08/09 Burton Fix - Snowboard Review
2008-06-03 09:33:20
For the most part, a snowboard is a snowboard, is a snowboard. Once in a while, however, a manufacturer will come up with something completely new. This is the case with the 08/09 Burton Fix. Unlike most boards, it does not have a camber (which means that it's completely flat). On top of that it uses the new EST binding system (actually they took part of that idea from Forum so it's not completely new). I had an opportunity to ride the Fix while I was in Whistler in the middle of April. Here's what I thought:
2009 Burton FixLocation:
Whistler, B.C.
Snow Conditions:
This day proved to be a warm one. The conditions were soft, a mixture of groomed runs with slushy to hardpacked conditions.
First Impression:
It took me a few seconds to get a feel for the Fix. The fact that it had no camber whatsoever gave it a strange feel. Once I linked a few turns, however, it was a pretty fun board to ride.
Weight:
The overall setup felt really lightweight. Yet it also felt solid. I suspect this has a lot to do with the EST binding system; everything was really tight but lively. While riding the lift back up, I would barely notice the board dangling beneath my feet.
Flex:
Yes maam! This board has flex and then some. I was buttering like mad and doing nose spins like I was the Tasmanian Devil and I was going out of style. As a side note: if you ever see a beige camo tornado going down the hill, it's probably me riding a Fix.
Turning:
The soft flex made short radius turns really easy on this board. If I spotted a feature out of the corner of my eye that I wanted to ride, getting there was no problem. At higher speed, however, the Fix became a lot less stable. The edge hold on ice was less than ideal. I assume this was meant to be a park board anyway (I couldn't get much information, the Burton reps were quite busy).
Stability:
Stability at high speed was definitely not there. The board being very soft would chatter a lot. In the air, however, it felt very stable (although I can't for the life of me figure out why that would be), I was lofting backside three's off random cutouts like it was nobody's business. Landings were also very smooth. I suspect the fact that it has no camber means a little more forgiveness for off-axis landings. Your edges won't be pushing into the snow as much and flexing your board.
Switch:
The Fix is a true twin board so riding switch was just like riding regular. The only difference I noticed was due to my diminished skill when riding switch more than anything attributable to the shape of the board. If you like to ride switch, the Fix will oblige.
Overall Impression:
The Fix is a fun board to ride. Although the fact that it does not have camber takes a little getting used to, once you overcome that initial awkwardness, this board really steps it up as a park slayer. It handles reasonably well in powder, however, I suspect that you'd get tired riding the steep and deep with the fix. Although it doesn't have the camber, I don't think it would benefit from the floater properties of reverse camber in other boards (Lib Tech, Never Summer and K2 for example). The EST binding system is also really cool especially if you're really particular about your stance. The possibilities are endless. So if you're a park rat, definitely give the Fix a try if you get the chance.
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Received 26 Comments:
Comment posted by crest on 2008-11-11 00:23:17
seems like a sick board
Comment posted by Daniel on 2009-02-08 21:44:06
What size should I get? I have size 11.5 feet and I'm 173 lbs, 6'0". According to specs on Burton site I should get the 162 but seems really long for a park board. Will it be harder to butter and spin on a board that long?
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-02-08 21:50:01
For park riding, I would suggest the 155. If you want more stability, you can go up to the 158 although I don't think the Fix will be stable at high speed in any length. The 162 definitely seems long for a park board. I think you'll find the 155 to be fun.
Comment posted by frank on 2009-02-21 14:53:16
All of you are gay snowboards suck go skiing fucking wankers.
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-02-24 12:48:18
Wow Frank, You must be a really good skier if you're reading a snowboarding blog. Thanks for your input. By the way, about that whole side cut thing... you're welcome.
Comment posted by Rob on 2009-02-24 23:48:14
From this review, the fix sounds like exactly what I'm looking for, but I have heard great things about the skate banana too and I can't decide... Which board would be better for rails, buttering and jibbing? And frank sucks
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-02-25 12:05:51
I'll take a guess and say that the Fix is probably better for rails and jibbing. I'd guess the skate banana would be better for buttering due to BTX. Unfortunately I've only ever taken one run on a Skate Banana. I did try out the Lib Tech TRice BTX this weekend. It's a good park board and probably comparable to the Skate Banana. I liked it more than the Fix but only because I'm more of an all mountain type of rider.
Comment posted by some guy on 2009-02-25 19:03:41
does the fix have freebase or just scoops on the tip and tail?
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-02-27 09:01:10
I'm not sure what you mean by a freebase, it simply does not have a camber. The 08/09 has a standard tip and tail (curled up). I'm not sure if the 09/10 Fix has scooped tails like the Hero and Joystick will. I never got a chance to test it. Hopefully someone out there knows.
Comment posted by some guy on 2009-02-28 00:46:22
i checked burtons website and says it does have freebase.... freebase is when the bottom of the board is slightly concave to allow more catch-free manuvers. It is like the scoop tip and tail, but for the sides of the board too. The new Con Dom also has freebase. if you still don't understand check out the video titled "freebase" on youtube by burtonsnowboards
Comment posted by some guy on 2009-02-28 00:47:31
and the 08/09 does have scooped tip and tail
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-03-02 08:33:12
Gotcha! Like Bataleon's Triple Base Technology. I believe one of the Omatic boards coming out next year has a similar design. I can't remember which off the top of my head though. Thanks for the info "some guy".
EDIT: According to the Burton website (http://www.burton.com/Tech/Default.aspx) only the CONdom has freebase technology.
Comment posted by Rob on 2009-03-04 15:45:44
im "some guy"... i saw that on the site before my previous post but check this. some shop sites say that it has freebase such as-(http://www.boardsonline.co.uk/snowboards/burton-snowboards/burton-fix-snowboard/prod_334.html) Try searching "freebase" on burton.com product search. The only search result is a fix. Also, when you get to the CONdom page on burton's website, click tech on the left. Click rocker shapes at the top of the list and it will have a description about freebase, and related products will be the fix. But idk maybe i'm wrong. But I'll check on monday for sure when my fix comes in. Dogfunk was having a good sale :)
Comment posted by Rob on 2009-03-04 19:30:38
On the other hand i just looked at my catalog and the CONdom says that freebase is exclusive to it so I don't think the fix has it I but wish it did :/
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-03-06 08:37:02
Such is the beauty of the internet Rob. There's contradicting information everywhere. Definitely let us know if the Fix does or doesn't have freebase. I'm pretty sure it didn't when I demo'd it but it's been so long that I don't honestly remember. Besides, the one I tried was probably not a production board. Hope you enjoy your fix.
Comment posted by michael on 2009-03-06 23:19:29
do you have to have special bindings to go on this board or can any burton buindings fit the new system?
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-03-08 23:05:34
The Fix uses the ICS system which means that, in principle, you need to use Burton EST bindings. However, there are baseplates which you can use to mount standard bindings onto the Fix but this kinda defeats the advantage of the ICS system.
Comment posted by Rob on 2009-03-10 20:20:26
no freebase :/
Comment posted by Conman on 2009-03-20 13:03:51
Which would you recommend, Blunt or Fix? i'm lookin for flex, good park and decent mountain riding, for those days when the park just isn't feelin me.
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-03-20 13:12:25
I've never actually tried the Blunt. I found the Fix to be a very park specific board though so it might not hold up to your every day mountain riding. However, that really depends on how aggressively you ride the mountain. Don't expect the fix to be reliable at high speed. Sorry I can't be more helpful.
Comment posted by alcheval on 2009-07-17 19:41:55
i've got a fix, first no freebase, front and tail scoops, blunt nose and tail with pro tip, park fly2 core,used est bindings which are definately different than standards but you lose a lot of space adjustment wise because of the base plate width. fukking awesome board you can ride any terrain, although not a powder gun, but if you like using natural/park features superb.the speed issue, how fast do ride light speed? no worries. buy a size smaller than you would normally buy, i.e. i ride 159s normally but i've gota 55.max out the width of you're stance and it fukking rocks.really good board, i used to ride unincs (r.i.p.) but more than capable stick,highly recommended.
Comment posted by alcheval on 2009-07-17 19:47:18
yo frank you need to learn some english grammar...................fukking wank, go back to you're gay blades fool.
Comment posted by Cody on 2009-10-24 19:19:39
hey i was just wondering if you hit any rails with the fix and how it handled. im thinking of getting that, because even tho i love powder riding, we dont get that much where i am from and we mainly do park. thanks for the article tho! oh also, what bindings did you use? i got to demo it once when burton came here (harbor springs mi), and i loved it. but i didnt do any rails
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-10-25 12:16:47
Unfortunately I didn't get to ride any rails with the Fix. The Whistler park was closed by the time I tried it and it was too far to get to the Blackcomb park (this was before Peak 2 Peak was finished). I would classify it as a good board for jibbing though, it's got a pretty soft flex and a decent swing weight so it would be good for spinning onto and off of rails.
Comment posted by Marc on 2009-10-25 12:18:52
Whoops I almost forgot: I think the board was set up with Cartel EST bindings.
Comment posted by Mike on 2009-12-06 01:18:06
I just bought the Fix 08-09. I am used to riding big board’s like 158 & 159's I would have to agree go a little smaller with the fix. It is a very different ride. Very maneuverable and playful. It is very easy to control with 1 foot out. Jibbing and pressing with this board is kind of different to get used to. It is very easy to lock into a press but once you release the board is very poppy not gradual like other boards. I guess that’s good but takes some getting used to. Over all after 1 day of riding I liked it. One bad note though. After 4 hours in the park on the first day I ever road the board I noticed the surface layer cracked. I think this was a defect in my board. It still works fine but I think I am going to bring it back and swap it for a new one. I don’t want the crack to spread deeper into the core. This is kind of sketchy for a brand new board. When I bring it back I think I will swap it for a smaller size. I would recommend this board. Hopefully you don’t get a lemon like mine. I guess I should have known something was up when I bought the “yellow” 158.