Is SpeedsterSLEq,Titanflex & DEELUXE T700 good 4 beginer

Post by **hlubuk** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 10:45

Hello, I have been riding soft gear for about 15 years but came to conclusion that it’s time to leave this epoch and start with hard gear with which my body will be happier longer.
I think I am not ready for EC yet but alpine could be the best for me now. And thus I would like to ask you for an advice whether the mentioned combination is the right one for me.
I am 181cm, 77kg and so far when on slopes I have quite aggressive style, mainly enjoying shorter curves. I did some research across this forum but I am still bit confused (mainly about different stiffness of F2 boards in reality and on paper, boots and suited step-in, and whether all this suites to me)
Could you help me please find answer for following questions:
-Could F2 SPEEDSTER SL Eq. 163cm (08/09) be good model/size for me?
-Is this board wide enough to carry F2 Int. Titanflex (L, 08/09) with Deeluxe T700 29cm (45) set with proper angles?
-Should I have one flexible link (Titanflex) between two stiffer parts (board and boots)? I also thought that the bumper on this binding could be good for riding more on edge with the L size binding and 29cm boots.
-Or in general, is this set a good combination for alpine beginner with my characteristics?
Thanks a lot.
hlubuk

Post by **frunobulax** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 12:02

Hi Hlubuk,

to cut it short: yes on all of your questions. could depend on the price, but if you get it for a reasonable price, you may take it without regrets.

Post by **István** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 14:09

Sounds like a plan to get started.

2 notes, though:

- with a width of 201mm and a size of a 290mm boot, your binding angles will be in the range of 60-65 to avoid boot-out. I have no issue with high angles, but you might have coming from soft-boots. Also, many people here would advise to lower the binding angle to the range of 50s, and that will require a more wide board.

- the SL is a slalom board, which is great fun, but due to its relatively short length and small radius you will soon reach a point where you will want to try longer boards with bigger radius. Not because it is superior to SL boards, but because it can be more fun under certain slope conditions.

But as Fruno said, you'll not regret this choice for quite a while, and later on if you get to like hardbbooting, you can always add new boards to your quiver.

Kindest

Post by **pokkis** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 14:42

You dont tell where you are located but i assume in Europe based on your materal choice

As Istvan already wrote, Sl is quite speedy to turn and wit your boot size angles will stay quite high even with modest overhang which is fine at beginning.
Bindings, i'm not sure did i read it correctly but i assume that Int. here means Intec, and that means that you need also Intec heels. That combination is very comfy but also bery rigid. That combined to quite stiff boots will make learning harder.
I would recommend rather 600 series boots and traditional bindings, plus if possible slightly wider board. But if you are already good aggressive on soft gear, you can also manage that combo you listed.

Post by **Transistor Rhythm** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 14:45

I would not buy titanflexes, I don't think it's the right way to add more flex because it will flex in all ways not only the ways you want to flex. Take care you get enough forward flex out of your boots instead. Some racers ride so called plates, plates work better for what you want to achieve with Titanflex. Save yourself some money and go for regular F2 bindings.

Post by **hlubuk** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 15:42

thanks for your comments guys, I appreciate it.
So I see that my feet size is causing a problem. You are recommending wider board, but as Pokkis mentioned the choice in Europe is quite limited

Among F2s I didnt find really wider than the F2 SPEEDSTER SL Eq 163, plus with its low sidecut radius there could be some cm more under the binding, right? Can you than recommend other brand where I could stay bellow 400euro for the board not higher than 170cm?
Do you also think that I could achieve angles 60/55 on this board with some of the plates you recommend? thanks

Post by **frunobulax** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 16:00

i don't think the angles will be a problem. as long as you are new to hardbooting, a small boot overhang will be ok so you can start with 60/55, maybe even 55/50. by the time you want to eliminate boot overhang completely you will be used to higher angles already.

you're right, there is some more cms under the binding.

cheap alternatives? not many.. trans powder, goltes grand carve. used boards.

don't care too much about the board. you will buy a new one anyway after one season. same goes for the binding. the boots are the most important thing.

Post by **pokkis** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 16:00

Dont get too much stress about 60 angles

I rather would spend time to think do i want make tight turns or wider turns.
You can also look if someone is seling 1st or 3rd generation Swoard

Post by **joemzl** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 17:55

@hlubuk:
if you don´t care about money it´s all okay.

But hey guys, what are we talking about. If he will buy all new it will be around 1000 Euro

1000 Euro for not knowing if it will satisfy him.

My advice is: Use any chance to test the setup you want to buy.
Perhaps you could rent it from a rental shop.
Buy any used gear. If it fits not you can resell it for the same price.
That´s the only cheap way to avoid buying something you don´t like later on.

If you really want to give 1.000 Euro, buy cheap material and come to the Swoard ECS.

You won´t get more for your money anywhere.

Post by **fivat** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 18:32

What board is 1000 Euros?

With the special offers this season you can get a Swoard at 585 Euros, 520 Euros or lower.

Anyway, it's better to start with a second hand board. Check the Classified section in this Forum for example. Or eBay.

Patrice Fivat

Post by **skywalker** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 18:53

Post by **pokkis** » Tuesday 20 October 2009, 20:29

Agree that learning is easier but my point was that what after that.
This is why i raised question to think if he wants to make small turns or wider carving turns.
I assumed also based on his comments related riding style on softs that he will learn hardboot fast, specially if boots and bindings are no too stiff.

And i think earlier comment to 1K was related price of whole package, not board only, even spending that ammount money to board can be done very easily also

Post by **hlubuk** » Wednesday 21 October 2009, 20:26

Based on your comments and based on some videos which convinced me that with speedster SL the curves are maybe too short and there is no time to get in touch with snow + with long board I can get faster on steep slopes I reconsidered my decision and I think I will invest this year in good and not so stiff boots, no Intec binding and for beginning some second hand GS board.
And if having some opportunity of trying Swoard coming winter ... than the year after I will just need to swop the boards

Thanks guys

Post by **pokkis** » Wednesday 21 October 2009, 20:31

As somewhere above, take look for ebay.de for boots and bindings specially. And for board too, for that i would recommend something low or mid 170 length.
And in Zinal you will have bords to test