So, I was looking for a new alpine plate and ran into this Allflex SBX plate. The design seems to make sense, and it looks like it even has that Allflex Beijing hinge system! Since their alpine stuff is always solid, I'm pretty stoked to see how this BX plate performs. Honestly, it'd be awesome if softboot boards could just start using Allflex or some standard, universal plate insert.
Honestly, it'd be awesome if softboot boards could just start using Allflex or some standard, universal plate insert.
Jasey had sent me a couple of boards with inserts and a plate to try a couple seasons ago. It was a very interesting test ride, my first time on a plate.
I discovered this day, for example, how much I had been manually bending the board in my spiral carves, because these turns were impossible with the plate.
Overall, with all this heavy equipment underfoot and the feeling of being detached from my board, I felt like I might as well be riding hard boots.
Big Snowboards will add some custom inserts for you if you ask, but I don't think plates will ever become standard equipment for soft boot carvers.
But I definitely agree, it would be better if the plate insert spacing was standardized at least.
I'm just slaying...
Big Snowboards will add some custom inserts for you if you ask, but I don't think plates will ever become standard equipment for soft boot carvers.
Since the Coiler is no longer available now that Bruce has retired, I'm considering a JJA. I'm hoping to test one at the MCC this year to see if its performance is comparable and if I like it
I'm hoping to test one at the MCC this year to see if its performance is comparable and if I like it
Oh, it's definitely comparable, and you're gonna like it for sure! Really it's the only board that's comparable, and most test riders have preferred the Big G4 over the Coiler Contra. Only about ten people have ridden both. @board-doctor was actually the only one with a clear preference for the Coiler, but he hasn't ridden the G5 yet!
Big Snowboards is not a sponsor of the event (Carvers Connection and Trenched are though) so there won't be any demo boards in the tent. I'll have a whole fleet in my car though, because that's how I roll in winter. Hit me up for a test ride and we'll find you something suitable.
I'll have a G5 185, and an ASYM 175. Also at least one G5 168 and at least one from the A-Series. I'll make sure to bring the G4 166 mid flex too, that's the only one that's really a "demo" board, the rest is my personal travel quiver...
I'm just slaying...
@board-doctor was actually the only one with a clear preference for the Coiler, but he hasn't ridden the G5 yet!
That must've been one of the other testers, as I actually preferred the C4 (granted the Coiler was made for @wild-cherry and not me/my level, and I don't think I was putting enough G force into it). Also with the plates I thought that the Coiler was overly isolated... it was weird not feeling the icy snow under my feet to sense when it was about to slip.
Big White, BC, Canada
