modifiede30 Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 I'm looking for a replacement for my current Nitro Range 157. The specs for this board are: 157 Length 1340 Edge Contact 272/272/221 Nose/tail/waist 8.5 Sidecut I'm thinking of the following as replacements: Prior FWD - 159 Nidecker SL - 158 Donek Pilot - 157 Donek-Smcha SL - 157 Donek Axxess - 162 Height is 5'8" 165lbs Boot size 27.5 Binding angles are current set to around 65f/60r - but that's just guessing 5 degree toe lift in the front, and 3-4 heel lift in the rear <!-- / message --><!-- sig --> They're all pretty close in terms of sidecut and length - stiffness is a big question though. I'm still pretty green in terms of ability. I can lock into a carve, and link several together, but am often finding myself off center, and still slide around a bit. My heelside is much more advanced than toeside - and I'm goofy if that makes any difference. I don't really have much technical info on my style or ability since I'm much more about how it feels than how I'm actually doing things. Any help or suggestions would be helpful. I recently rode an older Burton Alp69 and found it a bit clumsy for the narrower slopes I'm often on, and a Heavy Metals Lizard seems to have too much sidecut for me and too stiff - I prefer shorter radii. Oddly enough, my current Nitro is pretty stiff - less so than the Lizard, but still stiff in comparison to a fellow carvers Volkl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.T. Posted March 19, 2007 Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 It would help to know your height, weight, boot size, angles you prefer to ride... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modifiede30 Posted March 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 19, 2007 Height is 5'8", around 165lbs, size 27.5, and I really don't have any idea what my angles are - I just set them to what's comfortable - would probably say around 65f/60r - but that's just guessing. I'm also running about 5 degree toe lift in the front, and 3-4 heel lift in the rear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derf Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 First, you have two types of board here: all mountain boards (Prior 4WD and Donek Axxess) and slalom boards (Nidecker SL and the other two Doneks). Your Nitro Range is an all mountain board. I never rode any of these board, but I can say what everyone who did says about these boards. The Prior 4WD is an all mountain board similar to your Nitro Range, only much better. It is the one where you will probably feel the most "at home". The Donek Axxess is also an all mountain board, but is different from the 4WD as the Axxess is more of a freecarve board with an all mountain shape for versatility. I think it will be stiffer and less forgiving than the Prior, but can be pushed a little more. The Donek Pilot is an entry level slalom board. It is designed for racing at an entry level, meaning it will be more forgiving than most slalom boards. As for its ride, I can'T say much as I have read ery few reviews, but I think they are good. The Nidecker SL and Donek Smcha SL are both real slalom boards that need more input and are designed for slalom racing. They will be less forgiving that the three board mentioned previously. As for what I have ridden to give a little background, I rode three boards: Freesurf Highlander 155, Nitro GTX 166 and Burton Alp 7.1 The Freesurf was a stiff, aggressive slalom board. It was too short and stiff for my liking (it was my first alpine board). I was beginning and felt it was a little too much for me. I sold the Freesurf and replaced it by the Nitro. The Nitro is a freecarve board, same width the Freesurf (18.5 cm), but a tad softer (and 11 cm longer). It may be comparable to the Volkl. The Nitro is much easier and more fun to ride, but still requires a lot of input to ride. I feel I still have not reached it's full potential as I don't ride as much as I would like. It doesn't ride well if soft snow (loose powder) because of the stiffness. The Burton Alp 7.1 (almost the same as you rode) is an all moutain board I got to add to the Nitro for days when there is powder/loose/soft snow. It is much wider than the Nitro (21.5 cm) and a tad softer. I rode it twice in soft snow and I didn't like it for a couple of reasons: two wide and too stiff for what I wanted to do, so it's for sale. By the way, I am a little like you, 5'8", 160-165 lbs, 27.0 boots, goofy. From what I read about the way you like to ride, you may like the Prior 4WD. The Donek Axxess is good also, but stiffer than the Prior. Both have a width similar to your Nitro, so it won't feel too different. If you do a search, you'll get lots of info on both. Here are some links I bookmarked on the subject: 4WD vs Axis (old name of Axxess): http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=9119 http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=6607 http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=6129 http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=4456 http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=4318 http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=2867 http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=2363 Pilot: http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=7735 http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?t=8938 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted March 20, 2007 Report Share Posted March 20, 2007 WOW Derf!!!! Now that is an ANSWER!!! modifiede30 - send that guy a beer!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modifiede30 Posted March 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Thanks Derf, took a while to get through everything but that about made my decicision for me. Given where I ride, styles, etc, looks like the Donek Axxess might be a good option to look into. If you go to the ECES, find me, I definitely owe you one. Daniel - we need the "cheers" smiley on this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derf Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 You're welcome, glad I could be of any help. For the links, I had those because I was looking for an all-mountain board last year and before this season started. Like I said, I tried one and didn't like it. As for the Pilot, I was looking at it because the edges on my board are thinning and was thinking of maybe something softer but I found very few review of it; I think it's because people don'T like softer boards. If I have the money, I will go for a Coiler AMX 169-19, but I doubt it will be approved by the counsel (read: girlfirend), so I'll see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffrey Day Posted March 22, 2007 Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 Hey Mod, I have a Prior 4WD 159 if you'd like to ride it at some point in the near future! I'll be up at Bretton Woods this up coming week-end and somewhere in NH/ME next week-end. If I remember correctly, you'll be riding at Mt Abram in ME soon, right? I belong to a ski club in Glen, NH and Mt Abram is only 1 hour away! Drop me aline if you are interested! Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modifiede30 Posted March 22, 2007 Author Report Share Posted March 22, 2007 If I have the money, I will go for a Coiler AMX 169-19, but I doubt it will be approved by the counsel (read: girlfirend), so I'll see. I know that one, I just happened to be a bit more locked into the counsel member than you . Anyway, I've spoken with a few others on this topic and the Donek freecarve is one that is being suggested as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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