Kirkenplop:

I've had several incarnations of the custom, starting with the turtle graphic 159 ('97?) and ending with last year's mid-season custom ICS.  The longitudinal flex is certainly softer, but I would think this makes it a better all-rounder than anything... much less tiring in chop and crud.  I think the technology has improved so that the softer longitudinal flex does not interfere with the torsional flex (which affects edge hold), so you get a board that is more forgiving without losing the ability to lay it over at speed.

drjcv:

you don't here that a softer flex =less tiring in chop and crud too often

it does help with the golf balls imo

drjcv:

you don't here that a softer flex =less tiring in chop and crud too often

I don't here much of anything.. harharhar.

Really tho, you haven't? The board absorbs like a shock instead of bouncing like... umm, a board.

drjcv:

i think conventional wisdom is a stiffer board powers throught the chop without being folded and pushed around, a soft board makes you work harder as you have to put more input into the board to counteract what the crappy snow is trying to make the board do, at least thats how i think about it, i don't feel that soft boards "absorb" any impact or chatter or anything, they magnify it

Paulg:

drjcv:

i think conventional wisdom is a stiffer board powers throught the chop without being folded and pushed around, a soft board makes you work harder as you have to put more input into the board to counteract what the crappy snow is trying to make the board do, at least thats how i think about it, i don't feel that soft boards "absorb" any impact or chatter or anything, they magnify it

I tried to explain that in a concise manner for about 15 mins and then gave up.....I agree 100%

I think it's a matter of whether you are going straight or turning.  On edge, a stiff board does 'cut' or 'power' through chop better, but going straight, a soft board (and a longer nose) is much smoother through rough stuff.  The Fish and Malolo are great in crud.  I'm talking about mashed potatoes and skied-off groomers, for the most part, not your Great Northern Death Cookies.

The main money-making market in snowboarding is softer freestyle orientated twins, not in stiff freeride boards. Of course Burton is going to tailor their line to sell to that market, they didn't get to be #1 in the industry by catering to fringe groups.

ilikepie:

The main money-making market in snowboarding is softer freestyle orientated twins, not in stiff freeride boards. Of course Burton is going to tailor their line to sell to that market, they didn't get to be #1 in the industry by catering to fringe groups.

Well that's certainly the main part of the market all right but surely not all their boards have to be aimed at this segment.  Why have so many different boards if they are all aimed at the same group?  I guess the old  "quiver of one" slogan is dead.

BTW I never considered freeriders as a "fringe group"  :)

Paulg:

drjcv:

i think conventional wisdom is a stiffer board powers throught the chop without being folded and pushed around, a soft board makes you work harder as you have to put more input into the board to counteract what the crappy snow is trying to make the board do, at least thats how i think about it, i don't feel that soft boards "absorb" any impact or chatter or anything, they magnify it

I tried to explain that in a concise manner for about 15 mins and then gave up.....I agree 100%