seanboobs

Hey guys, here to brag about my sweet new setup.
NOTE: This board has NOT seen snow at all.

Today I got my bindings attached, i'll get more into them later on. And just to get a quick over view of the pop and flex of the Banana, I strapped in and screwed around in my living room. My first impression was blown away. Either I haven't ridden many good boards, or this was hand crafted by God himself! I lean back and put about half pressure on my back foot, barely even trying to press. The nose raised about 6 inches, incredible flex! It is also stiff when necessary, it was amazing for the press, yet stiff all around. Just playing around (not 100% trying) I was busting out 2 and 1/2 foot nollies and ollies! That is an all time high for me. Normally I could just jump around 2 feet but never ollie or nollie, it is truly incredible. If you guys have any questions about the pop/flex feel free to fire away, but again I have not seen snow on this board. Yet

For the Union Forces, my brief experience was great. They are SUPER padded, and still incredibly light! The 2011's have no padding on the toe strap, which made me skeptical. But the loss of padding is no loss of grip or support. There is a super grippy material on top of the strap, giving it great hold over your toe with the added benefit of being lighter. The ratchets are incredible, 5/6 grooves with one click. You can strap in within 15 seconds, so much less time consuming. They also have a lifetime warranty on base plates, which I personally find great. The only thing slightly wrong with them is the toe strap ratchet is tricky to get off, but that in no way affects the overall performance of these bindings. Once more, any questions feel free. But these have NOT seen snow either.


If all goes well with work I should see the local resort by the end of this week, if not the beggining of the last week of December. When I see snow, i'll do my best to hop on here and fully review them. Till then, happy ripping to your all.


EDIT: I forgot to mention. I stuck with my old *21 in the front, *-12 in the back

snowboarder1

i was considering buying a skate banana after this season, i ride just alot of park i want a board that can carve well, hit jumps, has a lot of pop, and good for butters and boxes is this the board for me or should i look elsewhere?

Roundabout136

Isn't the flex awesome? The skate banana has amazing pop.

You'll absolutely love it when you ride it. I've got a 2010 skate banana and the 2011 union forces. The bindings are superb, extremely well made and uber comfortable.

I've wrote a review in the review section also, check it out if you want.

Love2board33

Wow Roundabout this is a very well detailed review!

slyder

I don't have any real experience as this is my 2nd year and 2nd board. But I love mine. Starting park and park jumps, I am still a learning newbie but have been greatly enjoying this board.

I never understood the bashing and hate that this board has seen!! But the board is working for me



-Slyder

seanboobs

Yes this board will be perfect! Shawnee mountain (my local mountain) is about 97% ice, it was HORRIBLE for carving on my old boards/most other peoples. With the Skate banana I still get an edge hold in push-up position. Crazy for carving. I have never successfully done a 180,360, etc. butter before this board. On my first run I decided to go for it, 360 butter and slid away like a pro. It also has incredible "suction" on boxes/rails. Wether it is board slide, tail/nose slides, or even 50-50's it was great on a box/rails! Also, before the mtn. I was getting 2-2 1/2 foot ollies, I can still get around 2 feet at top speed. Really great pop! For the jumps, the board has great pop and an excellent landing. But it did slightly disappoint on 40 foot kickers. Nothing too bad at all, but just a slightly squirrelly landing.

So all in all, yes this board would be a great fit for you. That is, unless your going insane over 40+ foot jumps, then i'd look into a board designed for just that. Happy shredding

ev13wt

^^ You can't butter a 360 but you are doing 40 foot kicker?

Sounds to me like you are repeating what you read.


Board is a great one, hasn't let me down.

StarCommand

I skinned my knuckles trying to get the toe ratchet loose on my Forces this past weekend. Really enjoyed that. Cursed Union through the throbbing, but by the time I got to the bottom of the slope and felt how responsive and fantastic the bindings were, I forgot about the pain and decided I'd gladly shred my knuckles every time I unstrapped.

--bigtime--

Hey Slyder. How do you like Flows on your banana???
Are those this years NXT-ATs???
Thinking about putting M-9s on mine.

Roundabout136

I don't have any problems unstrapping from the forces, they come off buttery smooth. Is it that difficult to get off?