CWB Absolute vs Blindside Blade - Ridden both?

Anyone ridden on both of these boards? What's your preference...narrowed down my choices to these, but doesn't appear that I'll be able to demo either board so I'd appreciate some feedback for the final decision. Thanks!

Nice Choices...I know a lot more people ride the absolute over the blade but they are both great boards.

i'm waiting for jumali to post "e-mail me for a good deal on a double up nelson or blindside blade"

Mango, I was actually waiting for you to post "absolute, hands down", lol. You proved me wrong.

First let me say that I am not throwing any big moves when I ride.

I have ridden both and liked both of them very much. I just sold my Absolute platinum for a new blade.

They both have great pop and soft landings and they both track really well but the Absolute would break loose some in rough water. Some of my friends have put longer fins on the Absolute after buying it. I really liked the Absolute but had a problem losing speed in rough water.

I ultimately went with the Blade because it is a little bigger and I am a big guy who needs a little more size and the added surface area helps me keep my speed in the rough water.

They are both great boards. I will say if you go with the blade give Joe Umali here on WW a call and he can probably get you a deal on one.
Mike

cwb absolute - nice pop, awesome edge, landings are good (hurt a couple times), kinda loose (unless you get smaller fins (.7", i believe))

blindside blade - huge pop, awesome edge, soft landings, kinda loose (unless you get smaller fins (1", i believe))

both are very good boards, but i'd lean towards the blade...it had a bigger pop for me and was faster.

Mike - What bindings ya got going with your Blade? I was looking at the LF Ultra's but keep hearing the "sucks to get into and out of" comment.

What about bindings with the Absolute? CWB Boss'?

As always, thanks for the feedback.

cwb makes a really good set of bindings in the zeus. the rest of their binding line is questionable, meaning i wouldn't get them.

the zeus has awesome support, and cushy footbeds. they're easy to get in and take off as well. the only drawback is that the loops that hold the laces will break/rip. although friends have found them to be super supportive, i found them to be too supportive, if that makes any sense.

doubleup (owned by the same company that owns blindside) makes really good bindings. their best one is the luke wulf model. supportive, soft footbeds, easy in-and-out. what i love about them are the inners...they're really soft compared to the inner rubber of the cwb zeus. also, they're real flexible so that it's easy to poke out those grabs...one of my favorite features.

zues & boss

LF Ultras aren't too bad to get in and out of. I think they get a bad rep because people dont take the time to adjust them properly. You have to take them apart and adjust both the inner and outer overlays. Strangely enought the Ultras are some of the only bindings that I can get back on in the water without much struggle. That said, there are a lot of good bindings to go with either of those boards, just find the ones that fit your foot best.

in the immortal words of Patrick Swayze....."ditto".