Arbor Coda A Closer Look
Arbor is a brand that embraces being green and strives to use the most beneficial renewable sources when making a deck. If it’s not going to benefit the ride then they don’t use it. New for this year they’ve added more reverse cambered decks to their lines and tweaked others. The Coda was the first board of theirs that I was able to demo with some of this new tech. Here’s what I had to say about it.
Board: Arbor Coda
Size: 157
Camber Option: Arbors Parabolic Rocker which is a center reverse camber between the bindings.
Bindings: K2 Formulas
Stance: 22.5
Angles: 18 negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 T1 DB size 10
My Weight: 160
Resort: Breckenridge, A basin, Keystone, Bear Mountain, Snow Summit, Beaver Creek
Conditions: You name it I rode it from spring slush at Bear to cold blowing snow at Breckenridge. This thing was taken to every type of condition.
Preconceived Notions: Pretty much I was told this was a reverse cambered all mountain deck that could charge just about everything yet still be playful.
Flex: That perfect middle of the road where you could charge a jump line or hit a cliff band and not have to worry that the deck would under perform.
Stability: For being a center reverse and really light this deck was surprisingly stable. On run outs that were wash board it absorbed them like a champ and if I landed backseat it wouldn’t fold.
Ollies/Pop: One of the snappiest center reverse boards I’ve ever been on. Popping ollies off rollers you could boost huge and hitting jumps you’d have to under pop the lips otherwise you’d over shoot them.
Butterability: Don’t let the directional twin shape or the all mountain classification fool you this thing could butter a muffin like a fat lady at a continental breakfast. But being that its reverse camber I would hope you could butter it.
Cruising: Arbor has what they call Griptech on their R.C. decks which creates an additional contact point under foot. This thing grips how a center reverse should. You steer right under foot and railing turns is amazing on it. This thing rides like a skateboard which in my opinion is how a snowboard should be ridden.
Jibbing: Presses, bonks, slappy’s, you name it this thing can handle it. The flex isn’t so much it impedes it and the rocker isn’t so much it makes them rediculous.
Rider in Mind: The guy that’s going to start the day with a hot lap down some fresh corduroy, then go get some pow turns, and finish the day off hot lapping the park killing it.
Personal Thoughts: This board was so much fun to ride I really don’t want to send it back. My only gripe is I wish I’d gotten a 55 instead. You name the terrain this board could handle it with ease and come back asking for more. From spring sludge days at Bear hitting hips and jibbing vans to Beaver Creek riding pow in the trees I had a blast. It was a true quiver of one type of deck which sometimes gets lost in this world.
What They Say: Arbor’s on-mountain rocker design for riders who readily transition from one terrain or riding style to another: built for reliable all-aspect performance in the deep pow, tight trees, technical steeps, or carve-able groomers.
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Is that your logo I see in the bottom left of the board?
Who borrowed from who?
(Love the graphic on this board…)
Die cut sticker.
Cool review… thanks Angry Snowboarder. I got to sneak a few rides on this board too and it was my favorite.
If you had to choose an all mountain board(and you like to ride pow the most) would you pick this one or the eecco?
I’d probably go with the Eecco on that one.
Thanks!
Did you get to try the 2011 arbor formula? If so how does it compare/ride to the coda?
I haven’t.
How do you think the coda would ride on more icy runs?
Grip tech will lock in fine on ice and hold its edge well. The center reverse might be the actual issue.
I am 6’2″ ~185, sz 11. Do you think the 157 would be a good do everything board at that weight? Would it keep the same characteristics you found it to have during your test?
Well you got a bit more girth to you than me so it’s probably going to flex a bit more.
Hi, angry man!
I’ve a biiig question! My weight is 160-170, tall 5’10″ and I JUST got a brand new Coda 157 cm on ebay for 417$ which is a good price I think! But my fear is, the floating in powder will it be great with this size for me? Because I ride mostly pow and trees, so want it good! 161 would have been better or gonna be fine on 157 ??
Thanks
Those are pretty much my dimensions and I’ve ridden over a foot of pow on this thing. I think you’ll be fine.
How would you say this compares overall to the SL-R?
Softer in the tips, different edge control, and less damp.
pop is pretty comparable between the two? Would you say there’s anything in the Arbor line closer to the SL or is this the closest kissing-cousin?
Maybe the element RX?
How comparable is this board to last seasons parkstar? You had great things to say about the k2, but i never got the impression you rode around on it in your free time. I guess the question is: if you were boarding in anti-powder wisconsin a few times a week all winter where pop and board liveliness are 90% of what keep things interesting, what board what you choose? Coda, parkstar, any other?
Didn’t have a Parkstar at my disposal to ride daily. If I was delegated to riding the small mole hills of Wisconsin I’d definitely just rock a parkstar since it’s a true twin and coda is directional twin. I’d also check out the omatic extr txtr as well you might dig that for dorking around on smaller resorts.
Hey mate, I’m tossing up whether to get the Coda or the SL-R. I’m going on a trip to Japan for some pow and tree runs…which board out of these do you reckon would perform better for this? I’m 5’10″, 165lbs, size 10 boot. I am thinking 157 would be my size or could I get away with the 155? I’m just asking because I’m similar in height/weight/boot size to you and you commented that you wish you tried out the 155 instead of the 157
I ride the Coda for more park that’s why I want the 55. But for pow/freeriding the 57 is awesome. I’d say for what you’re looking at go with the Coda for sure.
Sweet! thanks for replying man! Just bought one then with some union force bindings – was a sweet deal, free shipping. Can’t believe how cheap it was considering what they charge here in Australia. Now all i gotta do is pick my destination…have you been to japan before?
So how would you compare flex between this and the Agent Rocker? I know you commented on the Agent being fairly damp (though not NS damp) cutting through the crud. Would you say the same on the Coda? At 6’1″ and just shy of 200lbs, I’m considering the 159 Agent Rocker or 161 Coda as an all mtn freestyle deck. Thoughts?
It’s got a lot of bamboo in it so it flexes a bit more, it’s not overly damp by any means, but it can cut through chunder pretty well.
So 59 Agent Rocker and 61 Coda probably would be similar in flex? Which would be your recommendation?
I like the Coda but the flex is different in them both. Coda is softer in the tips Agent is a bit stiffer.
Thanks for all the info Avran. Any chance you’ll be demoing the Arbor Element this year?
You never know what I’ll demo kind of depends what’s available.
Hello from Russia.
I just can’t decide what to choose Coda 2011 or A-Frame 2011.
Also i can’t decide with size 161(162 for A-frame) or 157? I’m 5′ 10″ (180cm) and 165 lbs (74kg).
Mostly I’ll use it only in mountains and powder without any rails or smth, that’s why I can’t decide with size.
Thx in advance.
Leon with lighter weight generally smaller size. I haven’t ridden the A Frame so can’t really comment on the ride of that, but the 57 Coda is solid in pow and riding around trails.
Have you ridden the 156 Westmark by any chance? I’m trying to decide between the 157 coda or the westmark. I know the Westmark is a more park specific board, but I don’t think I want the length of the coda.
Haven’t been on it yet but should be riding it either Wed or Thurs this week.
Hey Angry, like many above…looking at this or the SL-R…however I’m quite the light weight (5 9′, 130). I freeride only but gaining interest in taking features, minor ground tricks and small jumps. The smallest slr comes in at 151 while the coda is 153. Will the 153 be too much board for me?
Thx!
JL check out the Westmark instead it comes in a 150 and in my opinion is the true twin version of the Coda.
Hey, I was wondering if you have any words on the Westmark yet? Because I found a pretty good deal on one and I want to hear your thoughts on it before I buy. I like the sounds of the coda, but as I said I think I’d like it to be a little smaller for my all round board.
I’ve ridden it the review will be coming in the future. It’s a solid twin deck though.
How does the Coda compare to Sherlock? They seem like comparable boards with really good all around capabilities. Do you prefer one over the other?
I own a Coda.
I’m 5’11″ 190 lbs. I already have a 156 sierrascope for smaller mountains and jibbing. This year I’m looking for longer board probably 160ish that is 80% freeride, 20% park. Going to use it at big resorts for powder, trees, groomers, and just cruising around. I’m torn between the coda, highlife, and turbo dream. Since you rode all four of those boards, which would be the better freeride opiton to compliment my sierrascope?
Turbo dream has 3 stage rocker like the Sierrascope so you won’t have to adjust to how it rides. I’d go with that personally.
[...] you can kind of expect from them. But if you need to see how they rode check out my reviews of the Coda and Draft. Look for one of the Westmark coming [...]
Hi Angry, I currently own a 2009/10 joystick and was looking at getting a coda., but only if there was a fairly big difference in the fun factor. Aside from the Joystick Channel system which I know you hate – is there anything about the Coda that just blows away the joystick?
Steers better underfoot and the pop is more skatey.
Just out of curiosity…which board out of your quiver do you personally ride for pow/freeriding?
Probably whatever is mounted up already.
Hi Angry, a few people have compared the Coda to boards with some form of camber in the tips, like the Agent and the SLR. In your view does the Coda hold up as well railing turns and managing ice/crud, or is there a degree of trade-off for the fun of a center reverse?
Griptech is a huge thing with the Coda. Having those contact points under each foot really makes it an effective ride. I rail carves with it no problem and push piles at the end of the day haven’t given me any issues.
Touche…I should have known coming in..fair enough.
I’ll keep this about me then…thanks for the other reply though.
Your absolutely right about the joysticks steering underfoot – it can be a bit sketchy. If your always on soft snow its perfect. I have a 09/10 DH2 as well, Its a good board, but a bit too damp in my opinion which loses the liveliness I think board should have.
I was hoping you could answer the same question I asked before. Is there anything about the Coda that just blows away a 09/10 DH2? and which board out of a 09/10 DH2 and 09/10 Joystick is more similar to the Coda?
Probably the Joystick will be closer to the Coda but the pop in the DH2 is more like the Coda. But if you’re looking at a Joystick check out the Sherlock.
nah…i already have the 09/10 joystick. Its a fun board for sure, but riding hard-pack and firm snow’s kinda sketchy with the V-rocker. The DH2 is fun as well and with the flat between the feet makes for a nice predictable ride. It just happens to be a bit too damp and seems to take a bit of life out of the ride. Your totally right about the pop on the DH2 and have no complaints there, but other than that its a fairly boring board.
The reason I was looking at the Coda is that it sounded as if it were similar to the joystick, but just better underfoot and poppy like the DH2…would you agree with that summary?
That I would.
Thanks for that answer…Appreciate it.
Since you mentioned the Burton Sherlock earlier I was just wondering…If you could only ride one board for the rest of the season and your choice was the Coda or Sherlock, which would you prefer?
Please take the channel out of the equation if possible.
I’d just T bolt a pair of k2′s on the Sherlock regardless.
The Sherlock’s that good huh?
[...] my experience Arbors have just been better than Rossignols. Here's two reviews of the Coda. The Angry Snowboarder Blog Archive Arbor Coda A Closer Look http://www.snowboardingforum.com/equ…-flux-yes.html __________________ SHRALP [...]
[...] you will drive it more between the feet. http://www.snowboardingforum.com/equ…-flux-yes.html The Angry Snowboarder Blog Archive Arbor Coda A Closer Look __________________ SHRALP [...]
Hey angry, I Ride Utah pow and I was looking for a better board and Im all about chutes and technical riding and carving up the pow but I still love hitting powder jumps. Would the coda be the board for me or what is the best board for that type of riding?
Well it’d definitely be a great contender for sure.
[...] [...]
[...] For anyone thinking about the Coda(reading this thread sometime in the future)…these 2 videos on top of the recommendations helped make up my mind. Board Insiders review ARBOR CODA Review 2011 Board Insiders snowboard reviews – YouTube (it's 2011, but the tech is supposedly unchanged for 2012 except better graphics) Flex Test Arbor Coda Flex Test – Board Insiders – What is the stiffness of the Arbor Coda? – YouTube and Angry Snowboarders review The Angry Snowboarder Blog Archive Arbor Coda A Closer Look [...]
Hey Angry,
I’m looking at buying a Coda as my backcountry stick almost exclusively, that is 90% purely deep shit pow, pillows and tree lines -(also own a westmark 156 for all mountain / park fun)-. I’m 6’1, about 180lbs, and wear US9 boots… Would the 165 be too big? Should I go for the 161? Or would the Roundhouse RX 162 be a better choice?
Thanks.
Bob the Coda is a lot like a directional Westmark really. If you’re doing more open pow than trees I’d go 65 otherwise go 61.
thinking about the coda for my boardercross board. i have a ride nation 158 for my free rider and want a dedicated race board. i like the idea of the grip tech for hard fast turns. 5’10″ 200lb and looking at the 159. do you think it will be a good board for racing and is the size sound good?
If you’re serious about racing you want camber plain and simple. The loading and unloading of it pushes the edge down into the snow better. Reverse is not what you want for serious racing.
thinking of pulling the trigger on an Arbor board. What do you think are the differences between the Element and the Coda? Specs look pretty much the same except for the core.
Flex, how it holds on edge, pop, etc. etc. two entirely different boards.
Hey man, I’m about 5’6 150 lbs I know they don’t make this board any shorter than 153cm. Do you think 153cm will be alright for my height? I’m just worried that the board might ride me instead of the other way around. right now I have capita horrorscope 151 cm which is a bit longer for my taste but it was on sale when i got it so what the heck. anyways the board felt a little heavy and sometimes it felt like it was riding me instead. going back to the topic, i havent demoed any arbor snowboard especially the coda, but yeah just want to know if you think it would be alright for my height on a 153cm coda board?
as for my skills, i’m a novice rider and I found myself more happy just cruising powder in the mountain instead of hard pack snow.
Look at the 150 Westmark instead I think it’ll fit your style just fine.
Hey, I was at Jackson Hole last week and rode a Sherlock for two days and really liked it. I also rode an Element which I did not really like. Unfortunaly they did not have a Coda. I like to style of the Coda better than the Sherlock but you cannot really see the graphics under a pile of powder. I kind of think you have already answered this but which board would you pick if you could only have one, a Coda or a Sherlock? Also, can you tell me the difference between a directional twin and a true twin.
That’s a tough one they’re both solid for what they represent I might go Sherlock but only if it had more options for binding as I dislike EST. Directional twin means slightly longer nose but twin contact point to contact point, true twin is just that it’s the same either way.