What's a good freestlye snowboard?

Question

Mostly for the pipe. I currently ride a 55 Ride Timeless but am looking for something with a little more flex, preferrably twin tipped.

I'm trying to find a good board in the offseason. Know of any good deals?

Answer 1

Okay, you've got a strange request here. Keep in mind that the best pipe boards are directional, not twins and they are usually very stiff. Stiffer, directional boards have a lot of drive and edge hold so you can nail your line better in the pipe. Also the added stiffness will give you much more pop off the lip. This doesn't mean that you can't rule the pipe with a softer twin tipped board but all the best boards for pipe are a little different than the one you requested.

If you are going for a twin you can't go wrong with Santa Cruz. Their line of TT (True Twin) boards are built with "Bi-O-Metric Sidecut" meaning that your heelside sidecut is deeper than your toe side sidecut. If you think about your turns, your toe turns are usually stronger and tighter than your heelside turns. This is due to body geometry and there isn't much you can do about it. However, Santa Cruz has designed their boards so that heelside turns will more closely match your toe side ones. It sounds weird but it really works. Also, most of their top of the line boards incorporate "Comply Construction". Think of this as shock absorbers for your edges. This design offers great edge hold in hard conditions (ie the Pipe) while dampening out the ride so you don't get as fatigued. Another great bonus is you get less hang-ups on the rails with these boards because the edges give a little. I really like the Seth Huot TT and the Jon Kooley is just too cool looking.

Also, I really like Burton. You won't find any real twins in the Burton line but you will find some awesome pipe boards, the Ross Powers being the best example. For better all round rides the Custom (softer) and the Custom X (stiffer) are both amazing. The Twin and the Dominant are better jib and park boards but they'll handle to pipe okay too. And, of course, the Shaun White boards rock too....if you wanna give him more money that is.

I don't want to offend Spatula Warrior but I must say DO NOT go with a Lamar (Lame-Air). They use to be a great company but they are terrible now. No quality, no love, no soul. They sell their boards in Costco and other big box stores and their parent company has destroyed a couple of great pioneer board lines. Avoid Lamar.

Answer 2

I ride Nidecker boards - check out their 'Advanced' (twin) or 'Smoke' models at http://www.nidecker.com.

If you prefer more well-known names like Burton, i knowa lot of people who love the freestyle 'Dominant'. Their 'Retro Twin' is, not surprisingly,a twin.

Answer 3

i currently ride a lamar. its a little cheaper than burton, but i think it rides better. It has great flex. check them out