Replacing Nidecker GS with which freecarving board?

[MikeB]

Hi Guys,

I'm looking into replacing my Nidecker GS 171 with something new. I've been riding this board a long time (I bought it at the last ESession held at Beaver Creek before it moved to Aspen, whatever year that was I can't remember) and lately I feel like i'm getting a little beat up by it when I take it out in anything but perfect groomers and my legs are tiring out more. I am now riding on the east (back when I bought it I lived in Denver) and am looking for a board that I can ride longer and not put away when the slopes get rutty. Currently I"m thinking about the Prior 4WD or the Prior FLC. I rode the 4WD years ago and thought it carved just fine but obviously thought the Nidecker was better as that was what I went with at that time. I would love to get some input on boards that I should look at. Oh and I'm a small and light (5'6" 135lbs) guy so nothing too stiff.

Thanks,

Mike

[andy_1]

At your weight I'd highly recommend a Kessler 168. I believe there's one for sale in the classifieds right now...

[NSSage]

If I were you I would have something custom made from Donek. Something like the Metal AX or the Axxess would probably work great for you

[Mike T]

Coiler Nirvana Freecarve, sounds perfect for your application. Buy it new, get it made to your weight.

[MikeB]

Thanks for the info. I've heard those are great but I'm a little concerned it might be too much of a race board similar to my Nidecker. Not being able to demo one I"m a little hesitant to dropping a grand for a board i've never ridden.

[MikeB]

Thanks for the info Mike. I've been looking through the forum and read a lot of good things about the Nirvana Freecarve. I was looking at Coiler's website and it doesn't mention the Nirvana but I"ll send them an email and see what they can do.

[andy_1]

Thanks for the info. I've heard those are great but I'm a little concerned it might be too much of a race board similar to my Nidecker. Not being able to demo one I"m a little hesitant to dropping a grand for a board i've never ridden.

IMO, the newer shapes are nothing like your full cambered Nidecker. Super easy/forgiving to ride. I typically ride a 'race' board, 'all mountain', on all but powder days when I reach for the softy setup.

I picked up a Donek rev 157 demo this fall and finally got it out this last weekend. I think it may just be my new favorite board. Sean's new boards are every bit as good as the Kesslers at a much cheaper price. I agree though, it's difficult to pull the trigger without being able to demo.

I weigh ~150lbs, fwiw.

[Guest]

I currently ride a prior flc, and love sean's new revs. If you want a fun freecarve board, either of those two will worrk well for you. Give sean a call and have hhim make you one on the softer side and you will be very happy. Shape-wise, they are very similar, albeit the rev has a bit more of an even flex pattern, wheras the rev has a softer nose and springier tail.

[MikeB]

IMO, the newer shapes are nothing like your full cambered Nidecker. Super easy/forgiving to ride. I typically ride a 'race' board, 'all mountain', on all but powder days when I reach for the softy setup.

I picked up a Donek rev 157 demo this fall and finally got it out this last weekend. I think it may just be my new favorite board. Sean's new boards are every bit as good as the Kesslers at a much cheaper price. I agree though, it's difficult to pull the trigger without being able to demo.

I weigh ~150lbs, fwiw.

Great info thanks again. I'll try to give him a call this week. I remember a long time ago Donek would ship demo boards but they don't anymore. A trip out to Aspen is not in the cards for me. I wish the ECES was this year! Very interesting to hear about the 157. I have an old Rossi Dualtech 156 that always made me feel like I was going to flip forward on my head unless I sat wayyy back which is one of the reasons I went for the 171 size in the Nidecker. I wonder if that was because of the board or maybe I need to refine my riding style.

[MikeB]

I currently ride a prior flc, and love sean's new revs. If you want a fun freecarve board, either of those two will worrk well for you. Give sean a call and have hhim make you one on the softer side and you will be very happy. Shape-wise, they are very similar, albeit the rev has a bit more of an even flex pattern, wheras the rev has a softer nose and springier tail.

Nice to hear that you have ridden both the Prior and the Donek. I had honed in on the Prior just from the description on the website so nice to hear good things about the Donek. I really want a board I can still carve when it is rutty and bumpy. I find my Nidecker tends to nose dive into those micro bumps and catapult me forward, I'm sure I need to refine my riding style but I gotta think a different board would help as well. Thanks for the input!