Location: Mammoth, CA
Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to softpacked groomed runs.
Setup: I rode the Signal OG with my Union Team bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.
Size: 155cm.
First Impression: The original series – it’s been around the block and camber knows how to keep on riding.
Weight: Average
Flex: The OG had a stiffer flex longitudinally but also felt like the nose was softer than the tail of the board. Both were still on the stiffer end for flex, torsionally I thought it was stiffer as well. It’s still an all mountain freestyle board but definitely on the stiffer end of the spectrum. The OG is also traditional camber. For me I like going back to camber snowboards every now and then, they are consistent in how they ride and can keep you on your toes for not slacking off while riding.
Turning: I really liked the long radius turns with the OG, as wide and long as I wanted down the runs were perfect. The shorter radius turns I thought weren’t as quick to get into it mostly due to the stiffer flex and probably my boot size in relation. Being back on camber meant riding on my game but it also let me just rally into carves and really held an edge.
Stable: This board is built for high speeds and it shows when you take it to snow and point it. The stiffer all mountain flex can handle the hauling down the slopes without feeling out of control.
Pop: Good snap to the board and was fun with ollies. It was very comfortable on the jumps with and very stable on landings. It wasn’t the easiest board to press or butter with but it’s not that type of board anyway.
Switch: The OG is set back with a directional flex with a twin shape but I found it just as fun and comfortable switch as it is regular. It wasn’t too difficult to ride despite it not being a true twin, I was fine with how it handled switch.
Overall Impression: The OG is that signature signal snowboard that withstands time. The camber matches it completely and it gives you a board that you can haul with and just enjoy the ride. For all-mountain freestyle, on the stiffer side but definitely ideal for jump lines and freeriding.
Shay’s Honesty Box: I own a custom handpainted by myself-OG but it’s a 148 which is incredibly small and so I only rode it a couple times before retiring it to the wall as a piece of art collection. Finally riding the OG in my size was awesome to experience and definitely a huge difference from the 148 I rode!
Ready to buy?Head over to evo for the Signal OG or shop their full line of Signal snowboards
On Snow Photo
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Signal OG description
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Review Disclosure: I rode this board at the WWSRA Mammoth on-snow. Please be aware boards may change, this review was done in February 2011.
Phil
May 19, 2011 at 1:45 pmI love this board!!! For me (6′ 185) the 157 just kills it. Great pop, perfect flex, super stable in the pipe – just my favorite all around board. And I’m even more stoked that they are making the waist widths a little narrower this year, that will make it rip even harder and be a little more responsive for spins etc. Can’t say enough good things about this board and I’m a board slut I’ve slept with them all:)
Pete
May 19, 2011 at 4:08 pmI love your blogs, but I have a suggestion, especially for potential buyers. It’d be cool to see your top 5 in categories at the top…say freeride, all mountain, free style, and park, or however you chose to create categories.
I really like your reviews, but I have trouble reading between the lines to know where you’d rank em overall with everything you have ridden.
Thanks!
Phil
May 20, 2011 at 6:18 amPete, I have been reading Shay’s reviews for awhile and have ridden many of the same boards. I think there are many characteristics of a board and it’s design that can be “translated” (so to speak) from rider to rider or reviewer to rider. But only if you keep a set of criteria in mind. Especially a rider’s weight, riding ability, and style of riding they prefer.
What’s nice about Shay’s reviews is that she focuses on certain information that is useful regardless of personal differences, such as sidecut, flex (which can be relative), camber etc. I think her top 5 choices would have to be viewed through the “filter” of your own weight (flex), your riding style (sidecut, camber, length etc.) and your own ability and riding style.
I know the Signal OG is not a stiff board for me because of my weight, and I only ride cambered boards because rather than finding them unforgiving I find them super responsive. But I’ve been reading Shay’s reviews long enough to know our differences. I think a TOP 5 is a fun idea but not necessarily the best way to pick a board for yourself. You would be better off asking her questions that apply specifically to your profile as a rider.
DALTON
October 12, 2011 at 7:22 amhi,
i am planning to buy a freestlye all mountain board but finding hard to decide what board will fit better. Actually i ve a Jussy Burton camber, which is very good for groomers but would like to have a second board more playfull, less stiffer to be able to butter.
My doubts are between the lib tech travis rice and the signal OG.
My weight is 84 kg and my height 180cm
Any reco ?
thanks
DALTON
October 13, 2011 at 1:02 pmhey guys … any reco ???
I need to buy my board soon …..
Note: i know the boards i stated are not the best for pressing, butter, etc … but the truth is that i need it for all mountain and i am not a guy who stays in the park for long or do lot of rails …. i want a board to go at medium speed, but playin with switches and doing some ollies,
although, let me know of other board you think can work well ; What about Bataleon ET…. Now, it s important for me to find it different to what i hace today ,,, the jussy burton 159 … but from 2008. I find it very good board, but stiff and not forgiving at all
look forward for your tips ….
Shay
October 13, 2011 at 5:09 pmPete, great suggestion! I did the 2012 Top Picks for the top boards this year. Definitely check it out http://www.shayboarder.com/2011/08/shayboarders-2012-top-picks.html
Phil, thanks 🙂
Dalton, both boards would handle the mountain just depends if you want to mix it up with the camber/reverse camber style. Mostly if you want to stick with camber, go with the signal OG. If you want the range of reverse camber, the trice would be a good choice and it handles all mountain very well. I haven’t ridden the burton jussi to compare how different the boards are.