help a bloke with his quiver
I might be in the market for a new stick this year, but then again not sure if I really “need” it (as opposed to want it). My current quiver:
. 2012 Yes Tasman 152 (camrock) - my do-anything board
. 2012 Signal OG 157 (camber) - big gun for groomer carving and pow days
. 2013 Lib T.Rice 153 (c2btx) - won this (thanks, BW!) I like to take this out on icy days thanks to the magne-traction
I was looking longingly at the new Yes The Standard, although Jez is making me think maybe that’s not the ideal board for me unless I plan to do more pow riding (not so likely). So I’ve been doing some thinking and I reckon I need to work out what my ideal quiver would look like, then start building that up. I think the quiver should have 1 or 2 “core” boards and that’s what I want to get to first. I don’t plan to ever get rid of my Tasman and will keep that as a rock-hopper if it overlaps with something in the new quiver.
possible 1-board core quiver: Yes Greats
I’m pretty settled on that as the right board for a 1-board quiver, but what about the length? I love my Tasman in a 152, so maybe the 154? I’m about 177cm and 68kg. If I go for this, I’d probably sell the T.Rice and Signal but that would leave me with two very similar boards.
2-board core quiver: something longer, stiffer and carvier + something shorter, softer and more playful
Yes Greats in 156 or Yes Standard or Jones Mtn Twin + my old Tasman 152?
Not sure whether to head more towards a full-on freeride board for the carver or keep to something a bit more versatile like the Greats.
Would value any opinions.
You need to think deep in to your mind and your heart for this decision.
How much pow riding do you get a year? Are we talking Japow? Or just the crusty Aussie dust?
You need to think deep in to your mind and your heart for this decision.
How much pow riding do you get a year? Are we talking Japow? Or just the crusty Aussie dust?
not sure if that if that first line is tongue-in-cheek!
just aussie at this stage. Japow probably a few years away when the kids can ski/ride better.
You need to think deep in to your mind and your heart for this decision.
How much pow riding do you get a year? Are we talking Japow? Or just the crusty Aussie dust?
not sure if that if that first line is tongue-in-cheek!
just aussie at this stage. Japow probably a few years away when the kids can ski/ride better.
Just having some fun with the forums 
I wouldn’t get some thing so stiff for Aus riding. I used to ride a Nitro board which was like a piece of steel wouldn’t flex at all and was 156cm from memory. I got bored very quickly on mountain if you can’t jib around or learn some new turns. My advice is try some thing else out like a rocker in a smaller size and stay more in to the park boards.
IMO you don’t really need a quiver if you just intend on riding Australian snow.
I’m currently sitting on a 3 board quiver.
Last years Rossi Jibsaw which has now been relegated to rock hopper status as the base/edges got destroyed in last seasons conditions.
My Capita Charlie Slasher which is my powder board purchased for Japan and in maybe a bit of wishful thinking I scraped the storage wax off it yesterday in hopes that keeps the NZ pow falling. IMO wait until you are actually locked into going overseas before making a powder board purchasing decision rather than compromising your decision now on a board that may not ever see anything more than Aussie ice/slush.
And finally a new Rome Reverb which will be my primary board but purchased mainly with Aussie snow in mind and here’s why. Aussie snow is generally mediocre (anything “deep” can be handled with a bit of rear leg) on top of that the runs are generally pretty tame and short. So for that reason I want a board where I can have the most fun with these conditions in mind. For me this pushes me towards something cambered (for the pop and better carving ability) but also fairly soft/flexy which makes more of the shorter runs with general buttering/mucking around type stuff.
So in summary my advice would generally be, keep a rock hopper board for early/late season as if it’s true rock hopper you aren’t going to be able to sell it for much anyway.
On top of that buy 1 other board that you think will make the most of the conditions you will definitely be riding in not what you might be riding in the future.
When the time comes for you to head overseas in search of pow you can then make the decision to add to the quiver with a board that will make the absolute most of that trip.
Yeah, bkr, that would be the sort of board I’d want in my 2 board quiver. I do need a decent carve board though as I more often ride with skiers than other boarders.
By the looks of it you’ve got pretty much everything covered with your current boards. I wouldn’t bother with a greats unless you’re looking for a replacement for your Tasman as they share the same tech just from different factories and the newer nose/tail shape which I can say I actually prefer the old shape having ridden both.
I’m a huge advocate of camrock boards due to their versatility and have been riding them for 4 winters now. This season I rode a SLASH ‘Happy Place’ pretty much every day once the early season conditions had passed and was really impressed with it. You could definitely notice the little sections of flat camber underfoot, really locked in nicely on rails and boxes and felt amazing on jumps. It also performed just as well if not better outside the park, for hitting and spinning off anything in sight it was brilliant. I’m around the same height as you but maybe 5kg heavier, I was on a 154 and would say it’d be perfect for you, with that little bit less weight it’d float even better in powder aswell. Not saying it didn’t though as I had some of the greatest pow days of my life this past winter.
To be honest chances are I’m going to be getting the exact same board again when it comes time to replace the current one as I can’t fault it for my riding style.
I’ll agree with finney in regards to the size. I weigh almost exactly the same as you (67kg) and I find 154 to be the perfect board for overseas or freeriding. I wouldn’t go bigger. I like to carve pretty hard and the 154 gives all the stability and edge hold you need.
I think it’s also important to recognise that the Tasman 152 and Greats 154 aren’t the same board. It doesn’t seem like much but 2cm of extra length does ride differently. I know because those are the sizes I ride. When I ride Whistler, 152 is too small and I can feel the instability, so I never ride that small over there. However, 154 makes all the difference and I can ride super hard. All my “go to” boards over there are 154. In Australia, I never ride bigger than 152 and I feel perfectly fine on it.
The 154 will certainly give you more stability, edge hold, and float. I don’t think you need to go bigger though.
So it really depends what you want to get out of it, what you want to do with your extra boards, and how you see your ideal quiver. I would think the Tasman 152 and Greats 154 would be a perfect combo and cover you in pretty much all situations. If you ever head overseas, just take the quiver killer… the Greats 154, and you know you’re covered no matter what mother nature throws at you.
Just my two cents. Best of luck with your decisions.
IMO you don’t really need a quiver if you just intend on riding Australian snow.
Yeah mate, I’m definitely on the same page. My “core” quiver would just be for Aus. Any OS trips would be extra stuff for the quiver.
Thanks for the advice, guys. My current feeling is that I’ll just ride out this year on the existing gear with maybe a new set of Now bindings. If a 152 is all I need for Aus then I already have that covered on a board I love. I’m right in the middle of a big home reno, too, so I really shouldn’t be spending money on toys, however nice they are 
I think that’s a smart decision. 
Shred the hell out of the board you love and buy a new one when it dies.