Transfer Guru’s Guide to Good Gear – Men’s Snowboards
Check out Transfer’s 2017 Gear Guide from Issue 24 for the snowboards you’d want if you were stuck on a desert island… Illustration:: Louis Macindoe
Transfer x Rhythm Snowboard Shop
This article was originally published in Transfer’s 2017 Gear Guide. Guru courtesy of Rhythm Snowboard Shop.
Gear Guru: Klump?
Years riding: Old enough to know I shouldn’t be filling out these sort of things …?
Terrain Preference: Bullet trains
Why can’t I make it across ?this cat track?
I’d say that if you’re riding in Australia that cat track is probably either dirt or you’re going uphill. Even though our resorts do a great job with the cat track and all-mountain maintenance, sometimes you’re going to come across slow snow and cat tracks? filled with ski-schoolers. Look for? a sintered base in a board, keep it waxed and learn how to dodge the obstacles without washing speed.
Why are some snowboards? a strange shape??
Shape trends come and go. Right now, we’re seeing a return of shapes from back in the day. For all-mountain riding I wouldn’t worry too much about the shape but more about the camber profile and stiffness of the board. In deep snow a tapered shape keeps you floating but limits the ‘hellman’ when it comes to switch turns.
What are the most important factors to consider when ?buying a new board??
The graphic. The word around the water cooler is: the better the graphic, the sicker the board. If it looks killer you’re halfway there. Minor things include: establishing what’s the main type of riding you want to do? Do you want to go super quick, play in the park or all the above? Traditional cambered boards or pure pop boards (rocker-camber-rocker) handle best under speed while camber-rocker-camber (Flying V and C2) are more playful, forgiving and generally offer an all-mountain good time.
Why won’t my snowboard go backwards?
skischool.com.au
How do I make my? board last longer??
General maintenance will help this, that means waxing and keeping your edges sharp. If you tend to smash up your boards on rocks and rails, then you know where to find me – I’ll give you a good deal on a new one. The number one way to make your board last longer is to buy a $25 lock. Chain that sucker up, especially ?if your graphic is killer dude.
Why do snowboards vary? so much in price??
Prices tend to vary depending on the materials used in the board’s construction. Materials such as space rock carbon which come from outer space generally cost more. Volcano-breathing basalt from middle earth will also set ?you back your first born, but in the end all companies these days are eco-friendly and green so just think you’re helping out Mother Earth.
Should I try a board before I buy it?
Sure, if you have the chance, do it. Demo days are a great opportunity to try out different things and form your own opinion. Just because something works for someone else, doesn’t mean it’ll work for you. A good snowboard shop will have a demo program in place so you can hunt down that perfect ride.
I keep breaking my boards in half, what can I do to stop this?
Snowboards aren’t made from cast iron if you fall hard enough in a way that the board abnormally flexes it’ll snap, generally not in half but running along the bindings in a torsional manner. Board models are tested before they’re released by team riders and engineers, so if you’re constantly breaking boards you’re either landing nose or tail heavy, or cartwheeling constantly. Also check the weight range of ?the board as well. If you’re 100kg and the board is rated to 75kg, well, you’re not helping yourself.
Final advice
There’s no one piece of advice. For snowboarding that’d be like watching a weather report – you’re always going to get mixed reports and people are just winging it, covering themselves with multiple angles and opinions. After years of hearing how amazing humans are, I think there are no fixed rules when it comes to snowboarding as all humans are different. There are guidelines ?in place but those guidelines are? not set in stone; try different things and form your own opinion, you are amazing after all. In the end, I think no one can tell you what you need unless you ride with that person every day and even then, they can just suggest different things, same as the person you’re talking to in the store. Just be honest with them, tell them what you want to do, and if it’s a good store they won’t be telling you what you need but suggesting you try this and that and giving you enough information, so you can make up your own mind in confidence. Don’t listen or follow me though,? I just clean boots here.
Guru picks
Endeavor, BOD
Price: $799.99
A big mountain Freestyle board that truly ?handles all terrain.
Vimana, Motherbrain
Because Vikings are never wrong.
Public, General Public
Price: $599.99
If Joe Sexton says it works then I believe him.
