How Do I Know If My Snowboard Is Bad?

There are several factors to consider when determining whether your snowboard is bad. Camber and rocker are two of these factors. Each can have a positive or negative effect on your snowboarding experience. While rocker can give your snowboard more pop and control, it can also be an unstable feature when riding straight.

Size

When you are buying a snowboard, there are several things to consider. First, you have to figure out which stance is the best for your body type. A proper stance should allow you to carve smoothly between the toes and edges of the snowboard and will last for a long period of time. If you aren't able to do this, you may have problems turning and landing, or you might fall over and lose control.

When you go to buy a snowboard, make sure you know how much weight you weigh, so you can choose the most durable snowboard. While many companies exaggerate their weight ranges, it's still important to know what you weigh. For example, two men of the same height may weigh very different amounts. That difference can have an effect on the stiffness of the board and its running length. Similarly, you should always make sure that the board is the right size for your foot.

Shape

There are a few signs that your snowboard is about to go bad and it is not fit for snowboarding. The first is if it is slow. This is a sign that you need to wax the board. Waxing can significantly improve the performance of a snowboard. When edges are burred, they may feel sharp, but they are jagged. You can test this by using your fingernail to feel how sharp the edges are.

Next, it's important to check the stance. A bad stance can hinder your ability to turn and make you crash. It can cause knee and ankle pain, and make it difficult to control your board.

Camber

If your snowboard is starting to feel unreliable, there are a few things you can do to keep it in tip-top shape. First, check the bindings for loose screws. If they aren't tight, tighten the screws and apply fresh wax. This will prevent your board from absorbing UV damage and humidity, which can ruin your board over time. It's also important to keep your snowboard in a dark, dry place.

Another way to tell if your snowboard is bad is to check the base for scratches. You can do this by running your finger nail across the scratch perpendicularly. If the scratch clicks when you do this, the base is distorted and needs to be repaired. If the scratches are very deep, a base weld may be required.

Rocker

One of the first signs that your snowboard is bad is when it slides too slowly. This may be a result of improper waxing. When a snowboard glides well, it can help you get over flat spots. When the board is slow, it's not smooth as it should be, making it harder to make turns. Thankfully, there are ways to detect bad waxing without having to resort to a repair shop.

You can also use a P-tex candle to repair a gash. Hold it about an inch above the gash or scratch. This will fill in the scratch or ding. You can then scrape off the excess P-tex and wax the base.

Length

Before buying a new snowboard, it's important to consider the size of your board. While a sizing chart will give you a general idea of snowboard size, you should also read the manufacturer's specifications carefully. The width and length measurements are important, as these are the areas where your board will make contact with the snow.

A snowboard's camber, or curve, helps it glide across the snow. It also increases control and gives more pop when riding straight. Depending on the shape of your board, it can be both a plus and a minus.

Stance

One of the first things to check is your stance. It should be about as wide as your shoulder width, or a bit wider. This extra width will help you maintain control of the board in the air and stomp down tough landings. A narrow stance will result in a loss of balance and a difficult time turning.

Your board's layers may also be affected by your skiing or snowboarding activities. For example, many snowboards contain a wood core, which can rot or crack over time. However, it is possible to fix some minor problems on your own, and you can do it without professional help. The good news is that most minor issues can be repaired easily with basic tools. Maintaining your snowboard is a lot like taking care of your car.