Lib Tech Skate Banana - 2011
The Skate Banana is the board that changed Lib Tech’s fortunes and placed them at the forefront of snowboard design. Having won countless awards and changing snowboard design forever the Skate Banana is undoubtedly a modern classic. The Skate Banana is the definition of an all-mountain jib stick; ridiculous fun all over the mountain in whatever conditions the weather throws at you, thanks to a Banana Tech profile and Magnetraction edges. Jib-kids and park-junkies that ride in icy conditions most of the time but want a softer board with the capacity to grip and hold an edge should take-note.
Manufacturer's Description:
Award winning snowboard-specific designs on modern twin geometries. Rocker “banana” between your feet makes the Skate Banana loose and catch-free, it presses boxes, rails and jibs extremely well with the preset rocker, maintains pop with a stiffened tip and tail, and turns easily on hardpack or ice when the built-in rocker is put on edge. The built-in rocker curve makes the board float naturally in powder and the firm nose and tail prevent the board from folding in chunky conditions. Snowboarding is easier and more fun for all!
Recommended for park riding.
Recommended for rail riding.
High cost $
Available in Wide.
Rocker Construction.
Twin Shape.
Green or Eco Friendly Construction.
Year: 2011
Available Lengths (cm):
148N, 151N, 149, 152, 156, 159, 153W, 156W, 159W
Riding Style: Freestyle/Park
Specifications:
CORRECT SANDWICH: Low spin weight!
BANANA TECH: Control between your feet!
MAGNE-TRACTION: Rides like a skateboard!
H-POP CORE WITH BANANA SPECIFIC CORE PROFILE: Pop and performance!
POWER TRANSFER INTERNAL SIDEWALLS: More pop!
SWIRL DOUBLE SINTERED UHMW SIDEWALLS: Tough like banana!
SWIRL SINTERED UHMW BASE: Slippery like banana!
Similar boards: Salomon Salvatore Sanchez - 2011 Arbor Draft - 2011 Forum Substance by Peter Line - 2011 Endeavor RC Series - 2011
Snowboard Review:
There aren’t many boards that carry a reputation like the Skate Banana; in fact the Burton Custom is the only board that I can draw comparisons with. Similarly to the effect that the Custom had on Burton’s popularity, the Skate Banana has been the driving force behind Lib Tech’s popularity among an entire generation of riders. So, without sounding too pessimistic, I expected the Skate Banana wouldn’t live-up to its infamous reputation, especially as there have been so many reincarnations from other brands since the boards release in 2006.
So how did it ride? Well, I’m happy to say that I was very pleasantly surprised. The Skate Banana was a lot of fun to ride; poppy and maneuverable at low speeds but surprisingly stable and grippy when cruising around. In fairness I never doubted that the Skate Banana would be a good jib board; it slides nicely along rails, it’s very easy to press and butter, it has plenty of pop for getting onto rails and a nice swing-weight for spinning. My concerns were that it wouldn’t have the same grip, stability and carving properties of its cambered counterparts….but you’ll be pleased to hear that the Skate Banana doesn’t compromise too much on any of these qualities. Firstly, it grips beautifully in carves and in short turns thanks to the Magnetraction; sure it won’t carve as well as a torsionally stiffer board like the Dark Series but you try jibbing hitting kinked rails on that! Secondly, it floats beautifully in deeper snow and deals with crud and ice with comparative ease. Finally, on landings; although it doesn’t have as much longitudinal and lateral strength as some stiffer kicker-focused boards it isn’t anywhere as weak as a lot of other jib boards; K2’s WWW is a prime example!
So, if you’re looking for a jib-focused board that is fun all over the mountain and will give you the edge over your fellow jibbers when riding in icy/variable conditions you won’t be disappointed with the Skate Banana.
Posted by Tom Ewbank in • Lib Tech
User Snowboard Reviews
Want some advice, or have a question about the Lib Tech Skate Banana snowboard, or whether it is right for you? DON'T POST HERE! Head over to our snowboard forums and our community will be happy to help.
Seriously - READ THE ABOVE..., the snowboard forum the best way to get your question seen by all of our community and an answer, rather than just those who happen to view this page.
However, if you have ridden this snowboard and want to share your feedback, then please add your experience below. It helps to add as much detail as possible, e.g board length you used, bindings, rider stats etc.
on December 12, 2010 at 09:13 PM
I’ve been looking at this board, and it sounds pretty sweet. I’m looking to improve my park skills, specifically spinning, but I would also like a board I can take out into some powder on the mountain, and do tricks out there. Right now I ride a 156 custom,and I feel like its a little long for me to spin. So my question is what size should I go w/o comprimising stability at higher speeds. I’m 5’9”, 160-165lbs. Also, I would say I am an intermediate rider.
Another board I looked at was the Trav Rice board, but don’t know much about it. This board (skate) sounds super fun!
Thanks, Dan
on December 16, 2010 at 06:09 AM
Dan I’ve owned a 158 Custom (pre ICS), 157 TRice (before BTX), and a 153 Skate Banana. Wanting to improve my rail game, I bought the Skate Banana. Though great for rails (easy pressing!), a shorter Skate Banana was missing the pop and stability of a longer TRice and even the Custom for jumping and high speed riding. I’m the same height and weight as you and I don’t think a short board will improve you spinning and in fact will probably hinder it because you’ll have less control and pop off your edge as you initiate a spin. Your issue is probably more mechanical and you just need to lead the spin more with your upper body. Between a shorter SB and longer TRice, I would go with the TRice because it is a more aggressive board. However, I doubt there would be much of a fun differential between a 157 TRice and a 156 SB in the park and in pow.
on December 24, 2010 at 01:28 PM
hi i am looking to get a 156 skate banana for all mountain and a litte bit of park riding i have a size 12 boots i am 187cm tall or 6.1 will i need a wide or can i get of with a normal board?? i ride duck stance thanks heaps
on December 24, 2010 at 01:34 PM
You will definitely need a wide!
There are better boards in the Mervin line for all mountain riding. Have you though about a board with C2 banana? The skate banana is awsome in the park but a bit underpowered on steep choppy groomers.
on January 03, 2011 at 09:47 PM
Hello my size boot is a 14, im 170 lbs, im 6’5’’ and im looking into a park board but still want to cruise around the mountain. Would the skate banana be a good choice or would you recomend another board?
on January 04, 2011 at 12:46 PM
hi all i have jeremy jones 2008 156 and i’m 174 height and 73 kg. my boot size is us 10.5. my only concern is im riding at parks and off pist so is it the right board for me? this is my 3rd year of snowboarding. i’m trying to figure out some tricks. thanks
on January 21, 2011 at 03:41 PM
Rich, I live in Ohio and the weather is always super unpredictable. That means were going from a pow day or a nice packed snow to extremely icey and slushy conditions. Would the skate banana be the right choice for me if I hit rails boxes some jumps but than I also like to find pow and just free ride. I am about 5’8 140 and the only skate banana left In town is a 152. Would that be too small for me because as of now I ride a 153 forum recon but I’m not sure if the downgrading of the board size would have an impact on my riding. Thanks
on January 24, 2011 at 01:45 AM
hey i just wanted to get a rough idea on what size skate banana to get. i am 5’7 and weigh 150 pounds, size 10 boot. i am and intermediate/ advanced rider, love to ride park as well as all over the mountain. thanks
on February 05, 2011 at 05:22 AM
I am 5’11, 155 and I ride a regular width 156 everywhere. Extremely awesome, much prefer it to my reg camber ride 158. Have been riding for 15 years. The worst thing you can do is ask someones advice on the internet, try it before you buy it!
on February 05, 2011 at 06:52 AM
Hey im on a snowboard team and we do everything from jibs to pipe, and even get on the boardercross track. I have heard good things about the skate banana but my concern is that its not good for pipe. I was also looking at the Ride DH 2011, what would you recommend for my needs? Also im 6ft 165pounds and wear a 13 boot, what size board would you recommend for me?
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