Zafer Posted January 26, 2008 Report Share Posted January 26, 2008 I'm 140 lbs, have a Donek Pilot 167 which I just learned to carve on, but can't quite get full semicircles on the narrow slopes of my tiny local hill. It also feels kinda rough on the usual evening chop I have to ride. (Then again, I've never been on any other alpine board, so I have no point of reference.) Any inexpensive recommendations for my low skill level and weight that might help more than the Pilot for these less-than-ideal conditions? General advice on what kind of board I should look for would also be appreciated -- I don't know if I really need a particular sidecut or flex or type of board. -- Zafer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boardman73 Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 iv'e got an oxygen 159 that would probably be fun and ez for ya and cheap:rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 The Pilot 167 is already pretty soft and turny. I recommend spending your $$$ on more riding :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave ESPI Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 I saw a rossignol 158 carver on e-bay a while back.... guy wanted like 30 bux. I'll try looking for the email in my box again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gleb Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 I found that the Oxygen Supercross is pretty good. Fun light, little board. Handles like a slalom, without being picky about form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Houghton Posted January 27, 2008 Report Share Posted January 27, 2008 Second that thought of putting more time on what you have. You may be expecting too much from the (any) board. When things are chopped up, the best ride is the one that's up on edge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackDan Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Did you listen to all the big board boys and buy that 167 for your first board? You didn't really say how much riding you've been doing, but for a 140# rider I'd say that 167 is too big, unless you are a pretty good rider. If the narrow choppy run is all you have available, it will be hard for you to really learn until you master being able to drive that board around a turn. You have to drive it hard to get it to turn. So maybe more time on the board and maybe more aggressive riding to get it to turn. But I'd say you need to try something shorter. So spend another $100-200. The Oxygen 159 (proton?) would be a great board for exactly the conditions you describe. Its a slalom board and will turn really fast, and its a race board so its stiff and will cut through the chop. Don't get the Oxy SuperX. wrong board for those conditions. See if you can find your self a cheap little 149-158, Nitro, Rossi, Oxygen, Santa Cruz, or ?? I like HOT boards (french), but they are a bit softer and don't like the chop as much. Ride it for a while then keep it as your rock board. Don't worry that its not a big board, if you can carve it and it works then it works. For reference I'm 5-8 170# and my quiver is: 164 Oxy Proton Race 162 Hot Shine 162 Hot Special 164 Oxy SuperX 64 (the powder board!) 180 Hot Blast Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Offpistehardboots, I respectfully disagree. I've hand flexed the Pilot series and they are pretty soft. Length alone does not tell the full story, that deck should be very manageable for a 140# rider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gleb Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 maybe the oxygen sx isn't for everyone, but it worked for me. Its also alot of fun jumping off the mogled out trails in the afternoon, especially in the spring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boardman73 Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 just start eating alot:biggthump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zafer Posted January 28, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 That, I'm working on! :D Mike T is right, at my weight I can bend the Pilot alright, no problem on bigger mountains, and the rest is probably just my riding. I still need to pick up a rock board anyway though, so thanks a lot for all the great feedback, guys! -- Zafer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skategoat Posted January 28, 2008 Report Share Posted January 28, 2008 Do you have a freeride board? Just throw your plates on that. I ride a 164 BX board on choppy or slushy conditions. It turns on a dime and is a hoot to ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip43065 Posted January 29, 2008 Report Share Posted January 29, 2008 I totally agree. Typical freeride is much more turny than a typical alpine. Also, lower binding angles are more forgiving and the extra width helps penetrate the crud. You might not be able to load the board as much, but this probably isn't an issue if you're thinking about keeping the speed down and cranking small turns. I used to ride an Eldorado on plates. All good. A friend swears by his Timeless. I'm sure you can find lots of suggestions for a decent freeride if you choose to go that route. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FTA2R Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 i am of similar weight, a bit more experience. you guys out west are not riding the small hills and dealing with the meat gates we do, so please, understand that a smaller board can also have to give the smaller guys a piece of mind. half the turns you do out west will surely get you in a collission over here...i was riding my burton speed 154 this past weekend...i don't feel like taking the 163 Freecarve out...of course riding more will help, but i did the smaller board too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0ardski Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 +1 to plates on an Eldorado Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
retronaut Posted January 30, 2008 Report Share Posted January 30, 2008 I have a 164 Volkl Spline that turns nice and quick and handles crud very well. It is more of BX board. BX boards that have a rounded tail will have a shorter effective edge making then a little easier to manage. Volkl Spline and the stiffer Cross show up here for sale every now and then. If you give up on the Pilot let me know. It is about the perfect length GS board for my wife on a nice groomed day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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