RSSSnowboards
Introduction
With so many snowboard choices available on the market, it’s important to learn about the technology, style and design elements that are used, and how they impact the performance of the boards you’re looking at. Informing yourself about the industry and the products available will allow you to make a smarter decision when it comes time to buy your next snowboard, which means more fun on the mountain.
Here is a shortened version of tips on shopping for a new snowboard.
When choosing a snowboard you must first determine your ability and how you want your board to perform. A few important questions to be answered when choosing the correct board are rider weight, height, foot size and style. These factors will narrow down your search for the correct stiffness, length, width and shape of board.
What’s your riding ability?
Beginner - First time, taking lessons, snowboarded 1-3 times.
Intermediate - Ride 10+ days a year, solid linking turns, ride switch, basic airs.
Advanced - Category of your own.
Determine your riding style:
Freeride - Utilizing the whole mountain. Powder, trees, groomers, carving, dropping, bonking, catching air.
Freestyle - Technical aspects on the mountain such as Snowboard Parks, Pipe, and Rails. Includes mostly airs, slides, spins, inverts, grabs.
Alpine/Boarder X - High speed, carving and transitions.
Once you have narrowed down your riding ability and style, move on to more important board buying decisions. The board length and width, which depends on your height and weight.
Types of Snowboards
Freestyle/Half-pipe
Freestyle snowboards are designed primarily for riding in areas like the terrain park. Because of that, freestyle snowboards have a softer flex pattern that is a little more forgiving and easier to butter around on. However, freestyle riders who spend a lot of time in the half-pipe like to have a stiffer flexing board because it is more responsive. The shape of freestyle boards tends to be more twin-tip, allowing you to ride switch easily.
All-mountain/Freeride
Designed more for all mountain performance, a freeride snowboard will typically be stiffer for more stability at higher speeds. As a result, a freeride board will not be quite as responsive as a freestyle snowboard, and will not turn as well at slower speeds. A freeride snowboard is best suited to the rider that plans to spend most of their time riding the entire mountain in all conditions.
Back Country
Snowboards designed for the back country are typically longer and have more surface area, which makes them ideal for riding in powder and crud. These boards will perform in all the conditions one would typically find in the back country, so you’ll be sure to get home, but they are poorly suited for riding in a park or pipe.
Snowboard Technology
Snowboard Sizing:
All snowboard manufacturers offer sizing charts to determine the specific weight ranges for the different shapes and lengths. As a general rule of thumb the length of the board should stand anywhere from your chin to the bridge of your nose. The width of the board directly relates to your foot size. Small feet equals narrower width, big feet equals wider width.
Your weight can be a determining factor in the flex pattern of your board. Generally speaking, heavy riders should look for boards that are stiffer, while a lighter weight rider would choose a softer flex. Core ingredients and the construction of the board can give a better idea of what the flex pattern will be.
Snowboard Construction:
The performance of a board is greatly affected by the materials used in the construction. Different material types include wood, fiberglass, and carbon. Most board cores are made from wood stretching tip to tail. The choice of glass or carbon will determine the weight and flex pattern of the board. Fiberglass is used in all snowboards to give the board its liveliness and carbon is sometimes added, enabling the board to snap back to its original shape quicker.
The board’s base has a big impact on how the board will handle in varied temperatures. Two common base methods are Extruded and Sintered. Extruded bases are easy to repair but tend to be slower on the snow. Sintered bases are more durable and faster in most conditions.
Below is a review of the basic technology that is used in current snowboard design. If any terms are unfamiliar, check the glossary at the end of the page.
Base
The base of the board is a durable material that also allows your snowboard to glide across the snow with little friction. Base material is made from a polyethylene typically called P-Tex, and is designed to be both durable and fast, with low friction. Different manufacturers use other materials to achieve these properties, but the basic concept is the same. There are two types of bases that are used depending on the application the board is intended for, these are extruded and sintered.
Extruded Bases:
An extruded base is made by melting polyethylene and then molding it into the shape of the base. An extruded base will be durable, simple to maintain and easy to repair, but it is also the slowest type of base available. An extruded base will also hold less wax than other types of bases. For these reasons, extruded bases are usually found more on entry level boards where longevity, lack of maintenance and easy repair are important.
Sintered Bases:
A sintered base is made by grinding up the polyethylene material, then melting it and slicing it into the layers of the base. A sintered base is also very durable when compared to an extruded base, but is a little more difficult to repair if damaged badly. The biggest advantage to a sintered base is in the amount of wax it will hold, and its glide. Sintered bases are the fastest out there, and the best option if you want a quick board that glides well. A sintered base will require a bit more work to maintain in order to get the best possible performance out of it.
Core
Most snowboards now are using wood (typically Aspen or Poplar) for the core due to it’s attractive qualities and low cost. Depending on the type of wood used, these cores usually have a snappy feeling and are a good compromise between ride quality and weight.
Manufacturers have recently started using synthetic carbon, Nomex or other materials in the core construction of their high end boards. These types of materials are lighter, stiffer, and allow the designers to control the flex and energy distribution characteristics of the board for higher performance. A high end snowboard will also have a core that remains stiff and stable longer than an entry level snowboard.
Sidewall
The region joining the top of the board with the base is the sidewall. While designs vary depending on the manufacturer, the purpose is the same; the sidewall holds the board together and transfers the force you apply when carving to the edge of the board.
There are two basic sidewall designs that are currently being used, a classic sidewall construction and monocoque construction.
Classic Sidewall
This type of construction joins ABS plastic between the top sheet and base of the board to form the sidewall. This style of construction is less expensive to make, and also holds up well especially when enhanced with an elastic material to cushion the edge of the board. A snowboard constructed with a classic sidewall with have a perpendicular sidewall along the length of the edge.
Monocoque Sidewall
A monocoque construction is achieved by tapering the sidewall of the board down gradually to meet the base of the board. There are many variations on this type of construction, but in all of them the deck of the board wraps down to meet the edge in a low profile design. This style of construction is extremely durable and help to prevent sidewall blowout and delamination. Monocoque construction also helps to focus the energy applied while turning directly onto the edge for more aggressive carving.
Sidecut
Sidecut is the amount of curve in the edge of the snowboard, from the contact point at the nose to the middle of the snowboard. Sidecut helps the snowboard turn, and dictates how quickly it reacts, A bigger sidecut will result in a shaper turning, more aggressive snowboard, while a smaller sidecut will result in a snowboard that does not turn as sharp and requires more effort to get on edge.
Snowboard Shape:
Choosing a riding style will narrow down a variety of boards that will perform exceptionally well.
Directional shapes are ideal for Freeriding. The directional board has a longer nose than tail and the stance is set back, keeping the rider naturally over the tail. The side cut will be tapered with a longer arc in the nose and sharper tail radius. Enabling the board to float in powder with more control.
Freestyle boards tend to have a nose and tail with the same geometry and length. Insert patterns are centered putting the rider directly over the top of the board. The side cut is continuous throughout, making the board handle equally, whatever direction the rider is going. This stability and balance aids in switch riding.
In Conclusion:
With so many great choices, buying a snowboard isn’t as easy as it used to be. Take the time to read any technical information to help narrow down the search. This guide is a general rule of thumb and choosing a board is ultimately a rider’s preference.
Glossary of Snowboard Technology Terms
Base
The base is the surface of the snowboard that is in contact with the snow while riding.
Core
The core is the central component of the snowboard and is responsible for many of the snowboards properties. Flex, weight, vibration dampening, pop and more are all directly related to construction and technology used in the core.
Edge
The edge is the metal portion of the snowboard that joins the sidewall to the base. The edge allows the snowboard to carve a clean path through the snow when turning.
Effective Edge
This is a measurement of the length of the snowboard edge that is actually in contact with the snow during a turn.
Flex Pattern
The flex pattern of a snowboard determines where throughout the length of the snowboard and how much a snowboard will flex when pressure is applied to it. A softer snowboard is more forgiving and easier to turn, while a stiffer board will edge better on hard snow, and will be more stable at high speeds.
Inserts
Inserts are metal nuts that are laminated into the construction of the board and are used to secure your bindings to the deck of the board. Some manufacturers use higher quality inserts that are backed to prevent a bolt from penetrating all the way through the base of the board.
Nose (tip)
The nose is the part of the snowboard that faces forward. The shape can vary, the nose of the board is designed to prevent the snowboard from digging itself into the snow.
Nose Width
The widest part of the board measured at the nose is referred to as the nose width.
Overall Length
This is the total length of the snowboard, usually measured in centimeters. A longer board will be more stable and is better suited for heavier, taller riders, while a shorter board will be more responsive, and is best for shorter, lighter riders. Refer to the size charts available when shopping for the correct size snowboard for you.
Sidecut Radius
The radius of the arc that the sidecut creates is referred to as the sidecut radius. A smaller sidecut radius will results in a board that turns tighter, and vise-versa for a larger sidecut radius.
Tail
The tail of the board is the end which faces away from the direction you are traveling. Many boards have a similar design at the tail as the tip to facilitate riding switch stance.
Tail Width
This is a measurement of the width of the tail taken at the widest part.
Top (Deck)
The top sheet of the board that includes the top graphic and the binding inserts that are used to secure your bindings to the board.
Waist Width
This is the width of the snowboard at the narrowest point, which is usually measured in millimeters. A narrower board will result in a more response ride with quicker edge-to-edge transitions. Narrower snowboards will also have less surface area and will be limited to riders with large feet.
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