Similar to surfboards, snowboards often come in a wide range of forms according to their particular functions. Directional boards, bidirectional twin boards, real twin boards, and asymmetrical boards are some examples of these forms. The directional boards are often designed with a long, pointed nose and a setback attitude towards the tail that make them appropriate for forward riding. These slice exceptionally well on the piste and easily plow through the snow.
Although you may have noticed, asymmetrical snowboards are becoming increasingly popular for reasons other than their peculiar appearance. then why? The fact that people were (in their largest part) symmetric from left to right but not from front to back has been acknowledged by snowboard designers.
Asymmetrical Snowboards
Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard
A sharper side cut at the heel’s edge is a common feature of asymmetrical snowboards, which tends to boost carving performance. Due to the inherent mechanics of the human body, the heel side turns are often more difficult to complete; as a result, the side cuts are strengthened on this side, which compresses the turning circles and acts as a counterweight. Why Do You Want Asymmetrical Snowboarding?
Although individuals are often symmetrical from left to right, most snowboard designers have come to the conclusion that people are in fact asymmetrical from front to back.
Thus, this snowboard aids you in two primary ways in which you may naturally overcome physiological asymmetry:
SIDE CUTS WITH ASYMMETRY
Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard Asymmetrical Snowboard
Asymmetry in snowboarding may also be achieved by adjusting the sidecuts. All of the boards with asymmetric sidecuts feature more dramatic, shorter, deeper heel sidecuts. This is crucial for enhancing mobility and tighter heel-side turns. By using the snowboard’s heel side edges, the sidecuts not only provide you balance but also more instinctive and natural body control.
Asymmetrical sidecuts on snowboards may also be adjusted. Asymmetric sidecut boards feature a more obvious, shorter, deeper heel side sidecut. This again aids in tighter heel-side turns and better maneuverability. Asymmetric sidecuts enhance your balance by enhancing your control when interacting with the board’s heel side edge.
When the snowboard’s heel edge has a deeper sidecut (i.e., a smaller sidecut radius) than the toe edge, the board is said to have an asymmetrical sidecut. Theoretically, it might happen the other side around and still be considered asymmetrical, but it would negate the benefits, which we’ll look at below. Take, for instance, the YES Greats 156. The sidecut radius of the toe edge is 6.8 meters, while the heel edge is 6.3 meters. Keep in mind that a smaller sidecut radius denotes a deeper sidecut.
HEELSIDE
This is yet another excellent method the human body may be taken into account to fully reconcile the variations brought on by the asymmetrical snowboard’s construction. Owing to the narrow radius and characteristic perfection of toe side spins, manufacturers developed snowboards with softer cores beneath the heels. This allows the rider to bend the board more on the heel side for a tighter, more accurate, and more natural turn experience. This only indicates that this snowboard’s heel side responds more like a toe side’s turns.
The core construction of a snowboard is another factor that may be used to explain the toe-to-heel variations in the human body. Manufacturers have developed boards using softer cores underneath the heels because toe-side turns can frequently be more accurate and have a smaller radius. This enables the rider to make a tighter, more accurate, and more natural-feeling turn by flexing the board a bit more on the heel side.
This frequently pairs including an asymmetrical sidecut. If that makes sense, it basically indicates that the shoe side, which is closest to the center of the board, has a contact point that is farther down the sidecut than the toe side. The picture might be useful. Similar to the situation also with sidecut difference eye, it is typically just subtle.
The Asymmetric Snowboard’s Riding Style
While your ride upon your toe side turns, an asymmetric snowboard primarily interacts very rapidly upon the side turns of the heel to make riding flawless. As we ride down the slope, your snowboard control will improve. The disparity in mobility between your toes and heels is mostly made up for by this snowboard. It’s also important to think about whether the winter weather you will be dealing with calls for a rocker or camber profile. For a complete explanation, see the Rocker vs. Camber Guide.
Asymmetric snowboards completely minimize the possibility of your board trembling and slipping out from under you when you attempt a quick heel side stop.
Why the asymmetry? What advantages are there?
When viewed from the front, humans appear to be quite symmetrical, but when viewed from the side, this symmetry disappears. For the majority, it is more challenging to carve as low or rail a tight, rapid turn on the heel side. Physically, it is much simpler to perform this on the toe side. Asymmetrical snowboards are designed to attempt to rectify this body imbalance. You might say it’s attempting to restore the balance between the toe and heel side twists. A goal is to make tight heel-side rotations as simple as their toe-side equivalents.
How well do these forms succeed in accomplishing that? I’d rate it as fairly decent. They undoubtedly converge heel and toe side rotations, in my opinion. Perhaps does not totally level things out, but in my experience with the majority of asyms, I have discovered an improvement in reaction, carving, and quick sharp turns on asym boards on the heel side.
Why Only Twins?
Although there are few instances of this rule being broken, such as the former GNU Zoid and the present GNU Spasym, asymmetry is often only seen on true twin snowboards. Why is that so?
First off, you need special boards for riders with silly feet and ordinary feet if you want an asym that isn’t a real twin. A real twin has a unique heel edge and a unique toe edge, but the design is basically identical except from the asymmetry, so you may ride it in either direction and it will behave the same way. Hence, it makes no difference whether you’re silly or normal as long as your heels are positioned on the heel edge.
If you have a different heel side compared to toe side, you must have distinct goofy and normal versions of a directional board which is made to ride in one way more optimally.
The second factor is that, even though you’re riding a directional board, you are probably freeriding, which allows you to employ front lean on your highbacks to increase heel reaction. Maybe not exactly the same as employing asymmetry but an alternative that’s available. On the other hand, freestyle riders—who are much more likely to seek a twin—tend to want a low or absent highback forward lean.
Again for time being at least, asyms are mostly seen in twin populations, but I would argue that the initial reason is the more important one.
Again, I’m not sure what the mechanical difference is, but switching on an asym seems somewhat more natural than on other genuine twin boards. Don’t get me wrong; any true twin is fantastic for switch riding; it’s just that the asym seems to make it even better. Riding +15/-15 is also beneficial, of course!
Tail and Tip Forms
The majority of asym boards have what appear to be crooked tips and tails, as you may have already seen. Why does this happen? In other words, next to nothing! This is mostly an aesthetic issue. Although some asyms have a different appearance at the tip and tail, the majority do.
Summary
I guess it sums up asym boards, in my opinion. Personally, I like them. Who wouldn’t desire heelside turns that are simpler and feel more natural?
Have you ever ridden an asym? What did you think—did you enjoy it? Not really? Be curious to learn what other people believe about async. Simply post a remark in the space provided below.