Friday, January 22, 2010

Board Exam: 09-10 Never Summer Heritage-R

The Rep Said: This one's got a lot of sidecut and it's his favorite board in the line this year. Let's see if I agree.

Stats/Setup: I'm around 6'1" and 170# with size 10.5 boots which are 32 Focus Boas inside Union Force SL bindings. I tested the 158 board.

First Sight: My bindings look sweet with that topsheet and it's average to a little heavy dangling from my foot on the lift

The Conditions: Resort, icy groomers to slushy pockets

The Ride: I wanted to test the board edge to edge since the rep made sure to note the sidecut, but this thing just wanted to haul. I obliged. So stable. Poppy takeoffs and damp landings. Enough to make me get all Keanu Reeves and let out a spontaneous "Whoa" a la Ted 'Theodore' Logan. When it did come time to test the sidecut, the thing went back and forth like a ping pong game sponsored by Cocaine No Name energy drink. The straight-line stability carried over to turns of any radius. The Vario Power Grip sidecut kept me upright through the icy spots. In fact, when I went back to a board with a normal, radial sidecut after this one and tried to rail a quick heel-sider, I immediately teleported to my back. Wiggly sidecuts are for real, kids. Take this board into the tightest trees and come out with a wide smile from the adrenaline, not the lacerations.

The places I didn't get to test this board were rails, pipe and powder. One I blame on Ma Nature, the others just don't seem compatible with the board (or my riding style, honestly). I'd agree with Never Summer's assessment of a 6 out of 10 on flex (1 being al dente linguine, 10 being hardwood flooring). Couple that with a directional shape and make what logical leaps you will. Never Summer's Rocker Camber system should increase flotation in pow, but I can't speak to it specifically. Some may take issue with its weight, but once I unloaded from the lift it was hardly noticeable.


I've always felt like I have a wooly mammoth between my legs.

Bottom Line: Freeride with a dash of freestyle. Straight bomb a run so fast your cheeks pull back or get after it in the trees like a couple of horny squirrels. The Heritage loosens things up from the Premier F1-R for those of us who like a little more play in the ride. For me, that's a step in the right direction. This is a board I could use as my everyday resort board. It evens out the choppy, icy, nasty conditions and has a nice, medium-firm flex. Jibbers need not apply.

Check out Never Summer's site for their take on things.

9 comments:

  1. rad...i've been wanting to get on one of those NS boards for a while.

    what are you riding right now?

    good read.

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  2. drex, check 'em out if you can, you won't be sorry. I ride a Stepchild Corporate 155 right now and I'm looking for something a little bigger. The next few demos will reflect that.

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  3. How did The Heritage compare to the FR-1? Which do you prefer/why?

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  4. TJ, overall I prefer the Heritage for its slightly mellower flex, deep sidecut and symetrical nose and tail shapes. But it depends, what type of riding are you planning for it?

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  5. Have you had a chance to demo a Revolver? If so, is it a lot softer than the Heritage and were you able to still hold an edge while going down the mountain?

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  6. temak, I haven't ridden the Revolver. Maybe I'll get a chance this weekend at the Baker Banked Slalom.

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  7. sweet review! how does this board compare to last years AG in terms of playfullness?

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  8. lawrence, for me, playfulness comes from pop and/or a soft flex for ollies and butters. If forced to choose, the AG is the more playful of these two with the BTX giving it that loose feel, while it's still stiff enough to maintain pop. The Heritage is poppy, but stiffer. To be sure, neither is a board I would describe as playful, both are more freeride-focused.

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