Re: United Shapes
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2025 3:25 pm
They moved somewhere in Europe when they overhauled everything. The whole line seems like got a touch stiffer, perhaps to varying degrees depending on model. The cadet has been my favorite silhouette since it first came out, but I never bothered to own one (other than the used 2019 that's my rock board) because they felt a little softer than I like.. I particularly remember it in the nose. I tried the new one last year, and it felt more beefy, with a more freeride temperament. I don't know that they changed the sidecut blend - but even if they didn't, my theory is that the more stout flex doesn't bend into a tighter turn as easily, adding to the "down the fall line" feeling. I believe they're progressive starting with a mellow front, which is usually my preference. I find that those blends tend to behave most like the larger end of the radius overall. 7.9 on the 62 is of course only the average.. I just needed a stiffer board, and that box is now checked.kimchi wrote: Thu Jan 16, 2025 2:49 pm Do the new boards have same personality as the old ones? @Spenser might be best person to ask on this, maybe @coleslawed . Don't think they're out of GP87 any more.
~2017 Cadet is not my jam, but taught me a ton of what I want out of a board. Little bit more tail, little bit more edge, and little less sidecut, similar core. I killed it dropping cliffs and rocks at Jackson but fuck that was a good trip haha. Lot of good memories on that deck.
Edit: I just looked up the specs of my 2019 cadet, and they did actually change the sidecut slightly. Only went to 7.9 from 7.8, but that means the particular blend could've changed too
For flex comparison, koruas are great for me - which means they ride more stout than the old cadets. When I hopped on the new cadet, it felt more stout than the typical koruas. The flex itself could potentially be very similar, but it has less early rise in the nose, and none in the tail, so the ride-feel came off a little stiffer.
I hadn't considered the new deep reach for the same reasons, despite the sweet new shape & specs, but then I learned a bit more about it. Not only is it virtually full (lower) camber despite them saying it's early rise (thanks @Shredder), but it feels plenty stiff too. Again, feels a bit more aggressive than the typical koruas to me. Sleeper carver, IMO.
It's like the brand matured into a freeride bouillon base instead of freestyle, as those guys have gotten a little older. Just my take.
The transmission that "replaced" the orbit definitely took it up a notch and went full freecarve. Fairly aggressive board that seems to prefer smooth groomers, or it's grumpy. If the orbit kicked your ass, hold on tight.
Another example is the horizon becoming their proper all mountain ride, which IMO is the spot the cadet used to fill, despite the more directional shape.
So here I am, coming from only riding the orbit because nothing else was quite to my liking, now set up to where I could (and might) ride nothing but US all year. Cadet 62, deep reach 59, covert 61
