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 March 28, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Hi all
I live in Belgium, where we have no snow at all, but every year, me and my friends go on a snowboarding trip for 1 week. For now on, I always rented my board. Since we will always be going at least 1 week a year from now on, I’m looking into buying a board. Problem is, we can’t test snowboards before we buy ‘em.
After 5 years (read 5 weeks) of snowboarding, I can say I’m an intermediate snowboarder, looking to take it further into the freestyle department. I love to ride switch, pop 180’s and finally managed to do 360’s (in air) this year. I also like cruising around the pistes, looking for some places to jump and practice switch riding.
Now, I’m looking for a board that will give me everything I need to progress easily freestyling (I would like to take it to the next level by doing boxes, rails and bigger jumps), but still, the board needs to be capable of cruising the pistes at medium and (little part of my time) high speeds.
Will the Skate Banana be the right board for me?
Thanks
on March 30, 2011 at 01:49 PM
I want to buy two snowboards. One of the freestyle, and an all mountain / freeride. Lib tech thought (because Magna-Traction, and I go to a lot of artificial snow). Burton Joystick 159w now, but it is very unstable. I plan to Skate Banana freestyle, and Travis Rice c2btx every mountain / freeride. What do you think it’s a good idea? What would be the ideal size for me? Skate Banana 156W, Travis Rice 161.5? Or rather, it would be just one? Skate Banana or Travis Rice? How large? Where I live (Hungary), there is no try! I was 3 years snowboarding, I’m learning the tricks (360, 540, butter ....) [$]
Parameters: Height: 185cm (6’1 “) Weight: 78-83kg (172-183 pounds) Boot: 11.5 (Burton Ion)
I’m waiting for inspiration!
on November 18, 2011 at 01:18 AM
hey i was wondering what sizes i should get. i ride alot of park but also love bombing the mountain with nice s turns! specs-
hight-6’1 weight-160 boot-13
thanks!
on December 12, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Hey i fool around pretty much all over the mountain blue runs blacks and the odd little tree venture but i also want to take my park riding to a new level. i hear this board really holds up well to this kind of stuff? whats your opinion?
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