Helvetico Posted November 3, 2010 Report Share Posted November 3, 2010 Background: Been riding Tankers on softies, liked it, then switched to hardboots, which was even better. Rode last season on an F2 Vantage, which was fun and capable, but wouldn't dig in the rear inside edge at the end of the carve...nor the rear outside edge, for that matter. Looking for piste machine to tear it up (think middle-aged guy here, not young athlete). Does it make sense to spring for a Kessler? A Virus? I'm in Switzerland, so Euro-brands are easiest to buy. Note, I have previously ridden a Virus, and it was awe-inspiringly fun and snappy. The tail took energy plowed into the turn and kicked it out in a most gratifying way. Any thoughts on potential brands? Thanks, Uf Wiederluege, Helvetico Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Ace* Posted November 3, 2010 Report Share Posted November 3, 2010 Get ready to start building the quiver. I am a Virus guy personally. I would recommend them to everyone. My advice wold be to test a bunch of boads if possible then drop the hammer. Its also a good idea to buy used gear, if you don't like it, resell it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieran Posted November 3, 2010 Report Share Posted November 3, 2010 Background: Been riding Tankers on softies, liked it, then switched to hardboots, which was even better. Rode last season on an F2 Vantage, which was fun and capable, but wouldn't dig in the rear inside edge at the end of the carve...nor the rear outside edge, for that matter.Looking for piste machine to tear it up (think middle-aged guy here, not young athlete). Does it make sense to spring for a Kessler? A Virus? I'm in Switzerland, so Euro-brands are easiest to buy. Note, I have previously ridden a Virus, and it was awe-inspiringly fun and snappy. The tail took energy plowed into the turn and kicked it out in a most gratifying way. Any thoughts on potential brands? Thanks, Uf Wiederluege, Helvetico pick up an F2 silberpfeil or speedster sl on ebay for €cheap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertrash Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Got cash, but meagre talent: Don't sweat it, this describes a lot of us on here! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ursle Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Background: Been riding Tankers on softies, liked it, then switched to hardboots, which was even better. Rode last season on an F2 Vantage, which was fun and capable, but wouldn't dig in the rear inside edge at the end of the carve...nor the rear outside edge, for that matter.Looking for piste machine to tear it up (think middle-aged guy here, not young athlete). Does it make sense to spring for a Kessler? A Virus? I'm in Switzerland, so Euro-brands are easiest to buy. Note, I have previously ridden a Virus, and it was awe-inspiringly fun and snappy. The tail took energy plowed into the turn and kicked it out in a most gratifying way. Any thoughts on potential brands? Thanks, Uf Wiederluege, Helvetico Go Kessler, make sure it'll take an Apex plate, get an apex plate, some sidewinders, enjoy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pow4ever Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Why not go to SES 2011? Demo them all and make a decision for youself What work for some might not work for you. Just my 2 cents. -- David talentless and cash strapped since I found HB :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 I bought, rode, and re-sold a good number of used boards in my early years. Most cost me $50 - $100 to ride for a year or more. Sometimes I'd have 4 boards in the car to choose between. It was great fun and really let me narrow down what I liked, and more importantly didn't like. I'd do it the same way again if I had to start over. Then again, if you have the budget for it then go all-out and enjoy the best. I would have loved to learn to drive in a Ferrari too. But what if after owning the Ferrari for a month you wished you'd bought a Lotus instead? ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 what Jim said, and, you only live once and you can't take it with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piusthedrcarve Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 what Jim said, and, you only live once and you can't take it with you! I know someone here in BOL dreams about making a coffin for himself with four 200cm Tankers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RCrobar Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 I agree with a few of the previous comments, you can't take it with you and demo as many boards as you are able to. For a few reasons, you are in Switzerland, you have been riding softies with lower angles and you are middle age, I would suggest that you also check out a Swoard Extremecarver. Even if you never lay out one Eurocarve I would consider a Swoard as it is a very forgiving board when just carving around at what ever pace your body is up for. Check out this link as Swoard is doing a demo tour this winter, perhaps they will be in your area: http://www.extremecarving.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7979 Hope this helps Cheers Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Background: Been riding Tankers on softies, liked it, then switched to hardboots, which was even better. Rode last season on an F2 Vantage, which was fun and capable, but wouldn't dig in the rear inside edge at the end of the carve...nor the rear outside edge, for that matter.Looking for piste machine to tear it up (think middle-aged guy here, not young athlete). Does it make sense to spring for a Kessler? A Virus? I'm in Switzerland, so Euro-brands are easiest to buy. Note, I have previously ridden a Virus, and it was awe-inspiringly fun and snappy. The tail took energy plowed into the turn and kicked it out in a most gratifying way. Any thoughts on potential brands? Thanks, Uf Wiederluege, Helvetico I suck and love both the coiler NSR and kessler SL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowboardfast Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Are your edges sharp on the F2 vantage? If they are dull you will have problems holding an edge on harder snow conditions. +1 on demoing boards if possible. I am the opposite of you average talent and no cash to spend for the new technology at this time but I am riding glass boards and having lots of fun. I will probably buy a used metal board when I buy one but I will always be riding my cheaper boards as well especially early and late season as I don't want to chew up an expensive board when cover is thin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieran Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 I bought, rode, and re-sold a good number of used boards in my early years. Most cost me $50 - $100 to ride for a year or more. Sometimes I'd have 4 boards in the car to choose between. It was great fun and really let me narrow down what I liked, and more importantly didn't like. I'd do it the same way again if I had to start over.this was my meaning. there are many inexpensively prices boards on euro-ebay almost all the time, and they're generally sitting in the same price ranges.good way to get some variety. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transistor Rhythm Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 http://www.virus-snowsports.com/en 3. Virus Test 06. - 07. November 2010 Glacier Opening Soelden Austria / Rettenbach glacier Top20 Group 4. Virus Test 12. - 14. November 2010 Soelden Austria / Rettenbach glacier Sport2000 test weekend Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Well I do know a chap who learned to board in a private rented helicopter, but I don't see many people out there doing that, so I think perhaps some people may have some constraint on their spending power. Even if money was no object, I would not recommend buying the latest esoteric boards and plates. First off, you'll look like "all the gear and no idea" if you ever take it near a slope. Second, if you put it into a rock, you're down £1,400 Euros, see 1st paragraph above. Third, as someone said, how do you know if a Ferrari's better or worse than a Lambo? Forth, F2 SL boards rock and you can ride circles around most consumer-driven riders with them. And fifth.. by this logic, this year's bling will be useless next season, that consumer treadmill doesn't stop. I'd just ride a bunch of stuff until you know precisely what you want. Virus I've not ridden, but they're at "one end" of the spectrum... try the other stuff too. If you're having issues with your existing F2, then I'd say your set-up needs tweaking. You should be able to feel the board and know what it's doing. If you're not holding an edge as well as you'd like then it's probably the lean or lift or other settings of boot/binding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frunobulax Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Even if money doesn't matter I would not recommend buying anything too special before you've had the chance to testride it. Of course you're allowed to spend loads of money on new custom gear, it's yours after all. And if you don't like it, you can always resell it without difficulty and without losing too much money on the deal. But I would at least recommend a versatile board that may be a top notch carving machine but doesn't overcharge you on the first day. Talking about Virus the "classical" Virus on piste carving board (like a Lightning or Tantalus) is quite narrow and springy. You would have to change your binding angles quite much. Since you've ridden wide boards so far I'd rather go for a >20cm board like Scalpel or Extremecarver. Give the factory a call and follow Frank's advice. You can also try Oxess' RG line which is known to be quite forgiving yet provides great edgehold and fun. I wouldn't recommend a GS raceboard without a testride. Maybe it's the right thing for you, but some of these boards are also fast and demanding. You should try this before you buy. It's not only the money, it's also about fun and health. Have a look at www dot frozen-backside dot de and check the "börse" section, there's a lot of used Viruses on sale right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 http://www.virus-snowsports.com/en 3. Virus Test 06. - 07. November 2010 Glacier Opening Soelden Austria / Rettenbach glacier Top20 Group 4. Virus Test 12. - 14. November 2010 Soelden Austria / Rettenbach glacier Sport2000 test weekend Test and select, this is the way to go, period! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Transistor Rhythm Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 If you go to Soelden you can also test many many more brands of snowboards, like Kessler and SG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Huh, that Vantage should be a pretty good board... Even ElDiablo, the non-titanal version, holds on ice quite good, for a wide board. I' could trade you something for it. :D You won't go too wrong with new generation boards. However, to really discover what you like (wide, narrow, stiff, soft, springy, damp, etc) you needto ride lots of boards... Maybe you go into used bargain board game for a year, buy, sell, trade, have some fun. Euro ebay is always full of alpine boards... By the next season you'll have an idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helvetico Posted November 4, 2010 Author Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 I rented one from Sport 2000 and had an awesome day a couple of years back. This makes me think I should try out the Scalpell and some other models, too. Now if I can only get the wife and kids to endure the long drive to Soelden... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted November 4, 2010 Report Share Posted November 4, 2010 Yeah, Scalpel is very easy to ride. It made for major transformation in one of my riding buddies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.a Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 No. Don't do that. If you've got the cash, buy some new technology. Worse comes to worse you don't like it and sell it. Ideally, you try before you buy, as you have with your Virus.You only live once, so why settle for sub-par gear? Im no F2 fanboy but I had a number of them under my feet and they are excellent boards for the money, I concede that they are a step or two below in terms of build quality, but for the price of a new Virus you can buy 3-4 used F2 boards and narrow down what you really like, which is exactly what this guy needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D.T. Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 since you are not concerned about $$$, ride as many boards as possible and buy the board that puts the biggest smile across your face. quit over-thinking the purchase! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieran Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 But the Virus has already been ridden and enjoyed, so why not just buy one?because there might be something even more enjoyable?do you sample lots of current wines, or recommend only what you liked 5 years ago? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pokkis Posted November 5, 2010 Report Share Posted November 5, 2010 If your set on Euro brands Kessler, SG, Oxess, Tomahawk (if still in business) Think Snow! Tomahawk is stil strongly in business Plus as above, if you like wide boards then i would recommend test SWOARD, it is killer off the self board :) Swissmade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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