In many of the catalog descriptions that you read when explaining bits about a snowboard, such as a Rome snowboard for instance, is the sidecut of the board. It all depends on what the snowboard was intended to be used for and how maneuverable it needs to be.
The sidecut of a snowboard refers to the degree of curve in the contact edge of a board. The depth it is calculated by is the radius of a loop in meters should the arc in the side of the snowboard be extended. This gives you an idea of the turning circle that the board is intended to make if it follows the curve of the boards arc. The difference concerning the nose and the tail width compared to the waist width of the board is an added way of specifying the board’s dimension.
As stated earlier, the difference that the size of the sidecut makes from one board to the next is in the radius of the turn that the board is capable of making. The shorter the radius, the tighter the turn and this will quicken the board’s turning reaction in the snow. On the other hand a wider sidecut will give the board a wider turn.
This then translates into the type of snowboarding you’re keen to try out. If you want to go pipe riding or carry out tricks you will need a snowboard with a low sidecut. Somebody who wants to go mountain riding will be more apt to select a board with a deep elliptical sidecut to give them more constancy at the faster speeds they are possibly going to be going.
Several assorted snowboard manufacturers set their boards up differently and keep to separate designs. Some of them will prove more fitting to your riding style than others consequently you will have to shop around to find the board that performs best for your body type and weight.
There are many factors to ponder when buying a snowboard and finding the type of board that is suitable for you is a decision that could take some time, although there are plenty of good used snowboards to choose from.