 chance I'll just turn off the alarm and go back to sleep, so don't count on me. It's been a rough week, most nights I've been up all night coughing.

Born 1972 (German, Scandinavian, more or less) Skateboarding 1978ish, kinda (plastic banana board... no tricks) Skiing 1982 Skateboarding (for real) 1984 or so (ramps, ollies, etc) Made a snowboard in shop class in 1985 or so, rode it twice, it sucked. Started snowboarding for real in 1988 or so. Haven't skied in about 3 seasons, but I vow to again, eventually. Need boots.

Good point. Long is relative... Coming from a 154 ("jump up to a 156") damn near anything with a narrow waist is going to seem pretty long. FWIW, I ride bumps on a 172 and I'm happy with that.

Get well soon, Kimo!

"All-mountain" alpine boards tend to be soft-ish, with relatively tight sidecut for their length, and they have an upturned tail so you can ride backward with no worries. IMO these are all things that will serve you well. It's still going to make bigger turns that you're accustomed to, but you'll get into the groove pretty quickly. Donek Axxess (I have two, one is custom) Coiler AM (I've had two... long waiting list for new ones) Prior 4WD (I haven't had one but I've heard good things) Keep an eye on the classifieds here, you'll probably find a used one at a fair price by the time you're ready to ride. Don't be afraid to go long... Length seems to mean a lot to softbooters, but IMO it's almost irrelevant in alpine boards. Sidecut and stiffness are much more significant. My off-the-shelf 182 Axxess carves tighter and skids easier than my customized 172.

I was planning to go Sunday, but I have a cold.. Missed work today, dunno how I'm going to be feeling on Sunday. I was planning to go up yesterday too... Sat around the house coughing and blowing my nose instead.

Oh, you have given me an idea. Next time someone asks me what I'm riding, I'll tell them: It's like a snowboard.... <blink>but this one goes to eleven</blink>.