K2 Excavator Snowboard Review vs YES Optimistic and Ride Peace Seeker
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2024
- K2 Excavator Full Review: thegoodride.com/snowboard-rev...
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Snowboard Video Review Fast Forward Markers.
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:45 - How It Was Tested
1:21 - Summary
2:21 - Sizing
3:26 - Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel
4:30 - Edge Hold
5:36 - Flex Personality
6:30 - Uneven Terrain
6:52 - Speed/Base Glide
8:20 - Turning/Carving
9:56 - Powder
11:24 - Conclusion 
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I just picked up the 154 last week! LET IT SNOW!!!!! Keep dropping these videos, they are great!
right on and thank you!
the second I saw you hauling butt toward between the orange fence line toward that tunnel I knew you were at Mission Ridge. One of my favorites spots besides White Pass.
Ha! we love Mission Ridge. Such a great mountain. You ride in a great place.
Def my fave board of the season, I have both the 22 and 23, haven’t ridden the 23 yet but the 22 carbon infused base is super quick glide, like quicker than my mega merc 22 base. Size 11us slx on a 154, I found this extremely nimble. I wonder if the change of core and base have effected it.
I’ve really enjoyed the k2 instrument 57 too. Amazing board
Why did you get both? Do you see any flex difference between the 22/23? I have the 22 158 and it feels on the high end of medium stiff, surprised Thegoodride says it’s on the low end of medium stiff but he has got the 23.
@@birdymeo I live in New Zealand so picked up the 23 very cheap end of season sale couldn’t not do it. I liked it that much. They seem similar in flex. Def notice a bit of difference in structure in the base on the 22. Do you find yours reasonably quick edge to edge? Mines pretty manoeuvrable
@@timhunt7155 I have the 158 and 12 size feet, 170 lbs. Reasonably quick and maneuverable. I would like to try a 154 to compare.
Thanks for your take!
Did they change the core on this from the 1st vintage? They definitely went cheaper on the base which blows kinda surprised they put a cheaper base on this and the alchemist this year that was an attractive selling point
Great review. I like all your YT stuff and always watch your reviews! I'm 6'1, 210 LBS, size 9.5 boots and looking for a fun board that I can ride powder in, but still handle things as they get tracked out and will also shred groomers at the resort. I live on the east(ice) coast, but travel west often - my company is headquartered in Vancouver so i usually end up in BC once or twice a winter and catch a flight to Colorado/Utah once or twice each winter. My purpose of this board is one to bring on those trips west, not really ride much here back East unless I get lucky with it dumping - happens, but not often. I have been riding for 35 years and consider myself an advanced rider. My go to riding is a mix of hauling ass at times, cruising and laying down good carves other times, always on the hunt for side hits, and riding some switch. I'll ride park, but stick to small/medium jumps and only really 50/50 rails/boxes. I much rather find natural stuff and side hits to jump. Obviously I love powder when I have a chance to ride it and I'm looking at this board as a powder board with benefits. LOL. One I can also ride groomers/side hits with when the snow isn't good or gets tracked. Currently have a few twins, a GNU RCC3 157.5 - great for a playful forgiving day of butters/park/jumping side hits and moguls, but can't handle bombing all that well. Also have a Burton Free Thinker 160 - believe it or not great edge hold on the ice we get here, likes to charge, and a really good all around board except for powder. I also have a Ride Twin Pig 154 with a 268 waist width that I just picked up this season. I have only been on the board twice and I thought I would notice the width on this board more(in a negative way), but it has been a non factor. Chatters maybe more than I would like when I crank up the speed, but carves like a dream with that width. I can really lay it over and dig a trench. This has opened my eyes to being able to handle wider boards with my size 9.5 boots. I did buy a Hometown Hero 160 last season to try and get that board to fill this purpose as one to bring out West. I find that it is decent in powder, but wish I had more float. Additionally, the edge hold is pretty bad in anything firm. It washes pretty easy. The board is just MEH - does everything ok, but nothing great that makes you get excited to ride it. Also tried a friends Nidecker Thruster 159 out west last season and really didn't like it. No dampness at all, you feel every little micro vibration and it just wears you out. Sorry for writing a novel, LoL. I saw in another post that you asked someone for more information so I gave you a book! Keep up the great work, I really enjoy the channel!!
Thanks. Yeah this is really hard to do on YT. If you hit me up here I can give a much better answer. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/ Yeah the Excavator 154 could for sure work for ya and that Twinpig is super special for a board that wide for guys like us with size 9's. Check the Korua Transition Finder 157, Yes Optimistic 154 and possibly the 157, Jones Hovercraft 160 or Amplid Surfari 157 and possibly the 160 Burton Gril Master.
My specs are identical to yours, 9.5 boot, 215 lbs and 6 feet tall. I rode this in a 150 as the most important factor to me is edge to edge response, this board was still great in that size. I have a GNU Gremlin in 155 which i think is similar to this K2 in the 154, I don’t like that board at all, very sluggish to me. This K2 ripped in the 150 for me, slashy and nimble. Haven’t ridden it in powder yet though.
Excavator is a killer deck... like it better than the orca and the backslash too bad they ditched the carbon 5500 base though
Thanks for sharing your take.
Really good overview and comparison! What other (slightly mid-wide) boards with a DEEP sidecut are out there, that would have a faster base AND really good edge hold for firm carving conditions? Gremlin? Banked Country? Ultra Mind Expander? Others?
Thanks. Gremlin is. Banked Country is more of a traditional sized freeride board except the 160w. Ultra Mind Expander and Mind Expander is. Check the site here and hit the Alt Freeride Filter. thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/?mens=1
Or hit me up here and I can throw legit suggestions your way. thegoodride.com/snowboard-binding-and-boot-advice/
Solid work gentlemen.
Many thanks!
Torn between the Orca and the Excavator as a pure powder board here in the NW. This is mostly for cat skiing, and snowmobile access terrain. I'm 5'10/185/10 and like the idea of a 153. Which would you choose for float and turning in alpine and in trees? I have a Burton flying V for my resort riding which I still love even though it's really old
Neither. If you arent riding geoomers or resorts go with something better like a Burton Fish or spring break powder. Or hit me up here for in depth advice. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
How would you compare this board with the Korua boards (pencil and dart) for carving and hard charge? Thanks
Nothing like the Pencil or Dart. Its much closer to the Transition Finder.
Another great review, I’m really enjoying these. Would you say the k2 excavator is better or worse than the jones mind expander. Looking for a powder board that’s not bad all over the rest of the mountain. To go with my jones aviator 2.0 which I love
Many thanks
Many thanks! One isn't better than the other. They are just different. If you like the fast base of the Aviator 2.0 I don't think you will like the slower base of the Excavator. Also if you want something more quick to turn with better grip go Mind Expander. If you want something shorter/wider that floats and carves well the Excavator could work. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better and possibly suggest other boards. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Great Review, once more! This and the last covered the 2 boards I have been interested in most for a while, so thank you! :) As an everyday ride with focus on carving and resort riding (often hard to icy) for a 6'3", 165pounds, size 12 boots, would you go with a Gremlin 154 or the K2 Excavator (154 or 158? I'm thinking more 158 to prevent boot drag but maybe I'm too light for it)? How would you compare the Excavator to the Flight Attendant as a one-to-do-it-all board? Don't know if the Gremlin or the Excavator would be a better asset to the FA. Have been leaning heavily on getting the Gremlin due to its mange-traction (sth that the FA truly unfortunately lacks) but have had the Excavator on the radar for a long time now too... I thought the Gremlin would be a great asset for the harder/icier days (is it grabby in softer snow with its serated edges?) whereas the Excavator could be kinda more of a replacement of the FA. Would appreciate an expert view on that. Thanks a lot!
Thanks! So yeah the Gremlin 158 would be an excellent hard snow solution for your specs. The Excavator is better just about everywhere else except edge hold and carving. It is a better than the Flight Attendant in harder snow but still far from the Gremlin. So if you want something for hard snow go Gremlin for sure. If you don't necessarily need a hard snow specialist you can get a lot more out of an Excavator and Flight Attendant as a 2 board quiver. Both are very versatile boards in a lot of different conditions and both have a very different ride to them so it really diversifies your quiver. You also get a little better float in deep pow with the Excavator vs. the Flight Attendant. Now Flight Attendant vs. Excavator? Like I said above they are very different in how they ride but yeah...both could be a daily driver.
@@thegoodridesnow Thanks so much for the detailed answer!!!
@@thegoodridesnow And you'd go 158 with the Gremlin? Am a bit afraid that I might be a bit light for it as it's meant to be ridden a bit shorter (but I've never been on avolume shifted board). The width would be just great but I'm unsure if the 158 might buck me around too much compared to the 155, on which I might be more able to comfortably engage the camber and edge in hard snow?!? Sorry for bothering, we ain't got nothin close to a snowboard expert around where I live, so thanks for your time and sharing of knowledge!
You can go 155 and it should be ok if you want a really quick, smaller super easy turning board. It will be a little narrow for size 12 boots though. The flex isn't super stiff so if you want a super hard carving hard snow board that won't boot out for your 12's you need the 158. The 155 might boot out on you on super hard carves or in steeper terrain. At 6'3", size 12 and 165lbs the 158 is still on the small side for you. What size is your Flight Attendant?
@@thegoodridesnow thanks. The FA is 159w, but only because the 161w was too stiff for my weight probably because of the carbon ibeam. Had a really hard time to get the edge to grip and keep it locked in. Almost impossible for me (maybe it was just that one board, I don't know) That's why I got the 159w and it works way better but as you said, it's just not quite wide enough... so if you say the Gremlin is a bit softer (as I imagine, after your review), the 158 might be the board of choice?! I really need it for the hard days. I love the FA a lot, except edge hold. Don't know why Burton can't fix that...same with the 161w Hometown hero. Love that for freeriding and powder, but as soon as it gets harder, it always slips out...have been thinking about trading both for a Excavator to have a one board quiver and be happy, but at the end of the day I really like FA and HTH a lot, except for the edge hold. That's why I thought the Gremlin mighe be the right addition, just absolutely unsure about sizing. Any advice on 155 or 158 would be highly appreciated! Thanks a lot!
Hey, really appreciate the review and the work you're doing!
I just bought a 154 excavator (5,10 (178cm), 10US, 75KG (165lbs).
I'm currently riding a 157 Mountain Twin with a Jones meteorite (2023 edition).
Do you think I can use the Meteorites on the excavator? would it pair well?
Thanks!!!
Thanks! Yeah Meteorites can work and give em a try. If you want more response consider the Mercury, Now Drive, Drive Pro, Union Atlas, Force, Rome Katana or Cleaver.
Whats up guys! Great video by the way. Ok im 5'8 and 160ibs size 9 boot. Can't decide between the 150 and the 146! Usually ride a 154 for all mountain / park and it sits right under my chin....
Thanks. I would go 150 for your specs. What make/model/size board do you ride now?
Sweet. I ride a 154 capita doa and it feels super solid under my feet for ripping groomers and park laps. It just doesn’t perform in powder.
I live in hawaii now and getting older so I only go snowboarding maybe 2 weeks out of the year so needless to say my park days are becoming less of a priority haha
You will for sure like the 150 then and sorry for the slow response.
Really looking at the excavator, Im 6'/200/8.5 could get a really good deal on the 154, should i hold out for a 158? would be my powderboard and late day lumps n bumps. I have a 157 trice pro that I love for everything but powder. You guys are awesome, thanks! I was curious how the float was for the big guy on a 154 excavator.
154 is a good call for your boot size and that is most important. Being 6'/200lbs but with 8.5 US boots makes it tough because boards that often fit your weight/height don't do as well for your boot size so they turn a little slower. I'd say the 154 is a good balance and if you can ride the 157 T. Rice Pro well then Go for it. Thanks!
Sizing advice for 2022 excavator (on sale!). I'm 150-155 lbs with 9.5 US boot. Riding more low angle pow than high angle.
Will the 150 be enough board for floating and carving?
Thank you!
I think you should be good to go at 150. What is your height, what make/model/size do you ride now and how does it work for you?
@@thegoodridesnow I'm 5"9 and currently riding my do-it-all Jones MT at 157. Feels great to me even though I did not have the chance to try the 154.
Yeah for sure go 150 Excavator.
Size 12 hooooves. See a lot more hard pack then POW. Any worries about heel/toe drag? Don’t use much angle on the back foot
Depends on the size you choose for those Hooves but for 154 and up you should be good. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
If you could only have one board to ride and you mainly carve groomers and get to ride pow rarely. do you pick the K2 passport or the K2 excavator? (I only ride 7 days a year in colorado)
Not sure based on the info you gave me. Passport (review coming) is more of a traditional feeling board that is better in uneven snow because it isn't as wide. The Excavator has more pop, a better turning experience and better float in powder. It is pretty wide so it can be more challenging in messy to bumpy snow. Hit me up here if you want real advice. thegoodride.com/snowboard-binding-and-boot-advice/
@@thegoodridesnow appreciate it! Just submitted a form 👍🏻
6’2 250 size 13 boot, 158 or 162, been riding a 164 old k2 fatbob
Probably 162 for your boot size and weight.
How does this compare to the Solomon Dancehaul. I’m loving my dancehaul, but it just lacks power in steeper terrain. I’m looking for a dancehaul feel with a stiffer flex. Does this fit the bill?
They for sure have some overlap but definitely have their own unique personalities. The Excavator is stiffer and more damp so this could do the trick.
@@thegoodridesnow appreciate it. Thanks!
@@thegoodridesnow Just wanted to say thanks. I took the risk and bought the board. It's totally a different ride than a Dancehaul, but in a good way. I finally found my endgame board.
Great review, I think I'm sold on the excavator! What size would you recommend for me? I'm 6'2" 150lbs and wear a size 9.5 boot. I'm hoping to use it for some powder trips out west as well as carving on the groomers back here in the midwest,Thanks!
Its a great board. I think with your weight and boot size I would go 154. Cheers!
@@thegoodridesnow awesome, thanks!
absolutely love the reviews!! I need some sizing advice for the K2 Excavator tho. I am 5’11”, 190 and I currently ride the all mountain burton custom camber in a 158. I wear a size 10 and have medium bindings. Would the 150 be a good fit for me?
Many thanks. I would go 154. That is a better fit all around for your specs. 150 might feel a little too small.
How would this do in the Banff area moving from a burton instigator camber, resort powder hunting, trees and beginner side country? 5’10 215lbs, solid intermediate moving into advanced? Doing side country and avalanche course this year. Also considering the pyl uninc but, wanted to try volume shifted to shorted that board up a bit and get some nimbleness, I’m new so very open to correction.
So at the very least I need your boot size but It will be really hard to give you a good recommendation with the info you gave. If you want to do this correctly hit me up here because I need to know a lot more about you. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
If you want a quick answer the PYl Uninc might be good for you depending on your boot size. The Excavator could work too. So could the YES Hybrid and possibly the optimistic. The Peace Seeker needs to always be turning and kind of fights you going straight so it's hit or miss.
@@thegoodridesnow size 8.5 but I’ll also message you on your website! Is boot size important because the excavator has a wide waist? Thanks!
@@thegoodridesnow I sent a gear advice request in!
Hey Man, quick question. I am coming from a Korua transition finder (recently broke) and absolutely loved the board for all mountain purposes between groomers, powder, side hits/jumps, etc. Would the 2024 excavator be similar enough/worth the purchase? Compared to the transition finder?
I am 5'11", 190lbs, and size 11 boot. Thinking of going with the 158. I was riding a 157 transition finder.
Whatcha think? Thanks in advance guys, appreciate all yall do!!
Kind of. Base is slower, has less pop, doesn't carve as hard but it's not that far behind the TF you had. Not sure but it might be worth a go. Thanks!
@@thegoodridesnow what you are saying is that transition finder is better in almost everything?
@@Heycollege2010 Korua is known for boards that can carve. The TF is probably the only board in this class that may carve a smidge better than the Excavator. But the excavator rails carves with the best of them. Also with a size 11 boot you're going to get slightly more width(in the tip & tail) on the 158 than the 157 TF.
@Heycollege2010 No. I got more spring out of the turn, a faster base and more pop on an ollie with the Transition Finder but I think the Excavator is more forgiving and a little easier to ride all day for most average riders.
Hi guys. Considering picking up this board. I’m 5’9, about 203lbs and a size 43 boot. What would you recommend between the 154 and 158? Thanks.
154 would be easier to control and the 158 would better for you in pow and carve harder. It depends on what make/model/size/year board you are used to now though.
Im 6.2" 188lbs and boot size 10, want to ride this board all over the mountain and pow days , not sure if i would go for 162 or 158
I would go 158. With size 10's that will feel pretty big already. You could even pull off the 154 at size 10 and 188lbs.
Great review! Would you recommend this board over the Stump Ape? I wear a size 13 boot and weigh 190lbs
Thanks! Very different camber profiles and overall ride. The stump Ape is going to feel wider and have more grip and it will have that loose auto spiny feel in harder snow one footing/flat basing. The Excavator won't have the grip but it will have the stability in all conditions. It really comes down to personal preference and what calls to you more.
@@thegoodridesnow thanks so much!!
If you had to choose between the Excavator or The Weston Ridgeline which 1 do you prefer?
@@SnowboardJedi Man...those are two very different boards. They are so different I don't know where to start. I think it comes down to how you like to ride. I would need to know a lot more about you to help properly. Hit me up here. thegoodride.com/snowboard-binding-and-boot-advice/
Great video. I am 6feet 195lb size 9 boot. Should I go for 154 or 158. Thank you.
Thanks. 154
I’m 6’0” 215lbs 12 boot. Planning on using this as daily driver to do everything but park. Which size would you recommend?
158 would probably work best but if you want more board for powder and you like to bomb the 162 could work too. It just won't be as easy to handle in uneven snow.
@@thegoodridesnow what is bombing and can you explain why the bigger board would be harder to ride in uneven snow?
@@caseycasey1277 bombing is going super fast. You know how a board gets harder to control turn on a messy Sat afternoon? Well it is more difficult the wider/bigger the board is in those conditions. The extra length makes it harder to turn around emerging bumps and the extra width makes it harder to initiate that turn because you won't be as close to the sidecut to leverage it. Same goes in hard uneven snow too. At size 12 boots though the 162 will not be terrible in comparison to the 158 but just a little more work for you.
Which link gets you the most money? I’ll buy from that one. Thanks for all the help. I’m going with the 158.
Thanks for the thought. Greatly appreciated. Usually whoever is at the top we like to work with the most. Cheers!
Great review thanks guys. I'm 5'6 140 would the 142 be the one for me?
Thanks! What is your boot size?
@@thegoodridesnow 8.5!
Piggybacking on this. 5”7, 135lbs, US8 pls!
146 would work for both of you as a daily driver.
Which one would you prefer for just carvin' fast? The Ride MTNPIG or this one?
Both will do that well. I think the Mtn Pig will do better in hard microbumpy snow but the Excavator will have a little more pop in good conditions out of the turn.
@@thegoodridesnowthx! The slower turn initiation and the slower glide would be my concern. Would you say it would be noticeable? Thx in advance and your great work!
Yes we noticed the slower base in same day tests and you will notice it with friends who have boards with faster bases. You won't go as fast on a traverse.
Hello, I would like to ask you for help in choosing a snowboard. I choose a snowboard between nidecker beta apx vs k2 excavator. My height is 1.78 cm and weight is 104 kg (230 lbs) boots size 43 eu, Both snowboards would be 1.62 cm long, due to my weight. Therefore, I want to ask which one is better for powder and tree.
So both could work. You might like the 158 Excavator better for your boot size because the 162 is pretty wide for 43 EU's. Excavator will turn tighter circles. The Beta APX 162 is not a board I have ridden so hard to say but if the flex personality is the equivalent to the Alpha APX then it will be stiffer and more poppy but have more chatter in uneven snow. Since it's the same shape of the Beta we rode the 162 will want to make less tight radius turns and go faster the Beta or Beta APX is the call.
Great and very informative review! I'm 6.2, 190 pounds with 11 shoe size. Shpuld I go with 154 or 158? Thanks!
Thanks! You are in between sizes. I'd probably go 158. Especially if you like to carve hard, want lots of float in deep pow and like a bit more speed. It will be more work in uneven mid to end of the day snow though. That being said you could easily go 154 if you want a quicker/more maneuverable all day ride.
How does the Excavator compare to the Super 8? Is there a lot of overlap?
No. They are pretty different.
Can you review the Passport next, hearing great things
Its in the que but a few are in front of that. It is coming soon though.
5’11” 180 size 9 boot so torn between the 50 and 54
Tough call. I am almost your specs. 5'10", 185lbs & Size 9 boot. I really liked the 154 in all but messy tracked up mid day snow. It was a little fatiguing so if, lets say, you ride all day on a Saturday you might like the 150 better. If you live to carve morning groomers and want better float in clean powder then the 154 is the call. If you were a 10 or 11 I'd say go 154 for sure but the 9 boot makes guy's like us in between sizes. You have to choose between control for your boot and a better fit for your weight. Hit me up here if you want to get into this in more detail. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Very great video and i'm game to buy it! Only question, i'm 5'9", sz 8, 150lbs and I have ridden a Flow Rhythm with a 260mm waist width and it felt like a boat to me, whereas my old Rossi Taipan with 249mm waist width was perfect. Would it be worth going to 146 if I don't want such a wide board to bounce around even if im on the tail end of that weight limit?
Thanks! Not sure. Also not sure if comparing a flow Rhythm to the Excavator is apples to apples. I haven't ridden the Rhythm but would like to know what length and year Rhythm did you ride. I did ride the Taipan so knowing the length you ride now would really help. Or if you want real help hit me up here as there are a lot more things I'd like to know to help you properly. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
@@thegoodridesnow Hi thanks for your help! I rode a 2012 Rossignol Taipan 156cm and for a season I rode (and disliked) a 2010 Flow Rhythm in 155W.
I really just wanna figure if 146 or 150 is better in your mind
Gotcha. You had no business being on a 155w with size 8 boots. That is not the kind of wide that the Excavator is and is a very bad match for your specs. I wouldn't compare your experience with the Flow to what the Excavator is. Still, I'm not sure if the Excavator is the right board for you because I don't know enough about you and you are in between sizes. I would probably go 150 just because the 146 is a little too small for you and it won't ride like I described in the review.
@@thegoodridesnow Thank you so much for the advice! In addition I realized that the 2012 Ride Ex Bindings that I used are about as soft as mozarella so that definitely affected my riding experience as well lol.
I'll drain my bank account for the 150 (god i wish they had a 148) and then I'm going to save up for some real bindings come this winter, once that happens I'll throw some money for some expert advice from yall!
Again thank you very much for all your help and have a great day today!
I have the oppurtunity to buy an Excavator 2022 in size 142. Now i ride the Rome Gangplank 148 but id like to buy a directional board for resort and pow riding. I’m 60 kg and 170 cm tall, my foot size is US8. Will the 142 Excavator fit me?
I think it's a good bit too small for you. You would be better off with the 146 or even the 150. Especially for pow. You could ride the 142 but it won't ride how we described it and it will feel really small for your specs. It would still be better than the Gangplank in pow though but probably not what you hoped it would be. Go 146 if you want a balanced groomer/pow board and go 150 if you want more speed/float/carving power at the expense of control. If you feel the 149 Gangplank is a little small for ya for sure go 150. Also thanks for including what you ride now. It really helps.
Thank you! And how about the 148 Service Dog (2022)? This would be my second choice. It has a good price. ((I’ve got Union Strata M bindings))
Yeah that could work if you want a shorter wider ride. Its a very good board for that price point.
So Davey would go one size up to a 156? Still seems small for his specs. I'm 6'3" 210# and size 13 boots... figured I'd go 162 but should I consider going shorter?
Yeah Davey would go to the 158 up from the 154 but he likes smaller boards and has a size 12 boots. For most your size, especially with 13 boots, I would say go 162 but it comes down to personal preference. What make/model/size board or boards do you ride now?
@thegoodridesnow So I'm riding a dinosaur 168w (big heavy, cruiser tho) and a 161w Jones Frontier (have to ride all the way back and back leg burnout all day). James recommended k2 excavator 162 for me, but I would have thought Davey would have gone 162 with height/weight considerations. Just checking in about it. Thanks!
Sorry I missed this. YT sorts replies in a weird way and I often miss them. Yes it is. Like we say in the review he likes to ride smaller boards than what he should for his specs. This is James so the answer will be the same here as it was if you emailed me. I said 162 because the 162 is a good bit narrower and a lot easier to turn than the super wide super long old school camber beast you ride now. I think it was something like a 168 with a 27.4cm or bigger waist with a 9m plus sidecut. If you want really easy you can go 158. It will be better than the super small/narrow frontier 161w you tried but it might still feel small and washy based on what you came from.
@@thegoodridesnow Right on! Thanks for your excellent responses to my frequent questions!
Hi, brilliant review, super helpful thanks. I’m between sizes and wanted your opinion. I’m 6’2” 195lbs and a uk size 10. I Don’t know whether to go 154 or 158? 🤔 it’s going to be used as my only board, I’ve landed on the excavator as I love chasing powder and bombing the whole mountain. And rarely enter the park.
The 154 would be better as a daily driver. You can go 158 if you want more float and speed and dont see a lot of uneven snow but it will be harder to turn if you do.
@@thegoodridesnow brilliant thanks 🙏
Hey guys, looking for some input. Im torn between this(excavator) and a few other options. Looking for an all mtn/pow board.(I live in SLC and ride brighton/pow mtn. I'm 6'6, 210 lbs size 12 boot. Intermediate looking to dabble in advanced terrain. Can't decide on the 158 or 162. Any feedback would be appreciated 👍
You could do both but what make, model and size of board do you ride now? What do you like and not like about it?
Hey I'm 6.0 83kg maybe thats like 175 180 lbs and size us 11 boot. I bought a 158 excavator and it's perfect. I'd go with the 62 if I were you.
I’m in the same boat as you, just shorter. I can’t decide between the 158 and 162.
@@caseycasey1277 62
@Casey Casey went with the 162. Best board I've ever ridden. Took it out for the first time today on a powder day. Insane. Such a sick board
I'm 6'5 205lbs usually riding a 166 for big mountain pow cliffs etc, should I look at the 162 version of the excavator? I feel better about a 162 than the 158 Superpig I was looking at, it's scary dropping that much in size for big mtn lines etc
Need your boot size.
@@thegoodridesnow 12/13
Yeah it's hard to know with such limited info but these boards are meant to ride shorter/wider for bigger riders. You aren't heavy and your boot size isn't too big which is much more important than your height so 158 or 162 could easily work in the Excavator. 162 if you are 13 and 158 if you are 12. 158 Superpig is even wider and will feel more aggressive than many much longer traditional freeride snowboards. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
@@thegoodridesnow will do, appreciate it
Hey James, looking at grabbing one of these but can only find it in a 150cm. I vary between 165-175lbs, size 9 boots. Riding mostly east coast resorts so I don't often get pow days. Other ride is a Skeleton Key 154. Think I'll be alright with the 150?
I've only tried the 154. In clean conditions/good pow it felt great to me and in messier snow like too much board for me. For mainly riding harder or uneven snow you might like the extra control of the 150.
@@thegoodridesnow thanks for the reply! You think the 150 would handle carving on groomers pretty well still? I noticed in your review you thought if you'd buy one that you'd size down from the 154. Does that still hold true? Thanks again 👍
Yeah I'd like to try the 150 and see how it rides. I would probably like that better if I was using it as a daily driver and rode it in a lot of varied conditions.
@@thegoodridesnow awesome. Really appreciate the input!
How does the excavator compare to the ride Superpig?
The Excavator is more tapered, set back and more directional. Its more for a set back directional carver and pow rider. The Superpig is more for riding pretty centered and it acts more like a tapered all mtn board. If you want advice specific to your specs/needs hit me up here. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
would a size 158cm k2 excavator work for me? im 5'6 210lbs size 8.5 boot size
No that would be a really bad time. You don't size this like a normal board as it's a short/wide. You are better off with a 150 for your specs.
Hi guys, first of all, thank you very much for your detailed reviews. The amount of effort you put in to really give us the best insight possible, is just amazing!
Could you please give me a few thoughts on the differences between the Transition Finder and the K2 Excavator?
Many thanks! They seem similar on paper but feel pretty different on snow. The TF is more an advanced to expert really hard carving/big air kind of ride. The Excavator is more forgiving/less camber and a easier for intermediates. Both are really great rides and it just depends on which ride calls to you more. I had a lot of fun on both in different ways.
Thank you
Stoked to take this thing out for the first time this year! I pulled the trigger on a 54 already, and I'm wondering what you guys think about that for my weight and size. I'm 5'11, 145 lbs, with size 10 boots.
I did buy it as a quiver board for powder days and hard charging groomer days, but I'm curious of your thought cause the one guy said he would even size up. Wanting the extra width to for eurocarves too. Thanks for the review!
I think this is a good fit for your specs and what you want to do. It will turn easy for you in powder and charge hard on clean groomers. As a daily driver I would be concerned because of your 145lbs but as a quiver this is a good size. Cheers!
Thanks for the reply :)
Wow I’m same specs. Just that I think of getting this as my daily driver . Would you think the 154 will be to big/clumsy?
@@martinabadeYes, but you probably already bought what you wanted
Comparing to these 3, which one is the best in carving?
All three rip in their own way and it comes down more to personal preference. Go Peace Seeker if you mainly want to circle carve and across the groomer carve and want the most camber. Optimistic is like the Peace Seeker but more set back, has less camber and doesn't feel hooky going straight but can still circle carve with the best of them. Excavator is less circle carvy of the three (still very turny though) and a more balanced ride for doing a little of everything.
@@thegoodridesnow Yes, sir! I decide to buy peace seeker now. Since I wanna play euro carving, I need a wider waist. Can I choose size 155? But I’m 173, 58kg, 265mm feet. The official recommended weight of 155 is much higher than me. So I don’t know if weight influences a lot.
Sorry I missed this. I need boot size, height and weight to help. Without boot size I can't.
How do these boards compare to the flagship?
They are all very different. The flagship is more of a traditional size freeride board so you ride it much longer. With the Flagship I can ride a 161-164 and these 150-154 so just about everything feels different.
Have you guys ridden the k2 passport yet?
Yep. Review coming soonish. Super behind!
@@thegoodridesnow awesome can’t wait to hear your thoughts 👍🏼
How does this compare to the skeleton key?
Very different rides. Excavator is much more stiff, damp, has more set back on board, rides wider/shorter and is more tapered. The SK has more pop and is a little more playful but still set back and turny too.
@@thegoodridesnowthanks dude! Love your videos.
many thanks!
How does it compare against the Alchemist
Two very different rides but they do have a very similar flex personality. Alchemist is longer narrower, less tapered and more centered. So if you get lots of air, like quick turn initiation, and ride lots of steeper terrain that is the call.
Is this board heavy?
No but it will feel heavy for its length just because of all the surface area like most short/wides do. Its more on the medium side.
How is it compared to K2 Passport?
Very different rides. So different I didn't choose to compare them together. The Excavator has a shorter/wider/more directional/more tapered shape so it rides very different. It also has a more dynamic/lively construction and floats better in pow. The Passport has a longer more narrow quicker turning shape and it's a little better in all conditions. Especially if you often see messy snow.