Tommy D Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 I know a lot of you are bursting with all kinds of great advice, so I'm posting this question: My girlfriend is tired of her 152 Ride Fuel, and wants another board; a board better suited for carving. What would be a logical next board? She's very smooth, and can consistently make turns heel and toeside, and is confident in all kinds of conditions from ice to mush. However, she has yet to link carved turns (This is more speed-psych-out than anything). This is her third full season riding. Should I encourage her to carve turns on the Fuel first? She's very enthusiastic about carving, and wants to make carves rather than skids. I've been toying with the idea of letting her try my old 163 RT SL. I should mention she's already riding with TD2's on her Fuel. Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 the RT might be a little much if she is in the 100 to 125 range those little (150ish cm) FPs and KRs that you see in the classifieds and ebay for around $75 US might be a better choice. "after riding this thing for awhile I have become much more agressive in softboots" is what my GF says so a dedicated alpine ride might work out well for yours as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar(angel Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 immensely I say let her have a rip on the RT. If all it takes is switching out her TD's to the RT how much trouble could she get into? I agree with Bob's statement about the size/weight issue and his board recommendation is spot on if that's the case size wise (I sold a half dozen of those KR's/ Oxy149's myself to women that size) but with the fact that she's already in hardboots and bindings, as soft and progressive as those RT's are it should be easy for her to at least get a feel for what it will be like on a dedicated alpine set-up. If she digs it then all you gotta do is buy her a board....like maybe the sweet 148cm Tiger I've got for sale....Doh! Did I say that out loud.... :D Seriously, let her try it, you might be surprised....just my 2 cents Good luck, Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NateW Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 If she's already in hard boots, I bet she'll be happier on an alpine board than on a freeride board. Give her yours until she can get her own. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RJ-PS Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 You wanted opinions, there is no shortage of them here. Don't put her on the 163 RT. If she can't link turns on an easier freeride board, a stiff board is not the magical solution. There are a lot of guys on this board that ride the RT163 and can take it at speed carrying 200 lb frames. I can't imagine she's gonna be able to maneuver in a tight situation when its important, and that is scary. If she's serious tell her to put up the dough and take ArcAngel up on his offer of a 148 RT. That way you can match ahhhh Valentine's day! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffh Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 I've seen her ride - she's ready. I hate to see her crusing around on that whale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailertrash Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 are you coming to the eces? maybe there will be a donek pilot there for her to demo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeoffV Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 now your talking Trailertrash.... . Tommy bring her up to the Loaf and she'll have plenty of boards to try out, like the Axis, 4X4, Pilot, Freecarve, etc. plus she can get a great lesson as well :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy D Posted February 15, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 I would love to go to the ECES, but won't be able to make it this year. We're going to Panorama the week before!! :D Next year is more likely, I think. Thanks for the responses! Keep them coming. So far, the responses are confirming my hunch: Time to get her on a new board! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Sub Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 keep the prior 4WD in mind...although Im not sure they make one short enough? look into it. I say get her on a carver! and boards like the 4WD are a "middle ground"... my first carver was a PJ 7...wide enough for moderate angles, soft enough to be forgiving... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 Do NOT attempt hardboots and/or carving board until she can do The Norm on her current setup. If that works (jeez, it should), try hardboots on her current deck. If that works, get a sub-160 4WD or Axis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ar(angel Posted February 15, 2006 Report Share Posted February 15, 2006 she's already in hardboots (she has TD2's on her current board) Tommy do you have any pic's or video of her riding? I think this would go a long way in helping us see if she is ready for a carving deck or not. cliffh seems to think she is and has a distinct advantage on those of us who haven't seen her ride. Just a thought..... Paul Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy D Posted February 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 she's already in hardboots (she has TD2's on her current board) Tommy do you have any pic's or video of her riding? I think this would go a long way in helping us see if she is ready for a carving deck or not. cliffh seems to think she is and has a distinct advantage on those of us who haven't seen her ride. Just a thought.....Paul Haha! Trying to get a pic or vid of her ride is like trying to get spy photos of the latest gear. We have a vacation coming up in a week, so I should be able to sneak in a few pics then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cliffh Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Tommy - check your mail. The solution lies within grasshopper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_x Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Just some advice from my own effort to start carving: maybe she needs cants? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 Don't forget though, it's harder to get a freeride board on edge with hardboots than it is to get an alpine specific board on edge. It's much easier to carver when you have the proper setup. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack M Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 woops, didn't see that she was already in hardboots. Still, she should be able to do the Norm on her current deck. She'll have to try it on a green circle at medium to low speed since her freeride deck surely has a ridiculously small sidecut radius. If she can't do the Norm, she's not ready. After that, it's alpine board time! I'd still recommend an all-mtn deck though (4WD/Axis/AM) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jschal01 Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 However, she has yet to link carved turns (This is more speed-psych-out than anything). This is her third full season riding.! I have probably beat the lessons horse until it is beyond dead, but: if this is her third full season riding and she has yet to link carved turns, the last thing she wants is a carving board until she gets the technique isues sorted out. And unless you and she have an unuasually good ability to turn the "significant other" dynamic off while on the slopes (some people can), the last thing you want to do is try to teach her. Several lessons at very least, maybe a camp (where demo boards may be on offer) then she'll also have a much better idea what she really wants for a board, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillrepair Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 as long as the alpine board is a managable size why not... the transition to hardboots was probably the most difficult step. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jschal01 Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 as long as the alpine board is a managable size why not... the transition to hardboots was probably the most difficult step. If she is psyched out by the speed of linking carved turns on her current equipment, the stiffer, longer sidecut, faster edge to edge, alpin board is not really going to help things and likely will make her more gun-shy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dillrepair Posted February 16, 2006 Report Share Posted February 16, 2006 yeah.. i agree with you, she needs to feel safe to progress.. but i think as long as she tries it out with lower stance angles and on a run she's comfortable with (blue or easier) why not go for it? its seems like wider boards are harder for less experienced riders to link carved turns on.. the transition can take longer, and be more awkward Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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