Archive for the ‘snowboard flex’ tag
Unravelling the Meaning of Snowboard Flex
It can sometimes be confusing when you come to buy a new snowboard, whether it be in a bricks and mortar store or online, you will encounter some graphic terms and phrases about the boards that may be a little mystifying. Whether you want to buy Arbor snowboards or another brand you’re going to be faced with industry words and phrases. One of those words when talking about a characteristic of a snowboard is flex.
Flex is the measure of how hard or easy it is to bend a snowboard when you try to bend it along its length. You will become aware that some boards are stiffer than others and it takes more force which mostly means the board has a thicker core. Boards that are harder to flex mostly grip the snow better and are more stable. They impart better force on the surface of the snow.
As a result of the superior grip and maneuverability they give, racers and heavier riders will have a liking for stiffer boards.
On the other hand, softer-flexing boards are more suitable to lighter and less aggressive riders as well as the type of snowboarders who prefer performing freestyle tricks. Boards that are softer flexing are made with thinner cores and are usually lighter.
A snowboard also has what is called as a flex pattern. This means the level of flex that the snowboard is capable of at various points. A board may be soft at the front and stiff at the heel or vice-versa. The mixture of the different flexes to the board is the flex pattern. The various types of materials used in the assembly of snowboards allows for a range of flex patterns and accordingly the performance from one board to the next will also vary.
First you ought to work out what type of rider you are – non-aggressive or aggressive, heavy or light – and then the type of snowboarding you want to do – Alpine freestyle or freeride. This will help you in deciding the type of flex that will suit you in your new snowboard.
There are many snowboard manufacturers in the industry so the task of buying a snowboard could be hard to do. Snowboards HQ examines a large number of the makers out there as well as the range of snowboards offered for sale.