Marlon Collova About to Start Touring on the Rome Uprise Splitboard | Photo Mountain Weekly News
Rome has been making snowboards since 2001 over on the eastern side of the states in Vermont. I liked the looks of the Rome Uprise Splitboard and was offered to give it a try.
It was my first time riding a Rome Snowboard, and surely won’t be my last based on how this split performed.
Rome Uprise Splitboard Designed for All Mountain
First Impressions – At first glance I could immediately tell I would get along great with the Rome Uprise. It’s traditional all mountain shape attracted me the most! Many boards these days are have all sorts of weird designs and shapes that can serve a purpose, but if you want a big mountain board that holds an edge on variable snow or in charge thru the powder the Uprise is one of those boards.
When I say charge I mean keeps its speed, and likes larger arcing turns. Its a fast board with more traditional camber with some rocker on the nose and taper on the tail.
How’s it Ride?
I sure was lucky to shred a lot of pow with the Rome Uprise Splitboard. It was a great winter in the Tetons like most regions in the Western U.S.
The Uprise really did excel on the steep and deep. This Rome Splitboard hard me searching for lines I could open up on. I found a lot of fun lines, and some great drops which were especially nice while landing on the Uprise with all it’s stability.
Ever since my previous board got retired I have been riding a softer, floaty, more jibby type of split. The Uprise brought back memories of the retiree.
At the end of the season I was able to make it to Big Sky Resort’s closing day with some friends. Resort riding is always a great test for a splitboard. The backcountry offers plenty of oportunties for variable snow conditions but at Resorts, its always a given. I liked the way the Uprise felt on the variable snow.
Rome Uprise Splitboard Sizes
The Rome Uprise Splitboard is available in 4 sizes to choose from. 153cm, 158cm, 162cm*, 165cm. We tested the 162 version which offered solid edging! However it was not the most poppy / playful ride.
Instead this board wants to go straight and fast, falline!
Karakoram Ultraclips
Weather on the nose and tail or the main body of a splitboard I do not like to use Karakoram Clips. I have used these in the past and I knew this would be the only thing I disliked about the Uprise. Many riders prefer to use Karakoram Clips but I am not sure why? They get iced up and stick, they loosen up over time, and just another moving part to deal with.
I’m currently in the process of swapping them out with the standard Voile Split Hooks.
Rome Uprise Splitboard Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Excellent performance on steep and deep terrain
- Stable and fast for high-speed turns
- Available in multiple sizes for preference
Cons:
- Not the most poppy/playful ride
- Karakoram Clips prone to icing and loosening
- Not ideal for jibbing
Overall Impression
If you want an all mountain board for cranking out high speed turns or straight lining out of a couloir this Rome Splitboard is a great choice! The Rome Uprise Splitboard ($599.95) has the ability to stay afloat the deep stuff and maintain speed and stomp landings!
Not made for a Jibber though. 5 stars for Rome but get rid of the Karakoram Clips!
Related Splitboards
Hey Sean,
I appreciate the feedback. My reviews are based on the what I ride and the way I do it. I never thought of how a board rides at slow speeds I guess. If it handles good at high speeds it should turn just as good or better at slow speeds. It’s a directional all mountain board, the bindings are already set back versus a twin tip. Binding stance is preference based. If I set my stance back someone else might prefer not too… Never road it switch actually. I would assume it rides like other directional snowboards, mediocre at best. I stated it isn’t soft, poppy or jibby which means it rather stiff uphill and downhill. When I review a board I focus on the main aspects of the board and what style of rider it might be a match for. If it’s a shitty board it might not match up for anyone but that is pretty rare. For instance, if you ride steep shots and like a fast board, that edges well you would probably like the rome uprise. If you like a more playful, jibby splitboard you probably won’t like the rome uprise. A lot of people that review snowboards, never even ride them, let alone down 50 degree couliors. I hope this helps.
Cheers, Marlon
Hello Marlon, do you remember about the weight of it? Wondering if it would be heavier than my burton hometown hero from a couple winters ago.
Thanks,
John,
Hey thanks for the message, I don’t have the specs but both Burton and Rome’s are very similar. The Rome crew all started at Burton. From my memory if they are the same size the Burton was a tad heavier based on the construction.
-Mike
Hey John,
Thanks for reaching out. I emailed Rome directly to get the spec for weight and didn’t get a response when i was writing the article. It’s the one spec that every manufacturer should list. I did some digging though to answer your question and found for the 162 model its 7 lbs. The hometown hero is the same, 7lbs. Mid weight boards. I like the feel of Rome’s poplar core. Lib techs are generally the heaviest, while any carbon based will be the lightest. Hope I was able to help.
All the best! Marlon
This isnt really a review Mike, this is a short blurb describing most snowboards. I would really like to see something more in depth. How does it turn at slow speeds? Did you have to set your stance back to ride powder? What was flex like on the uphill AND the downhill? Does it ride switch well?
These “reviews” you keep posting on reddit see like an ad cash grab bro.
Sean,
I’m not allowed to post on Reddit splitboard forum anymore. So sorry can’t be of more help. I will ask Marlon to chime in here. He tested the board.
-Mike
As a snowboarder, I want to almost cry looking at that board cut in half lol! I’m a little confused, why not just use skis?
Chris,
We get to put the skis together to make a snowboard for the descent. Having been both a skier and snowboarder. Going downhill on a snowboard or splitboard like this really feels like surfing. Hense why sooo many of us land locked surfers prefer to ride splitboards. Sort of the best of both worlds and you learn to ski pretty darn well on these too!
-Mike