Ride and K2 Snowboards

[benjinyc]

I really like JStone and his designs . This is really great episode hearing him tech speak boards to Mark. Also lol at him finding out what Quadratic means, I thought the same too.

it seems like JG and Jstone talk a lot to each other

[kimchi]

Funny thing is Tribute doesn't even carry K2... they said in a prior episode (maybe the Leanne Pelosi one?) that they have a no ski-board brand policy.

All else equal I'd rather not support ski-board brands, but K2 really has been killing it the past 4-5 years. I ran into Tim Eddy in the Kingvale parking lot a couple seasons ago after the Sage + Gabe Ferg signings and he raved about the Tom Johnson character J. Stone mentioned. Tom apparently masterminded picking up J. Stone and he got some shouts from Pat Moore. They've stumbled a bit on Clickers 2.0, but overall lot more wins than losses.

[Canuck]

K2 has hit some home runs with some of there boards lately. Instrument(own) and excavator(demoed) particular for me. Also interested in the almanac for next year replaces the party patter I think and the tail design is interesting. Would like to see the specs on it.

[kimchi]

K2 has hit some home runs with some of there boards lately. Instrument(own) and excavator(demoed) particular for me. Also interested in the almanac for next year replaces the party patter I think and the tail design is interesting. Would like to see the specs on it.

Instrument is indeed a ripper. I have the 2021, I'm curious about the newer ones with the updated S1 core. Was IG DMing with J.Stone last season and he mentioned the new ones should be bit lighter and livelier.

Only minor really complain is the width can get to be a little much in certain conditions. One dope zone in Kirkwood requires a 5+ minute heelside traverse for regular riders. My feet definitely feel the width when I hit that zone a bunch in one day. But I also opted not to size down and go true-to-size, so I knew I was making that tradeoff.

The Excavator hasn't really called to me, but Jason at Milo Auburn RAVED about it to me after riding it at industry demos. That plus the Passport convinced him to bring K2 on.

[Canuck]

K2 has hit some home runs with some of there boards lately. Instrument(own) and excavator(demoed) particular for me. Also interested in the almanac for next year replaces the party patter I think and the tail design is interesting. Would like to see the specs on it.

Instrument is indeed a ripper. I have the 2021, I'm curious about the newer ones with the updated S1 core. Was IG DMing with J.Stone last season and he mentioned the new ones should be bit lighter and livelier.

Only minor really complain is the width can get to be a little much in certain conditions. One dope zone in Kirkwood requires a 5+ minute heelside traverse for regular riders. My feet definitely feel the width when I hit that zone a bunch in one day. But I also opted not to size down and go true-to-size, so I knew I was making that tradeoff.

The Excavator hasn't really called to me, but Jason at Milo Auburn RAVED about it to me after riding it at industry demos. That plus the Passport convinced him to bring K2 on.

I was sent the wrong size (so downsized to 54) but kept it as the shop gave me a great deal not to send it back so I kept it. For me having a size 10 foot the ww isn't really that bad I don't notice it on the long traverses at some of the places I ride. Wish I had the 57 as I think I could almost make that a 1 board quiver(not that I really would want to haha).

I would like to ride that passport and see how it rides compared to my instrument and Nitro Man. Guessing more torsional flex and softer based on specs.

[kimchi]

K2 has hit some home runs with some of there boards lately. Instrument(own) and excavator(demoed) particular for me. Also interested in the almanac for next year replaces the party patter I think and the tail design is interesting. Would like to see the specs on it.

Instrument is indeed a ripper. I have the 2021, I'm curious about the newer ones with the updated S1 core. Was IG DMing with J.Stone last season and he mentioned the new ones should be bit lighter and livelier.

Only minor really complain is the width can get to be a little much in certain conditions. One dope zone in Kirkwood requires a 5+ minute heelside traverse for regular riders. My feet definitely feel the width when I hit that zone a bunch in one day. But I also opted not to size down and go true-to-size, so I knew I was making that tradeoff.

The Excavator hasn't really called to me, but Jason at Milo Auburn RAVED about it to me after riding it at industry demos. That plus the Passport convinced him to bring K2 on.

I was sent the wrong size (so downsized to 54) but kept it as the shop gave me a great deal not to send it back so I kept it. For me having a size 10 foot the ww isn't really that bad I don't notice it on the long traverses at some of the places I ride. Wish I had the 57 as I think I could almost make that a 1 board quiver(not that I really would want to haha).

I would like to ride that passport and see how it rides compared to my instrument and Nitro Man. Guessing more torsional flex and softer based on specs.

FWIW that same DM thread I asked J. Stone about the Passport, his response was:

The instrument is so much fun! The Passport is my current daily driver. It’s got similar DNA to the instrument with some subtle design changes.

I would check the passport out if you’re looking for something a little more versatile riding switch, want a little narrower of a waist for quicker edge to edge feel, and a tighter sidecut for quicker/slashier carves.

Personally I'm a little skeptical of the Passport. I think I'd enjoy the narrower waist, but don't think I'd enjoy the little rocker section in the tail or the tighter entry and exist sidecuts. My main worry about the Passport is that K2 just nixes the Instrument because the Passport fills a similar niche, is more accessible, and probably sells better lol.

[Canuck]

Instrument is indeed a ripper. I have the 2021, I'm curious about the newer ones with the updated S1 core. Was IG DMing with J.Stone last season and he mentioned the new ones should be bit lighter and livelier.

Only minor really complain is the width can get to be a little much in certain conditions. One dope zone in Kirkwood requires a 5+ minute heelside traverse for regular riders. My feet definitely feel the width when I hit that zone a bunch in one day. But I also opted not to size down and go true-to-size, so I knew I was making that tradeoff.

The Excavator hasn't really called to me, but Jason at Milo Auburn RAVED about it to me after riding it at industry demos. That plus the Passport convinced him to bring K2 on.

I was sent the wrong size (so downsized to 54) but kept it as the shop gave me a great deal not to send it back so I kept it. For me having a size 10 foot the ww isn't really that bad I don't notice it on the long traverses at some of the places I ride. Wish I had the 57 as I think I could almost make that a 1 board quiver(not that I really would want to haha).

I would like to ride that passport and see how it rides compared to my instrument and Nitro Man. Guessing more torsional flex and softer based on specs.

FWIW that same DM thread I asked J. Stone about the Passport, his response was:

The instrument is so much fun! The Passport is my current daily driver. It’s got similar DNA to the instrument with some subtle design changes.

I would check the passport out if you’re looking for something a little more versatile riding switch, want a little narrower of a waist for quicker edge to edge feel, and a tighter sidecut for quicker/slashier carves.

Personally I'm a little skeptical of the Passport. I think I'd enjoy the narrower waist, but don't think I'd enjoy the little rocker section in the tail or the tighter entry and exist sidecuts. My main worry about the Passport is that K2 just nixes the Instrument because the Passport fills a similar niche, is more accessible, and probably sells better lol.

I def could see that coming. I see waaay more passports out there than I do instruments.

[G.D.]

If ever get to try it, highly recommend the Passport. My DD still and kept getting better with each ride. It's not too stiff nor too soft (157 @ my weight/boots/bindings) and despite the blended sidecut, still enjoyed all the different types of turns. From short, tight banked slalom turns (got my best ever year in our local BS comp with it last year) to fun, long drawn out ones, never disappointed. And that's in variable, "east-coast" hard packed conditions.

Only thing I would alter, and it's not really that bad, is I'd give it more camber and pop. And wish had a touch more liveliness. If it had those minor updates, it'd be my all time fave board to date for sure.

[Spenser]

Trying an excavator 58 tomorrow

IMG_3809.jpeg (1.72 MiB) Viewed 1359 times

[G.D.]

Still want to try an Alchemist at some point (both of us, I know lol). Wish they made the 57 mid-wide ww, though.