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  • February 27, 2018 at 1:30 pm #816718
    Powderslave
    Participant

    Hi people,

    I am looking for some advice for my first splitboard setup. I am 5’8″ and 185 pounds (about 215 with all gear). Depending on the manufacturer, my boots are between a 10.5 and 11.5 (current boots are 10.5). I live in New England, so the majority of my riding will be in tight trees. My resort boards are 159 mid-wides (and a 156 Hovercraft).

    My current thoughts were a Prior Kyber 160 or a Jones Solution 162W. I am a bit concerned about being heavier than Prior suggests for the 160, but I would like the sharper turning for the tight trees. Are there any other boards I should be considering?

    For bindings I am between the Spark Arc and Spark Surge (both in large). I am leaning more towards the Surge because of my weight, but might like the more surfy feel of the Arcs in tight trees. I do like stiff bindings, but I was not sure if the Surges are too stiff.

    Any advice on skins is welcome.

    Thanks!

    February 27, 2018 at 6:06 pm #816721
    bshubpow
    Participant

    Welcome. I’ve never ridden a Jones so can’t comment on that, but I have a Prior Spearhead and it’s great. I’m 5’11” 185lbs and ride the 166. All my solid boards have been over 160 for years, so I personally wouldn’t go shorter. I think if you are in between go a few cms longer. Other options? There are dozens these days. Enjoy..

    February 28, 2018 at 9:46 am #816735
    bcall8
    Participant

    I would not go with the solution for what you describe. I have had a 166 and now have the 164. It can be a tough board for tight trees. Takes some muscle for pushing around. It is a fantastic climber and a pretty good all around board but for your size I could see a 162W being difficult in tight spots. I think a hovercraft might be a better option.

    As far as bindings go I could not tell a big difference in stiffness between the two as far as base plate goes. The straps are where I feel most of the difference and a little in the high back. You can go wrong with either and you can always buy a set of straps or high backs later if you feel you made the wrong choice. I did not feel as stable or locked in with arc straps.

    March 1, 2018 at 9:16 am #816767
    Mike
    Participant

    I’ll second what bcall8 said on the board. I have a Carbon Solution 162W and it’s not a board I enjoy riding in tight trees (though I do like it overall).

    March 1, 2018 at 6:54 pm #816776
    MarsB
    Participant

    I would get the Surges over the Arcs, I don’t think the ride will be much different and the Surge will be better at your weight. I’m over 200 lbs with gear and feel locked in tight with my Surges.

    K2 Joydriver split 159
    Spark R&D Surge
    K2 Backside skins
    Salomon Malamutes

    March 2, 2018 at 8:03 am #816806
    Powderslave
    Participant

    Thanks guys! After talking with the folks at Prior, I pulled the trigger on a Khyber 160 with a custom waist width of 266mm.

    It sounds like the consensus is to go with the Surges. Judging from what Spark announced as the changes to the 2018/2019 models (https://youtu.be/KzwRuvpyd1g, https://youtu.be/1zmRnykj_zA) is it worth waiting for those, or would I better off getting this year’s Surges while they are on sale? Seeing as my board will not arrive until the end of April, I can wait until next year’s bindings are released, but I would like to if the improvements are worth the extra cost.

    Cheers!

    March 9, 2018 at 7:03 pm #817124
    MarsB
    Participant

    2018-19 Surge changes only look to be a few grams lighter and different colors. The Surge Pros go even lighter with Ti hardware. IMHO, not really worth waiting. The big upgrades came in the 2017-18 models with the Pillow Line straps and the new heel risers.

    K2 Joydriver split 159
    Spark R&D Surge
    K2 Backside skins
    Salomon Malamutes

    March 16, 2018 at 9:28 pm #817441
    Powderslave
    Participant

    Thanks for the help! I picked up this year’s Surge, canted pucks and skins all on sale. Now I just need to wait for the board to arrive and hope most of the snow from the recent storms stays around long enough to get a day in.

    December 22, 2018 at 7:36 am #825752
    Aaron_C
    Participant

    Good call on the Khyber. I ride the 165 and its super fun in the trees/tight spots. Its surfy, very quick, the nose easily stays above any chunk or crusts, and it still holds its own when things get faster in the open bowls.

    BTW- I ride Spark Burners. Its very easy to swap straps and highbacks amongst all the spark bindings.

    January 24, 2019 at 11:02 am #827063
    Powderslave
    Participant

    I finally got a chance to try everything out this past weekend at Bolton Valley Splitfest. The Khyber/Surge combo was really fun and surfy in the trees but still able to rail a turn on steeper open terrain. It was a bit more torsionally rigid than I was expected, but that just meant I had to use better form when turning. My only issue with it is that it took a good amount of effort to pop off of stuff. It seems like it will be a perfect match for tight trees in New England while still being able to hold its own on the little bit of above treeline riding in the area.

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