The Rome Graft Advanced to Expert Freestyle Snowboard Review by The Good Ride
Days on this board 9
Riders- 2
Bindings Used- Rome Targa, Flux Titans and Burton Cartels
Rome has been making good boards for a long time so it's always hard to hate one of their snowboards. The Rome Graft is not as sexy as some of the reverse camber park boards but it still has amazing performance and more pop that most or all of the reverse camber or hybrid camber boards out there. Don't get us wrong the reverse camber world is catching up but is still a bit behind. We took this out in many different conditions and found this board predictable, playful and most of all really fun hitting kickers. The flex is just right, the edge hold is admirable for an all condition park board. If you are an intermediate rider who wants to get to the next level you can ride the Rome Graftbut an advanced to expert rider will unlock it's true potential.
Groomers- The Rome Graft rides well (not great) on just about any groomed run no matter how steep or how narrow. It is pretty stable and predictable for a park focused board so even though it's not the best at high speed turns you can get use to riding the Graft anywhere. It's not going to keep up with a friend of equal ability riding a Rome Anthem but that should probably go without saying.
Powder- This is mainly a park board but you should be ok as long as its not too deep. Reverse camber definitely has an advantage here.
Speed- The Rome Graft has a very fast base and a a soft flex so it is is comfortable with speed to a point. Its not just the kind of board you want if you like to straight line a steep run with but its fine for getting up speed for almost any jump or jib in the park. When we did open it up on a long groomed run the Graft starts to feel more and more rubbery and noodle out a bit. After a while you do get use to that feeling but its nothing like the Rome Agent or Rome Anthem when it comes to stability at speed. It does build up speed very quickly which is necessary in the park if you want to go big or keep up momentum. All in all we were pretty impressed on the performance here because we did not expect much when it came to Romes Park board.
Lightweight- The Graft is not going to hurt your knee hanging from the chairlift and it's easy to throw around. Rome was smart to give this board a little more durability instead of weight since it will most likely see a lot of time in the park.
Turn Initiation- The Graft can turn well even though it has that spiny floaty jibby feel. If your in a steep critical situation it will always turn where you need it to go. It has a floaty feel to it when you are not rail and makes you feel comfortable in the flats. It takes a little bit more lean to make this board turn but because its soft its still very responsive. One result from this type of set up is it takes a little more effort to ride one foot off the chair than other boards.
Edge Hold- It's sufficient when the edges are not de-tuned. It holds a rail fine on a turn but its nothing you want out on an icy day or on an icy pipe wall especially if you completely de-tune the edges.
Carving Ability- The Graft is not made for carving but if you decide to leave the park and play around carving regular or switch it will do a pretty good job. The camber and pretty decent edge hold makes the Graft more fun than you would think if you want to lay it out.
Stiffness- Its pretty soft and flexy which makes this board fun for almost everything in the terrain park. It's not a complete noodle and we like that. The Graft has enought to handle going medium to big. If you want a stiff twin get the Rome Design.
Switch- There is no difference riding either direction. True Twin's are always perfect riding switch.
Pipe- The Graft's floaty edge catch free feel does not make this the best board for the pipe. It does have decent edge hold out of the box and can perform adequately but if pipe is your thing look for another board. However if you like a softer snowboard for the pipe or like to ride when the pipe is soft The Rome Graft will be a forgiving catch free ride.
Jibbing/Rails/Boxes- This is a super jib friendly board. Any rail, box or ?? will be fun as hell to hit. Its also well made so it can handle alot of park time. There are many boards out that can do better but this is a great choice for those who still want to be able to hang in other places in the park. .
Jumps- This might be one of the Graft's best qualities. Hit it and land it any way you want. You'll be more than fine with this board. It feels like it wants to spin as you hit the kicker. It is also very forgiving for a cambered board when landing.
All in all this is a great choice for someone who wants to hang in the park with a solid lively board.
The Good Ride Take on Rome
Rome is relatively new but has some of the best people in the industry working there. For example the designer of the Burton custom is now a principle and designer at Rome. Their strong point is that they make exceptional park and all mountain snowboards. They make boots and bindings that are loved or hated but don’t have the rep that their boards have. From what we have experienced with their clothing its well made, fits well and the waterproofing isn’t bad for the price. Their gloves are hit or miss and don’t really have the rep that their clothing does. They have exceptional customer service and everyone at Rome seems to really love what they are doing so if you have an issue it will most likely be handled professionally. Rome hasn’t really been leading the innovation charge the last few years but almost everything they make is well thought out and fun to use. Rome has the average to 100+ day freestyle to all mountain rider dialed out.
Rome Graft 2011
STRAP IN. SPIN. JIB. SLASH. REPEAT.
For those park riders who prefer the energized kick of Stay Positive Camber board, the Graft is a true twin that loves popping off the lip of jumps, pressing boxes and throwing methods in the middle of natural lines. Of the positive camber collection boards, we keep this one on the buttery side to control for the maximum amount of playful pleasure when you want that precision pop.
MSRP: $430.00 USD
New Tech
Shape/Camber
True Twin
Positive
Pop Core Matrix
Lightweight wood with a high “pop” factor for a dynamic, snappy feel
StraightBiax Carbon Laminate
A super smooth catch-free biaxial feel, lighter and poppier with carbon
SinterTrue Base
Wax absorbent and strong, this base ups the speed for extended play
Carbon Centerline Stringer Technology
Amplified ollies with added power off the edge by channeling energy into the contact points
Basalt Impact Plates™
Lightweight, eco-friendly protection under your bindings
Park Edge Bevel
-2° base/-2° side for a blend of finesse and grip
Rome Graft 2010
MSRP: $430.00 USD
SLAY THE SHRED, FROM BAKER BACKCOUNTRY TO DOWNTOWN MONTREAL
It really comes down to whatever floats your board when you ride a Graft. Dropping pillow lines? Check. Dropping burly retaining walls to near-flat landing? Check. Dropping hammers off widow-makers? Check. Doubts? Re-check the footage in No Correct Way—the essence of all-mountain freestyle fun.
Pop Core Matrix Pop Core Matrix Lightweight and smooth flexing
StraightBiax Carbon Laminate
StraightBiax Carbon Laminate
The ollie pop of carbon in the tip and tail built on a buttery 90-degree foundation SinterTrue Base
SinterTrue Base
Strong wax absorption for fast, fun-filled days
Impact Plates™
2.5 times stronger under foot
Carbon Centerline Stringer Technology
From the inserts to the tips, carbon down the centerline powers ollies and nollies without any unwanted torsional stiffness
Edge Bevel: Park (-2° base/-2° side) Edge Bevel: Park (-2° base/-2° side) Catch-free to add comfort and control off jumps, but with plenty of bite once on edge
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Positive Camber Traditional positive camber delivers dynamic energy release from edge to edge and a ton of pop in the nose and tail
Pop Core Matrix
Pop Core Matrix
Lightweight and smooth flexing
StraightBiax Carbon Laminate
StraightBiax Carbon Laminate
The ollie pop of carbon in the tip and tail built on a buttery 90-degree foundation SinterTrue Base
SinterTrue Base
Strong wax absorption for fast, fun-filled days
Impact Plates™
2.5 times stronger under foot
Carbon Centerline Stringer Technology
From the inserts to the tips, carbon down the centerline powers ollies and nollies without any unwanted torsional stiffness Edge Bevel: Park (-2° base/-2° side)
Edge Bevel: Park (-2° base/-2° side)
Catch-free to add comfort and control off jumps, but with plenty of bite once on edge
Positive Camber
Traditional positive camber delivers dynamic energy release from edge to edge and a ton of pop in the nose and tail
Terrain Mapping
- Mountain: 7
- Park: 10
- Street: 9
- Transition: 7
Calibrated Flex
- Longitudinal: 5
- Torsional: 5
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