Board advise, 2017: North Xride vs Naish Monarch

[madmax7]

Anyone can recommend?

Been riding North X and shopping for new but Monarch intrigues

My X is easy on knees, but pop not Great, but it's a 2010

I'm not a hard core jumper (too old, 57yo) but looking for more pop... And maybe a bit more speed.

Monarch concerns me lack of rocker ?? Maybe sacrifices carving turn?

But my Maui friends love it...

Any recommendations appreciated


Thanks,

Max

[runner1]

The early Monarchs might have been a good option, but I find the 2017 pretty stiff in the chop. It does carve noticeably better than the 2014 though.

What about a motion?

[madmax7]

Looked at motion runner. And thanks for input.

Did not strike me as a speed and pop board. But don't know

So a bit below in pecking order

[Dirk]

Had Monarch 2016 and 2017 and currently ride Motion. Before that Shinn Monk (2015) which I still have and X-ride 2009.

Monarch is a great board, fast, grippy, loads of pop and it carves nice. The board is stiff but rides quite well in chop when your are in its sweet spot. Must be an effect of the channels. When riding overpowered it needs strong legs and takes quite a bit of energy. It is very solid but not the lightest board.

Motion is easier to ride. Has a lot of rocker (5cm), obviously carves well. I have not found major disadvantages in low end and speed, but would think that side by side the Monarch would win. For me the speed is more than sufficient. It is a very good allround board, you can jump high, it has enough pop for basic popped jumps, you can carve small waves.

I believe the 2009 and 2010 X-rides were similar in flex. My X-ride was way softer than the Motion. My Monk, which is a renowned top freeride board and has more performance than the old X-ride, is also softer than the Motion, noticeably in the tips.

My Motion in motion https://vimeo.com/243509114

There is a carbon version of the motion, the Drive, which is the same shape with different construction and thus supposedly a bit more performance.

[ChickenD!ken]

If you’re going to drop 800 bucks on a board you should consider the Fusion 3. Best performance freeride/freestyle board I’ve ever owned. Ticks all the boxes except megaloop landings and wakestyle.

[madmax7]

These boards are 2017 and are less than $600

Core prices are crazy high, I’ll wait for Euro to drop by 1/2

Haha

[ChickenD!ken]

Fair enough. It’s really not a rip off when you consider they only do 3 TT’s covering the whole spectrum. Most other brands want to throw 7 different TT boards at you when you only really need 1 or 2. Fusion does everything but wakestyle. Recommend you demo if you get the chance..