Am I Ready for a More Aggressive Board?

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Hey y'all,

This is my first post here. I have been riding for about 6 months now, and my bindings are already starting to wear out Mad

. My riding is coming along nicely, and I'm thinking about stepping up from my beginner package (CWB Faze 2008 w/ Seven bindings) to something more aggressive. Here are the facts:

-6 months experience, riding twice a week at the moment
-small wake from shitty boat: I want more pop
-I like a loose board
-I want closed-toe bindings
-I want a lighter package
-I can jump W2W in both directions but sometimes struggle with TS pop
-I love surface tricks: I ride without center fins and can do surface 360s
-My switch riding is weak: I can edge decently, but I can barely jump
-I'm taking my air 180s (HS and TS) bigger and bigger, but have yet to take them W2W
-Next step is better switch riding, bigger air 180s, and trying my first air 360
-I don't want to spend more than $600 on a board/binding package, and I would be more than willing to buy a blem board to save money
-I'm thinking about something in this range: http://www.evo.com/shop/wake/wakeboards.aspx#/shop/wake/wakeboards/ability_intermediate-advanced/usedby_mens.aspx

So, am I ready to step up to an "intermediate" package? Will I be able to transition from hybrid rocker (called "subtle 3-stage" on the Faze) to full 3-stage? Am I not yet good enough to take advantage of the extra pop? Should I stay with the Faze and just get new bindings? Is this too much money to spend for a relatively new rider like myself?

Thanks!

The Heez · Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 41

There is no magic formula for when you are ready, but if you want to improve, getting a board that fits your style is essential. I would say that better, more supportive boots will help your riding and confidence a ton. If you wanted to just get boots, I'd say you can, but those packages give you a smoking deal.

I also wouldn't worry about the rocker change. One of those boards you posted is the one I would recommend, the Faction, and its a continuous rocker board. I generally don't like continuous shapes and for years have ridden pretty aggressive 3 stages, the Faction takes the benefits of a continuous and adds significant width to give a great pop. And at $469 with those Faction boots, you are scoring an awesome ride. Each year I get a new CWB setup and that is the one I've been riding, and will continue to ride. Good luck, have fun, demo if possible!

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Thanks for the advice mate. I will definitely try to demo a board or two before I buy. Have you had any quality issues with CWB? I think it's unreasonable that the stitching on my bindings has ripped and the labels on the back loops have come unglued after just 6 months of riding and I'm not sure if I want to buy from CWB again. That said, the board is excellent and has really helped me learn the sport.

The Heez · Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 41

I've not had any quality issues with my CWB gear. My boots from 3 years ago look brand new. The more you are in this sport, you will realize that all the gear eventually succumbs to the regular abuse. What often happens with people that don't have high end boots is that they will really cinch the hell out of the bindings, trying to get the support that just isn't there, the boots don't last long doing that. But if you get a more supportive boot, you really just need to tighten it lightly and you are good to go.

if you bought em 6 months ago, get em warrantied and keep them around for others to use, so you can keep your new deck all to yourself!

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

That makes sense: I do cinch the hell out of them. I need to get something stiffer next time. And it's a no go on the warranty. I've only been riding for 6 months because I recently moved from CT where the riding season was very short, but I bought them more than a year ago.

Sidenote: I ended my season on Sunday by landing my first W2W 180 Very Happy

Jet · Posted: Dec 17, 2010 11:04 am Post subject:

Ibex/One the BEST way to go. Go to the store and pick up a one/boot with your fingers, once you see how light they are you will buy a pair. My pakage weighs like 12-13 pounds, Its light!! I have the Blk/Fiber special edition Parks model...nice dude..nice. And wifes Lil Red Corvette!

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

LopsidedMidget · Newbie Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 28

I just went out and bought myself a 2009 Ronix Mana board with some closed toed company bindings for 400 bucks (Killer deal). I love the board and am an intermediate rider. It's not as loose as you may like tho. I would suggest you finding a board shop and seeing about renting a few of their demo boards to see what you really like..

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Jet · Posted: Dec 23, 2010 7:37 am Post subject:

Go used then..but get a BETTER board. My wifes one board is really expensive but has a very mellow ride, so be careful what you buy. I started as a beginner with the Ferrari of wakeboards 04' Parks Hyperlight and still riding a newer version today. Dont be afraid of a real aggressive board, it just makes you learn faster. lol

The Heez · Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 41

Jet · Posted: Dec 27, 2010 11:00 am Post subject:

Well I disagree back. Very Happy

Yes, it is harder to learn how to edge on a aggressive board, but once a beginer has learned how to edge 10-20 times riding..then the hard part is over. Your way is like saying its harder learn how to drive in a corvette than it is a 4-door car?? That doesn't make much since. Less money spent buying and selling your board to get a better board just as soon as you learn how to ride well. The 1st thing you want to do is buy a better board. After 11 years of marathon skating I have learned that the skates under $199 are usually crap and are harder to skate with..the frames bend giving up power, the boots hurt because of cheap and thin products they use and the same thing can be said for wakeboards. As soon as I went to closed toe bindings my confidence and riding went way up, and the same can be said for the weight of my newer more aggressive board..lighter faster..easier!!

The Heez · Newbie Joined: 09 Aug 2010 Posts: 41

There is a difference between buying crappy product and buying a board shape that is more user friendly. More expensive doesn't equal the right board for how you ride.

To use your car example, its not harder to learn to drive in a Corvette, but the person may like a different ride like an M5. Still gangster, just a bit more user friendly with its 4 doors.

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

After doing a little more research, I think the Liquid Force Shane might be the first board I'll demo. I've read that it's buttery smooth, super light, and has huge pop. Also, the 2009 model is available for like $220 new, which seems like a killer deal to me. Has anyone ridden the Shane?

LopsidedMidget · Newbie Joined: 25 May 2010 Posts: 28

I went to a shop in santa ana, CA called "wakesports" and they let me demo then purchase the board for $100 with the bindings. I was pretty stoked. The board is EXTREMELY responsive.. But the pop is amazing. I was using my buddies hyperlite beforehand, and couldn't be happier with the upgrade. His upgrade was the same bindings with the 2010 Ronix Bill. I believe he paid 600 out the door for it. I'll let you all know how that board rides once summer strikes again.. (So Cal time, that means mid February-early March).

RightCoastRider26 · Criminal Joined: 09 May 2010 Posts: 91

Buy USED! I got a 2010 Ronix One like the Red one above for $200 off Craigslist, and a pair of Demo 2010 Ronix Cells for $150 at Performance. Thats almost $900 worth of gear for $350.

Jet · Posted: Jan 14, 2011 1:52 pm Post subject:

Nice RhightCoastRider..I hate you. : ) Im out $1600 bucks buying mine and the wifes and you got off with $350?? Man I could have spent that money on my boat. lol

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

New season started Wednesday: I love Florida! It was 48 degrees out but I went anyway Very Happy

I have a long weekend so I'm tempted to demo, but I want to shake off the rust first so that I can ride the demo board hard and do it justice. Thank y'all for the advice, and I look forward to showing off my new baby in a week or so.

Liquid*Force*Rider · Posted: Jan 19, 2011 1:16 pm Post subject:

There are deffinatly some good deals to be hard on setups on classifieds, craigslist, etc. Just keep your eyes open, everyone love saving money Cool

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

Hey y'all,

Just thought I ought to follow through on this thread. So the weather took a turn for the worse and I didn't get to ride for a couple of weeks, but I've finally bought a sweet new ride. My local board shop didn't have the 2009 Shane I was looking for, so I demoed a 2009 S4 and the new Harley.

Both rode great and I felt more comfortable with the S4 because its hybrid rocker was closer to my old Faze, but I've settled on the more aggressive 3-stage Harley because I think it will be a new challenge for me to grow into and improve my riding a lot in the long run. It was much easier to ride than I expected and I landed every trick in my bag on it in just 20 mins or so of riding. Not to mention the fact that it looks absolutely sick. I got compliments on it from everyone Cool

. I didn't like the shop's selection of Liquid Force boots, but I got a pair of never-used and super comfortable 2009 Ronix One boots for 40% off with a full warranty. Sweet!

Overall, I spent $576 for this killer setup (the setup at brand new list price would've cost $820 and $600 was my budget), although the damned sales tax bumped it up to $617. I know I could've gotten an old board like the 2009 Shane on the internet for about $150 less than I paid for the Harley, but the Harley was still a great deal at $360 and I didn't want to buy a board I'd never ridden and get no support. It's nice to have a local shop behind me that will help me if I run into any problems. I'm even gonna look into a summer job there. Just so y'all know, the shop is Watersports West in Largo, FL, and I'd recommend them to anyone. They don't have EVERYTHING, but they're super helpful and they'll get you a great deal, including whacking the cost of the demo rental off of your purchase price.

So yeah, I'm SUPER STOKED to ride the Harley some more and I'd be happy to answer any questions y'all have about these boards. Thank y'all so much for your input! Very Happy

Jet · Posted: Feb 22, 2011 9:13 am Post subject:

That's what Im talkin about. Get something great and beyond your skills..you will grow into it! Not something cheap and fluffy. lol. Good luck man, it will make you a better rider at some point. Jet

leviwynnyk · Posted: Mar 06, 2011 8:00 am Post subject:

Sweet setup. I like that board. One thing, I think those boots are the 08 model, not the 09.

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

tcaseymcclure · Criminal Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 85

leviwynnyk, I have been looking at the Company Recruit 135 and the main thing I like about it is that its pretty light... have any input for me before I buy one? It looks like a good board for winching and cable parks but what about behind the boat?

leviwynnyk · Posted: Mar 06, 2011 6:17 pm Post subject:

tcaseymcclure, I rode it all last season behind the boat and myself and everyone who tried it loved it. You are right, it is very light. On the boat it lands soft but it's pretty fast. Teh only thing I'd be concerned about right now is warranty (with their future uncertain) but if I knew they were gonna be around, I'd grab one for sure.

tcaseymcclure · Criminal Joined: 12 Jun 2009 Posts: 85

leviwynnyk, Ya I was gonna mention their uncertain future too but I am getting a super good deal on a brand new either '09 or '10 so I'm not too worried about it. I guess worst comes to worst I can just keep it for winching and cable parks (whenever they decide to put one in out here in California). What year is the one you ride?

leviwynnyk · Posted: Mar 07, 2011 10:36 pm Post subject:

I rode an 09. I'll be on a Watson Hybrid this coming year. I bought it last fall, but if it were now, I wouldn't have bought a LF.

m_lesney · Soul Rider Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 358 City: Austin

The Harley is Awesome! I ride a watson now and they are very similar. I was reading through the post and was going to reccomed the Watson. Great choice! Mr. Green

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

tyty401 · Posted: Mar 11, 2011 12:03 am Post subject:

I can't wait to ride my harley, I'm so glad to see all your posts about how much you enjoy it. Sooo stoked!

TheHebrewHammer · Addict Joined: 03 Dec 2010 Posts: 526

UGH all three of my wakeboarding trips this week got cancelled cause people bailed. One little cold snap and they all go scurrying inside. The temperature is in the 60s. Florida people are such pussies Rolling Eyes

tyty401 · Posted: Mar 11, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject: