2013 Flow Drifter Used and Reviewed
Take a whole series of camber options and convex bases and roll it into one board and that is what the Drifter is. Is it for everyone? Probably not but it’s still a solid new option on the market. So give this review a look.
Board: Flow Drifter
Size: 156
Camber Option: I-Rock. Combination of reverse camber and camber under foot with a convex base.
Bindings: Raiden Phantoms
Stance: 22.8 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 UFO Size 10
My Weight: 165
Resort: Breckenridge
Conditions: Sunny blue skies with colder temps on firm fresh corduroy and park features.
Flex: Stiffer end of park flex geared more towards jumping. Little bit of play in the tips so you can get your press on.
Stability: This would definitely be another board for charging through chop and rutted out terrain. The stability under foot coupled with it’s dampening was enough to make it lively yet powerful.
Ollies: I wouldn’t say this board is overly poppy or snappy it’s just sort of there. It’s like hoping on a deck that you’ve ridden a 100 days you know it’s not the greatest at giving you the goods but it gets the job done with a certain familiarity.
Pop On Jumps: On jumps the pop is just about the same as if you were riding the mountain ollieing. It’s just so predictable, hit that last section of the lip and snap you’re going to boost a bit up in the air.
Butterability: This isn’t a butter stick so expect to put some effort into the board. It is nice that the base of the board is slightly convex. Think of it as a way to not get the dreaded evil scorpion of death.
Jibbing: Directional twin with an ever so slight convex base how do you think it went? Sure the flex is a bit stiffer but you just had to find the sweet spots and then you were golden. That base is nice though for sliding boxes and rails and not worrying about hanging up.
Carving: The edge hold on this deck was just amazing. Railing hard carves while center flexing the board felt so natural. Long drawn out high speed lines weren’t a problem nor was it when transitioning from those to tight technical turns as well.
Rider in Mind: The guy that’s looking to charge their snowboard as fast as they can, hit some jumps from medium to large sizes, and still needs it to play around for slow days on the mountain.
Personal Thoughts: This board is what I would call a high end quiver killer. Groomers, pow, jumps, jibs, running over small children, pissing off peoples grandparents, etc. etc. it does it all with ease. I had a ton of fun just lapping the park and doing mach 10 hot laps on groomers pushing this board to its limits. Would I say it’s for everyone? Probably not the directional twin shape might throw people off that believe they can’t ride switch with a little set back. Or it could be the slightly past mid-stiff flex pattern as well.
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[...] If Flow boards are easier to find, check out the Drifter. It sounds just like what you're looking for. Edit; AngrySnowboarder review http://www.angrysnowboarder.com/2013…used-reviewed/ [...]
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Hi,
I’m thinking of the Drifter in 153 for Allmountain/Freestyle.
How does the Drifter compare to the Machete, NS SL and maybe The Reverb rocker in weight and flex and which one did you enjoy most to least?
Reverb Rocker is not even on the same level as the rest of those boards. I would go Drifter, then tie the SL and Machete from best to least.
How do these three boards somewhat compare in weight, playfulness and flex?
Weight is all relative if you’re in shape you won’t notice any differences. Playfulness and flex go hand in hand the stiffer the board the less playful obviously.
Cool thanks. Appreciate the answers, and i’ve pestered you long nuff, you’re one of the few who’s reviewed the Drifter. It is the stiffness i’m concerned about between these boards. I don’t trust the official flex ratings, ‘cuz according to that the Reverb rocker would be the stiffest. and so would like your first had experience as to which is stiffest to least? -thats the last question i swear:)
Machete, Drifter, SL, Reverb from stiffest to softest.
Sweet!Thanks!!