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REVIEW; Neversummer Raptor 156

66K views 211 replies 36 participants last post by  danm 
#1 · (Edited)
Actually this is just a prequel, I'm heading up to http://www.Shweitzer.com this Sunday and Monday for first turns on this board and the forecast looks pretty promising for some nice pow.
About me, 160-165lbs sz 9 foot 5'5"... I've been riding 'seriously' for the last 7-ish years but off and on since I was 15... I'll be 40 in March. Not into park except for jumps/kickers and don't do switch unless I need to get out of a dicey situation.
I purchased the Raptor to replace my T.Rice 157... My pure pow board is a Lib Mullet 160 and I'll keep that for snorkel days! Love the rice but the waist width at 25.8 can be kind of a chore with my feet and it's a twin and I don't do much switch so..... in comes the Raptor. I was originally considering the Cobra but after much reading and noticing how reviewers (Snowolf, Leo, others) noted that the Heritage was stiffer than the Cobra and the T.Rice was stiffer than the Heritage... and I really like the stiffness of the rice :)
I'll update this thread probably Tuesday...

Happy riding
danm
 
#128 ·
Just get one of this , and love it so much. I have the whole range of NS boards, but this really standout, light and flex enough to go to trees and mogul. Super damp to go on groom. Wish they make the 156 size before, I think it's event better than the cobra, heritage. IMO :)
 
#132 ·
Should be a good ride, just got back from Brundage in the Idaho Rockies... 5 inches fresh on top of heavy crust... Challenging conditions but the Raptor just demolishes this type of snow. Day ended when a Thunder Snow storm hit and they shut the lifts down...

danm
 
#135 ·
Yep, the 2013 has a stiffness / dampness rating of 7 / 6.5 and the 2014 has a rating of 9 / 8 which makes it a better hard charger in my opinion and experience. The 2014 also has the new Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilzers that reduce vibration up through the binding mounting areas, reducing vibration and transfering kinetic energy out to the tips to cushion the ride even more.
I just smiled a little. Of course the ball n chain won't understand when I say I want another raptor!
 
#136 ·
Yep, the 2013 has a stiffness / dampness rating of 7 / 6.5 and the 2014 has a rating of 9 / 8 which makes it a better hard charger in my opinion and experience. The 2014 also has the new Elastomeric Underfoot Stabilzers that reduce vibration up through the binding mounting areas, reducing vibration and transfering kinetic energy out to the tips to cushion the ride even more.
Sounds pritty sick im glad i baught it i cant stop thinking about it im so excited for it :p
 
#137 · (Edited)
I LOVE THIS BOARD!

I took the Raptor out to Blue Mtn this past Saturday. it was all slush in all the trails, but it was still a breeze charging down, especially thru the double blacks since the edgehold on this board grips as advertised. the contact pro's felt perfect for it as well.

during high speeds, i didnt feel/hear the board chattering compared to the Cobra.. i'm definitely keeping this bad boy for a while.. got Stratton lined up this Sunday, so we'll see how it goes.

did i mention that I LOVE THIS BOARD!
 
#140 · (Edited)
Day one of SnoWolf's Review of the 2014 Raptor is up! Sounds like the dampening in the binding areas does improve the stability. Not to get nit-picky, but I wish the 2014 Raptor came in a red-orange color like this year. The yellow... meh. The yellow color doesn't say "hard-charging-aggressive" like the red did with the 2013 board. I do love the phoenix graphic on the bottom though across the line instead of the Never Summer text. Get a red-orange color option (164!) and keep the phoenix die-cut on the bottom and it would be perfect.
 
#141 ·
Day one of SnoWolf's Review of the 2014 Raptor is up! Sounds like the dampening in the binding areas does improve the stability. Not to get nit-picky, but I wish the 2014 Raptor came in a red-orange color like this year. The yellow... meh. The yellow color doesn't say "hard-charging-aggressive" like the red did with the 2013 board. I do love the phoenix graphic on the bottom though across the line instead of the Never Summer text. Get a red-orange color option (164!) and keep the phoenix die-cut on the bottom and it would be perfect.
I dont know...I kind of like it. Actually reverts back to year one's color scheme and overall look. I still prefer my 11/12 graphic though. The blue smoke on the black topsheet...clean and mean. Wonder if I could get them to build me a 14 with my 12 graphic?!
 
#147 · (Edited)
This thread is of interest to me since I am jumping into NS. I am just not sure which board. I am between the SL, Heritage, and now considering the Raptor. I have been riding for a total of 6-seasons, and the past 2-seasons I have been riding a bit more aggressive and getting a feel for flatland tricks and taking rollers. I would be coming from a 155 Burton G-Twin. I mostly ride East Coast (Blue, Jack Frost, etc.) but do a yearly trips to Maine and have explored out West like Flagstaff, AZ and parts of Canada. At this point, it looks like the SL may be more my flavor since that's their "jack of all trades" board, but the Heritage and Raptor do seem mighty appealing for the aggressive rider who likes to carve, and the carbonium top sheet seems like a stellar thing to have.

Just wanted to see if anyone had any further input to help sway my decision. I am already pretty sure I will invest in the Proto CT since that is a true twin, but would like another board as well. From the reviews on here, it seems the Heritage would give me less chatter versus the SL and Raptor when hitting bumps?
 
#148 ·
If you want a true twin, spend time in the park jibbing and the like, or riding switch a lot the Raptor isn't for you. However I think the Raptor could be a great fit for you on the East Coast ice. As far as flat ground tricks, the Raptor isn't going to have enough flex for easy buttering but if you are just looking at ollie'ing or hitting rollers, the Raptor does that great and has a lot of pop for jumps. It is an agressive hard charging board that can power through any snow condition with relative ease if the rider is intermediate or above.

If you are looking to jib and butter on the flats but still want some good off piste performace I would look into the Proto CT or Cobra. In fact, the Cobra may be exactly what you are looking for since it also has the Carbonium top sheet you want. The Cobra's stance is very slightly set back but that will serve you well if you are wanting to get more aggressive.

I have ridden both the Cobra and the Raptor and for serious mountain-slaying speed and stability (which I love and adore) the Raptor is definitely the stick of choice. The Cobra was more playful and I could really swing it around but I felt like it had a governor on it when it came to speed and stability. The Cobra was definitely more of a jibber but still held up great in the pow and all mountain stuff.
 
#149 · (Edited)
Thanks for the feedback, scottyroo! As I said, I am pretty set on investing in the Proto CT to continue on my park, jibbing, etc since that is a true twin. I am looking for a 2nd board as an all mountain cruiser to help me on the East Coast ice, and would also be able to get me around when I am in Maine. Just wasn't sure if I should jump into a flagship board (Raptor) so quickly since I am switching brands and adding the benefit of the vario side cuts. That is why I mentioned my interest in the SL.
 
#150 ·
The Proto and the SL cater to basically the same type of rider... you just get more features and tech in the Proto. If I were you I would opt for a Raptor for a board at the other end of the spectrum of the Proto to give you some more diversity. If you still aren't sure you want to go all the over to the Raptor, I would get a Cobra.
 
#152 ·
You're gonna love the Proto, especially if you wait and get the HD. As for an all mountain NS stick, the Heritage is where I would go. I've never ridden a Raptor, but the Heritage is plenty stiff, as well as damp, and great at groomer slaying and crud busting.
 
#157 ·
Just pulled the trigger on the 2013 Raptor 164...

I've been riding a 165 T5 for the past 7 years, on a 163 premier for 7 years before that...

I was really vascilating between waiting on the 2014 with the increased dampness, or if I should go for a Cobra, since I live for powder in the trees...
I went with the Raptor because I wanted something that would handle the big mountain stuff and crud when I needed it...

Also torn between a 164 or the 161x. I'm a size 12 shoe, but ride in 11/11.5 boots. At 5'11" and 170, I guess I'm a little light for a 164, but I've been riding longer boards all my life.

Anyone have any word on this Raptor vs. Cobra choice?
164 vs. 161x or even a 159?
and 2014 vs 2013....

Mainly hoping that I made the right choice cause I'll be on this board for the next 7 years.
 
#158 · (Edited)
I was torn between a 164 and 165X and I have a 10.5 boot with a small-ish footprint. I'm 6'3" 195 so the 164/65 length is perfect for me. I've stuck with the 164 and it has been great.

I think both your weight and boot size is much better suited for a 161X. You will get a little better maneuverability in the trees that you like from the shorter board and will float better in the powder due to less toe/heel drag. My feet are on the border of getting a wide board with a size 11 shoe and 10.5 boot but with you being an 11.5-12, definitely go with the 161X.
 
#160 ·
Thanks for the quick replies...

Now, I'm a bit torn based on the advice towards the 161x...

The waist width the 164 is about 0.5 cm less than my T5, and the 161x is about 0.5 cm more.

I do ride with an agressive stance at +27 & +12 degrees, so maybe that would help make the narrow board better...
 
#161 ·
With that said, Markiel - Your aggressive stance definitely helps your case staying on a regular. Boot heel/toe overhang is important but even more important is how your bare feet match up to the board. Your bare feet should be equal to or barely overhang the board at your given stance angle. Too much and you'll eat it on a hard carve, too little and you won't have the leverage you need.

Even with your stance I would recommend getting a 161X. On a regular I think you'll be fine with your front foot at a 27 degree angle but the back foot may cause you trouble from time to time. Either way I don't think its the end of the world if you stick with a regular. Good luck!
 
#162 ·
Thanks for the tips...

I'll do the bare foot test, and make the decision. I think there are still a couple of 161x's hanging out there.

It sounds like people are going shorter on boards now days, I guess the rocker thing helps for the float so boards don't need to be as long to float in the pow.

Speed isn't really an issue for me - I don't care how fast I go, I just want to be able to handle some steeps and some pow.

Next question will be on bindings...
 
#167 ·
Well,

Thanks for all the posts and contributions to this thread...

No secret, I LOVE THIS BOARD... (as do many others)...

Would like to try a 14' just to feel the difference in damping and stiffness but if I don't, I feel like I've got the perfect board soooooo...... :)


danm
 
#168 ·
The final word after an awesome night of riding is that this board just kicks some serious ass. I actually found myself searching for the shady icy spots because the board was more as home on that compared to the soft corn. Til next year! (or whenever any of you ride the 2014 raptor)
 
#178 ·
I gotta say the last few posts are absolute crap. A simple response, something along the lines of... Hey it's been covered many times... Would have gone a long way. It's amazing how rampant the lack of patience is around here. Another case of... The Internet makes me a tough guy. :blink:
 
#182 ·
So I have a 164 at home, just checked the overhang in bare feet...

Front foot at 0 or so, back foot at about 1.6 cm or so...

So I don't know, do I switch for the wide board to cut teh back foot to 0.6, but the front foot isn't wide enough?

The 164 definitely looks skinnier than my previous board.

I guess with the premier, I wouldn't have to think through this issue because they have only one size which is perfectly wide for my foot size.

Is the 161w going to turn better given the shorter length and tighter side cut?
 
#183 ·
I can only speak from my experience. I weigh about 260 and ride a 165W. I wear size 11 boots. There are times I wish I bought a normal width. Thats only when riding slowly with new riders. Its a bitch to turn at low speed. Once Im freeriding, I have no problems banging turns with it. I havent barefooted my board, so I cant help you there.
 
#184 ·
Thanks for the feedback Werner SL...

Still thinking on this, but with a 164 sitting in my livingroom, I might just keep it and give it a go.

One thing that I'm wondering about is bindings. Are the new style reflex bindings lower profile (board to boot) than my 2008 vintage burton Cartels?
 
#185 ·
I think the profile is about the same. I had 2008 Burton Mission bindings and upgraded to 2013 Burton Cartels this year and the disc width is pretty much the same.

Regarding the 164 vs 161X... you are right on the fence with your angles. I would say if you hadn't already bought the board, go with a 161X, but since you already have a 164 you might as well give it a go. The 161X is still avaiable at Backcountry.com Never Summer Raptor X Snowboard - Wide | Backcountry.com - I would buy it at that price and give it a go. If you don't like it you return it in a month or 10 years from now and all you have to pay is $6.99 in shipping. If you are that torn, I would go that route.

I have a 164 and love it but keep in mind I'm 6'3" 195 with a 10.5 boot with an 18/0 degree directional regular stance. Fits me perfectly. Maybe you could play around with your stances with a 161X to give you more leverage and control at the edges since they are so agressive right now. Either decision you make won't be earth-shattering and detrimental to you ride. Both decisions have their pros/cons with your boot size/weight/stance angles.
 
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