Pesonally, one thing I do not mind doing is paying top dollar for a "quality" board (and not be ripped off). I'm of the mindset that I don't want to ever blame my riding on a bad board. BUT you don't always have that luxury ... I now have a day job which allows me to treat myself to a decent board every now and then but that was not always the case ...
Your R2000+ boards are generally some pretty expensive imports ... check them out - they may not be better than a board priced slightly less.
If you have the luxury of having a buddy who has the board then try give it a test ride. It is always about performace ... either it is the materials (e.g. core) which does it for you ... maybe the template or a feature of the board (e.g. channels, bat tail or concave hull). Or maybe the whole package --- your mission is to try find the board which works best for your style of riding and then to see if you can deal with the price.
I've always been keen on a stiff core with a specific template which works for me ... once you know what features suit your riding then you'll be able to easily pick which board will most likely work for you just by looking at the board. Suggest you try out as many as you can though.
If you're asking the question then you want to obviously get the best value board. Rossi is always a top quality local board if you want to support local. There are also some pretty good priced imports which have come in.
Our sister site is
http://www.factory7.co.za and you can speak to Derek (083 488 3916 or derek
factory7.co.za) to find out what boards they have in stock and what board would be best suited to you.
Hope that was some help ... anyone else with advice please jump in.
