when buying second hand snowboard gear what must one look out for?

Question

im buying snowboard euipment and dont have the faintest what to look for,this includes things like minor details to the board which could have an effect on the performance of it.

when buying a board are there rules as to what size it should be in comparison to the riders body, when picking out boots: my shoe size is 9, does this meen i need to maybe buy a size or two bigger for comfort space as with rollerblading or simply get a pair like one would buy shoes?

if you have any other tips and hints that would be greatly appreciated

Answer 1

Look out for cracks

Answer 2

What Phazeboy said about boot fit and showboard length is really good. I've seen so many people having trouble learning or progressing due to incorrect sizes. Try on lots of boots and pick the best fit. Also, boots tend to "pack out." That is, the padding compresses a bit after continued use. So a bit tighter is usually better than a bit loose. When you find the ones that you think are right, leave them on for a long time in the store to make sure that there are no pressure points that cause pain.

About used boards: major damage wll be obvious. Look out for
1) Delamination: where then topsheet layer is starting to come apart from the board. once moisture gets under there you can try and repair it, but the boards days are numbered.
2) Edge damage: small nicks or dull edges can be tuned out, but if there is a major gash or crack in the edge then forget it. Also, if the edges are rusty then it is a sign of general neglect from the previous owner - I'ld pass on that too
3) Base: one again minor gouges can be repaired, but if the gouge is fairly deep or right through the base layer then definitely pass. However it you go with a board that has a bit of base damage then get it fixed before heading to the hills.
4) General wear and tear: this requires knowing a bit more aout the board and how it was deisgned to flex. Boards get softer (flex easier) as they are used. Some are designed to be soft right out the factory and other just get that way in time. In this department, one thing to look out for is that the board still has some camber. That means if you put it down on a flat table that it will contact teh table near the tip and tail of the board and curve up so the waist (middle) of the board is up off the table.

There is some really great used stuff out there, but as always it is "buyer beware." With anything, try and research the items that you are considering buying to get a feel for the quality of the manufacturer and where in their product line your item lies.

I suggest that only a new helmet be considered and highly recommend helmet use. Since being hit by an out-of-control rider last year I always wear my bucket!

Answer 3

everyone had good advice on the boots, I actually get a size smaller than my street shoe, you want them tight...better fit quicker response, but an important thing to look at is the thickness of the edge and compare that thickness to a new snowboard. When you tune skiis and snowboards you run them over a machine that grinds away a layer of the base material and the edges, you should really only do this 4 or 5 times, and can see the difference of a board that has been ground down. also check for delaminating spots (if the top sheet is peeling that is not a huge issue, but if the layers inside are coming apart that can not be fixed and results in a dead spot on the board. bindings you just want to make sure the boots fit in them well (tightly is good)...good luck

Answer 4

Hi there. I've been snowboarding for 5 or 6 years, am at good intermediate level and don't mind sharing information.

1. Boots. BUY BOOTS IN THE SIZE OF YOUR FEET, DO NOT BUY THEM OVERSIZED. They make these boots to fit very very snuggly, you don't want hardly any movement when you're in them. Don't worry about the fact that you'll be wearing thick socks, your body weight with squash it all in. If you buy boots that are too big your heel will lift excessively when you're on your toe turns. Not good.

With regard to buying them they really need to be tried on before buying. I had some good advice in a store once; 'all boot manufacturers have a vision of what a foot shape is, and they design to this'. What this means is that while one make of boot might be suitable for wide feet, another make might be better for narrow feet.

I've got relatively normal feet, maybe slightly narrow, and I've found the best boots were Salomon. They also have an awesome lacing system that cuts loads of the hassle out of putting all the gear on!

2. Boards. With regard to size i was always told that if you stand it on end, it should be between your chin and nose. Always worked fine for me. If you've got big feet (over size 10UK), you might want to consider one of the wider boards. They're exactly the same, just stop your feet dragging in the snow.

Depending on what you want to do should determine what board you get. For me, i like to cruise around, hit the odd natural jump and just have fun, so i have a freeriding board. If you're going to hit the park, you need to look at a board suitable for this, typically shorter and wider ends i think.

Don't get one that's too stiff to start off with, it won't be very forgiving. (as i found out).

Anyway, hope that's been of some help.

Answer 5

Second Hand Snowboard

Answer 6

Look for any major damage that is more than cosmetic -- would actually affect the performance of the ride.

Boot fit - Go with your actual foot size.

Next is size of board. Getting the right size board is VERY IMPORTANT. For best snowboard fit, see here http://frostyrider.com/tips/size-guide.htm

Answer 7

look out for cracks and splits check that the bindings are not loose with clothing obviously look for repairs check all the seams especially under the arms
first id go to a specialist shop try stuff on ask questions remember the answers use those to get the gear u want
as for boots personally id rather get them fitted at a specialist shop
broken ankles are not a pleasurable feeling