Ride Machete with Optimo’s a closer look

The Machete is that board that’s designed for those guys that want a stiffer flexing rocker board that they can take all mountain riding. I’ve ridden it before, written about it, and honestly nothing has changed except the snow conditions. But here’s another look at a deck I just don’t feel fits my riding style.

Board: Ride Machete

Size: 155

Camber Option: LowRize rocker so three stage rocker with a shorter flat zone under foot.

Bindings: Ride Optimo

Stance: 22

Angles: 18 negative 15 goofy

Boots: K2 T1 DB size 10

My Weight: 165

Resort: Winter Park

Conditions: Sun poking through some gray skies and a bit of chill in the air.

Preconceived Notions: Maybe the Machete got tweaked enough this year that it’ll fall into my style of riding. New Pop Rods 1.0 to give it more boost.

Flex: More of a jump oriented board that’s got a stiffer flex pattern  especially torsionally.

Stability: Smooth stable ride that’s not overly damp so it gives a lively feel to the board.

Ollies/Pop: The new Pop Rods in it give it a bit more pop than before allowing you to load up on jumps or when hitting rollers.

Butterability: Definitely not a butter stick by any means but the more accentuated rocker allows you to really get the desired effect you want.

Cruising: Railing turns is definitely doable with this board and you can have some fun carving around the mountain.

Jibbing: Just like buttering this is not this decks strong suit.

Rider in Mind: The jump guy that wants something with a stiffer flex profile that’s a damp ride.

Personal Thoughts: Still not the board for me and probably never will be, I just don’t fit into the rider profile that claims this deck.

What They Say: The award-winning Machete features Ride’s LowRize shape eliminating hook without sacrificing pop. Cutting through the competition, this go anywhere freestyle deck combines our new Pop Rods 1.0 for an extra does of pop, with 85A Slimewalls and Cleave Edge for a smooth twin built to last.

Binding Compatibility: Was a more solid match to this deck than the DH2.

Binding Adjustability: Having had it set up from the last go around greatly increased the time to mount it to the deck.

Straps: The more you ride something the more you get used to it and that’s the way it felt with this binding. The V-strap sits a bit different and didn’t have that hard push on the tip of the big toe at the end.

Highbacks: Flatter fit and more play side to side.

Binding Flex: Micro disks are the future I think it greatly reduces the amount of surface area being killed off. This gives the binding a more natural flex.

Ratchets: Did its job smoothly.

Rider in Mind: High performance park kid that demands some serious versatility out of his bind

Personal Thoughts: This is a binding I wouldn’t have a problem riding every day it’s giving me the performance I demand and allowing me the versatility that’s needed for my skateboard infused style of riding.

What They Say: This premium new ContraBand binder packs a freestyle punch, followed by a roundhouse kick of flex. Featuring the brand new ContraFlex chassis design that’s easy to set up and adjust, and is light and flexible from start to finish. Jam-packed with tech, the Optimo includes Wedgie 2.5 &4.0 footbeds for utmost drive and ollie pop, single ratchet design with new AeroGrip V-Strap and new Stealth Highback for maximum side-to-side flex. Bottom line: the new Optimo is the optimal choice for your high-flying moves.