10.18.2011

THE SYSTEM – BY ARBOR

Rocker snowboards exploded onto the market because they’re fun to ride. They deliver alternative performance not found in traditional camber designs. Rocker, also known as “reverse camber” is created by replacing the lengthwise positive arc of a camber snowboard with a reverse shape similar to the profile of a surfboard. By doing so, the leverage required to release and reengage a snowboard’s traditional contact points is eliminated.

When done right, a “true-rocker” board (no added camber or flat zones) delivers the widest range of alternative performance benefits including improved turn initiation, seamless performance, and more fluid spins, slides, presses, and butters. Unfortunately, early designs did not provide enough edge hold, so they washed out at speed, in the steeps, and during landings. As a result, designers around the industry have been working to improve the edge performance of their rocker models. In some cases, this has meant putting camber back into the nose and tail. This “hybrid” design does improve edge control, but it sacrifices some of the benefits of riding true-rocker.

In response, we offer the award winning System, which provides riders an amazing level of edge hold in a design that preserves the full range of true-rocker benefits.

GRIP-TECH:
A sidecut design that creates four additional contact points under foot for significantly improved, more direct edge control. The new contacts also create heel and toe pivot points that make turning faster and more efficient. Grip-Tech allows us to offer a “true-rocker” profile with powerful edge control, and thus preserve the full range of associated performance benefits. Grip-Tech also allows riders with larger feet (up to US men’s 12) to ride standard width shapes.

PARABOLIC ROCKER:
A “true-rocker” design based on the parabolic arc; a shape that gradually reduces the amount of rocker toward the tips. This ensures that the outside contact points are close enough to the snow to reengage when maximum edge control is needed: loaded turns, higher speeds, and bigger landings. Our Parabolic Rocker provides an additional layer of on- demand edge control without sacrificing any true-rocker performance. On the Abacus splitboard, the rocker was reclined more in the tail to provide improved performance when skinning.

POWER PLY:
To counter the loss of the “leaf spring” like effect inherent in camber designs, we turned to our signature Power Ply technology. By adding an additional structural layer to the board, in the form of a wood or bamboo topsheet, we significantly enhance board pop and return for much improved true-rocker performance. Note: No Power Ply on the Formula and Poparazzi.

TWIN SHAPING:
By utilizing “twin” shapes, which have centered stance set-ups, we ensure that riders position themselves directly over the Grip-Tech contact points.‚Ä®This allows them to effectively activate Grip-Tech’s edge performance. Note: the need for built in setback for deep or mixed conditions is eliminated because of the way the System’s rocker design changes and improves how a board connects with the snow.

The way the System blends the technologies above creates a single design that works for all riding styles. To dial in the design for specific terrain, we simply adjust the shape and flex. By doing this we’ve created five versions of the System, each designed to meet the needs of a target terrain.