If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Prior MFR: Initial Impressions
Some of you may recall that over the summer my Donek Wide 161 was stolen from my garage. As its replacement I purchased a Prior MFR Wide 161. Now that I've had a few days on the snow (and what snow we're getting here in Tahoe right now BTW!), I thought I'd share some initial impressions. Bottom line so far: I absolutely love this board. It has turned out to be exactly what I had hoped for. It is a more laid back board than my Donek was, and is quite maneuverable at low speeds. The board can be finessed through a tight slow turn, where the Donek could not - or at least not by me. I think this can be attributed to thinner and more flexible tip and tail sections on the Prior that are more forgiving. Yet, at high speeds it glides rock steady without any hint of chatter. In the moguls, in the crud, and in the powder it does what I want it to - and more importantly WHEN I want it to, and does so effortlessly. This translates to longer days on the snow and fewer rest stops throughout the day. I really find myself with more stamina - far more stamina at the end of the day on the Prior. This is the single most obvious difference between the two boards I've yet noticed - effort level. I just don't have to fight the board like I sometimes did the Donek. Now lastly, I really want to get some courduroy carving time on this board soon, but right now there just are no groomers to speak of. The snow is dumping fast and furious in Tahoe at the moment, with no let up in sight. However, I will say that the Prior is very confidence inspiring on the steeps and on the little bit of ice I've so far encountered on it. I do suspect that it will not carve quite like the Donek did, though. While the MFR's edge hold is very good, I have felt it wash out slightly here and there, whereas I cannot ever recall that happening in almost any situation on the Donek. And it stands to reason when you look at the board design differences, I think. For me it is an acceptable tradeoff. I wanted a true all mountain board over a strictly carving oriented one. I feel this is what I have ended up with. So, that's the story so far. For me personally, for what I want out of an all around all mountain board, for my riding style, the Prior MFR is so far a superb fit. I'm extremely ecstatic with the purchase (especially since it was a relatively "blind" purchase) and would recommend it to anyone. This board has really renewed my excitement for the sport. Hope everyone is enjoying the snow as much as I am! Brian. |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Bottom line so far: I absolutely love this board.
Thanks for the in-depth review! I've been looking forward to reading what you had to say about the Prior, since it's one of the few "normal shaped" freeride boards out there that I feel an urge to demo some day! So will you be the "shameless Prior advocate" on r.s.s just like I am the "shameless Donek advocate" I do suspect that it will not carve quite like the Donek did, though. While the MFR's edge hold is very good, I have felt it wash out slightly here and there, whereas I cannot ever recall that happening in almost any situation on the Donek. And it stands to reason when you look at the board design differences, I think. For me it is an acceptable tradeoff. I wanted a true all mountain board over a strictly carving oriented one. I feel this is what I have ended up with. I suspect that as you become better at carving the difference between the two in terms of carvability will start to diminish. Once carving becomes your "natural way of riding". The Prior might not coerce you into that behavior as forcefully but something tells me it's still at least as carvy as just about anything else designed to be ridden with softies. I would still question the characterization of the Donek freeride boards as "strictly carving oriented". I would say "favors carving over skidding", "a Donek on edge tends to remain on edge", and "you need to coax them from carving to skidding". But it's a freeride board through and through. (OK, I admit it, they seem to have a way of luring soft booters into alpine, but the same has been said of the MFR.) Continue to enjoy your new ride, and I hope you partook of the many feet of snow you just got. And send some north please!!!! Mike T |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Brian wrote: Some of you may recall that over the summer my Donek Wide 161 was stolen from my garage. As its replacement I purchased a Prior MFR Wide 161. Now that I've had a few days on the snow (and what snow we're getting here in Tahoe right now BTW!), I thought I'd share some initial impressions. Bottom line so far: I absolutely love this board. It has turned out to be exactly what I had hoped for. It is a more laid back board than my Donek was, and is quite maneuverable at low speeds. The board can be finessed through a tight slow turn, where the Donek could not - or at least not by me. I think this can be attributed to thinner and more flexible tip and tail sections on the Prior that are more forgiving. Yet, at high speeds it glides rock steady without any hint of chatter. In the moguls, in the crud, and in the powder it does what I want it to - and more importantly WHEN I want it to, and does so effortlessly. This translates to longer days on the snow and fewer rest stops throughout the day. I really find myself with more stamina - far more stamina at the end of the day on the Prior. This is the single most obvious difference between the two boards I've yet noticed - effort level. I just don't have to fight the board like I sometimes did the Donek. Now lastly, I really want to get some courduroy carving time on this board soon, but right now there just are no groomers to speak of. The snow is dumping fast and furious in Tahoe at the moment, with no let up in sight. However, I will say that the Prior is very confidence inspiring on the steeps and on the little bit of ice I've so far encountered on it. I do suspect that it will not carve quite like the Donek did, though. While the MFR's edge hold is very good, I have felt it wash out slightly here and there, whereas I cannot ever recall that happening in almost any situation on the Donek. And it stands to reason when you look at the board design differences, I think. For me it is an acceptable tradeoff. I wanted a true all mountain board over a strictly carving oriented one. I feel this is what I have ended up with. So, that's the story so far. For me personally, for what I want out of an all around all mountain board, for my riding style, the Prior MFR is so far a superb fit. I'm extremely ecstatic with the purchase (especially since it was a relatively "blind" purchase) and would recommend it to anyone. This board has really renewed my excitement for the sport. Hope everyone is enjoying the snow as much as I am! Brian. Hey Brian, I'm glad you like the Prior. I think they have a bit of a "home field advantage" being designed and tested in heavy West Coast snow. My 162 is rock solid. I love the damp, "BMW M3" type ride. It's fast, stable, and confidence inspiring. Enjoy the snow! I was up this weekend and the only time I've ridden better snow was out of a heli. Mark |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"Mike T" wrote in message news:IhnCd.24778$tG3.21207@trnddc02... I would still question the characterization of the Donek freeride boards as "strictly carving oriented". I would say "favors carving over skidding", "a Donek on edge tends to remain on edge", and "you need to coax them from carving to skidding". But it's a freeride board through and through. (OK, I admit it, they seem to have a way of luring soft booters into alpine, but the same has been said of the MFR.) Right. It depends on your perspective. To me, a strictly softboot guy, the Donek Wide is absolutely a carving board. To you, a hardboot enthusiast, it is not. Continue to enjoy your new ride, and I hope you partook of the many feet of snow you just got. And send some north please!!!! Sure did. It was incredible. Brian. |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"Mark.Andersen" wrote in message oups.com... Enjoy the snow! I was up this weekend and the only time I've ridden better snow was out of a heli. Mark I've never seen it better in Tahoe, either. Brian. |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Right. It depends on your perspective. To me, a strictly softboot guy,
the Donek Wide is absolutely a carving board. To you, a hardboot enthusiast, it is not. When I was strictly softboots, I didn't think of it that way... but maybe that was a little voice in me saying "get on some hardboots you fool" Anyhow, I'd be willing to bet that in 100 more riding days if you were to get on a Wide you might think it is more versatile than you do now. Then again maybe not. In any case I am glad to hear you have something that you are truly excited about! Mike T |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
"Mike T" wrote in message newsyDCd.25937$tG3.20774@trnddc02... Anyhow, I'd be willing to bet that in 100 more riding days if you were to get on a Wide you might think it is more versatile than you do now. Mike T Heheh, ya that too. You probably have hundreds more riding days under your belt than I do. I have a feeling if I went boarding with you, you'd make me look like a complete newbie. For me, 100 riding days is several seasons. I also think I might have been happier on a Wide 158 instead of the 161. The MFR 162, though, feels just right. I seem to recall effective edge lengths being roughly equivalent on the Wide 158 and the MFR 162. Brian. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Heheh, ya that too. You probably have hundreds more riding days under
your belt than I do. I have a feeling if I went boarding with you, you'd make me look like a complete newbie. For me, 100 riding days is several seasons. I seriously doubt I would make you look like a newbie. Fact is I don't do anything *fancy*. I do like to carve and that tends to rub off on other aspects of my riding. And I *am* a newbie on rails and in the halfpipe, and my park skills are quite limited too. Sure, I like my steeps and deeps, but that suff is just practice like anything else. I also think I might have been happier on a Wide 158 instead of the 161. The MFR 162, though, feels just right. I seem to recall effective edge lengths being roughly equivalent on the Wide 158 and the MFR 162. I recall that as well, when you were choosing a size. Seems like thinking through the decision really paid off! Mike T |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
On Tue, 04 Jan 2005 20:19:41 GMT, "Brian" allegedly
wrote: "Mark.Andersen" wrote in message oups.com... Enjoy the snow! I was up this weekend and the only time I've ridden better snow was out of a heli. Mark I've never seen it better in Tahoe, either. OK, you guys are really beginning to depress me. - Dave. -- The only powder to get high on, falls from the sky. http://www.vpas.org/ - Snowboarding the worlds pow pow - Securing your e-mail The Snowboard FAQ lives here - http://rssFAQ.org/ |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
I've never seen it better in Tahoe, either.
OK, you guys are really beginning to depress me. - Dave. Not to add insult to injury... but boo yaa: http://www.weather.com/activities/ot...locid=USCA0773 Plenty more to come! |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|