board or bindings?

[rastasquid]

So, last year I bought a Salomon Pulse board with the force bindings(salomon). I was thinking about upgrading, wondering if having a cheaper board would be holding back my riding this year. The board was 250 by itself. does anyone have any input about whether I should upgrade board or bindings or both?

[Shadows]

if a piece of equipment works for you then it doesnt really matter how much it costs. its when you feel like youre pushing your stuff too hard that you may need to upgrade. i dont board so i dont know though. just as a general rule. buy things when you need them not because your shits old

[rgrwilco]

if the board feels cheep and you dont like the way it rides, get a new one. shitty boards do hold back your riding, unless your first starting.

[Glenn]

I've gotten by with mediocre bindings for years. I'd much rather have a decent board. That being said, solid bindings hold up to a abuse a little better. I wouldn't replace bindings unless they are falling apart though.

[Erin808]

I would agree with Shadows to not upgrade unless you feel a piece of gear is holding you back. Over the years bindings have become more important to the equation for me since without a good binding you are limiting your transferral of power and thus limiting any board. you could also think about getting a different type of board for different conditions if you absolutely feel the need for a new toy but dont really need one.

[summersux]

Boots>board>bindings

 

as long as the board feels ok to you it won't make much difference.

[romemadman]

when you think about it, bindings are just as important as a decent board, like mentioned before, you need a solid pair of binidings to transfer you power ot the board, but if your bindings are solid you should be fine, if your board is substatialy too small for you then go for a new one. I ride my old K2 that was my first board sometimes adn it still holds up okay, there is a few difference in how it rides. But it isnt the board making you better its the progression of your skills.

after reading some reviews it seems like it could sustain into an intermediate board also, just depends on how you feel with it under your feet

in the end i am going to have to say boots>board>bindings

[rastasquid]

i have never really ridden a nicer board, most of my friends have stuff on the same level as mine. i know my bindings were pretty cheap so I'm probably going to get a better pair. The board seems like its nice, but it is considerably more stiff than most nicer boards I have looked at. I dont do much park, and mostly just like to cruise and ride fast, so I'm thinkin stiffer is better. thanks for your input.

[Schif]

From my own experience bindings can make a big difference. I went from a mid level binding to a higher end binding with a cap strap and a better highback and absolutely noticed a difference. Good bindings can make any board perform a little better. It won't turn a Wal-mart special into a K2, but it will make your decent board perform better.

[method9455]

There is no one answer. Having sold boards for 5 years I can tell you for no one person is the order of importance of the gear the same.

 

I put the order of importance this way

Broken > Pain > Control > Performance > Condition > Aesthetics

 

There is no one thing that is most important. If you foot is normal, then boots don't really matter. If your ankle is narrow boots are crucial to being able to do a toeside turn.

 

Will the board hold you back? That makes it sound like you are just learning. Once you are on a level where you can trully feel the difference between boards you will know the answer to that question. When I pull out my jib board, I know it holds me back freeriding. There is just no way to put the edge down at the speed I do on my freeride board and not fall on my face. It just won't take that force without deflecting too much - which leads to that chattering. Nor does it track straight. That board holds me back in some instances and there is no question about it.

 

When I first started out, a jib board was fine all over the mountain since I didn't push it.

 

So only you can answer the question you are asking and really you need to go deeper. My best board is my most expensive board, but my 2nd best board is not my 2nd most expensive, and one of my favorite boards is one of my cheapest. Price doesn't equal fun with snowboards. What you really need to think about is what you want to do.

 

Does the board not have enough pop to ollie high enough? Does the board chatter when you are freeriding? Does the board feel too big, too small, too heavy? Does it not track straight? If it doesn't feel that way, then thats not what is holding you back.

 

Truthfully the best money I have ever spent snowboarding was private lessons. It cost about $400 for 2 days, but I learned more in 2 days than I had in 20-30 on the hill on my own. It might be worth foregoing gear and getting coached to really get your potential out of the gear.

[rastasquid]

well, the board seems fine, so I am going to upgrade bindings. My boots (burton) are warm and comfy and I have no complaints there, any recommendations on bindings in the 150ish price range. Im thinking salomom spx45 or relays. any comments?

[Schif]

well, the board seems fine, so I am going to upgrade bindings. My boots (burton) are warm and comfy and I have no complaints there, any recommendations on bindings in the 150ish price range. Im thinking salomom spx45 or relays. any comments?

 

Just make sure your boot fits in the binding well and you'll be solid.

[method9455]

well, the board seems fine, so I am going to upgrade bindings. My boots (burton) are warm and comfy and I have no complaints there, any recommendations on bindings in the 150ish price range. Im thinking salomom spx45 or relays. any comments?

 

Both are solid, I've sold a lot of the spx series and had no one come back and complain about them. I really like the relays but have sold fewer, people are warry of the soft heel cup but I think its a good idea.

[Tyler]

well, the board seems fine, so I am going to upgrade bindings. My boots (burton) are warm and comfy and I have no complaints there, any recommendations on bindings in the 150ish price range. Im thinking salomom spx45 or relays. any comments?

rome arsenals or rome 390's. you can get last years arsenals for around 100 and the 390's for 150 or less. great deals and great bindings.