Expensive Divorce - The Split Thread

[Foxpuppet]

Teach me the ways of the split board.

Last time I rode something uphill like this was XC skiing 25 years ago.

Advice, gear recommendations welcome or just share your setup.

[Spenser]

pow_hnd is the resident splitboard leader, without a doubt.

I started for the 2012 season with a Jones hovercraft 56. Excellent split for freeriders who want to be solid in all conditions, just not a switch rider. Upgraded to a newer one in 2015, and added a mtn twin 160 split the next year, which I only had the one season. Couple years ago I scored a nitro squash split 163 from Parker, and I love it. EL knows I’ve been a huge squash fan. Skins great, carves great, floats great. All around, it’s as good as the hovercraft at those things, but it’s a bit more “fun” to me. I don’t mean playful - I like rippers - I think I’m just a bigger fan of the sidecut/turning temperament, and just the overall feel.. however, I’d happily have a HC again.

Advice: camber or mostly camber. Inarguably the best profile for going uphill, as you’re effectively on skis, and it’s the only way to apply pressure & make good contact when your weight is only in the center of the ski. A little early rise is fine, but highly suggest staying away from actual rocker, especially when it’s in the center... such as Lib/Gnus with C2, etc. If it’s not a good touring tool to begin with, it’s not a good splitboard choice IMO. The exception is if you mostly split in fresh snow where grip on a skin track is not much of a factor, and you really just love a rocker profile.. but the reality of it is you’re usually on tracks, and dealing with variable snow surface along the way.

Don’t forget - just like the board should be good for touring before being your favorite ride for the way down, you should have backcountry/avy/etc knowledge & practice before getting into splitting. I’m not assuming you don’t, just important to note. Saw a lot of people jump into it during covid who skipped that part. They not only pose a risk to themselves, but risk & responsibility to others who may have to be the ones who save them.

[Foxpuppet]

Thanks Spenser!

My wife just got a Jones Solution womens 149 in a great deal with pretty much everything she needs except poles and pucks. I like the look of the riding shape and profile. It’s pretty much as you described as ideal. Slight Setback, camber with early rise and spoon nose and tail for good float. Also has a style of magnetraction on the board inner/ski outer edge for grip.

Hers is brand new but I’m happy to look at new or second hand as long as the setup is reasonable.

[Spenser]

Solution is a common go-to for good reason. There are so many good splits out there now, though. What kinds of boards do you tend to like & are you seeking anything different for a split? Naturally, it’s important to consider the riding & terrain you’ll be splitting, compared to a resort, and adjust your choice accordingly, if necessary.

[Foxpuppet]

What’s your daily right now?

55 Capita Mega Merc.

Theres a guy selling a used Endeavour Patrol 156 on a FB group here in Oz with Medium Spark Arc Bindings, G3 skins etc $1300aud ($900 USD) but he's reluctant to post. It's seen around 10 days use and condition seems ok. They rate that for 54-77kg range.

Or i've been offered a D-Day 155 Skylar Holgate from a guy on DMQ, but details are scant.... I cant find anything about them, gone out of business?
[/quote]

Skip the D-day. Endeavor Patrol, maybe. [/img][/img][/img]

I really can say with confidence though, that the TF150 split would suit your size well. I tour with a guy your size and he rides the 150 and loves it.

No matter what deck you get, I suggest one with taper. It makes splitting much more enjoyable and easier on your legs, remember you won’t have your resort legs. You’ll have split up to the top and that taper and long as nose will make the down much easier on those tired legs.

Korua has the TF150 in stock and it ships to you in two days.
[/quote]

@pow_hnd didn’t want to derail your korua thread too much with my questions, so moving it over here.

I think I’ve narrowed it down to these 2 options if I go new.

https://flic.kr/p/2nEWD2u Solution 154

https://flic.kr/p/2nF43de Tranny 150

[pow_hnd]

quote=pow_hnd post_id=339 time=1660832037 user_id=2]

No one stocks them in Utah or do you find it easier to buy direct? My only issue with that is we get stung for import duties. If I order direct it’s likely going to end up more $ than buying here.

No, Milo stocks them, but last year they sold out of the Pin Tonic in like 3-4 days so I had to order one direct.

If anyone is a dealer in Australia they should be able to special order you one.

[pow_hnd]

[
I think I’ve narrowed it down to these 2 options if I go new.

https://flic.kr/p/2nEWD2u Solution 154

https://flic.kr/p/2nF43de Tranny 150

Both good choices. As much as I hate Jones, that would still be a great riding deck for you. If you get it though, don't get the G3 skins. Get the Jones skins that are made for that deck, trust me, you'll thank me later. Even if it means you need to order them from out of the country, the hassle the G3 skins can be aren't worth it, and the Jones skins have the custom attachment points and will be much more user friendly.

If you get the Korua, same thing, get the custom skins.

I can't stress enough how much of a game changer they are.

[C.Fuzzy]

As with anything, the best option is the one that works best for your use case. What works best for me in my terrain and riding style is going to be an opinion that may or may not be these case for someone else.

I've had a split for 10 years now and do a few days of BC every year, but I'm not the seasoned BC splitboarder that many others who get out a ton are going to be.

Imo the robustness of the board construction in splits is a factor to consider. I've toured with cambers and rockers in both my area (midwest) and the Tetons. And bc as touring skis they bend a lot more (than together as a board), IMO the stiffness of the construction could be in a sense more important than the camber profile (exceptions may exist)... however, camber generally adds stiffness so that's the rub. Of course the steepest most windblown aspects have additional challenges for a reverse, but It's a spectrum of considerations. My Venture is mightily stiffer than many other splits (even some cambers) and so it performs better than many others. Of course, it's heavier than most others too. I have a Mind Expander split and it's powriffic, but It's more of a challenge in not as lovely conditions. We're really talking about degrees of benefits. It's not a zero sum. I am not riding the steepest gnarliest chutes but by and large, comparatively lower angle pow and so I get more benefits from a reverse. If I was ripping steep technical lines on a regular I'd likely make other choices.

Imo, BC vests are superior to packs, especially on the ride down with better weight distribution. I don't do any multi-day tours though.

Tailclips. Jones all have em, but if your skins don't come with them...get em.

My opinion to (most all) equipment is generally the less complicated it is the less there is that can go wrong and so I've stuck with Spark bindings. I still have a pair of voile and they're okay. But I'm not going to be able to speak to the pros/cons of others from personal experience.

I easily prefer my spark pucks to the voile.

It's nice to have some leukotape on hand.

Sweat kills.

[Foxpuppet]

As with anything, the best option is the one that works best for your use case. What works best for me in my terrain and riding style is going to be an opinion that may or may not be these case for someone else.

Sweat kills.

Thanks Fuzzy! Great info and points about terrain. Our Australian mountains are pretty flat relative to what you have in the USA and Europe. Powder is seldom seen, we do get it but not as often or pretty heavy wet style snow, so we'll be dealing mostly with slushy spring conditions and touring once the resort close or pre season. Not huge vert but touring to get to locations off the beaten track.

[Foxpuppet]

Anyone have feedback on the Weston splitboard range? A guy I know through Mtb circles is picking up the distribution locally & I can likely get a tidy deal on one.