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Never Summer Type2 Review - (bye bye Ladies Choice)

10K views 27 replies 11 participants last post by  neni 
#1 ·
Yep, that's right, from someone who has espoused the GNU Ladies Choice EC2 for the last few years, I am ready to move on. I was looking for something with more camber, better edge hold, more stable, a little longer, and just in general a beefier deck but still as a fun all-mountain, do all deck.

Boot size: 6.5 Weight: 130 Deck: 151

First day I rode it in full on slush, hard to really get a a feel for a snowboard in slush as really anything can be fun, but you cannot get a good idea of it's characteristics. We killed it in jumps and flow park (snow features only) but that's really it. I immediately noticed the added contact points compared to my LC. I struggled with popping on this day (keep reading).

Second day we started with firmer conditions so I was able to test the edge hold -- much more confident than riding my LC. Did more carving and dang can this thing get on an edge. I got boots full of snow from leaning over so far (super slushy). Also practiced switch to butter and finding the flex point I could really give it a good bend when I got my shoulders over the tail. Popping -- found the secret spot when it was firmer and I loaded the tail properly, such a cool feeling hitting that sweet spot and springing up!

Third day --- oh sweet mama...got to ride real terrain at Mt. Bachelor with a foot of fresh in the trees, and slightly less on open runs (the mountain shut down the day before everything was untouched). While I liked this board I wasn't sold on it riding slush and flatter terrain at Timberline.
First run down fresh snow.....SOLD.
Second run down in the trees.....SOLD.
Third run popping off rollers....SOLD.
Unexpected patches of wind scoured at the top.....SOLD.
Rest of the day....SOLD

My opinion on popping is that it takes technique. Some boards you can get away with minimal effort and spring right up, other decks you have to find where to load and actually put in the work. It also requires something to push off of. I'm used to a 148 mostly rocker board, so this one took some time to adjust to. However, riding tight trees with unexpected twists and turns in fresh snow....I simply loved it. It honestly reminded me of riding my Swift, obviously with less float, but with the added contact points I thought it would not ride as smoothly in that amount of snow as my Ladies Choice, but boy was I wrong. I can fly on this snowboard without being scared of catching an edge, yet being confident I won't wash out on icy spots. Even in exposed areas in the trees at the top, instead of freaking out I just kept going over it.

I'm sure there is more I could add, but that's the gist of it.

People talk about drinking the NS kool-aid, well when it comes to the Swift and Type Two I can certainly say it tastes pretty damn good. I already wrote a review on the IG, and it was not my cup of kool-aid FYI.

[/url]IMAG3437 by Shred Monster, on Flickr[/IMG]

[/url]IMAG3396 by Shred Monster, on Flickr[/IMG]

IMAG3350 by Shred Monster, on Flickr

[/url]IMAG3351 by Shred Monster, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
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#3 · (Edited)
Don't forget the newer LCs are C2 though, Shred Monster
Thanks, but how could I forget when you always remind me, not to mention just in general being a GNU fan not have looked into this or been aware of it already?? lol that's why I put EC2 in my initial post so people know it's not the C2 version....:facepalm2:
 
#10 ·
She's looking pretty beautiful high up on Hood:

[/url]IMG_20170525_163642_084 by Shred Monster, on Flickr[/IMG]

I think you are right @GreyDragon or maybe even C3. I am finally realizing just how much banana(rocker) is in the ladies GNU decks. I think even XC2 is fairly rocker. Funny how much tunnel vision one can get when it comes to snowboards....once I stop by Evo I'll take a look to get a better idea.
 
#20 ·
I think you are right @GreyDragon or maybe even C3. I am finally realizing just how much banana(rocker) is in the ladies GNU decks. I think even XC2 is fairly rocker. Funny how much tunnel vision one can get when it comes to snowboards....once I stop by Evo I'll take a look to get a better idea.
Out of curiosity, have you ever had the chance to make a comparison?
I've been riding a Roxy Torah Bright (XC2) for two full seasons as my as my groomer/park board (and Women's Flagship as my freeride/powder), and I am a bit curious as to how the Type2 compares.
 
#11 ·
Love that photo!
Real, or photoshopped?

Agreed that the Ripsaw profile is probably somewhere between Mervin's XC2 and C3 profiles.
Since C3 doesn't touch the ground in the middle while XC2 and Ripsaw do touch the ground in the middle, I figure the latter two are the comparables.
I've ridden all three profiles - liked XC2 and Ripsaw, did not like C3 FYI.

I'll be curious to hear what are your impressions once you get a chance to compare.
 
#13 ·
It is an awesome shot! :grin:
 
#14 ·
Great write up. Makes me even more curious to give it a try next season (although I'm still reluctant to believe that it could be my cup of tea :)) But you never know... Your assessment sure sounds promising.
 
#15 · (Edited)
Everything is worth a try. But this board is the opposite end of the spectrum from a flag. It's a CRC that gets squirrely at high speeds. It's a fun all mountain / powder slasher that's super quick and fun edge to edge with a 6.8/10 edge hold....not sure thats your game. Rogue wasn't feeling my critique raining on her parade, but there's a lot of NS love on here and no real counterpoints, and now that i've ridden one for two full seasons I feel equipped to comment.
 
#23 ·
Taking the Swift, I want it to experience Baldface too lol and come back knowing I rode that deck up there. From the registration it looks like you have to rent them. I really didn’t want to pay to try them out, I feel like it should be part of being up there you know ? If they’re free I’d definitely try some out !!
 
#25 · (Edited)
@TooNice

Yeah I honestly should have stuck with a 149 for the proto, but I also wasn’t planning on buying another board lol. I’ve also lost 10 pounds so trying to do any presses is a joke, not that I was good at it anyway. However, I like the size because on big jumps it’s stable and at high speeds. I hit 57mph this season in a chunky shitty run and never did I feel like I was going to lose control. In fact I like how fast I can make adjustments without feeling like I’ll catch an edge.

It’s dumb having similar size boards in everything I ride but really that’s the sweet spot for me. I have baby feet and not a lot of weight, so my range on what I enjoy riding is rather small.

Looks like the LC and Torah bright are both C2 yeah ? I mean if you love the Torah bright then just stick with it. When I first stepped into the proto it felt like a beast to be honest. That extra edge that extends to the tip and tail is really noticeable. The ladies choice I have is basically rocker. There is a definite difference between how they feel and made. My guess is the proto rides bigger than the Torah bright until you get used it.

The proto certainly has pop, it’s just not as easy to find as on GNU boards. I’ve ridden probably 4 different GNU and they’re all so light, playful, and easy to pop. They just want to spring up. The proto takes more effort and technique to get it right, but it’s there.

Snow Winter Snowboard Boardsport Snowboarding


Snow Winter Tree Geological phenomenon Slope
 
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#26 ·
@TooNice

Yeah I honestly should have stuck with a 149 for the proto, but I also wasn’t planning on buying another board lol. I’ve also lost 10 pounds so trying to do any presses is a joke, not that I was good at it anyway. However, I like the size because on big jumps it’s stable and at high speeds. I hit 57mph this season in a chunky shitty run and never did I feel like I was going to lose control. In fact I like how fast I can make adjustments without feeling like I’ll catch an edge.

It’s dumb having similar size boards in everything I ride but really that’s the sweet spot for me. I have baby feet and not a lot of weight, so my range on what I enjoy riding is rather small.

Looks like the LC and Torah bright are both C2 yeah ? I mean if you love the Torah bright then just stick with it. When I first stepped into the proto it felt like a beast to be honest. That extra edge that extends to the tip and tail is really noticeable. The ladies choice I have is basically rocker. There is a definite difference between how they feel and made. My guess is the proto rides bigger than the Torah bright until you get used it.

The proto certainly has pop, it’s just not as easy to find as on GNU boards. I’ve ridden probably 4 different GNU and they’re all so light, playful, and easy to pop. They just want to spring up. The proto takes more effort and technique to get it right, but it’s there.

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Lil Jae and Pheeder need to read this.
 
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