How should I set up my first snowboard?

Question

I just got a really good deal on a burton dominant and a set of burton freestyle bindings. This is the first time for me to own a snowboard and I really dont know how to set up the bindings on the board.

What binding width should I be riding? what angles? the board im using is a 154 and im going to be doing mostly freestyle riding on boxes and rails. Just from a guess, I was going to try 18 on my front foot and -9 on my back(i think thats right, it should be a little duck), I have been skateboarding the last 7 years and i tried to mimic the angle i usually skate with.

I thought that the angles and width were the only things to take into consideration but i just heard how you have to adjust the hi-back rotation and the forward lean...I have absolutely no clue what that will do when im actually riding...can anyone explain to me what that will do and if i need to adjust the bindings accordingly?

any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Yeah as said by boardbett your angles are a personal preference the ones i use are similar to yours by the sound of it slightly ducked probably a bit less ducked than most freestyle riders would use but it suits me, i couldent actually tell you off the top of my head what the angles are, ive just adjusted them to what feels best to me. As far as binding width if you are doing rails etc you are better off with a wide stance, slightly wider than your shoulder width as this will give you more stability on rails and it will be easier to throw the board arouned more. When adjusting the high backs again do what feels comfortable to you but they can be used to improve your boarding also, as i had a bad habit years ago of barly bending my knees and by having the high backs pushed quite far forward it forced me to change my posture and ride in the correct stance and therefore improving my riding loads. Good choice with the Dominant by the way

Answer 2

Your stance should be a comfortable shoulder width apart, too narrow is going to leave you feeling unstable and tippy and too wide, well I dont think I need to explain. Your angles is a personal preference try a few runs on one set up then if that doesnt feel right play with the angles some more. Same goes for adjusting your hi-backs, if you have had them straight up and down and you go and dial them forward you legs will probally be feeling it, but they do serve a purpose. Its ment to give you more control on the heelside edge of your board. You should never be able to stand with straight legs on your board. Again just play around until it feels right.

Answer 3

you should set up your board to ride switch if you land a 180, 540, 900... a little duck if i were you. Maybe +12 - 15 degrees front foot , -8 - 10 degrees back foot. 20 - 23 inch stance. Stomp It!!