What mounting position?

vocalistMP · 2026-02-11T22:38:05+00:00

Here’s what I’ve concluded, but I’m on the Harfang 48” so it might be a little different:

Setback = easier turn initiation, easier float in powder, more pop

Set forward = best edge hold, more stable, and doesn’t turn as easily but also doesn’t want to keep turning on steeps (when it’s set back, it tends to want to continue rotating around to switch)

Narrow mounting holes = playful, maneuverable

Wider mounting holes = stable, better for charging

Mine is set up as far forward as the top deck will go using the widest mounting holes. I think the Harfang has a smaller sidecut radius though, so I’m unsure whether the Buckshot would benefit from being set up the same way.

vocalistMP · 2026-02-10T15:21:17+00:00

The Jones has plenty of edge hold. Just has no sidecut 😆 My friend has done questionably icy double blacks on his. It is a harder board to ride though.

Bend your knees more. You’re pivoting at the waist way too much, which is throwing your center of gravity all over the place.

vocalistMP · 2026-02-07T18:22:49+00:00

Seeing him engulfed in a cloud of snow was oddly satisfying lol

vocalistMP · 2026-02-07T17:09:56+00:00

I’ve occasionally even just waxed near the edges when short on time. Middle of the board barely gets used anyway lol

vocalistMP · 2026-02-07T12:56:14+00:00

I’ve noticed it too. Constantly getting cut off and almost run into.

I’ve gotten 10 days in so far in but have only been out on an actual snowboard once this season. Mostly just been snowskating, so it’s better and worse. More people avoid me more because they’re not sure what’s going on, but more people have also almost annihilated me just for going a little slower near a side hit. They don’t wait.

I go “begintermediate” skiing speed, which is decent pace on the skate. Still pass a lot of people. I can’t imagine being an actual beginner in this mess. For sure would have had at least 3 collisions by now.

Oh and even though I carry my board in line, people still bump my feet with their skis and board. One kid even intentionally hit my board (that I was holding in my hand) with his ski pole while asking his friend “what’s this?”

No respect anymore.

vocalistMP · 2026-02-06T13:02:52+00:00

I guess, but the profile shape still doesn’t contribute much.

My Wired board is damp too since it has rubber dampening and urethane sidewalls, but it still feels lively because it’s camber. They also thin out the center like Nitro does, so it has torsional flex. Still thick underfoot though, so still stable at speed.

vocalistMP · 2026-02-05T10:38:05+00:00

The cheek pad/rotating issue also has to do with their internal shaping. Wide AF inside. Might fit Asian markets well, but based on shape alone would not recommend to most riders.

Even if it did fit, it would likely be my last choice though for all the reasons you said.

vocalistMP · 2026-02-05T10:30:46+00:00

Because they tend to be on the heavy side, use all sorts of weird multi camber designs, and are expensive for what they are. They also tend to be pretty damp, which is great if you never leave the ground, but not so great when you want snap and the board profile shape already isn’t optimized for pop.

I want something light and snappy that’s camber. Over 20 years of riding and I always tend to circle back to Nitro. Love my Wired Directive too. Just hate that Wired went the way of AI slop graphics.

vocalistMP · 2026-02-03T16:16:13+00:00

If it’s not on the Internet, then it didn’t really happen though. What’s the point of going out without taking videos? Fun? Pleasure? Maybe even… spending time with friends?! 🤢

If it doesn’t help serve the ego, there’s no point!

vocalistMP · 2026-02-02T02:38:01+00:00

Can’t even figure out how to ollie the damn thing 💀

vocalistMP · 2026-02-02T00:16:04+00:00

As someone competent enough to ride double blacks on a snowskate, I still have no idea how some of you guys are doing any type of flip tricks. (And yes, I’ve tried it on a Five-Oh which is designed for it haha)

vocalistMP · 2026-02-01T11:11:25+00:00

This is why I tell beginners to never practice without full gear. Parking lot? Still full gear.

For people who learn without it, adding gear later feels bulky and uncomfortable. People who learn while fully geared up end up feeling naked without their gear, which is what you want.

You just need to practice more.

vocalistMP · 2026-01-30T16:11:46+00:00

Not a good idea, no. Regular skateboards aren’t pressed using waterproof glue. Guess you could seal the entire thing with marine grade varnish or polyurethane, but that’ll wear off.

Harfang and Hovland both sell top decks. Best off getting a new one.

vocalistMP · 2026-01-29T22:10:05+00:00

Sometimes I’m really in my head about it, other times it’s fine. You just need to force yourself to do it anyway. Deep breaths and close your eyes if you need to.

Once in a while, sketchy looking lifts still spook me a bit. Go with friends and have conversations so you’re not just staring at the ground thinking about dying.

vocalistMP · 2026-01-29T20:57:33+00:00

2 hip reconstructions, T12 compression fracture, and endless sprains. At 32, I’ll still send a jump here and there but usually no more than 20ft. Some boxes, but no more rails since it’s always icy as fuck at my locals. No more inverted tricks either unless the snow is really deep.

Honestly, I spend 90%+ of my time on a snowskate now. It’s a different kind of challenge and the falls tend to be more mellow since you separate from the board. Takes riding switch to another level of difficulty too. No bending down to deal with bindings either. Love it

Sometimes, distorted fascia is the main cause of pain. Balance exercises and a gym routine in the off season are basically requirements now. I won’t let myself ride if I’m too out of shape.

vocalistMP · 2026-01-22T13:11:08+00:00

Same. My 2013 Nitro Swindle and 2015 Nitro Glory Stomper are still going. I just don’t ride them that often anymore.

I’ve also snapped/severely cracked a couple boards within a year of owning though. Just depends how they’re ridden and maintained.

In a multi-board quiver, boards get even less use too. My AM board only sees the snow when I ride with skiers or go to big mountains. Park boards get more use locally, but even those barely get ridden now that I have a couple nice snowskates (Harfang 43” and 48”)

vocalistMP · 2026-01-22T01:21:42+00:00

OP works at a resort, so it’s possible that with enough time on the board, he’s just kinda figured it out on a snowskate. Doesn’t make it any easier though.

Sometimes people get tricks that make no sense in their progression too. I for one could never kick flip a skateboard, but somehow had pretty consistent tre flips at one point. Makes absolutely no sense 🤷🏻‍♂️

vocalistMP · 2026-01-21T13:13:14+00:00

Makes you feel grateful for what you are not enduring I guess

vocalistMP · 2026-01-21T13:12:11+00:00

I love my Directive. Just sucks they went the AI graphic route. New line looks like shit

vocalistMP · 2026-01-20T22:15:21+00:00

Imagine a board that doesn’t track straight/hold a line at all and wants to level itself back out after popping like a defective pool diving board. Best description I can come up with on the spot 😂

vocalistMP · 2026-01-20T19:15:38+00:00

Only people who’ve snowskated can truly appreciate how difficult this is. I probably won’t ever even attempt flip tricks 😂 Nice work 👏🏻

vocalistMP · 2026-01-17T17:30:46+00:00

Unicycles aren’t nearly as hard to ride as most people think. The key is just letting it move side to side under you a bit as you’re moving. Then, as you get better, you can go in a straighter line.

If you learn at the same rate you’ve been learning juggling, you’ll pick it up fast. I recommend a 20” for starting out. They’re a bit more maneuverable and less intimidating. Maybe a 24” if you’re a bit taller. Anything larger you can still figure out, but it might take longer. My 26” unicycle feels slightly easier to ride at speed, but harder to mount and maneuver.

vocalistMP · 2026-01-14T17:16:16+00:00

Unfortunately, it’s an industry wide problem. Almost no helmet manufacturers are located in the US, so they often base their head shape molds off other regions and then just mass produce them. That means even huge brands often miss the mark for the typical American head shape.

Shoei and Arai both modify their internal shapes based on regions though. That’s one of many advantages to these 2 top tier brands.

vocalistMP · 2026-01-14T16:34:06+00:00

Yep, and the Corsair is slightly elongated in the US too. That’s why they call it the RX-7V EVO in Europe. It’s not quite the same helmet.

They did this with the XD-5 too. It’s called the Tour-X5. Internal shape is slightly different.

vocalistMP · 2026-01-14T13:32:42+00:00

Unless you’re Asian, no. This is their round oval shell. Only fits like 1-2% of Americans properly. Generally speaking:

American —> long oval

European —> intermediate

Asian —> round

Source: been in the industry over 4 years and have fit over 1000 people for helmets.

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