Board Demo Suggestions

So I've been on a Trascend for a few years now and was thinking about switching it up at some point this year. I ride behind a Malibu 90% of the time and I'm mostly turning into a w2w rider so I wanted something with a little bit more upward w2w trajectory than the Trascend but that had a similiar feel on the water.

My first demo was the '09 Shane last night. Man, that board is sick! I couldn't believe how much more it popped than my Transcend. It kicks so much harder than the Transcend so it would take a little gettiing used to, but I was really digging it. The landings were soft and it was definitley fast enough for my taste. I got hooked up on a couple of landings that I don't feel would have happened with my Transcend, but other than that it is definitely making me think about a swtich.

So what other board should I give a try that have similar pop and characteristics as the Shane? The One? Assault? Marek?

If ur looking for a board with alot of pop but is still forgiving u should try a company severance there's no other ride like it!

Huge pop (up and down), Soft Landings, fast and fun:

SS Recoil(if you can get a demo on them, do it to it)
I like the IBex but it can land pretty hard
Byerly Monarch
Shane is a good board, you already know that though

Scott is right man, give that Company Serverance or Recruit a try. Their super snappy off the wake and is very soft on your landings. Super fun to ride!

The Ronix one has a similar pop to what your looking for. Although it does take a couple sets to get used to riding it. But it pops straight up, its fast, but it is a bit grippy.

i second the slingshot recoil as well and anything else with flex as a feature. But give it at least 3 sets. flex is an entirely different feel, as different as continuous is to 3 stage and then some.

Eubanks demo the B-side and Marek.

Also demo the new 09 Absolute, I have had a lot of Transcend riders change to the 09 Absolute for the same reasons, big straight up pop.

Good to know everybody. Thanks for the suggestions.

if you ride on a regular basis, i firmly believe that you'll know whether a board's for you or not on the first ride. i also firmly believe that one should not have to get used to a board.

That's true Joe, but some boards are just so unique compared to others in how they perform on the water. You won't need to get used to it but rather perfect your edging and pop for each individual board because they are all different.

I agree Blake. I really enjoyed the Shane, and the pop from it was exactly what I was looking for. At the same time, it kicked harder than what I'm use to so I think there is some time needed to get 100% adjusted. When you've only ridden one board for 3 years then getting on something totally different is going to feel strange at first. That doesn't mean it isn't a good fit.

And Joe, I didn't think you would ever not fully endorse somebody switching to the Shane.

(Message edited by eubanks01 on June 19, 2009)

if boards didnt take getting use to your shane would be just like everything else....

I can tell the difference between fins that are .2" different.
Of course you need to adjust to boards... its like a new pair of shoes, gotta break um in.

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quote:

When you've only ridden one board for 3 years then getting on something totally different is going to feel strange at first. That doesn't mean it isn't a good fit.

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that's absolutely true. but there's a good strange and a bad strange. you know the difference.

and yes, of course i fully endorse your switching to lf shane. i was just wondering what took you so long to check it out. is my word not worth anything these days?

eubanks, while you're at it, check out the 09 lf shane limited bindings. they're yummy for your feet. trust me!

Byerly Monarch has most pop of any board I've ever been on. I would def. try it out.

only cause you haven't ridden the shane. haha! what's up brodie???

Thanks Joe. Your endorsement is why I demoed in the first place Dude! ha

I've actually wanted to try out that board Brodie. Have you ridden the Assault? A buddy of mine has been on a the Shane for a while now but really liked the Assault as well.

Eubanks,

I've been riding the Shane for two years and have not found another board that I like better.... until this past Saturday. A buddy of mine was demoing the 09 Watson and he let me take a spin on it. Just like Joe said, you know the first set that you take whether or not the board is for you. Within 3 hours after taking a ride on the Watson I bought one at TXMC.

The difference for me between the Shane and the Watson was more upward pop with the Watson. The Watson is definitely more w2w friendly. Without the center fin in the Watson rides very similar to the Shane grip wise. It's nice and loose when flat, but it's a much slower board than the Shane when on edge. The slowness of the Watson really allowed me to charge the wake without fear of landing in the flats. I have bad knees and have always been timid of charging the wake for fear of landing in the flats. The Watson sends me straight up with pillow soft landings as opposed to landing in the flats.

Before you pull the trigger I highly suggest demoing the Watson. If you can make the drive to Lewisville I'll be happy to let you take a spin on mine.

(Message edited by nauty on June 22, 2009)

DECADE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That thing has some massive bucking pop! Great for W2W and with the giant center spine the landings are super soft!

Thanks Richard. Yeah, I would like to give it a try. Have you tried out the new '09 Shane? I know it was a new shape this year and from what I hear rides a bit differently than previous models. I appreciate your feedback and demo offer.

I haven't ridden the 09 Shane. Patrick Fort has the new 09 and has ridden the previous model Shanes for the last year or two. He can probably tell you what the differences are.