I’ve ridden a lot of decks in my day and it just seems that every year someone has to make a death sled that scares the living hell out of you. This was one of those decks. Whether it was the base profile, use of original camber, or the fact the core is one of the thickest I’ve seen in a long time I couldn’t tell you. But over all was scared to death of this thing.
Board: Rome Crossrocket
Size: 156
Camber Option: Traditional camber with no hang ups. No hang ups is a diamond shape in the base that elevates the contact points.
Bindings: Raiden Phantoms
Stance: 22.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 UFO Size 10
My Weight: 165
Resort: Breckenridge
Conditions: Sunny warm spring days without a cloud in the sky or a gust of wind to blow you around.
Flex: Upper end of the park spectrum. This board is stiffer and not because it’s camber but if you look at the core profiling from the side the deck is just thick. The tips have a little bit of give but over all it’s just built to be stiffer.
Stability: Well can’t fault this board as being unstable with that core. It’s fine through chunder and pushes through anything in its way.
Ollies: There’s one hot rod in the tip to give it a little bit of snap when you’re flat based popping. I didn’t find it overly poppy but enough to get the job done.
Pop On Jumps: It’s there but honestly that No-Hang-Ups thing just made it very sketchy as your board wasn’t flat.
Butterability: Well this is the shining star in what this board can do. Imagine camber that won’t catch on anything. I mean I tried it’s impossible to hook an edge on this board. Granted the flex isn’t ideal for slow speed buttering but mach ten tail sliding nose slipping action is game on.
Jibbing: Well not being able to hang up was nice but that diamond shape is so pronounced it was hard as hell to lock in for nose/tail presses. It’s like riding a super defined TBT board that that doesn’t give you enough surface area to balance on.
Carving: Well I don’t know why you would raise the edge this much on a cambered board. Rolling transitions from toe to heel were easy but staying locked in when coming out of a carve was another story. Due to that lack of the contact point being equal with the rest of the edge it just slipped out when doing that final part of the transition of the carve.
Rider in Mind: It’s supposed to be for the high end camber loving all mountain guy. Honestly though I felt this board would suit the guy that likes loose trucks on a skateboard and just does wicked quick turns while pumping through a bowl.
Personal Thoughts: This board was a death sled. That is the only way I can describe it. I haven’t been that scared to hit a jump in a long time. On more than one occasion it slipped out going up the lip due to the lack of contact points. On jibs though it was awesome no fear of catching and I still say that camber locks in on a front board better than anything on the market. Over all I personally would never own this board the negatives I felt far outweigh the positives.
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18 Comments
It was my impression that this was a “nug” style board meant to be ridden shorter. Is there any truth to that?
Think you’re confusing it with the Shank.
I couldnt agree more. I rode this at Winter Park and “death sled” definitely fits the bill. No way I would pay $500+ for this this…great review.
do you think this would be a good board for powder days & backcountry cheese wedges?
Fuck no.
[…] BA called the Cross Rocket a deathstick. Wasn't fond of the Butterknife either. He did however give the Shank a runner up in […]
http://peopleskateandsnowboard.com/blogs/skate/6879079-check-out-the-2013-rome-snowboard-line-for-men
Is good for the park?
I am on the look out for a new board and was recommended this board…I’m glad I came across your review! Saved myself from wasting a load of cash.
I am just learning to do flatland/park stuff but have been riding piste and off piste for a few seasons. I can do 180 ride switch and am looking to progress to the next level but not sure how.
I’m 5’6″ 165lbs, what kind of boards do you recommend I have a look at,
Great site BTW.
So you’re looking for an all mountain board?
I agree, a deathsled. I was pumped to try this board out and was left really disappointed. Without having a flat base at the kicks, it was flat out scary to jump this thing…even off a roller. Back to the drawing board Rome.
Yes with the view to learning some park stuff and flat land tricks on the piste
Check out the Arbor Westmark or Blacklist, Rome Reverb/Reverb Rocker, and the Nitro T 1.5.
Thanks very much for the advice!!!
Dear Angry Snowboarder,
I was really interested in the Crossrocket, and after reading your review I was really really worried about ordering it… and I ended up with a 154 anyway. I’m 6 foot, 190 lbs. I have only had Rome Agents for the last 7 years and wanted something a little more playful and fun (I can’t even make a turn on Artifacts). I’ve had 3 days on the Crossrocket and I’m hooked. I have had no trouble mobbing at Timberline or jibbing at Cannonsburg. A little strange on jumps and nose presses, but had a blast in a little pow. The quick rip sidecut let me go a little shorter than my usual 158 Agent. Not saying you should give it another shot, but I am a happy customer. Not sure why you were so scared of it, maybe you needed a smaller deck.
Dear Angry Snowboarder,
Great review, very interesting to read. I’ve just purchased the 158 as I got a blistering deal on it. I had demoed the 154 and found it way too sketchy and thought the extra length would help. Got home, read this article and though OMG have I just wasted a whole load of wonga here, regardless of the deal. Went straight out and rode it again and tried to analyse your comments. I kinda of see where you are coming from but, on the whole, love this board and not yet found the ‘death sled’ issue. My old board (which is the only real benchmark I have) was a 2012 flying V custom. I’m 5’11, 185lbs and am an aggressive but not park based rider.
Keep up the good work.
Agreed. I don’t understand why people hate on this board! ‘Death Sled’ it is not. Maybe not for beginners or novice riders but personally, I really liked it. I found it had a loose, skate-like feel edge to edge, despite the camber. Pops nicely and carves just fine. Not too stiff can butter quite easily. Granted, the ‘no hang ups’ diamond thing takes a little getting used to. Nose and tail butters can slip out easily at first, but it’s nothing you can’t get used to after a few runs. I had a blast on this board and would urge anyone to try it first before dismissing it cos it’s a lot of fun.
[…] ya go… 2013 Rome Crossrocket __________________ You won the rat race, you say? What does that make you… first […]