Is the Stance Location (set back) built into each board a big deal?

Question

On the burton Vapor (12.5 setback) you can't move the bindings back much so is this a pipe board or what exactly. What can you tell me about the vapor's riding character? Also is this measurement they are showing in millimeters? If you look at burton's website you can see that half the boards have a Stance Location Setback of approx. 25 and the others 12.5. Some are different but most are like this. It looks like the ones that are 25 are better for groomers and the ones that are around 12.5 are for park and pipe. Is that etched in stone??? The ones with the negative core profile seem to be for pipe also is that right???

Answer 1

I would characterize the Vapor as an all mountain freestyle board, similar to the Custom. I found the Vapor to be very lively and responsive...easy to ride and a lot of fun. It's not as stable at higher speeds as the T6 or Custom X nor is it as planted or as stable in choppy snow but it's easier to ride than those two.

As far as your core profile question, here's what the Burton Catalog has to say:

"Thinner sections of core between the bindings provide softer flex and torsion, allowing these boards to excel over a variety of snow conditions and terrain."

Basically, it's softer and easier to ride and while I prefer a softer torsional flex in a park board, the core profile doesn't necessarily mean that is what it's for.

Now, stance setback is more an issue for off-piste and powder riding. I really don't see much of an issue between 12.5 mm's and 25 mm's for riding groomers. Now, powder may be an issue but that isn't really what the Vapor is for.

The Vapor is super fun in the park (stay away from rails with this board though), it's super fun on the groomers and it's an absolute blast on slushy spring days. If you ride really fast, bomb crazy lines and live for powder it may not be the board for you.