Salomon Spark Snowboard Review
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$319.95
Beginner to Advanced Freestyle
Flat/Rocker almost continuous rocker Twin Shape
The Spark is almost a continuous rocker board. This makes for a different ride than a flat/rocker. It's pretty loose. We'd say it's right in between a continuous rocker board like the B Street BTX and a flat/rocker board like the Rome Detail. The Spark will be loose and playful but a little more stable in flat sections and on harder snow than a continous rocker. Flat rocker boards have their design against them when it comes to generating pop so they have to create extra tech to make it spring. The Spark doesn't have the spring that some flat/rocker boards do. This is a great butter and press around the mountain kind of board and it isn't made for higher speeds and carves like some boards of this design can. Still for the price it's hard to be too picky. If you like to butter around the mountain and are on a limited budget the Spark might work.
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How It Rides
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| Groomers |
Average |
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Speed |
Average
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Flex |
Soft |
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Rails/
Jibbing |
Good |
| Powder |
Average |
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Weight |
Light
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Carving
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Rough
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Pipe |
Average |
Turn Initiation
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Super Easy |
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Edge Hold |
Average |
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Switch |
Excellent |
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Jumps |
Good |
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The Good Ride Take on Salomon
Boards
Salomon is small compared to some companies but they have the complete line up and a very strong following. You will either love or hate a Salomon board. Salomon makes a very fast and damp all mountain to freeride board that seems to feel best at high speeds. It is really scary how fast it is. They have also made a solid effort to make some pretty good park boards as well and won some Good Wood Award's in the park and pipe. If you are looking for something a bit off the beaten path Salomon might work for you.
Boots
It is almost undisputed amongst most knowledgeable riders that Salomon has some of the best boots out there. They have spent a lot of time making a boot that fits well and that won’t pack out much. Even though there is a semi-traditional lacing system it still has a speed lace tightening system and it can lock at each rung on the upper part of the boot. Some complain that the Salomon boot runs a bit narrow so if you have wide feet think twice. Also others complain that it can take longer than some boots to make them comfortable for your feet.
Bindings
Salomon’s bindings are not as popular as their boards and boots but still do a good job competing with the other big name brands. They are reliable and well made and have a more traditional old school feel compared to the leading companies. That being said the turn initiation and general feeling is good so these could work for you.
Salomon Spark 2012
Spark
- Sizes: 138, 143, 148, 151, 154
   
Simple Style
Set a blaze with Pres-sure Rocker's catch free fun. It ushers in a new era of possibilities. Grab the Spark, your favorite friends and dive into a world of unlimited progression and lasting memories.
Salomon Spark 2012
| Board Size | Contact Length | Effective Edge | Max Stance | Waist Width | Tail Length | Nose Length | Set Back | Sidecut Radius |
| ( cm ) |
( mm ) |
( mm / cm ) |
( mm ) |
( mm ) |
( mm ) |
( mm ) |
( mm ) |
( mm ) |
| 136 |
980 |
1030 |
546 (21.5) |
236 |
190 |
190 |
10 |
7 |
| 139 |
1000 |
1050 |
566 (22.3) |
238 |
195 |
195 |
10 |
7.2 |
| 143 |
1050 |
1100 |
576 (22.7) |
240 |
195 |
195 |
10 |
7.4 |
| 151 |
1120 |
1170 |
591 (23.3) |
243 |
195 |
195 |
10 |
7.7 |
| 148 |
1100 |
1150 |
586 (23.1) |
242 |
195 |
195 |
10 |
7.6 |
| 154 |
1140 |
1190 |
596 (23.5) |
244 |
195 |
195 |
10 |
7.8 |
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The Good Ride Take on Rocker/Reverse Camber Boards- At first rocker tech was mainly for the park and powder. Now we are seeing many different riding styles of reverse camber and it's slowly establishing itself outside of the park as a viable solution. There is one recurring theme of adding extra edge hold between the feet that seems to be what most people are stoked on. Of course Mervin (Lib-Tech, Gnu & Roxy) lead the charge with the most edge hold and have rocker boards that ride as well or better than cambered boards. Many other companies have a solid understanding of the importance of adding a little extra edge hold between the feet as well. Reverse Camber is not for everyone yet but this year almost every company has a rocker/reverse camber or flat rocker board so don't be a hater and go ride a few. Some have a totally different feel that anything you have ever ridden and others are just a more catch free version of a traditional board. We aren't sure on how reverse camber will play out but we will say that thanks to reverse camber we are riding in new ways and styles that continue to make this sport progress. We thank Mervin and K2 for mixing it up and reintroducing functional rocker to our world! The creativity of the snowboard world has even lead to skiers hopping on our design bandwagon again!
