SRL Archive - News and General

I'm getting into snowboarding and realize that renting forever is not good. I am going to buy an entry level snowboard and was wondering if anybody in this expertise has any knowledge they would like to share. I don't want to spend much more than the $75 and $100 range.
I am a tall kid, but lanky. I am 6'6 and 160 lbs, my feet are size 12 US/Canada. I should be riding a 150cm+ board, but does anybody know if that matters? And if so what factors come into play if I ride a board smaller than that?
My top 2 options right now are:

K2 Astar with Ride EX bindings - $75
This board gets reviews saying its really narrow, but a good board for beginners. I don't want toe drag or heel drag so should I be concerned?
DETAILS:
The K2 A-star is comfortable and confidence inspiring at every level of riding and all about building your skills quickly. Stop renting or borrowing, it's time to commit! Designed for advancing riding with an ambitious attitude, the Illusion has limitless possibilities on any terrain whether you're park bound or headed for the trees. Built with our Dual Progressive Sidecut for effortless turning, you'll be slashing steep pow and tweaking methods in no time.
Key Features of the K2 A-Star Snowboard 152:
Tip Tech: Hybritech - Gives you low swing weight and optimized turn initiation at the ends combined with durability and damping on the running surface. This design produces high-performance boards that excel across any variety of mountain terrain, snow conditions, and riding styles
Shape: Directional Twin Dual Progressive
Stance: 1" Back
Core: Pure Core - Characterized by a single species of wood with proven flex, durability, and snap. This is our "go to" core for entry to mid level boards
Glass: Biax Top & Base - Best performing all purpose glass for stiffness down and across the board
Base: Extruded 2000 - Fast, durable, easy to repair, easy to tune
Base Bevel: 3 Degree
http://www.the-house.com/9852k2as8zz-k2-snowboards.html

Lamar Mission with black and white Forum bindings - $85
Reviews are saying that boards with bullet cap designs break easily, allowing water into the core. I want the board to last a long time, so I'm not too sure about this. Other than that I like the board, and it seems to meet all the other needs I have. It's a 153cm and with Forum bindings I shouldn't really go wrong.
DETAILS:
This Lamar Mission Mission Snowboard 148 is going to be around for a while. It's great for most all terrain, works perfectly for a beginner board, and is a great in-between as you move up to a more specifically built board. The medium flex is a nice comfy spot to be, and you'll particularly enjoy this board when freestyling. We recommend having your boards edged at the beginning of each season to keep them in optimum working condition.
Key Features of The Lamar Mission 157cm Snowboard:
All mountain performance
Bulllet cap construction
VersaFlex full wood core
Radial Sidecut geometry
E.T.F. (Energy Transmission frame) Technology: Exclusive technology that uses a combination of top sheets, cores and glass to create custom flexes
3-D Impression Top sheet
Triaxial fiberglass
4 x 4 (16 pk.) insert pattern
Extruded 3400 base
Laser-lock diecut Technology: A precison cutting system that cuts base material using a laser-guide drag knife, the result is a super sharp base graphic
Specifically metallic ink and UV mirror finish: Specially formulated metallic top sheet inks that create a killer visual effect in the sunlight
http://www.the-house.com/9857lami9zz-lamar-snowboards.html

Anything and everything is appreciated

~Wu

From: Wu-Tang Clan
I should be riding a 150cm+ board, but does anybody know if that matters? And if so what factors come into play if I ride a board smaller than that?

If it's anything like skiing, which it should be, a shorter board will be easier to maneuver but won't be as fast. A longer board will be faster but harder to maneuver. I don't really know what the height guidelines are for snowboards but if you search around you'll probably find out.

Full disclosure: I pretty much always ski not snowboard, my experience with snowboarding has only been at school trips to a not that big hill. The reason I tried in the first place was because that hill was so small that skiing was too boring. I tried snowboarding as a challenge.

Anyway, have fun :)

ive had good experience with k2 skis, had two over 5 years of use in the mountains of Tahoe, the snow resort near my house and its park. k2 is a quality manufactor. you wont find much quality in a snowboard under 100 bucks, even if its used. height matters a little bit because of foot stance and considering your 6'6'' id try to find one recomended for you but a little short then recomended wont be a big deal. id make sure you get one that tailors your weight, shoe size, and what type of riding you plan to get into. i used a Burton board bindings and boots when i first learned and have used them since. The snow resort near my house also rents out Burton boards. Rome is another good brand.

so ya, weight and shoe size. might wanna up your budget a little bit if you want something that will last

board length depends mostly on weight and a little on height. I am 6' 3" and 190 and I have a 161cm. For you I would suggest right around 160. If you don't weigh enough turning will be difficult, but a smaller board could be hard to ride because of your height. If you go below 160 I would get a wide board.

Yeah, as others have said, length equates to how easy it is to maneuver, especially relating to your weight. I would say a wide 158' would be good? Just my two cents, Im 6'0 and 175 and I ride a 155 and it is a lot easier to maneuver, but does not get as zippy.

i dont know much about snow boards, but i HIGHLY recommend buying a standard helmet at the least. Safety first :-)

Are you getting into park? Powder? Or just regular groom runs? Park = smaller board, pow = longer, thicker board, groomed = "All-Mountain".
I'd go with the second board, if you really start to get into it you are probably going to get a better board anyway. (Hint, try searching for "seconds", those are boards with messed up graphics that sell cheaper :) )