Camber seems to be making a serious comeback of sorts and the 2014 Shifty from Flow is one of the boards embracing the modified traditional camber. So we took this snowboard for a serious ride and reviewed it to its fullest.
Colors will be different than pictured due to lighting.
Board: Flow Shifty
Size: 154
Camber Option: Pop-Cam Camber. Traditional camber into a flat zone a few centimeters before the contact point.
Bindings: Rome 390 Boss
Stance: 22.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 175lbs
Resort: Breckenridge
Conditions: Mix of sun and clouds with warmer temps at the bottom of the mountain and cooler ones at the top. This made for the snow to be fast yet firm.
Flex: This is a slightly stiffer than middle of the road deck. The tips have some give in it then it stiffens up from just in front of the outer inserts all the way through the middle. There’s a little bit of torsional give allowing you to center twist the board if need be.
Stability: Charging with this board over rutted out terrain it’s fine. Just don’t expect it to be damp you will feel vibrations which is great because that means the board is lively.
Ollies: Oh this board has pop. Due to it being more like a traditional camber you have to load it up, but when you do expect to boost.
Pop On Jumps: Don’t fear a jump with this thing. It’s designed to haul ass and go large. Load that tail up and send it.
Butterability: This take a bit more work but if you’re a competent rider and not afraid to work for your trick it’s solid.
Jibbing: There’s a great flat spot in the tips that lets you lock into presses. Once you find that magic sweet spot it’s game over you’ll be pressing like a pro. Board slides are great if you know how to do them just be aware you’re on camber not reverse so you might hook.
Carving: The sidecut on this board lets you rail a hard deep turn with a little bit of work. By that I mean you have to be prepared to push your back leg down and forward to center flex the board and cause it to arc across the snow. The torsional flex does make it easy to transition from edge to edge.
Rider in Mind: The guy that loves camber, jumping, and mobbing fast through the park and the rest of the mountain.
Personal Thoughts: This board is fun if you want to really charge the park or play hard around the mountain. It might not be for everyone but those that get on it and can utilize it to their full potential will realize it truly is a superb deck.
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Disclaimer: This board was lent to us for review from the Flow Snowboards Rockies rep.
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