new snowboard

[frawley]

hey guys im lookn to get a new snowboard. right now im riding a 154 nitro which just isn't cutting it, and its too small. im looking at either the 158 burton custom or the 156 forum destryoer. any info on these boards or any other good options would be appreciated. oh yah. and what r some good bindings to look into? price doesn't rlly matter. my specs r uhhh.

6ft.
150ish lbs.
strikengly handsome(sp)
intermediate rider

and im looking for a board / biondings that are gonna last. thanks

[shane]

frawley, before you go out and drop $800 on a Burton, know that you're paying about $300 for the "Burton Custom name" and $500 for the actual board. Although Burton does have some sick boards and revolutionary concepts incorperated into their products you just don't get the "bang for your buck" you would with other companies such as Rome, Option, Ride etc.

When you're buying a board it's important to consider what you're going to be using the board for. Are you strictley freeride? All park? Or 50/50?

I'll be riding about 83.25% park 16.75% (yes precisely ) and two of the boards i've really heard good things about are the Rome Agent 158 and the Option Mirror 157. Both those boards will cost significantley less than the custom, but hey, "price doesn't rlly matter," right? From what I understand both of those boards kill it in the park, but still handle their own on other runs.

I don't know your boot size but if you're anything around 11 or under toe drag should not be an issue on either of the boards I mentioned, if you use a wide stance.

I can't vouche for the Custom or Destroyer, but I remember hearing that when the Custom was at it's best (01/02) the guy who was developing them moved on and started Rome, so that's something to keep in the back of your mind.

The best advice, aside from all of this, is to research and ask a lot of questions where you can. There are a few educated individuals at snowboard.com, so that might be a good place to start.

Good luck.

Shane

[frawley]

shane, thanks alot man. yah i see what your saying buy your paying for the name instead of the board. but im not gonna drop 600$ on a company that i havn't heard much of,but i'll look into rome and option. thanks for the advice.

[stompin9s]

ive heard excellent things about travis rices new lib board

[SleuCrew]

frawley, Honestly, There are soooo many better snowboards than Burton, I can turn a Burton into a wet noodle in half a season... If you really want the most bang for your buck, buy a Lib Tech or a Gnu, seriously anything made by Mervin mfg. is the shizzle... Also look into Never Summer, they have been around for years, stayed smaller and still make really great boards.

There are tons of great snowboards out there now, personally i think Burton boards are crap now.

[tahoe]

not braggin or anything but i kinda rode for rome and now get shizzle from santa cruz. i recomend both.
jib- rome agent.. best ever
park/jib/handrails- santa cruz. i ride the curtis woodman 151 but the robbie sell 154 is good. and the seth huot 156 (i think) is one my favs. (i ride that one smaller)

[Windlipkid]

Im with Slue i personaly think burton boards are crap now...i had a burton 7 one season and in 2 months if that, it was a noodle.

Id personally check out Rome, option or stepchild. im currently riding a stepchild and am loving it! And if you ever have the chance, check out prior, you won't be dissapointed

[frawley]

thanks for the input guys. as of now im lookin at the rome agent 158. what are some good bindings that i can look into?

thanks

[SleuCrew]

frawley, bindings are going to be more personal preference... depending on if you like something that rides higher in the back, stiffer, softer etc.

[mario c.]

i just bought an agent158, sickest board i've ridden. the rome bindings are tight too.

[Windlipkid]

ive heard good things about the rome bindings!! but so far my favs so far are burton bindings!