Mudguts 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 Everyone has gotta start somewhere and thats fine, we've all been there but one thing about beginners that I don't understand is why so many of them go out and buy the top of the line board, bindings, boots etc! There's nothing I hate seeing more than someone who can hardly stand up decked out with the latest, top of the line gear. I just think it's such a waste. When I started I bought the cheapest board and binding set I could find, used it for a few years, got better at riding and then bought the good stuff. Riding then took on a new dimension with quality equipment. Just had to get that off my chest after riding a few weeks back and seeing so many beginners with really expensive equipment. Link to post Share on other sites
Dorikin 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 Im quite proud of the fact I got fully kitted for less than 10,000 yen. Hard Off Sports Gifu rocks the house. Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 welcome to japan Link to post Share on other sites
ncorrenti 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I guess for a lot of people it's about the look. No one wants to look like a beginner, everyone wants to look like a pro. Link to post Share on other sites
sunrise 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I don't know about the look, but I'd say it's definitely easier to learn on good equipment as opposed to crap stuff. Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I don't hate seeing it. It makes me laugh really. It's new people like this that help the industry stay afloat. This is summer skiing up in Tateyama. Late July I think. Kids decked out in the best of the best racing equipment. Even downhill suits. But they couldn't ski for crap and were falling all over th place on this short and flat slalom course. Link to post Share on other sites
Kumapix 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 it makes me laugh but it doesn't really bother me. I think I've seen it for too many years now. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 Yeah if they do it with the idea that they will grow into it then its not a bad idea. I know I liked my first mid level skis but I grew out of them so fast. In one season I was on better skis and thats more expensive then buying good gear. Link to post Share on other sites
quattro 1 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 Its eaiser to learn with beginer equipment. It takes a lot more energy to turn a race ski over a beginer ski. Usally beginers dont generate the energy need to properly turn a race ski. So there making it harder then they need too. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I wouldnt always say that top of the line gear is racing stuff Link to post Share on other sites
mattlucas 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 No it isn't at all There is obviously top of the line gear for every aspect of skiing and snowboarding Link to post Share on other sites
kintaro 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 I began my snowboard career with an e-bay purchase of all used gear (still have them for memory sake). I didn't deserve better. Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 My first year snowboarding was on rental staff. Then the next year I got an average board and now I am riding a Mercedes Benz. Link to post Share on other sites
woywoy 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 Would that happen to be the Prior Kyhber Tsonda??? Link to post Share on other sites
Dorikin 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 Quote: Even downhill suits. But they couldn't ski for crap and were falling all over th place on this short and flat slalom course. Coolio....all that stuff will be in Hard Off Sports maybe this year. Link to post Share on other sites
damian 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I don't begrudge a beginner owning the best possible boot for his foot that he can afford. In fact, I recommend that beginners get the best boot they can. The rest of the set up is not important so long as it is safe (bindings). I also don't begrudge a beginner the right to be comfortable and dry, but plenty of last seasons mid range gear will fill that requirement. Best possible boot does not imply 'highest performance' boot. It is a mistake if that is what they are going for. Link to post Share on other sites
Fattwins 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 it is also what sells most of the same people will buy smarter the second time around. Link to post Share on other sites
advantyper 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 I think it depends, my first snowboard setup was all flagship stuff by Salomon, cause my friend work there. Sold all the gear after one season, then got all Atomic flagship gear, cause my company I worked for gets proform deals, so everything at cost or roughly 50% off retail for new gear. Then this season when all out with Burton gear. I brought all high end gear for my first time/season, cause its cheaper then buying retail crappy stuff. Link to post Share on other sites
advantyper 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 plus when u buy flagship product, they'll last longer and you can grow into it more too, I think. Link to post Share on other sites
Kumapix 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 my first pair of snowboard boots were the nastiest looking airwalks and because of their lack of support I injured my ankle worse than I would have had with proper boots. but hell, good boots are really expensive. When I was just starting spending 3man on boots just seemed nuts. Now I spend 4man on boots without thinking....well minus discount it comes to 3man...so I guess that's ok Link to post Share on other sites
tsondaboy 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 Quote: Originally posted by NPM: Would that happen to be the Prior Kyhber Tsonda??? Yap, thats the one. And now I am thinking of buying their MFR for next season. Link to post Share on other sites
Mudguts 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Author Share Posted March 16, 2006 How do people know what quality gear is if they've ridden it all their life? Gotta start on the low quality to understand what good quality is. It's like surfing, you don't learn on a new board. You get your act together on a cheap pig and then buy a new one. You really appreciate the money you've spent and can notice the difference and where your hard earn't has gone. Link to post Share on other sites
Oyuki kigan 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 Well, having said all this, high-end equipment does not make it easier to do, especially if you are a beginner. With snowboards, the flex, tortion, and shape ate designed for stability at high speed, and are not exactlty forgiving. beginner-specific boards (like some rental models) have specific softnessess and beveled edges to make it easier to initiate turns. A worn-in used board will also act like this. People trying to look the part are just that. They seem to think it is more important to look good than to do what is best for a beginner. Link to post Share on other sites
number9 0 Posted March 16, 2006 Share Posted March 16, 2006 Some combination of multiple reasons, probably. As they say here "katachi kara hairu". You should look the part in any hobby/activity you're partaking. (Don't ask.) Quality's often valued more than price here. And many people don't take hobbies lightly, you either have no interest or you go all.. the.. way.. and don't go around flirting with other hobbies Personally, I went with cheap stuff at first (still am). And yes, thank goodness for them for keeping the industry alive and lubricating the economy. If they were as cheap as many people on this board, the industry and economy may have collapsed by now Link to post Share on other sites
bushpig 0 Posted March 17, 2006 Share Posted March 17, 2006 hey? What?? quality is more valued than price?? I think you fuddled what you meant to say there number9. Price says a lot about the prestige of the product in this country right?? Otherwise why are there so many people concerned with flashing their expensive brand name goods? Quality may or may not be a resulting benefit of buying the brand name, but that is not the deciding factor. As you said. Katachi kara hairu. Form, not necessarily quality. Link to post Share on other sites
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