So, I posted a previous thread in which I was able to narrow down my choices for a new board to the Lib-Tech Dark Series C2 BTX, the Never Summer Heritage-R, and the Lib-Tech T. Rice C2 BTX (which is pretty much sold out, so I will go after next year's). However, I am not getting any discounts on these boards, where as I am finding amazing deals on three other boards: the Gnu Altered Genetics, the Ride Concept UL, and the Nitro Blacklight. Should I hold out until March for a good deal on my original choices, or pull the trigger on one of these second three boards.
I am an advanced rider, who prefers an all mountain-freeride board that can handle the icey chop of the Northeast. I don't care for park, but would like a board that is capable of switch riding. I love back country, but it is non-existent in Pennsylvania where I will do a majority of my riding, so I have to be realistic.
I plan on pairing any board I get with Rome Targa bindings.
i vote for anything with MTX. it makes a huge difference on ice and hard pack. ive read that the dark series is a great freeride/allmountain board, but have never ridden one or any of your other options.
So I actually found two great discounts, but not on the never summer. I posted them in a new thread "Dark Series vs. Phoenix Lando." Sorry for posting so much, but I definitely appreciate your help. I'm just itching to get this over with already.
Do you mind posting an update on what you selected and how it turned out?
I went with the Lib Tech Dark Series C2BTX last year, and am now strongly considering switching to the Never Summer Heritage.
Things I liked about the Lib:
- Stiff and rigid enough to plow through crud at mach speeds
- Reverse camber was great in powder
Things I didn't like about it:
- Heavy
- Magne traction is too invasive, especially when riding/landing switch
- Reverse camber doesn't let me 'carve' hardpack or corduroy
Overall, I found the board to be very confidence inspiring in conditions that I traditionally don't ride well; a few days after a snowfall when the mountain is shredded up and no longer soft, I could charge down as if it was powder. While other boards would deflect each time it hits a big death cookie, the Dark Series held the line and just motored on through. But I do a lot of small hill riding on runs and enjoy holding an edge and actually carving, and the Lib just doesn't do it.
From what I have read, the NS Heritage's edges are much more subtle than Magne, and the R&C is also a milder version of the C2BTX. Since I bought my board at Backcountry.com, and they have a lifetime return policy, I can exchange it without any hassles.
So I'm really interested to hear your experiences since it sounds like we were looking for the same kind of board.
Dang, I sure hope you're wrong because I already ordered the Heritage.
Ah well, if I don't like it, I will try something else next season like one of the Gnu boards. And while the weight was a negative, it wasn't a deal breaker. If the Magne Traction had been a little more subtle (I found it very grabby) I might have been able to get it to carve the way I like to.
From what I've read, the NS R&C technology is less invasive than Lib's C2BTX and Magne Traction and while I am going into this expecting the Heritage to weigh about the same, those differences could make the difference for me.
if you can get the gnu alter gen. then go with that. Its got all the crazy mervin tech with a light weight build, in a freeride minded deck. Retails for the same as the t-rice and dark series. Its not a twin though, directional with a hint of set back.
I love the DS C2 2010. I don't think it is heavy at all, and it has insane pop. I consider it a freestyle, freeride board. Free style for it's twin directional body, and free ride for it's stiff build. I live in PA (= all ice) and I felt it carved very well. As you said, it is "confidence inspiring" and can hard-charge anything.
However, my one regret is not having a chance to try it in a 158. I am 5'11" 180 and bought a 161. I ride it very well, and I am sure the added length adds to my freeride ability. I am able to play with it, but not as well as I could if it were a bit shorter. I can butter it slightly, but not as well as I could if it were a bit shorter. However, it is very stiff, so not really meant for that.
All-in-all I am freerider, who has lately dabbled in freestyle, and this board fits me well. I had been riding for years on the same basic Burton board, and wanted to take it to the next level. I would have liked to have tried a shorter board, but I have only ridden the 161 five times and have a season to get a better feel for it. Worst comes to worst, I can sell it at the end of the season and go for the 158.
However, I am sure you are not interested in the details of size. In terms of the board overall, I highly suggest it. It truly is amazing.
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