Rode the cadet 158 a few times now. One day was really rough conditions variable with frozen death cookies, one was a few inches on crust and one was slush. I think it may be a tad big for me and I'd be better off with the 154. I thought it may be a bit burlier version of the Gril Master, but outside of looks it's a very different ride.
That being said, I enjoyed it but I didn't fall in love. Would love to try a 154, but I'll give it another few days before I make a final decision.
Right now I'd say that I'm probably going to release it back into the wild next fall.
United Shapes
Re: United Shapes
yeah, I like my 154 as I said earlier. My 158 is still wrapped in plastic, I prob should sell it, lmk if any of you are interested
New York/Vermont
Re: United Shapes
Elaborate?jsil wrote: Wed Mar 12, 2025 9:43 pm thought it may be a bit burlier version of the Gril Master, but outside of looks it's a very different ride.
Re: United Shapes
For me, both does not have any dampening, I was surprised that you found some dampening in Cadet.
But “turning” experience on Gril Master and Cadet is quite opposite, Gril master has longer edge with fairly aggressive contact points and radial sidecut (as most if not all Burtons) while Cadet has initially short effective edge with “cut off” contact points, means sidecut is more open toward contact points, not radial, and feels even shorter.
While turning on edge (freecarving) this means that I “need” to “force” the Cadet to turn sharper, but it is enough to just “steer” the Grill Master or my Straight Chuter to turn sharper. Do not know, if this makes any sense, but anyway those feels on turning very differently, this is why I prefer my Straight Chuter a lot more over Cadet for freecarving.
However, I understand completely, that better rider (as you are) does not need as much effective edge for freecarving, as I do. Even I notice that with my progression I can enjoy less “freecarvy boards” as Kazu, a lot more, than before.
Last season Transmission was my daily driver, ~100 days with Transmission for at least part of the day, only few days completely without it. Bought 5 very good boards and 1 Cadet after Transmission (yes, I know, it is not normal
) but still Transmission is my favorite freecarving board. However, this season I have been riding other board more, than Transmission, means I can now enjoy (still for freecarving) less “freecarvy” boards as well. Re: United Shapes
I get what you're saying about the difference in edge length - but looking at specs, they're not very far apart when you compare their most similar sizes (considering width/etc). Grilmaster 160 is 2.5cm longer than cadet 62, and width is only 1mm different. GM 55 is 1.5cm longer than cadet 54, and width is the same. They also have similar radii (on paper). They don't make a GM in a truly comparable size to the cadet 58 (in my opinion), so I can't fairly compare that one.
The cadet edge doesn't "feel" shorter to me compared to the length on paper, but you're right about the way they blend the radius, and the mellow/flat front contact point. I really like the mellow entry, while you seem to feel the opposite
Compared to a radial sidecut with a more defined front contact point, I can totally understand your comparison. I'm sure we like some of the same boards, but it seems we have a clearly different preference when it comes to this specific topic, which of course is fine!
You say you have to "force" the cadet to turn sharper, but for me that means it's a board I "get to" tilt at a steeper angle for carving, and can do so at faster speed, because it doesn't turn quickly with less input and angulation.
This topic always makes me curious to see how the other person rides, because it can help to understand why they prefer what they do. Different riders with different styles naturally affect boards differently, and produce different results. That's part of why board reviews should be taken with such a grain of salt - but of course, they can be more meaningful if you know the person reviewing them might have a similar style of riding
The damping thing is particularly interesting to me, though. I've had plenty of Mervin boards, and others that are generally agreed to be on the damp side, and the updated cadet feels great to me. Not sure why you have such a different experience, but you're not the only person I've seen who has said that
Total damping comes from a combination of sources - so perhaps each individual rider will "tap in" to each aspect in a different way. On one hand, damping comes from material choice. On another hand, some damping comes from board design.… a board that simply rides more smoothly (due to shaping, flex pattern, or whatever) can "feel" more damp, even if the materials themselves are not as damp as another board. So because the cadet rides so smooth for me, that could add to my experience of damping. For someone who doesn't quite like the way the board rides, they may not be tapping into that in the same way.
Or for example - you could build a board with damp materials, but a sidecut that turns quickly at slower speed and low board angulation. For those to feel smooth for me (on edge), I have to slow down and not tilt the board much. But if I ride it the way I normally do, it wants to skid and lose grip - and if you're skidding or skipping, you'll feel more chatter and vibration, thus the board may feel less damp, even if the materials are damp - whereas a board that likes speed and angulation will "slice" and be much more smooth. In other words, it's possible for a board that doesn't match your carving style to feel less damp, less grippy, etc than it does for someone else
Anyway, I wish I had given the transmission more of a chance, but it didn't work out that way, and I would still rather ride the cadet or cheater on a day with perfect groomers where I just want to carve. However, I actually think the 54 would be really fun. I think the 59 felt too wide for me. 54 still has 120 edge, same as my korua sizes & 3cm more than cadet 62, and you feel all of it since it's full camber.
The cadet edge doesn't "feel" shorter to me compared to the length on paper, but you're right about the way they blend the radius, and the mellow/flat front contact point. I really like the mellow entry, while you seem to feel the opposite
Compared to a radial sidecut with a more defined front contact point, I can totally understand your comparison. I'm sure we like some of the same boards, but it seems we have a clearly different preference when it comes to this specific topic, which of course is fine!You say you have to "force" the cadet to turn sharper, but for me that means it's a board I "get to" tilt at a steeper angle for carving, and can do so at faster speed, because it doesn't turn quickly with less input and angulation.
This topic always makes me curious to see how the other person rides, because it can help to understand why they prefer what they do. Different riders with different styles naturally affect boards differently, and produce different results. That's part of why board reviews should be taken with such a grain of salt - but of course, they can be more meaningful if you know the person reviewing them might have a similar style of riding
The damping thing is particularly interesting to me, though. I've had plenty of Mervin boards, and others that are generally agreed to be on the damp side, and the updated cadet feels great to me. Not sure why you have such a different experience, but you're not the only person I've seen who has said that
Total damping comes from a combination of sources - so perhaps each individual rider will "tap in" to each aspect in a different way. On one hand, damping comes from material choice. On another hand, some damping comes from board design.… a board that simply rides more smoothly (due to shaping, flex pattern, or whatever) can "feel" more damp, even if the materials themselves are not as damp as another board. So because the cadet rides so smooth for me, that could add to my experience of damping. For someone who doesn't quite like the way the board rides, they may not be tapping into that in the same way.
Or for example - you could build a board with damp materials, but a sidecut that turns quickly at slower speed and low board angulation. For those to feel smooth for me (on edge), I have to slow down and not tilt the board much. But if I ride it the way I normally do, it wants to skid and lose grip - and if you're skidding or skipping, you'll feel more chatter and vibration, thus the board may feel less damp, even if the materials are damp - whereas a board that likes speed and angulation will "slice" and be much more smooth. In other words, it's possible for a board that doesn't match your carving style to feel less damp, less grippy, etc than it does for someone else
Anyway, I wish I had given the transmission more of a chance, but it didn't work out that way, and I would still rather ride the cadet or cheater on a day with perfect groomers where I just want to carve. However, I actually think the 54 would be really fun. I think the 59 felt too wide for me. 54 still has 120 edge, same as my korua sizes & 3cm more than cadet 62, and you feel all of it since it's full camber.
Last edited by Spenser on Sat Mar 15, 2025 3:54 pm, edited 5 times in total.
Re: United Shapes
In other cadet news, rode a bunch of pooder on it yesterday out the ridge. Can confirm again, I do feel a bit more confident on it than the old version.
- IMG_3105.jpeg (172.6 KiB) Viewed 4886 times
Last edited by Spenser on Sat Mar 15, 2025 10:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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eleveneightnate
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Re: United Shapes
Spec sheet at the end: https://golgoda.com/PDF/25-26%20UNITED% ... ressed.pdf
Re: United Shapes
What Alex said is fairly on point.
"You say you have to "force" the cadet to turn sharper, but for me that means it's a board I "get to" tilt at a steeper angle for carving, and can do so at faster speed, because it doesn't turn quickly with less input and angulation."
I definitely felt that I had to force the cadet to turn in comparison to other boards that I ride. Didn't expect that. I need to try a 154 to see if that's a big difference...