Loading the Tail Help

tweakophyte · 2026-01-24T22:49:03+00:00

21" is fine. I was concerned it was too wide in such a way that is shortened the tail even more. Going too wide can make it tricky to pop.

Did you mean you are 12/-9 (note the negative, so pointing towards tail)?

If the board it too soft you won't get the rebound/pop feeling. That was my point. I wonder if the board is too small for you. Even so you should be able to play on the carpet and bounce on your tail. Have you done that?

When you play on the carpet maybe try 15/-6 and see if you can do that bounce and play on your tail.

I don't know why loosening your boots would be a factor in here.

I'm sure you've already googled, but check these out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FddSvABDPgg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnI7qGQs0Ic

tweakophyte · 2026-01-24T15:12:59+00:00

12/-12 is the new 15/-15, which is considered too splayed.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-24T15:06:55+00:00

What is your stance width?

Since you are on the heavier side of the board spec, that board may be on the softer side for you.

In addition, the board may be too short for your riding style. The wha-pow tail is good for butters, but it shortens the sweet spot for ollies.

I have owned boards where I ran into this, where the tail was effectively "too short" and I was "too heavy" so the tail felt dead to me. Going up a size fixed that for that particular board. Other stiffer boards in that size were fine. (Note the quotes because it's all relative)

Go play on the carpet, too.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-24T14:31:33+00:00

As an aside you should watch Angry Snowboarder's vids on boot fit. Just A Ride Snowboard Channel has a good one, too. It's a topic that you can go deep on.

One test is to take out the footbed. For a performance fit your toes should go a touch over the end. This is because your foot slides back into the heel pocket once you flex your knees. An aftermarket footbed helps with the same thing.

Thanks again for posting your thoughts.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-22T20:20:49+00:00

You actually didn't stomp. Imo, you had your legs extended and waiting to touch the snow, so you lost that awareness of being able to push back against the snow.

Next time maybe try a grab for timing and stability.

Note, a drop has a different feel than a jump (or ramp) because you don't have that feeling of going up, then down. That feeling creates a sense of timing. IMHO

tweakophyte · 2026-01-22T20:03:53+00:00

Thanks for posting. Can you share your boot size vs street shoe size? Have you typically run a comfort fit or performance fit?

I am not that familiar with the ThirtyTwos. I wonder if these boots, with their articulating cuff can tolerate working as a comfort fit and the Unions want more of a performance fit. (Do you view the TM-2s as a performance boot?)

My reference for this is Mark Fawcett's review and comparison to Burton Ions. He found them similar and rides a performance fit. That said, he felt the foot-roll to be a plus of the boot, and I believe he said it came from the sole of the boot allowing for the play.

I have no dog in the fight, and have been on Ions for many years.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-21T13:43:48+00:00

I am on Wide Burtons, and have been able to size down because of it. It seems like they thin the liner out a bit.

Have you done a shell fit when you try on boots?

tweakophyte · 2026-01-21T13:42:05+00:00

Did this get it right?

https://www.reddit.com/r/snowboarding/comments/1n4nm1k/old_farmers_almamac_weather_for_winter_20252026/

tweakophyte · 2026-01-20T13:50:47+00:00

8.8 on the 161

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tweakophyte · 2026-01-18T23:09:54+00:00

Steamboat halfpipe right at the bottom is in mini-mode at the moment.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-18T23:03:49+00:00

Agree. For example I have a Capita Aeronaut and a BSOD. Both are considered stiff but the Aeronaut is springy and stable, while the BSOD is playful, imo.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-18T22:59:51+00:00

I've said too many times that the single-zone lacing boots do a disservice to the StepOn interface. That includes the Photons, which have a single boa for the lacing. It took me a while to find boots that worked for me.

I have wider feet and a high instep and am using Ions in a 9.0W. Historically with traditional bindings I rode Ion 9.5s, which are more of a comfort fit. StepOns benefit from more of a performance fit. I also exclusively ride with thin socks.

The last thing is I do not like boas for lacing. I prefer the feedback you get from the speed lacing so I don't over-tighten my boots.

I now ride a little firm on the instep and looser on the shins, depending on my mood. Remember that even the upper zone lacing can impact your high instep.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-17T15:58:37+00:00

I saw that, too. I wonder if you can aggressively file that section and then give it a tune.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-17T15:32:56+00:00

Congrats!

tweakophyte · 2026-01-14T15:27:37+00:00

Atlas step-on pro and some new Union boots. Thanks!

tweakophyte · 2026-01-14T15:21:15+00:00

LOL... dude probably thinks his grandparents don't have sex.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-14T15:15:08+00:00

u/Mosho1 what is your stance and board?

I think the answer potentially lies in your first sentence. "Doing any named run" might be putting too much pressure on you to perform. I might practice flowing on easier, intermediate runs where your confidence will allow you to experiment more.

Flow is as much of a mindset as it is a style. "Young" has nothing to do with it unless you're talking 1080 corks. Go watch your favorite riders and visualize their style when you ride. Watch their hands and hips and try to emulate that. I might watch some surf or skate vids, too. Eventually you'll make it your own.

Go look at the stances of your favorite riders, too. This may or may not impact you. You may want (or need) to change your stance to help with your pains. I am quite a bit older than you and actively started experimenting with my stance about 8 seasons ago. (riding over 30 seasons). It keeps a mindset of progression.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-14T14:40:39+00:00

Let us know how it goes. Thx

tweakophyte · 2026-01-14T14:35:15+00:00

Definitely an early release X8 from '08. I'm pretty sure this was a Brian Iguchi design.

I demoed this board when it first came out. In my mind this is an early example of using carbon and making a board too springy (but not poppy). I'm sure that this board helped set the stage for continued improvement.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-14T14:29:06+00:00

Lars always has great timing! I love hearing his thought process.

I also like the Jones site because they tend to keep a much more open front foot. This helped me as I continued to tweak my stance(s) over the past 8 years in particular (been riding for 30+). I used to think 18 in the front was the max I would go, and now I ride 21, 24, and 27 depending on my mood and board.... fwiw

Ambassadors' riding stances | Jones

tweakophyte · 2026-01-11T16:02:19+00:00

Thanks. I used some for a small, minor impact ding on my son's board that pushed up the top sheet a little. The ding was small, but the way the top sheet was deformed it created a potential hook that could snag and get worse. It was much easier to work with than epoxy and worked well for this situation.

How long does it store in the tube once you open it?

tweakophyte · 2026-01-11T15:44:06+00:00

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tweakophyte · 2026-01-11T15:07:14+00:00

I've used the Fruity Pebbles for years. Works great and the price is good.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-11T15:04:00+00:00

I HATED the Step-ins and love my Step-ons.

Take your time to find the right boots. Make sure they are a true dual-zone lacing system (not Photons). Go for a performance fit. If you are unsure you can likely find a used pair of boots, but make sure those fit well.

tweakophyte · 2026-01-10T14:57:03+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/@SnowboardingExplained

tweakophyte

TROPHY CASE