Suggestions on a new board

[tku703]

Hi everyone,
I'm in the market to buy a new board this year and I have 2 in mind:

2012 Never Summer Proto CT
2012 Lib Tech TRS: Total Ripper Series

I'm one season into snowboarding and loving it. I would say I'm fairly newb but learning fast. I looking for a all around board for mountain/park/etc.... I'm 6'1", 200lbs, wear size 11 boots. Any suggestions on which board I should choose?

Thanks.

[walove]

Those boards are very close, trs has a raidal side cut with mag, the proto has vario grip, the trs has a full glass construction, the proto is full of carbon stringers.

My opinion, those features on the trs make it a more predictable ride.

[tku703]

Hello walove,
Can you explain what the raidal side cut with mag and vario grip do? Thanks.

[walove]

Radial side cut mean your side cut follows a constant radius which was the standard for many years, mervin then adds extra contact points with the magnitraction bumps. I feel mag really shines on icy traverses, expecially one foot traverses, and puckered ou situations in steep terrain. Some feel it has too much grip and can be hooky. The only times it doesn't fell smooth is sliding perpendicular to the side cut on firm snow. Vario grip uses sections of different radius starting tight at the tip and tail, then a medium section, then a mellow section in the middle. When you ride magnitraction in soft conditions it feels as if it is a smooth radial side cut. On firm snow you feel the extra grip but turns still follow that constant radius. Vario grip does give a good edge hold but with other variable/progressive side cuts you can the arc of the turn change as you come through a turn and your weight shifts. Angrysnowboarder.com has a good write up on sice cuts.

[chupacabraman]

The T-Rice's slightly stiffer flex would probably be more suitable for you. And the mid-wide is dope.