hotracer Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 After taking a long break from riding, i have decided to get back into it, I used to be an advanced rider but right now I would say intermediate due to the lack of time on the hill, my previous board was a Coiler Pure Race 184, with a 8.4 stiffness, I am 183cm tall and weigh 80kg, I think 180 pounds. I am living in Europe so going for Kessler and was thinking about 180 but now wondering if 171 might be better, I won't be bashing gates just carving up the hill and laying it over as much as possible. Any advice would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Those are big for Europe, I'd say. Sure, lots of people on this site ride such things, but at your average European resort it's hard to get those big old tanks around the moguls and crowds. Back in the day we'd often get visitors from North America on 2.1m skis... they looked really impressive in the lift queue, not so good in actual use. I have a Kessler SL, a 156 as I'm 62Kgs.... it rocks at any resort at legal speeds. Sure, bigger will get you faster, but I'm already amongst the fastest on the hill and it's not a race... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow 15 Posted November 27, 2015 Report Share Posted November 27, 2015 Look around sites like http://www.extremecarving.com/forum/index.php for some great second hand deals then get two boards, a big un and a small un. I use a Donek Rev 185 and a 163 in the Alps and both are great. If you rode the Pure Race back in the day, I am positive you will find a modern big board a breeze. If you want new, don't rule out Stateside brands as they can work out to be cheaper even with a custom build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apex Insider Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 You are at the top end of the recommended weight range for the 171. I think the 180 is better suited to your weight. And since you're coming from a 184, I don't think you're going to have any trouble with the length. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueB Posted November 28, 2015 Report Share Posted November 28, 2015 I'm of similar build as OP and can make a pretzel out of 171. Maybe the 168 would be the right product? Everyone claims it's stiffer then 171 and it's an easily flickable size for those crowded days in Euro resorts. Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotracer Posted November 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 I'm of similar build as OP and can make a pretzel out of 171. Maybe the 168 would be the right product? Everyone claims it's stiffer then 171 and it's an easily flickable size for those crowded days in Euro resorts. Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk Hey Blue B, bit confused as you say you have no problem with the 171, then why go down to 168? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotracer Posted November 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Just for those who are following my weight is 166 ponds not 180 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apex Insider Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 (edited) Hey Blue B, bit confused as you say you have no problem with the 171, then why go down to 168? The Kessler 168 is designed to be a men's all-round carver. It's stiffer than the 171. The 171 is meant to be a GS board for lightweight riders. It's a popular length for juniors and female racers. If you were riding a Coiler with 8.4 stiffness index, the 171 would feel way too soft. Edited November 29, 2015 by Apex Insider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Gendzwill Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Those are big for Europe, I'd say. Sure, lots of people on this site ride such things, but at your average European resort it's hard to get those big old tanks around the moguls and crowds.Not sure why you're always banging this particular drum. You can get short boards that are hard to ride and long ones that are easy to ride. I'd rather be on a 180 cm free rider than a 160 cm slalom board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieran Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 You can get short boards that are hard to ride and long ones that are easy to ride. a witch! we've found a wiiiiitch! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Not sure why you're always banging this particular drum. You can get short boards that are hard to ride and long ones that are easy to ride. I'd rather be on a 180 cm free rider than a 160 cm slalom board. If you'd like to tell me which things you're happy with me saying and which you'd rather I didn't "bang on" about I'll give your resquest the consideration it deserves. There is a mix of opinion. I think that's a good thing, and I make no apology for having one of my own, politely expressed. Here are the specs on the Kessler: http://www.kessler-swiss.com/en-US/products/snowboard/theAlpine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willow 15 Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 (edited) Those are big for Europe, I'd say. Sure, lots of people on this site ride such things, but at your average European resort it's hard to get those big old tanks around the moguls and crowds. Back in the day we'd often get visitors from North America on 2.1m skis... they looked really impressive in the lift queue, not so good in actual use. I have a Kessler SL, a 156 as I'm 62Kgs.... it rocks at any resort at legal speeds. Sure, bigger will get you faster, but I'm already amongst the fastest on the hill and it's not a race... Phil, when was back in the day? I was a ski tech from 85 to 89ish in France and Austria and every good skier then, was on skis above 2m. Slalom skis were around 2m, gs skis around 210 and the most fun I ever had on a pair of skis were on a friends super g Dynastar Course 215. Most Americans that were skiing Austria at that time were GI's from Germany and they mostly were definitely not good enough to be in a lift line with 2m skis. Just saying :) Edited December 5, 2015 by Willow 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kieran Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 you old guys make me feel so YOUNG! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 Your jumping the shark going from a relatively stiff glass board to a titinal build. Have you been able to try a titinal board. They are alot different. I have a186 PR Coiler and had a 173 AM made. Easier to ride more damp and forgiving. I'm about your weight . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
breeseomatic Posted December 5, 2015 Report Share Posted December 5, 2015 Your jumping the shark going from... You might want to look up the meaning of that phrase, it doesn't seem to fit in this context. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hans Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 I mostly ride boards with a radius under 14m. When you ride outside holidaytimes in Europe you can easily ride that 180, no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotracer Posted December 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 Your jumping the shark going from a relatively stiff glass board to a titinal build. Have you been able to try a titinal board. They are alot different. I have a186 PR Coiler and had a 173 AM made. Easier to ride more damp and forgiving. I'm about your weight . Sorry not sure if I understand, having never ridden titanal board are you say easier to ride so go shorter or stay longer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted December 7, 2015 Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 More forgiving you can relax knowing the board doesn't surprise you as often as an all glass board will. Not a decline in quality but a definite decline in the " oh shit now I'm in trouble feeling. Like the change skis have undergone in the last few years you will appreciate the difference in titinal vs glass having mastered the glass first. Once you start on the titinal you will only want to go back to glass to relive your youth and to scare yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotracer Posted December 7, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 7, 2015 More forgiving you can relax knowing the board doesn't surprise you as often as an all glass board will. Not a decline in quality but a definite decline in the " oh shit now I'm in trouble feeling. Like the change skis have undergone in the last few years you will appreciate the difference in titinal vs glass having mastered the glass first. Once you start on the titinal you will only want to go back to glass to relive your youth and to scare yourself. Cool, can't wait to try, if I wanna scare myself I'll take out the Simms 197!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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