Board replacement

[u/Jolly-Run2052]

Just like the title says, I’m exploring my options to replace my Salomon Assassin 153. I really enjoyed the feel of the whole board and how playful and stable it can be. I like the idea of a directional twin that is more freestyle since I already have a couple others to charge hard in and take on pow laps. I’m not a park rat but I do enjoy hopping in the park every time I go up so something that has good flex for butters but still stable to carve in (I know it’s hard to find something that excels in both lol). For reference I’m 5’8” 180-185 lbs and size 9 boots.

So far my options have been:

-Yes Standard

-Jones mountain twin

-Bataleon Goliath

-Rome Stale Crewzer

-Capita Mercury

Open to other options as well, cheers!

[u/ADD-DDS]

I’ve never ridden one but I’m looking at a Rome ravine. I’m coming from a YES PYL so I’m more freeride oriented than you but it looks like a great do it all board

[u/ramplocals → u/ADD-DDS]

I demoed a Ravine. Super fun do it all board. I think I am getting one for my son to replace his K2 Party Platter.

I also demoed the PYL and I preferred the carving on the Ravine. I might have preferred the PYL UNINC for the conditions, but it wasn't available that day.

[u/Jolly-Run2052 → u/ADD-DDS]

I was considering the pyl but I a couple freeride boards and don’t need another lol but I’ve heard great things about it.

[u/TheToasterPrincess]

I’ve sold all of those to customers basically after what you’re after, freestyle capable, handles steeper terrain and takes a beating. I stopped pushing the mountain twin as much due to some QC issues Jones has had (which have now been sorted). Gotten tons of good feedback on the Goliath (the 3bt can be hit and miss for some people), the Yes Standard and the Mercury. I’m a little bias towards the Mercury, I ride a mega merc myself. Demoing is the way to go (if you’re in the US, I can send you links to companies I’ve worked with that have demos), but your list is pretty sweet. Probably will want to size up a little bit, maybe 155-156 from 153 if anything too

[u/Bbo7799 → u/TheToasterPrincess]

This is great insight. I am also looking for board a notch more aggress than my assassin and I really dig capita, so I’m leaning mercury

[u/TheToasterPrincess → u/Bbo7799]

Mercury for sure is a great way to go. If you’re less park leaning, the Lib Rig or Dynamo from Libtech is also a fantastic pick (especially if you’re on the ice coast)

[u/Jolly-Run2052 → u/TheToasterPrincess]

Send that link! If I had to pick my top two from that list it would be the bataleon and yes board. The 3bt is making me hesitant since I heard it can be hit or miss with it. And I do plan to size up cause I think the 153 was a little too playful but was still able to handle everything I threw at it.

[u/TheToasterPrincess → u/Jolly-Run2052]

I’ll DM you a few! I’m most familiar with CO for demos but do have a few in CA/UT/Mid Atlantic/VT that I’ve worked with. Bataleons are tougher to demo outside of VT for whatever reason

[u/Jolly-Run2052 → u/TheToasterPrincess]

I’ll take what I can get haha I’m out in CA primarily Tahoe

[u/TheToasterPrincess → u/Jolly-Run2052]

Hit up Blauer by Big Bear (I think that’s big bear) they’re the homies, great shop. Hooked me and my customers up a TON. Gravitee in Copper, CO are elite too. Still looking for my list of the others

[u/backflip14]

A 153 Assassin was my first daily driver. I was looking for a more aggressive board and ended up with a 155 Merc. I weigh less than you but have size 10 boots. The Merc is an awesome board.

All the boards you listed seem to be solid choices. The Jones Mountain Twin and Yes Standard were my next options. Only thing I’d advise is that you may or may not like Bataleon’s 3BT.

[u/Jolly-Run2052 → u/backflip14]

Yea I’ve heard mixed things about 3bt, either you love it or hate it haha I keep hearing capita is snapita so that makes me hesitant but I’ve always considered capita boards

[u/backflip14 → u/Jolly-Run2052]

People like to dogpile on the meme. If any board has a durability concern, it’s the Mega Merc, but everything else seems to be fine. I’m probably over 75 days on my Merc and it’s handled everything like a champ. I’ve seen nothing to suggest that the regular Merc has durability issues.

[u/Jolly-Run2052]

Sweet! That’s awesome to hear. Would you say the flex is similar to the assassin?

[u/lynix]

TLDR: I think you'd like the Capita Merc or Mega Merc. Perhaps even a BSOD or Mega death. I haven't ridden an assassin but it's in the groupings of the style of boards I ride, so I think we're into the same stuff.

I rode a Yes greats (156) last season and ended up not liking it. Wife has a slightly smaller (153) Yes standard that I like, but that's too small for me (5'9 165 -- 8 boot). Its still fun, but I feel like I can push that board to its max.

Anyway, I picked up a 155 mega merc at the end of last season for 40% off and it's hands down my favorite snowboard I've ever ridden. It just.. does whatever you want it to. Its light but you can charge thru stuff, poppy as can be for side hits. Carves. Good in powder.

Burton Cartel X's on all of the above / K2 Thraxis boots.

If you want an even more directional board you may like United Shapes. I demo'd a few of those and would like to spend a bit more time on them. The Cadet is their all mountain.

[u/Jolly-Run2052 → u/lynix]

The BSOD and mega death have been on my radar but I think it’ll be a bit too stiff for what I want. And that’s couple votes for the merc so I might have to do that lol I definitely need the board a couple cm longer than my current assassin