hktrdr

With all the sales at DOG etc. and not much exciting new technology for 2013 (at least so far). I am considering picking up one of the 2012 boards if I can get a good deal.

My specifics:

• Good intermediate (not expert) all-mountain rider
• Riding profile: all-mountain charging (runs and back country) typically with lots of pow (I board mostly in Japan), some jumps (both natural and kickers) and some pipe (hope to do more of that); no rails/other park/etc. at all
• like to ride switch, spin, slalom through trees; not so interested in jibbing and buttering all over the place
• 5'9" and 150-155lbs
• shoe size 10+, so ideally want 25.5cm waist width (or close to it)

For the last couple of seasons my primary board has been a 159 Skate Banana, which has gotten me from beginner/intermediate to good intermediate but which I find a bit limiting these days (a bit too soft and not very poppy).
I love the Magnetraction and what Mervin does, so I am inclined to go for another Lib-Tech board. Looking at the 2012 line-up, the obvious choices seem to be (mostly because of C2 Power/Enhanced Banana):

• 157 TRS ($330 on sale)
• 157 T. Rice Pro ($320 on sale, $420 for the HP version)
• 157 Banana Magic ($420 on sale)

Maybe also the Attack Banana.

The TRS and T Rice are well known and much discussed here, the Banana Magic and Attack Banana not so much. Here is what I have got from various sources:

• TRS: softest and most playful of the boards in the list, but still stiff enough for charging
• T. Rice Pro: stiffer and less playful than the TRS, more of a board to charge and go big
• Banana Magic: also stiff but quicker edge-to-edge than the T. Rice, Mervin rep says it is the best powder board among these, lots of other tech but not sure of the specific benefits

Suffice to say I am confused. Am I missing anything important in the above? Your advice much appreciated.

Liv4Sno

The TRS all the way. The T.Rice might be too firm, and the BM is overkill.

Raines

check smokin superpark . has MTX also

hktrdr

What do you mean the Magic is overkill? In which way? Considering that the difference is only $100, I am kind of tempted by the proper sintered base and the basalt/non-fiberglass construction... According to the Mervin guys it is also supposed to be quite a bit better in powder, which is important to me.

604al

I had a skate banana when they first came out and that thing sucked... a complete noodle.

If i remember correctly, your other options are all still true twin, ec2 camber with similar waste widths... why not go for the stiffest of the 3 to complement the banana?

On a somewhat related note, the Never Summer Proto seems to be EXACTLY what you're looking for, and more.

hktrdr

Do not think it sucked. Good board for its purpose and sure helped me become a better rider - but definitely soft (especially after 3 years of hard riding) and not what I am currently looking for.

I think it is time to replace, rather than complement the Banana. Ideally with a more versatile board for everything but the most epic powder days (got a Sick Stick for that).

Have heard good things about the NS Proto. Not sure what the best price for one would be?

Bparmz

I ride a 157 TRS and i love it. I am confident doing absolutely anything and everything on it. The only thing that im not crazy about but its not that big of a deal is the base. I just wish they had it with a sintered base.
Also, you may want to check out the GNU Riders Choice 154, i tested it out and loved it. its basically the same as the TRS but with a sintered base and its a tad softer but nothing noticeable. And i say 154 on the riders choice because the effective edge with the blunted tips makes it ride more like a 157 with a length of 154. But like i said..the TRS is effin awesome, by far my favorite board ever so far

hpin

I had a 151 TRS and I found the sidecut to be too mellow for me, I now have a Riders Choice 151.5, turns better, the sintered base is a bonus.

Nolefan2011

I have a T Rice. Love the board, but am intrigued by the Magic. From everyone I have ever spoken with that has ridden the board, they all say it's the best board they have ever been on. Heard specifically more pop than the T Rice

hktrdr

Thanks for the comments from everybody so far. TRS seems to have a lot of love, so I guess the reputation it has is well deserved. To be honest, it was kind of the 'default' choice but I was curious about what else is out there and whether the extra tech (like in the Magic) is worth it.

Yeah, I am really interested in Gnu as well, but they just don't seem to be very common where I am. Concerns with the Rider's Choice are the softer flex (not sure I want to go softer than the TRS) and more importantly waist width (no way the 154.5 would work, needs to be the 157.5 with my boots).

How does the Gnu Danny Kass compare to the Rider's Choice and the TRS?