Is a Skate Banana good for me? - Snowboarding Forum

SnowManiac · 02-21-2011, 05:21 PM

Hey guys i am new to snowboarding and this forum and i have some questions. I have been boarding since the start of this season and i love it. Im 14 and i have gone out with my family over fifteen times this season. i have been advancing quickly and last week went to Stowe on a school ski trip and did Goat and Star and their respective glades. it was the best time of my life. my question is if the Skate Banana is for me. I live in CT and its really icy around here so i want a board that is has good hold on ice. the board i currently have is the 09/10 Burton Custom V-rocker smalls and doesn't seem to hold well. it is also a very flexible board and i was wondering is that is affecting how i carve at higher speeds because my carving doesn't seem as good as when i am carving at moderate speeds. i am am starting to learn Ollie's and butters and want to start park. thanks for your help in advance. Btw i am sorry if i posted this in the wrong section.

GorgeDad · 02-21-2011, 06:38 PM

Welcome to the sport and the forum!

I think the Custom V and the Skate Banana are about the same flex (medium) and the Banana may even be softer. Unfortunately for you, your 2 goals are at odds with one another. A stiffer board will certainly provide more stability at higher speeds, but a more flexible board will be friendlier if you are transitioning to the park and want to do tricks.

I am not real familiar with the Burton but an upside of the Banana is the magnetraction which will help hold an edge on the icy trails you'll likely by riding. What you really need to decide is what qualities you need based on what kind of riding you want to do. Finding one board to do it all generally leads to making a sacrifice here or there. High speed carving on groomers is kinda the opposite end of the spectrum from a full on park stick.

Here's the Good Ride review for the Banana, if you haven't already seen it: Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard Review

Hope that helps a bit.

SnowManiac · 02-21-2011, 06:44 PM

Thank you that does help

Hodgepodge · 02-21-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowManiac

Thank you that does help

Hey, if it helps at all, i am a skate banana rider from CT. Where do you ride most often? I ride at Catamount quite a bit, and love my skate banana there. It certainly will hold its own on the mountain, and really helped me progress my riding style. It SLAYS the park, and fluffs the pow. Its a great deck.

SnowManiac · 02-21-2011, 08:16 PM

We have mostly been boarding at Belleayre.

Hodgepodge · 02-21-2011, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowManiac

We have mostly been boarding at Belleayre.

well then definitely it's a great choice

SnowManiac · 02-21-2011, 09:18 PM

ok thanks (extra words)

GorgeDad · 02-21-2011, 09:39 PM

Just remember, the board needs to match you, the rider, not necessarily the mountain you're riding at. Every board is the perfect deck for somebody ... and there are a lot of boards that are very good that might not be the best option for you. Just try as best you can to pick one that matches you, your riding style and your skill - there are probably many that fit the bill -and you'll be psyched. Ultimately, the best way is to demo boards, if possible, because there is no way to read about or explain how or why a board just feels right for you.

walove · 02-22-2011, 08:51 AM

you could consider the gnu park pickle, slightly stiffer (small but noticeable), and an tighter radius on the heel side to help with carving. Same price same tech

SnowManiac · 02-22-2011, 05:09 PM

ok thanks ill check it out

02-21-2011, 05:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
SnowManiac Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 6	Is a Skate Banana good for me? Hey guys i am new to snowboarding and this forum and i have some questions. I have been boarding since the start of this season and i love it. Im 14 and i have gone out with my family over fifteen times this season. i have been advancing quickly and last week went to Stowe on a school ski trip and did Goat and Star and their respective glades. it was the best time of my life. my question is if the Skate Banana is for me. I live in CT and its really icy around here so i want a board that is has good hold on ice. the board i currently have is the 09/10 Burton Custom V-rocker smalls and doesn't seem to hold well. it is also a very flexible board and i was wondering is that is affecting how i carve at higher speeds because my carving doesn't seem as good as when i am carving at moderate speeds. i am am starting to learn Ollie's and butters and want to start park. thanks for your help in advance. Btw i am sorry if i posted this in the wrong section.

02-22-2011, 08:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
walove Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Bozeman/Seattle Posts: 660	you could consider the gnu park pickle, slightly stiffer (small but noticeable), and an tighter radius on the heel side to help with carving. Same price same tech __________________ SHRED HAPPENS

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

02-21-2011, 06:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
GorgeDad Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hood River, OR Posts: 151	Welcome to the sport and the forum! I think the Custom V and the Skate Banana are about the same flex (medium) and the Banana may even be softer. Unfortunately for you, your 2 goals are at odds with one another. A stiffer board will certainly provide more stability at higher speeds, but a more flexible board will be friendlier if you are transitioning to the park and want to do tricks. I am not real familiar with the Burton but an upside of the Banana is the magnetraction which will help hold an edge on the icy trails you'll likely by riding. What you really need to decide is what qualities you need based on what kind of riding you want to do. Finding one board to do it all generally leads to making a sacrifice here or there. High speed carving on groomers is kinda the opposite end of the spectrum from a full on park stick. Here's the Good Ride review for the Banana, if you haven't already seen it: Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard Review Hope that helps a bit.

02-21-2011, 06:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
SnowManiac Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 6	Thank you that does help

02-21-2011, 08:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
SnowManiac Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 6	We have mostly been boarding at Belleayre.

02-21-2011, 09:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
SnowManiac Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 6	ok thanks (extra words)

02-21-2011, 09:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
GorgeDad Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hood River, OR Posts: 151	Just remember, the board needs to match you, the rider, not necessarily the mountain you're riding at. Every board is the perfect deck for somebody ... and there are a lot of boards that are very good that might not be the best option for you. Just try as best you can to pick one that matches you, your riding style and your skill - there are probably many that fit the bill -and you'll be psyched. Ultimately, the best way is to demo boards, if possible, because there is no way to read about or explain how or why a board just feels right for you.

02-22-2011, 05:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
SnowManiac Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 6	ok thanks ill check it out