Donek, F2 or HOT? Opinions please

[Erwin]

Hi all,

I'm seriously thinking about buying a new board - its length should be approx. 185 cm. I'm thinking about buying a Donek Race, F2 GS or Hot Blast.

At the moment I ride a Hot Blast stiff 158 and a Burton FP 173. Although it is short I really like the Hot for its aggressive reflex; the FP is a little too soft to my opinion.

This years Hot Blast is only available up to 178 as I saw on their site, I would prefer some extra cm's. Does anyone know if this is the maximum size? :(

I also heard about a custom board builder, called Tomahawk. It should be in Italy, but I can't find anything on the web. Anyone???

My length is 195 cm (6'5") and I weigh 80 kg. I like to ride very aggressively on any type of slope and use Catek bindings to put the thing in the right direction. I definitely need good edge hold, but who doesn't?

As I live in the Netherlands I can't try a Donek cause nobody over here has one. So all your opinions on this are welcome as I want to make sure I buy a good board.

Thanks in advance,

Erwin

[bobdea]

I would say go with donek
I have ridden some of the hot decks but none made in the seven or so years so my knowledge is not that current on them it was nice though
F2 boards are okay I had a little speedster RS 168? I think it was
it was a good board but not amazing
check out coiler.com too very good stuff

[Mellow Yellow]

I would say go with an F2...why.... in my opinion for a "mass produced" board they are very solid.... with excellent edge hold... and they seem to be readily available to you in Europe... I bought mine from Blue Tomato...and I always see them on ebay.de and other European board stores.... don't get me wrong though... you CANNOT go wrong with a Donek either... never rode a blast so no opinion there... check out the board review here on bomber as well!

Jasen

[Hans]

Hoi, Erwin

All the boards you mentioned, are good boards. It depends on what you want with the board. If you are looking for a GS board, I would go for the F2. The only one in the Netherlands who sell the whole line of F2 carving and raceboards, is Wim Jaquet sports in Amersfoort (and also Deeluxe hardboots). If you know what you want, Blue-tomato has also F2 boards and Hotboards and some demoboards who looks like new (I have seen and board the demoboards there, I have been there the last two years). You pay no postalcosts with blue tomato if you buy over the amount of euro 100,-- (look at their site for the precise amount).

If you want to make some real carves, just look at www.swoard.com or www.extremecarving.com. I just have some fun with a Swoard 168 Hard. There will be a test of this board in the next dutch snowboarder magazine, tested by a dutch carver, Frank Germann (dutch team trainer).

Cheers, Hans.

[pokkis]

Erwin, if you are coming to Lech Carving Session, you can test run my Donek 185, it is not necessary model you are after but you get feeling of board.

[nils]

hey pokkis ;) can i try it too :D??
Nils

[pokkis]

Nils
i will force you to test it :D
But be aware that it will be costly test for you cause you will want one for yourself too :D :D

[Howard Roark]

Since my wife bought me a Donek, I have not ridden my F2! This is not ONLY because I would be in big trouble if I switch back to the F2, it is because the Donek feels twice as stable and twice as fun.