Gear Review
Intelligence AK
By Anonymous
Ranked #96 - All Mountain Snowboards
November 21, 2008
I am the sales rep for Head snowboards but I want to give you a little idea of what how this board rides. It really rides a lot like a traditional all mt. board except that it is tuned to out perform a traditional all mt. board in powder. The AK has a medium flex to it but, with the Intelligence technology it stiffens up on hard snow making for unbelievable torsional stiffness which helps it grip on edge (If you are not familiar with Intelligence there is a video on Youtube under 'Head intelligence snowboards') So in that sense it is a lot like our Intelligence I.CT. However, this board is just slightly tapered (2mm) in the tail and the tail length (off the snow portion of the tail) is shortened by 2 cm. That 2cm is added to the nose of the board which gives the AK a longer nose profile than our I.CT. The combination of the slightly tapered tail and shorter tail means less leaning back in pow. Essentially this means you will have to fight your tail less to keep your nose up on those big pow days. The longer nose keeps the board on top of the snow. Don't think of this board as a powder only board however. I actually raced in the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom on this board in Feb 2007 and it was awesome. The AK makes for a awesome everyday board for the all mountain ripper person who rides 90% forward and 10% switch or less. Its an everyday board that also rips in powder like a real powder board.
View Details: Head Snowboards USA Intelligence AK Snowboard
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Lengths:
- 162cm, 168cm, 1172cm
- Shape:
- Directional
- Effective Edge:
- [168cm] 1327mm
- Waist Width:
- [168cm] 259mm
- Sidecut Radius:
- [168cm] 7.2, 8, 7.8m
- Stance Width:
- [168cm] 54cm (21.6in)
- Stance Setback:
- 2cm
- Core Material:
- Power edge wood core
- Base:
- Sintered IS nano 7200 base
- Recommended Use:
- Freeride, big mountain
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 Year
- Country of Origin:
- Australia
Change me.



1 Comments Last Reply: October 18, 2010 By: rick.huban2235631
Hi Ivor, I just got the 2010 172 AK. I am reading about some people don't like the snake camber and that it doesnt ride well in anything but powder. Maybe it was the snowboarder. But I was wondering what your thoughts were on it on a normal day with a couple inches of fresh pow or packed down snow. I like that it has the 7200 base but I am considering going to the regular ICT. Also is there anything special I need to do for waxing? I use Hertel race wax. My rider profile would be steep and deep and then fast. Thanks, Rick
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes