Hi, I've been snowboarding for about 7 years, and despite the fact i don't kno jack shit about the actual hardware, gear and such u ppl prolly won't believe that i'm actually a very good rider...
anyway, i've decided to stop renting boards and to buy my own for this '04-'05 season... i need advice and help on which board/binding/boots to get...

what i am looking for in a reply is for u all to read the preferences i state below and tell me exactly which board, type of bindings and name/model of boots (even a good website to buy it from) so i can research them and make a more informed decision when i buy my gear...

i am 5'7" 150 lbs. i do a lot of jumps, i like switch stance frequently and to do 180s and 360s and stay mostly on blues... some of my friends go fast so i want to be able to keep up, but i want something light and somewhat flexible for easy manuvers... oh, and the less the $$$ the better... = )

THANKS in advance.

-joe

since no ones responding here... i'd say go on a bunch of the big company's sites and read about their boards, if u find something you like then look up some reveiws on google... as for big names Ride, Burton, i've heard Rome makes good boards

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I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegitarian.

correct me if im wrong but...I think I heard that Rome got started by 2 guys that left burton? I rememeber the guy at the shop tellin me about it and I think I remember him tellin me it was Rome?

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the attitude that snowboarding is fun regardless of pow or rain, big mountain or small mountain, box or groomer

I would recomend a center stance twin tip board, even though I've never ridden one. Started riding last year, got a Burton Code, it barely won out in my thinking for what I thought I would want to do. I bought my son a Burton UnInc this summer, can't wait to borrow it. I know other company's make center stance twin tip boards but can't rember which now. Even though I'm new at this, I don't like the way that the 3 boards I've ridden feel different when riding fakie. New but Opinionated ! Good Luck!

check in the general forum for responses on this.

Rome was started by a group of seasoned industry folks incl. two guys from Burton.

Here is a good thread....

[url]http://www.snowboarding2.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1469&page=2&pp=15[/url]

If it doesn't open, here is my list again:

Unbiased opinion some great boards (not based on price):

Burton Powers (stiff, pipe)

Burton Seven (great price for what it is, all around freestyle)

Ride DH (good freestyle board)

Nitro Punisher (good freestyle board)

Illuminati Pitman or Iguchi (born and bred in Jackson Hole)

Atomic Hatchet (good cheap park board)

Rome Anthem (way better than a custom if that's your thing)

Rome Artifact (good park board)

Never Summer Premier (bomber sick board)

Lib Tech Dark Series or Jamie Lynn (great feeling boards)

Burton Triumph (west coast, hard charging, big mountain)

Rome Design (good ol do anything board)

So there are a lot of options out there.

Just so you know I am riding a 56 Uninc and a 59 artifact.

renting a board for 7 years???dang.

Check out [url]www.mervinmfg.com[/url]

Lib and Gnu make some kick ass boards

plus they are handmade by snowboarders, in washington state.

ive always liked drake bindings myself....i love vans and dc boots (cuz they actually make STREET shoes also, so they know whats up with the feet thing). Boots are easier to buy, go to your shop, dont even look at the brand names. Just tell the dude to get you 5 or 6 pairs in your size. See which one feels the best.

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support your sport, buy from companies that give a damn

[URL=http://www.mervinmfg.com]Mervin Mfg[/URL]
[URL=http://www.oneballjay.com]One Ball Jay[/URL]
[URL=http://www.nwsnowboards.com]Northwest Snowboards[/URL]

It depends on your loyalty to the company, burton, lamar, gnu blah blah blah.

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Some people are like slinky's not really good for anything but you can't help smile when one falls down the stairs.

If you do want a cheaper board that isnt bad check out LaMaR. I own one I like it so far only used it a few times so far. Im only on my 2nd year riding though.