2012 Arbor Element CX Used and Reviewed

When you think of the roots of snowboarding it should take you back to where it all began riding fresh snow on golf courses or hiking hills. This is something Arbor has always wanted to remain true with their boards and reminds the world of that. The Element CX is an homage back to cambered freeride boards designed for hard charging. Here’s how it stacked up.

Board: Arbor Element CX

Size: 158

Camber Option: Traditional Camber

Bindings: Technine Elements with reversed Scrub Hooks

Stance: 22.5

Angles: 18 Negative 15 Goofy

Boots: K2 T1 DB Size 10

My Weight: 160

Resort: Arapahoe Basin

Conditions: Sunny skies with warmer spring temps on firm snow that was perfect for railing turns.

Preconceived Notions: This board is a throw back to the roots of Arbor and designed for the hardest of charging.

Flex: Stiff like a solid oak door. This thing just had the most minimal amount of flex ever.

Stability: This is by far the most damp board I’ve been on for this season. This board just absorbed all the chatter and let you sail over anything in its path.

Ollies/Pop: It took a lot of work to get any reaction out of the tips for pop. The only time you would want to pop with this is if you were launching an obstacle.

Butterability: Yeah didn’t happen.

Cruising: The sidecut could be a bit deeper when on edge either toe or heel right under the back foot it wouldn’t grip as well as say the Roundhouse CX. It took a bit more effort to get on edge as well compared to other freeride decks.

Jibbing: Like buttering it’s just not meant to happen.

Rider in Mind: Someone that likes a board that will over power and make them their bitch. This is a mans board for hard charging. Boardercross riders would probably love this thing.

Personal Thoughts: Well every once in a while I like to go straight at high rates of speed to the point that my eyes water and I fear for my own safety. This is the board for that. The only other deck I’ve ridden that has ever compared to this ride is the old Never Summer Titan from a few years back. This board is meant for hauling and that’s it.

What They Say: This legendary design has been part of the line since day one, fueling the ride everything addiction with powerful performance on mountain, in the park, and beyond; expect excellent initiation, return, and control, day in and day out.

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