Coiler ECVC 168 Review

[hknz]

I asked Bruce to build me a board in 2018 summer. My planned board is shorter, narrower and tighter in 160 x 19 x 12m to 165 x 20.5 x 12/13m. Finally, Bruce and I decided to make it longer, wider and faster. Therefore the produced board is ECVC 168 x 21 x 12.5/13.5m for my 168cm/135lb. I also ask my 3 years old daughter to paint the custom graphic for me.

Riding History

The board arrived in early 2019 in excellent build quality and the superb graphic is eye catching. It encarved "T 168 ECVC -6.2+9". I ride 4 days and 18/19 season. The board is damp and smooth which gave me courage to learn EC. Unfortunately, I twist my ankle of the back foot due to old boots being too large and riding too happy. I bought the new MS951 boots in the end of last season and have rode 15 full days in two trips in this 19/20 season. 19 days in total. Is it too late to post it in New Board Porn now?

Flex

The flex hits the sweet spot for my weight. And I particularly like the stiff nose. The board likes me to put pressure on the nose. I think I only had one not-so-serious nose dive in poor snow condition when there is a small pond of soft snow in the middle of groom run and I put too much pressure on front leg. Which is better than my other board with soft nose. I feel the board flex is quite constant from tip to tail. I feel confident, comfortable, stable & easier laying down carving even the slope is a bit uneven and curd. The length, width & radius are all to my taste. But if you ask me to do it again, I will probably make it longer in 170/175cm.

Setting

I feel wider stance width is less tiring. Therefore, I gradually increase the stance width from 45,46,47,48,49 to 50cm and will try to reduce it to 48 in my next trip. I also moved the binding to the front by ~0.5cm. I ride 52.5/47.5, 51/48 or 54/48. I am still trying to find the best setting.

EC Performance

I ride softboots for about 10 years, hardboots for 4 years. I am quite satisfied with my front side for the moment (though still has rooms for improvement). While my backside turn initiation is always a bit late, together with putting too much pressure on front leg (especially when the board return uphill), chatter happens often. Once chatter or the lost edge, my butts touch the ground for 1 or 2 second before regaining the edge. My pants and jackets are totally torn in less than 10 days because my riding style is everyday from first ride (8:30) to end of lift (16:30) without lunch for 7.5 days in a trip! (see attached image). After all, I learn a lot in this board and rectify my bad habit. Love it!

Problem

EC on 15-18 degree slope is ok. It is quite exhausted and tiring for EC on 19-25 degree slope. Perhaps, I will probably ask Bruce to made me a longer board?

Another problem is that the MS951 is still a bit too stiff for pull-push though heavily modified. And riding without tongue is just too scary.

I just found that the frontside edge, near front foot, has a 1mm dent at the edge corner. Finger can feel easily. However, I couldn't notice it when riding. It may be caused by skiers crash or hidden stone. Should I do something about it?

Video

Conclusion

If you are a lightweight EC rider like me, I recommend Coiler ECVC to you.

Question is welcome. Cheers!!

Edited February 11, 2020 by hknz

[Freezer]

I have two ECVC coilers, and I love them.  The graphics on your board are fantastic- wish I thought of having my 6 and 8 year old daughters design my graphics!

Two comments:

1.  Bend your legs.  You're very upright and that's generally working because the grooming is really good, but when it gets chopped up you'll blow out your edge all the time.  In addition, bending your legs will make your carving much more dynamic and you'll be able to control the turn radius much better.

2.  If you're getting tired on steeper pitches, don't get a longer board, get a shorter turn radius board to limit your speed and G forces.  I just got an Angrry 160 and it's fantastic for steeper pitches because you can limit the speed with tighter turns.

Carve on. 

[dgCarve]

4 hours ago, Freezer said:

... shorter turn radius board to limit your speed and G forces ...

Short radius not necessary decreases G forces, actually I find that when rinding aggressively SL boards are more demanding physically than bigger boards and G forces are very high.

Edited February 12, 2020 by dgCarve

[Freezer]

35 minutes ago, dgCarve said:

Short radius not necessary decreases G forces, actually I find that when rinding aggressively SL boards are more demanding physically than bigger boards and G forces are very high.

G forces are a function of turn radius and speed, so yes, at the same speed a smaller turn radius has higher G forces than a large turn radius. The OP had an issue with EC on 19-25 degree slopes as it is too tiring, and the problem with a larger turn radius board on slopes that steep is that the speed will become unmanageable quickly.  The logical way to counter that is to make more small radius turns to limit the speed.

[hknz]

Freezer, thanks for your comments.

Yes, I know i am quite upright. The problem is my MS951 is too stiff although I have use no spring. Second is the the videos are taken after 6-7 days intensive carving, I was totally exhausted and couldnt bend my knee much. My problem on steep slope might be a matter of my skills, probably not really board related.

The ECVC board is so damp and smooth, cutting all curds, allowing me to ride 8 hrs continuously for a week! I can ride max. 13km elevation drop per day and more than 60km per trip. I rate it 11 out of 10!!  It is perfect for me.

I need to carve on and work hard on training my bad knee and thin leg. Whats going next, I am asking Bruce to build a board for my petite wife.

Any comment, suggestion and question is welcome.

[pokkis]

If you look one for good ladies, the ask for Bruce for Paula's version, Bruce has made great work with that for ladies with carving skills.

Edited February 15, 2020 by pokkis

[hknz]

Thanks Pokkis for your information.  My wife has no carving skills and is very weak (46kg), so probably I will ask Bruce to make a "minus"-Paula's version.

[pokkis]

Weight is no issue, it is more technics 

[Lurch]

41 minutes ago, pokkis said:

 

Great shot! 

[Freezer]

9 hours ago, hknz said:

The problem is my MS951 is too stiff although I have use no spring.

If you can't flex your rear ankle, you won't be able to bend your rear knee.  If that's the case, you really ought to consider some softer boots, especially at 135lb.  Boots and bindings that are so stiff you find them hard to flex can work if you get your setup dialed in for a specific set of snow conditions, but when the conditions change you'll find it physically impossible to adapt your riding to the conditions.  With a softer setup you will lose some carving power in certain conditions, but you'll gain a lot in mobility, fluidity and fun IMO.

[hknz]

Yes, Freezer. You are 100% correct, I have been hindering by stiff boots. I have tried many ways and many modification to my boots. Such as always riding with walk mode , sanding/cutting the tongue, loosening the top buckles, changing tongue, without tongue etc.

Situation improved though still not perfect. In fact, I did a little tweak everyday after riding. 

[snowwjob1]

On 2/15/2020 at 10:08 AM, hknz said:

I am asking Bruce to build a board for my petite wife.

Very wise move. I did this for my wife last year and it has progressed her snowboarding more then any other snowboard.

[hknz]

What did u build for your wife? And what is ur wife's weight and skills? Would u mind to share please.

[snowwjob1]

She sgot a bxfr with "the Slice" side cut she is 125lbs. It is 156 23.8 wide. She rides soft boots. She is a capable rider but always fought stiff boards in longer lengths for women.  She said it is the most fun she has had in years!