Freestyle/Freeride charger Help me choose!

Posted: 12 January 2012 03:42 AM

First off, I’ve been creeping this site for a couple years now, and wow, what an update, looks amazing now.  Hopefully that means we’ll see some more reviews here.

I’m looking for a new stick, something I can really charge the mountain with.

I’m currently on a Burton Custom v-rocker from 09/10 season. I absolutely love it, in fact I bought the 10/11Banana Magic to replace it last year and after a few weeks decided that the Burton did just about everything better (for me at least). That said, instead of replacing it this year, I’m going to keep riding it but pickup something a little more aggressive for those days I really want to charge.

I’m strong experienced rider, with intermediate freeystyle skills, and I’m in and out of switch the whole way down the mountain. 5?8, 155lbs. 9.5 men’s boot.

I want something that will happily charge in switch as well as reg, has lots of pop, holds an edge and turns like a champ at high speed, cruises through the mid day chop.  Oh, and when I’m lucky enough, is a decent powder board.

I think all these things are compatible.  I have my custom for jibbing and buttering, so those aren’t big needs for this board.  Though I’ll definitely be looking to take it through the park to jump, and of course natural booters and tree jibs, that sort of thing.

So I have it narrowed down to a few choices that I would appreciate your help with if you have spent any time on the boards in question.  If you have another selection that you think is better, I’ll take it into consideration as well.

My choices (in no particular order):

Capita BSOD
NS Heritage
Ride Highlife
Ride Arcade
Yes Big City
Yes Pick Your Line
Libtech T.Rice HP

I guess I used the term “narrowed down” loosely.  Help me choose!

Thank you!

Posted: 12 January 2012 08:11 PM

For me the last 3 boards you mention all sound ideal for your needs… all depends on whether you prefer the yes or lib tech camber profiles - I love the yes/jones/nidecker/rossi style early rise profile, but i have heard great things about the T.Rice, and I really want to try one out for exactly the riding style that you have in mind.

Posted: 18 January 2012 06:17 AM

Either the NS Heritage or the Lib-tech boards you are talking about would be good for what you want. Lib-tech in general usually makes softer, more playful boards. I think the the NS Heritage would be ideal for you from the list you gave. I’ve rode a bunch of boards from their line and they are some the most fun boards I’ve ever been on. Especially if you want a board for charging with a lot of pop go with NS. You’ve already got a board for jibs and buttering.