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Ra Valles, 2006

..ok.. too quiet turns, by GiulioCam

MY BOARDS

Virus Blackdeath2, 173cm long, 157cm blade length, 15,1 cm large, 2007 with Phiokka x Pogo Bindings. Tavola da "crociera", adatta a tutte le nevi, fruibile tutta la stagione, veloce, reattiva,agile. Sono stati segnalati dei casi di problemi con il collaggio delle boccole. Ideale in condizioni di neve piatta non troppo ghiacciata, questa tavola non è adatta a penetrare nella neve riportata, segue i profili della neve. La stuttura flessibile "concede" un ottimo controllo della velocità offrendo la possibilità di rapide frenate senza skidding. Raggio di curvatura medio.

Volkl Monocarver, 175cm , 11cm large; one with his own Volkl bindings and the other wit Catek OS2,Skwal flessibile, veloce, preciso. Offre cambi lama modello rotazione dell'hamburger in un ristorante McDonald. Velocità molto maggiore dello snowboard, precisione e stabilità sono le caratteristiche principali. Le condizioni di neve sono un fato secondario: sembra impossibile ma lo skwal permette di sfruttare anche la neve fresca. Per compiere evoluzioni da EC necessita di piste non affollate: la derapata è difficoltosa e la velocià da tenere per "sentire la tavola" deve essere elevata. I migliori sciatori trovano "semplice" inizare a sciare con lo skwal grazie alla posizione simile ed all'ausilio di bastoncini da sci.

Rossignol Race Cup, 184cm long, 165cm blade length, 22,1 cm large, 2003(?) with CateK Bindings, Tavola stabile ma onerosa: ottima in condizioni di neve anche degradate, penetra perfettamante nei grumi di neve, struttura leggendaria che non torce. Veloce su nevi ghiacciate, richede angoli d'attacco bassi. Entrata in curva agevole e progressiva, uscite regolari. Per un ottima gestone necessita di essere condotta da una "gamba buona", ben allenata.

Skwal Thias Panther, 183cm long, 175 cm blade length, 11,8 cm large, 200X with Thias bindings (15m radius), Simile al Volkl monocarver ma consente maggior passo/accessibilità tra gli attacchi (non serve agganciare prima quello dietro...). ottima tavola per nevi assestate

TEST BOARDS

Metalburner- AlpinePunk, 182cm long, 21 cm large, 2008 with Catek OS2. Tavola prodotta in collaborazione con Frank di Virus, I materiali:kevlar, carbonio,Zylon. Mats usa anche il .. Palissandro. Tavola leggera e morbida. Tavola da divertimento puro. La caratteristica principale è la coda di rondine. Se non ho frainteso i discorsi di Mats una tavola lunga 182cm avrà -forse- 158cm di lama effettiva, e la usa al meglio: la torsione si scarica con ritardo sulla coda a contatto con la neve. Le curve vengono fuori facilmente, un EC da apprezzare sicuramente. Dal canto mio, ho tenuto un passo stretto (47cm) e leggermente avanzato, temendo che la tavola fosse lenta, si è rivelata, invece, di natura "snella" e agile. Raggio di curvatura 14mt.

Tomahawk 201, 201cm long, 180 cm blade length, 21 cm large, 2004 with Phiokka bindings. Tavola da professionisti (raggiunti i 120km/h, mi dice il costruttore), molto rigida e prestazionale.

as you can see I’m definitely a hardbooter. Also if there is "soft" snow I use to ride an alpine snowboard, (Burton Alp 163), I like it very much, I have a lot of fun. This choice is -mainly- due to the usual snow conditions: in my area snow is hard, windy. There aren't so frequent precipitations. There are thick woods and not so much "open" space to ride widely.

First I had a Burton Alp 163, than I bought a Virus Black Death2. The change was successful and I would never come back to first board. Nowadays I bought 2 skwals. You'll find the characteristic below. I have to say that is only by having a group of good friends that meet frequently that l learned a good technique and also the suggestions for good equipment. I'll give my experience. First, I will explain what was my choice and why. Virus Black Death is 173cm long, 157cm blade length, 15,1 cm large. "Speed machine for super fast precision turns at high speeds" they wrote on the site. After a 4-5 years of satisfactory snowboard i felt i need more speed in the action: my board was too large and had a lot of torsion. I need something quicker. I decided for a 16-15 cm large board ( so that i could decrease "blade-changing" time) with medium rigidity but very fast in regaining the normal position. In my case, that is allowed by a "bridge" of 3cm. I have to say that my board never lost this feature after 5 years. See pic

How to choose a Board + How's made a snowboard: . Now I’ll comment an article I found on Virus site that explaines on the argument.

As u can imagine boards should be manufactured from high-tech materials in connection with proven materials like full-wood cores. Handcrafting costs are high, but the result is much better than a serial one, since the technology is not so developed. (Due to the small market). Than best producer, should reinforce wood core by layers of carbon fiber. Virus says "These carbon layers are tailored from pure and continuously woven carbon fiber. Knowingly, we relay on only the highest quality materials and abstain from expensive PR-campaigns in favor of optimum riding pleasure."

Look at the stainless steel inserts that should be locked in titian plates, which significantly increases the amount of force needed to rip out a binding. "Thus the problem of bump development in the boards’ binding areas is eliminated." The wood cores should be pre-glued to the final amount of camber... And it lasts and lasts. I had a bed experience on that, I destroyed a board and finally had to re-inserting it. It has happened the same to Alessandro, a friend, with the same board. Please consider to use only screws of a certain correct length and glue them, once u decide the correct position of the binding. When u buy a snowboard ask the salesman to explain this simply things about bindings.

Nowadays boards are manufactured by using sandwich technology: this is a costly type of production, consider this when buying a board. Check the thick of running bases that guarantee the precision and performance. Also the steel edges are important, high quality means allow you for repeated subsequent machining enhancing the lifespan of the board. But's hard to verify the quality of the steel, especially now that the prices of raw material are increasing.

Note for beginners or middle level snowboarders: Once you develop your own style you can think about looking for a hand maker that will manufacture the board you prefer. Please don't do the contrary just to have a personalized board... you will need the double of time to learn snowb. since you'll have to adapt to board. Firm makers do good standardized boards developed by lots of experts, let use their experience. NOTE about handmade boards: I'm speaking of not so much expensive boards, Tomahawk that manufactures World Cup Snowboards hand makes personalized board for at least 700 euros. (That is less than the average price for a Virus of F2 or Kessler etcetc) ask Micheleali@libero.it that is Tomahawk-addict ..

Before buying have a try with the board. It is hard that a shop gives you such an opportunity, but that's the only way to understand. Me and friends, we usually do try of "strange" (for the moment) boards. Look at the photos of the 196cm long Tomahawk or just think at the skwals (10-11 cm width). Ask the salesman for that, sometimes they accept. And more, contact me if you have any idea to try a particular board, we'll try to arrange a contest day.

Now I use to skwal. What does it means "skwal"?? It is always the same sport, snowboarding with 2 foots in line. The difference is that the board is not so wide; it seems a ski more than a snowboard. It's incredible but after 8 years snowboarding I discovered a new world. Skwal gives the stability at high speed that a snowb can't give. But, please, if you are intrested, do the things in order, don't jump from a soft board to a skwal because it wouldn't have much sense, you'd hate it.

So finally I bought two identical boards for a very low price (250 Euros inc.bindings): In the pic you can see that the only difference are the bindings. On Skwalzone.org you have all the details and the history of skwal. I have just quoted a part from the description of my board. Please, visit their site, it is well done and explains a lot.

"Le Volkl Monocarver : Inspirée des premiers modèles lacroix des années 90, le Volkl Monocarver a su en conserver les principaux atouts tout en offrant une maniabilité accrue. Très proche en comportement de la 180 FC, il y a la Volkl MonoCarver. Cette planche est également très rigide et donc adaptée au gabarits "solides" (75 - 100 kgs). En revanche si elle est fortement sollicitée elle accroche bien et relance impeccablement en sortie de courbe. Elle est donc physique à manier. Différentes sérigraphies existent suivant les années de fabrication en revanche la construction de tous ces Monocarvers est rigoureusement identique donc le choix se fera uniquement sur les coloris! Il a été produit de la saison 2000-2001 à la saison 2003-2004." (from skwalzone.org) .

Actual Thias and my future snowdress..

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Credits:

Virus-Snowboard.de, Articolo 2005
Skwalzone.org - Site