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Need help picking a Splitboard

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Now just to be clear on not buying a splitboard just yet but I do like to consider all options before purchasing so I’m start early about 6-8 months before just so I can keep my eyes open for deals and also make sure I make the right choice.

Definitely going to be getting a splitboard for next season just wanted to get some feedback and advice on some differnet boards and also hardware.

Considering the Venture Helix Split 158 (162-163 might be too big) its a true twin board which I like, especially when hitting some nature features, going in switch and landing switch at times. I like the way directional board feel like pow but I don’t like how they feel switch I don’t know still not 100% on the idea of a twin board for backcountry hmmm  Venture’s got a good amount of splits so if I were to go with directional I have that option to in the Venture line.  I’ve considered other boards like K2 Kwicker, Rossi, Jones Carbon split, Gnu billy goat, Never Summer but for some reason Venture seems to be looking better then all of them. I read so many good reviews on all there boards and people swear by their Splitboards so I feel like it would be a safe bet to go with Venture. Also their Rocker/Flat/Rocker profile seems to be tried and tested and coming up ontop because that is the only profile they feature and proud of it.

From what I see Venture currently comes with voile clips, I heard something about them going with Karakoram in next years line but I’m not sure. If not i was actually considering upgrading to Karakoram clips I hear great things about those clips really solid hold. Is there anything wrong with upgrading clips? I hear that sometimes the board doesn’t fit together like it does with the orginal hardware.

Looking at Karakoram or sparks bindings I hear great things about both but lean slightly towards Karakoram…..

Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.

 
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If I could justify the cost, I’d snap up this entire setup.



Sweet binding interface.


 
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Yeahhh not a fan of Burton but that is a sweet binding setup easy as pie but I think the Karakoram and spark bindings actually sit even closer to the board

 
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^those ARE sparks

why are you asking on here? there’s about 2 guys that splitboard here. Go to splitboard.com and do some reading.

 
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What’s wrong with asking on here? If people start discussing splitboards on Boardworld, gradually the number of splitboarders on Boardworld will increase.

Boardworld relies on ‘hit rates’ to survive - so why are you so determined to send people to other websites instead?

 
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Not trying to start a fued here guys, with all do respect Gamblor but this is my first stop when buying new gear or if I got questions on snowboarding and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, also I’ve brought up splits, snowshoes, mtn approach and other backcountry stuff before and the forums keeps getting views sooo there are people on here that are interested.  I check out other sites too and do my reading sorta obvious consider all the gear i mentioned but I always come back here to get some honest answers and info from people that love the sport.

Thanx for the tip though either way

 
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Gamblor - 28 February 2013 01:18 AM

^those ARE sparks

why are you asking on here? there’s about 2 guys that splitboard here. Go to splitboard.com and do some reading.


When I think of sparks bindings I think something like this

Those appear to have a different mounting system, but I can be wrong

 
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Yeah mate - they’re Sparks, but a different system - that now makes Burton a serious contender (I wouldn’t have considered a Burton split before this).

 
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Ill look into it but I’m a bit skeptical when it comes to burton and backcountry gear but ill definitely look into it. To be honest I’m skeptical with all burton stuff had a few issues with there boards in the past. In a area like backcountry riding its not a place I want to be going into without having some tough reliable gear that’s way I’m leaning towards Karakoram or sparks they specialize in that feels like that means something also Venture has the biggest line of Venture boards and have been tested. Jones has alot too but his boards are still newbies compared to Venture from what it seems

 
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chucky - 28 February 2013 01:57 AM

What’s wrong with asking on here? If people start discussing splitboards on Boardworld, gradually the number of splitboarders on Boardworld will increase.

Boardworld relies on ‘hit rates’ to survive - so why are you so determined to send people to other websites instead?

Don’t take everything as an attack on BW. I’m actually being very helpful. If you want qualified advice about something, you’d ask from someone with experience. and I’m telling him to go ask at a site that is only about splitboarding, rather than here where 90-something percent of the posters don’t have a split. I’m sorry if you consider it stabbing BW in the back.

 
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If someone on BW wants advice and I’m able to help (but I’m not an expert), I’ll check first on more subject-specific websites to ensure I’ve got it right, then relay the information on BW. If I’m unable to do so - rather that send someone to another website, I simply don’t comment. If in some cases it’s simply much better to relay a specific URL, it’s better to do so via PM.

A lack of support and an “attack” are two different things.

 
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oh, so we shouldn’t post links now? As if splitboard.com is directly competing with BW!

So, what do you propose? Lester is asking about Venture splits - you’d go read up on them somewhere else and post your ‘findings’ here? I think it’s better to tell him where to find people who are actually riding them.

 
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I’d do just like I said I’d do.

If I knew a lot about Venture splits, I’d relay that information on BW.

If I knew a little, but not a lot, about Venture splits, I’d first make sure what I thought I knew was correct, then relay that information on BW.

If I knew nothing about Venture splits, I simply wouldn’t comment.

 
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Soo back to my splitboard grin

 
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Lester86 - 28 February 2013 02:35 AM
Gamblor - 28 February 2013 01:18 AM

^those ARE sparks

why are you asking on here? there’s about 2 guys that splitboard here. Go to splitboard.com and do some reading.


When I think of sparks bindings I think something like this

Those appear to have a different mounting system, but I can be wrong

Next year they have a new system, which seems to be better since it gets rid of the pin.
Here’s the catalogue:
http://www.zuzupopo.com/xe/index.php?mid=catalog&page=5&document_srl=87886

I can highly recommend K2 for boards though. The Panoramic is sick and I’ve ridden the ultra dream, which is the basis for next year’s ultra split. Don’t be put off by the kwicker system - you will be able to buy the board by itself, and hopefully as a set with the skins and hardware.
I got the Panoramic this year and I added the karakoram clips…but I can’t say if they do anything. They pull the halves tight together but they were originally tight (K2 construction is bomber - no problems out of the factory - 25 years experience and all, you know wink , so I don’t know. but I put them on and I will leave them on since they are cool.

Anyhoo, things I like about my K2 are: the outside edges are bevelled, which really helps when I cross my skis - I don’t take out gouges everytime.
- the flat camber under foot really maximizes the snow to skin contact and reduces slippage on the skin track
-the tweekend tips help with pow float and planing
-construction - no gaps between the skis. also it’s bomber. My friend trashes his boards and his ‘12 Panoramic still looks great
note: the 2012 version doesn’t have tweekends tech on the tips and has more rocker, so is more freestyley

oh, and lastly, that burton landlord split will be an early 2015 release, which means it will hit the stores in November….but Burton splits have a tendency for the tip and tail clips to unclip while riding. I’ve heard of it happening on the spliff this year, so it is still a problem. When I tried the freebird, the first pow turn and the clips popped open. Not a big deal but still annoying.

 
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Thanx for the info Gamblor will definitely be looking at K2 I hear they make some bomb proof boards a lil bit more pricey but you get what you pay for.  Appreciate the info on Spark bindings that’s good to know will keep eye out for there new bindings they seem fairly light too now I see what you ment about the burton being like the Spark bindings .

No surprise about burton having issues but damn opening up durring riding that’s a tough thing to get past, wonder what would have happen on a steep choppy run, I’m good ill stay away from burton