THE SYSTEM – BY ARBOR

Posted on: October 18, 2011 by admin

TRUE-ROCKER THAT WORKS

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 camber, the lengthwise positive arc of a snowboard, with a reverse shape similar to the profile of a surfboard. By doing so, you eliminate the leverage required to release and reengage a snowboard’s traditional outside contact points.

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 designs. 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, Arbor offers The System to provide riders with an amazing amount of on demand edge hold in a true-rocker design that preserves the full range of performance benefits. We did this by perfecting the true-rocker profile, while building in real edge control through a unique sidecut. In our opinion, the award winning “System” has proven to be the best rocker design yet offered. As a result, we’ve further expanded The System offering to ten models across three technology combinations:

INCLUDES: GRIP-TECH, PARABOLIC ROCKER, TRUE-TWIN SHAPING, POWER PLY TOPSHEET, ROBUSTO TIPS, ROCKER FLEX

INCLUDES: GRIP-TECH, PARABOLIC ROCKER, TRUE-TWIN SHAPING, POWER PLY TOPSHEET, CORONA TIPS, ROCKER FLEX

INCLUDES: GRIP-TECH, PARABOLIC ROCKER, DIRECTIONAL-TWIN SHAPING, POWER PLY TOPSHEET, TORO TIPS, ROCKER FLEX

TECHNOLOGIES

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 enables Arbor 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 allows us to gradually reduce the amount of rocker toward the tip and tail. 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. Arbor’s Parabolic Rocker provides an additional layer of on-demand edge control without having to sacrifice any true-rocker performance.

ROCKER FLEX: A rocker specific flex pattern designed to address how riders experience flex on de-cambered boards.

POWER PLY: To counter the loss on “System” models of the leaf spring effect found in camber designs, we turned to our Power Ply technology. By adding a third structural composite layer, in the form of a wood or bamboo topsheet, we significantly enhanced board pop and return for much improved true-rocker performance. Note: No Power Ply on the Formula.

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. This allows them to most 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 changes and improves how a board connects with the snow. On the Park and JIB Systems we utilize a TRUE-TWIN design to support street and park riding. On the Mountain System we use a DIRECTIONAL-TWIN shape to provide added nose length for the deepest pow days.

TIP PROFILES: Because of the new and improved way in which Arbor’s “System” design connects with the snow, the role played by a board’s nose and tail have changed. As a result, we’ve created specialized tip profiles for each design. On the JIB System we use ROBUSTO TIPS that have a blunt shape and flat kick to support street-style riding with improved press and butter performance. On the Park System we use CORONA TIPS that have a semi-blunt shape and flat kick to support more versatile park and all-mountain performance. On the Mountain System we use TORO TIPS that have a drawn out design to support on-mountain and backcountry riding with deeper snow performance.