Here's the last three years' worth of 5150 Strokes. I have several the 2007/08 models, to the left. I'll soon be buying a couple of the 2010 models, to the right. The '09s were just plum ugly, if not hopelessly uninspiring. But, as budget-minded, performance riders? These cannot be beat.
"Why", you ask? Two words: The Sidecut. It's nothing short of pure magic.
5150. A company that has probably seen some better days. Once at the forefront of the "core" snowboarding industry, it's now a relic of it's former heydays, somehow still surviving in mass-market sporting goods stores, and online overstock peddlers. Here's a company that probably well deserves to be underrated, at first glance. Many kids today don't even know what the hell a 5150 is, or how long they've been around.
So, I bought six budget snowboards from a questionable company with a rapidly declining reputation. How awesome am I?! Well, here's the answer: These Were The Best Purchases That I've Made In Years. By Far. In my world, that's pretty damn genius.
The key to the whole thing, is separating the junk from the juice. 5150's cap-construction decks truly are for the most "budget" of the budget-minded beginners. Which is exactly who they're marketed to. And for them, they really are still quite good rides. I've owned several over the years, and they were good deals for the money. But, not quite durable or responsive enough for a demanding old-timer like me.
Then, we have the "sandwich" decks in the line. These, are where the juice is. These, are the ones us picky types should be looking at. Stiff, rigid, snappy, poppy, and surprisingly responsive, these are balls-to-the-wall, fire-breathing dragsters of epic proportions. These bad boys will lay down the law on any steep you can bring yourself to huck your ass down. No shit.
The secret? The sidecut. Mellow in the middle, tight at the ends, this board doesn't just turn on command. Nope: This thing almost turns by thought! It's a big-terrain-carvers' wet dream, made real. It totally dominates. Really, there's just not enough wonderful superlatives to describe how grand and good the Strokes feel underfoot. If you're smart, or lucky, you'll just break yourself down, and go ride one. If you're even smarter, you'll probably go buy two.
Admittedly, they're not always much to look at. The 07/08's were by far the best year, on strictly aesthetic grounds. The Jolly Roger theme gives you a draw-and-quarter vibe that definitely helps when you're attacking Mt. Bohemia's gnarly-ass steeps with it (which is exactly what I did!). I don't really know what the hell happened for '08/'09. Maybe they thought that stale and mundane would be really hot that year? And then, we have the current '09/'10's. I mean, c'mon guys- a snowflake?! Isn't that sort of like jerking off to The Weather Channel? Granted, it's a step up from last year. But still, as my buddy Zappy would say, "Graphics sell". Given the glut of these still in stock everywhere, I'd say these graphics clearly ain't selling much.
Maybe 5150 will get back to something badass for the upcoming '10/'11 season. We can only hope...!
