Pretty easy. The T.Rice is an all mountain charger, the Space Case is an All Terrain Jibber. Do you want a playful deck, or a charger?
Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro vs. Gnu Space Case
Hi All,
I'm about to pull the trigger on a new board next week before I go to Austria and am near desperation because I'm having such a difficult time settling on which board to get. I'm torn between the Lib Tech TR pro 155 and Gnu Space Case 156.
Here something about myself:
I started riding around 10 years ago where I had a long break of 3 years that ended last year. Before that I rode skis. I would say I'm an intermediate rider, I can carve well, do some intermediate buttering, and very basic tricks (ollies, 180s, grabs). I also recently went more into off-piste/powder and can ride pretty much any difficulty level.
I have tried rails but am not very confident on them, and still somewhat unsafe riding switch (I put it off until last year), and still need to improve my jumping. I aspire to ride all along the mountain with a very playful/buttery style. I am still unsure if I want to practice more on rails.
I like both boards (I prefer the graphic of the Gnu) and am aware that the Lib tech is more for the all mountain rider and the Gnu more for the park rider. My dilemma is that I rarely get the chance to ride proper off-piste. Mostly, I just go off the piste for a slope which has some powder next to it, and occasionally explore into trees. Apart from that I mainly ride on the piste (which is why I enjoy butter tricks). For that reason, I think the more practical choice for my current needs would be the space case, however I do not want to limit myself buying this board now as I do aspire to be an all mountain freestyle snowboarder not too focused on rails. I really enjoy the powder.
Anybody have some sound advice or experience with either of the boards they would like to share? I am buying the board next wednesday so any help is greatly appreciated!!
I'm about to pull the trigger on a new board next week before I go to Austria and am near desperation because I'm having such a difficult time settling on which board to get. I'm torn between the Lib Tech TR pro 155 and Gnu Space Case 156.
Here something about myself:
I started riding around 10 years ago where I had a long break of 3 years that ended last year. Before that I rode skis. I would say I'm an intermediate rider, I can carve well, do some intermediate buttering, and very basic tricks (ollies, 180s, grabs). I also recently went more into off-piste/powder and can ride pretty much any difficulty level.
I have tried rails but am not very confident on them, and still somewhat unsafe riding switch (I put it off until last year), and still need to improve my jumping. I aspire to ride all along the mountain with a very playful/buttery style. I am still unsure if I want to practice more on rails.
I like both boards (I prefer the graphic of the Gnu) and am aware that the Lib tech is more for the all mountain rider and the Gnu more for the park rider. My dilemma is that I rarely get the chance to ride proper off-piste. Mostly, I just go off the piste for a slope which has some powder next to it, and occasionally explore into trees. Apart from that I mainly ride on the piste (which is why I enjoy butter tricks). For that reason, I think the more practical choice for my current needs would be the space case, however I do not want to limit myself buying this board now as I do aspire to be an all mountain freestyle snowboarder not too focused on rails. I really enjoy the powder.
Anybody have some sound advice or experience with either of the boards they would like to share? I am buying the board next wednesday so any help is greatly appreciated!!
1 - 16 of 16 Posts
I think I would prefer a more playful deck that is able to butter and jib here and there. Do you think there is much of a difference in performance for powder between the C2 and the C2x?Pretty easy. The T.Rice is an all mountain charger, the Space Case is an All Terrain Jibber. Do you want a playful deck, or a charger?
I also would love the mullair but think it might be a bit too advanced for me. I would have to take a wide version that is 159cm long.
That is also an option, however I would need the wide board which I find is a bit too long for my taste (159cm and size 11 boots). What do you think? Would the Mullair be able to rip it in the park?mullair ftw. only gnu I want.
It’s not the charger it used to be. Mervin softened this up to be an every man’s driver. IE, the success of the films have made this board so soft now. Anyone can ride it.I think I would prefer a more playful deck that is able to butter and jib here and there. Do you think there is much of a difference in performance for powder between the C2 and the C2x?Pretty easy. The T.Rice is an all mountain charger, the Space Case is an All Terrain Jibber. Do you want a playful deck, or a charger?
I also would love the mullair but think it might be a bit too advanced for me. I would have to take a wide version that is 159cm long.
The TRS is actually a more aggressive board now, and it appears the Banana Magic is now C2. My guess is it’s basically the old Rice with different tip shapes. Used be more of a stiff skate banana, but now has C2.
Was floored Mervin did this to the Rice, as it was easily my favorite board in their lineup. Should have never sold my ‘12. A new broken in Rice can fold In half. My ‘12 after 50 days was still stiff
I have a 2014 trice pro 161.5 pointy and a 2017 space case 159. And a 159w mullair. Call me a Mervin fanboy but I love all three. I'm 6'3, 195 lbs with size 11 feet. I ride switch a lot, and mostly stay off of jibs.
If I could own just one board, it would be the Space Case. If I could own two, I'd get the Mullair first and the Space Case second.
The Space Case is fantastic for everything except charging hard down steep slopes and carving, and even then it's not terrible. I've ridden it in powder and it's fine as long as I'm relying on speed, rather than the board shape, to keep me afloat. Space Case is a lively, poppy board, and my favorite all around board.
The Mullair has a really fun surfy feel, is stiffer and more stable than the space case, and handles pow and high speed much better. Not as fun for buttering or freestyle. Riding switch is doable but nothing like the space case where it's easy. It's probably not too advanced for you. I bought it to have a camber board I could flip my bindings on to ride goofy full time and keep me honest, and it's working great for that. (I'm a regular rider, so intermediate riding goofy, especially getting off lifts)
Trice pro is for hard charging regular or switch. If you're a bigger guy or a really strong rider you can butter and throw it around but it's much more effort than nearly any freestyle board. I *hate* riding this board through crowded resorts. It wants to go fast and straight and knock over children and slow skiers like bowling pins. But it's a blast if you can get to powder or open runs on a weekday.
I can't comment on the stiffness of the newer trice pros, but I demoed a trice goldmember last year and although it was lighter it wasn't a significant enough difference from my trice to make me want to change.
If I could own just one board, it would be the Space Case. If I could own two, I'd get the Mullair first and the Space Case second.
The Space Case is fantastic for everything except charging hard down steep slopes and carving, and even then it's not terrible. I've ridden it in powder and it's fine as long as I'm relying on speed, rather than the board shape, to keep me afloat. Space Case is a lively, poppy board, and my favorite all around board.
The Mullair has a really fun surfy feel, is stiffer and more stable than the space case, and handles pow and high speed much better. Not as fun for buttering or freestyle. Riding switch is doable but nothing like the space case where it's easy. It's probably not too advanced for you. I bought it to have a camber board I could flip my bindings on to ride goofy full time and keep me honest, and it's working great for that. (I'm a regular rider, so intermediate riding goofy, especially getting off lifts)
Trice pro is for hard charging regular or switch. If you're a bigger guy or a really strong rider you can butter and throw it around but it's much more effort than nearly any freestyle board. I *hate* riding this board through crowded resorts. It wants to go fast and straight and knock over children and slow skiers like bowling pins. But it's a blast if you can get to powder or open runs on a weekday.
I can't comment on the stiffness of the newer trice pros, but I demoed a trice goldmember last year and although it was lighter it wasn't a significant enough difference from my trice to make me want to change.
Man, I cannot tell you how thankful I am to you. You are the perfect person as the recipient of my question!I have a 2014 trice pro 161.5 pointy and a 2017 space case 159. And a 159w mullair. Call me a Mervin fanboy but I love all three. I'm 6'3, 195 lbs with size 11 feet. I ride switch a lot, and mostly stay off of jibs.
If I could own just one board, it would be the Space Case. If I could own two, I'd get the Mullair first and the Space Case second.
The Space Case is fantastic for everything except charging hard down steep slopes and carving, and even then it's not terrible. I've ridden it in powder and it's fine as long as I'm relying on speed, rather than the board shape, to keep me afloat. Space Case is a lively, poppy board, and my favorite all around board.
The Mullair has a really fun surfy feel, is stiffer and more stable than the space case, and handles pow and high speed much better. Not as fun for buttering or freestyle. Riding switch is doable but nothing like the space case where it's easy. It's probably not too advanced for you. I bought it to have a camber board I could flip my bindings on to ride goofy full time and keep me honest, and it's working great for that. (I'm a regular rider, so intermediate riding goofy, especially getting off lifts)
Trice pro is for hard charging regular or switch. If you're a bigger guy or a really strong rider you can butter and throw it around but it's much more effort than nearly any freestyle board. I *hate* riding this board through crowded resorts. It wants to go fast and straight and knock over children and slow skiers like bowling pins. But it's a blast if you can get to powder or open runs on a weekday.
I can't comment on the stiffness of the newer trice pros, but I demoed a trice goldmember last year and although it was lighter it wasn't a significant enough difference from my trice to make me want to change.
I have narrowed it down to the Gnu Mullair and the Space Case. I read that the new TR Pro models don't have a sintered base (TNT, extruded base instead) and with a board at that price point that's isn't acceptable.
Between the space case and the mullair I would have to choose by tomorrow. I can pick the space case up in a store near me but the mullair needs to be shipped and I'm leaving on Friday. I was very much thinking of perhaps getting both boards, with the Mullair as my C3 off-piste option and the Space Case as my go-to resort board. I'm very glad that you can recommend both and would choose the Space Case over the Mullair. I feel that both would be amazing for me, but that the spacecase would allow me to improve my freestyle before I take it anywhere outside of the park. Does that logic seem sound to you? I have thought about this so much that it's making me crazy.
Are you riding the most recent Space Case with C2x? Do you feel you could spend a whole day off-piste with it?
Also, for me getting the Mullair means having to go up to a size 159, at 180cm height 5 10 7/8 feet and only around 160 pounds that's tipping the scale a bit - It's because my feet are so darn big.... (size 11)
Would you have fun with the Mullair in the park?
I think I ultimately know which one I'm going for and which is better for me (Space Case), it's just that I love this years graphic of the Mueller a lot and I'm not the biggest fan of black snowboards, which is why I am still contemplating.
Anyways, thank you so much for the advice, you have already been an immense help!
I'm sorry, I think I grabbed the last wide Mullair for this year; had to order it directly from Gnu. It's a really narrow board so I wouldn't ride a non-wide with size 11. I'd be booting out a lot and a lot of the fun of the board is surfy carves. Also, it's fine for jumps but it's not a park board. Space Case, or any other park-oriented board would be way better.
And I do have last year's Space Case, which is the XC2 (renamed to C2x this year). I got the Space Case on an online fire sale after demo'ing a TRS and Rider's Choice. I liked both of those but the TRS felt more stable with the bit of extra camber. I lucked out and the Space Case is my favorite of those three.
I ride the Space Case faster than I probably should. You can definitely take it all around the mountain.
If you get a second board later you then have a lot of options for camber/directional/freeride/powder specific boards. Or if the Space Case covers everything you want to do then you're all set
And I do have last year's Space Case, which is the XC2 (renamed to C2x this year). I got the Space Case on an online fire sale after demo'ing a TRS and Rider's Choice. I liked both of those but the TRS felt more stable with the bit of extra camber. I lucked out and the Space Case is my favorite of those three.
I ride the Space Case faster than I probably should. You can definitely take it all around the mountain.
If you get a second board later you then have a lot of options for camber/directional/freeride/powder specific boards. Or if the Space Case covers everything you want to do then you're all set
A couple of misconceptions in this:Man, I cannot tell you how thankful I am to you. You are the perfect person as the recipient of my question!
I have narrowed it down to the Gnu Mullair and the Space Case. I read that the new TR Pro models don't have a sintered base (TNT, extruded base instead) and with a board at that price point that's isn't acceptable.
Between the space case and the mullair I would have to choose by tomorrow. I can pick the space case up in a store near me but the mullair needs to be shipped and I'm leaving on Friday. I was very much thinking of perhaps getting both boards, with the Mullair as my C3 off-piste option and the Space Case as my go-to resort board. I'm very glad that you can recommend both and would choose the Space Case over the Mullair. I feel that both would be amazing for me, but that the spacecase would allow me to improve my freestyle before I take it anywhere outside of the park. Does that logic seem sound to you? I have thought about this so much that it's making me crazy.
Are you riding the most recent Space Case with C2x? Do you feel you could spend a whole day off-piste with it?
Also, for me getting the Mullair means having to go up to a size 159, at 180cm height 5 10 7/8 feet and only around 160 pounds that's tipping the scale a bit - It's because my feet are so darn big.... (size 11)
Would you have fun with the Mullair in the park?
I think I ultimately know which one I'm going for and which is better for me (Space Case), it's just that I love this years graphic of the Mueller a lot and I'm not the biggest fan of black snowboards, which is why I am still contemplating.
Anyways, thank you so much for the advice, you have already been an immense help!
1. For bases: T Rice does have a sintered base, just like the Space Case. Mullair has what Mervin calls co-sintered. None of this makes much of a difference but just to get the facts straight.
2. With size US11 your feet are not particularly big and you probably do not need a wide board (although you may still like/enjoy a wide). You might also want to measure your feet to check whether you should be in smaller boots.
As for recommendation: Space Case sounds great for your riding description. And you can augment later with a more freeride/charger board.
Thank you for the advice! I read that the new lib tech boards all use a TNT base, which is marketing term for extruded... It also says so on the website, but maybe I'm mistaken.A couple of misconceptions in this:
1. For bases: T Rice does have a sintered base, just like the Space Case. Mullair has what Mervin calls co-sintered. None of this makes much of a difference but just to get the facts straight.
2. With size US11 your feet are not particularly big and you probably do not need a wide board (although you may still like/enjoy a wide). You might also want to measure your feet to check whether you should be in smaller boots.
As for recommendation: Space Case sounds great for your riding description. And you can augment later with a more freeride/charger board.
I'm receving my new boots today and was thinking of seeing how the 153 space case would fit in regards to toe and heal drag. What waist would you recommend with shoe size 11?
A) Website expressly states 'sintered' for the T Rice base: Travis Rice Pro Horsepower C2 Snowboard 2017-2018 | Lib TechThank you for the advice! I read that the new lib tech boards all use a TNT base, which is marketing term for extruded... It also says so on the website, but maybe I'm mistaken.
I'm receving my new boots today and was thinking of seeing how the 153 space case would fit in regards to toe and heal drag. What waist would you recommend with shoe size 11?
B) Nothing happens at the board waist - well at least you don't put your feet there when riding, so foot size vs. waist width is irrelevant.
C) What matters is your foot length, not your boot size.
D) At 160lb you should probably be (at least) on the 156 Space Case for the riding you describe (153 would be quite a small jib stick).
Ah, I'm so sorry. I was looking at the Shredder for some reason because the graphics are so similar. My bad!A) Website expressly states 'sintered' for the T Rice base: Travis Rice Pro Horsepower C2 Snowboard 2017-2018 | Lib Tech
B) Nothing happens at the board waist - well at least you don't put your feet there when riding, so foot size vs. waist width is irrelevant.
C) What matters is your foot length, not your boot size.
D) At 160lb you should probably be (at least) on the 156 Space Case for the riding you describe (153 would be quite a small jib stick).
My foot length is around 28,2 cm.
So waist length doesn't matter at all? I had read that the waist width should be a guideline if your bootsize is right or not...
Thanks a lot for the advice. I will go for the 156 sized board. Seeing now that the TR has a sintered base, would you recommend it or would you agree that it might be too aggressive?
Sintered base or not would not factor into my decision. For your riding the Space Case still is the best choice.Ah, I'm so sorry. I was looking at the Shredder for some reason because the graphics are so similar. My bad!
My foot length is around 28,2 cm.
So waist length doesn't matter at all? I had read that the waist width should be a guideline if your bootsize is right or not...
Thanks a lot for the advice. I will go for the 156 sized board. Seeing now that the TR has a sintered base, would you recommend it or would you agree that it might be too aggressive?
BTW with a 28.2cm foot length you are barely a US10.5, that is pretty normal and the 156 Space Case works (or equivalent T Rice). Even the Mullair (which is a bit narrower as mentioned by somebody) would be ok.
Okay, Thank you! I had heard Sintered bases are much more sustainable in the long term.Sintered base or not would not factor into my decision. For your riding the Space Case still is the best choice.
BTW with a 28.2cm foot length you are barely a US10.5, that is pretty normal and the 156 Space Case works (or equivalent T Rice). Even the Mullair (which is a bit narrower as mentioned by somebody) would be ok.
With my foot length I am ordinarily a US 11 with most shoes. With snowboard boots between a 10.5 and US 11. With the Mullair I would have massive toe and heal drag no?
Space Case before T.Rice for what you described.
I'm between 10.5 and 11 and while waist width isn't everything, it gives you a rough idea as to how wide the board is at your feet. For the same waist width boards with a deep sidecut will be wider at your feet will be larger than boards with a shallow side cut. And yeah, there might be some boards with different shapes that don't hold true to this rule, but for me if a board is under 25.5cm waist width I check it out very carefully before buying.
Most of the brands on evo.com have recommended boot sizes for the boards, which is helpful.
Here's the one for Gnu: https://www.evo.com/gnu-snowboard-size-chart
And for Lib-Tech: https://www.evo.com/lib-tech-snowboard-size-chart
The 159 Wide Mullair is wide enough for me with size 10.5 Salomon Synapse Wide boots. I wouldn't want the board to be any narrower. There are too many great options for freeride boards out there to compromise on a too-narrow board.
I prefer sintered bases but it wouldn't make or break a board for me. Lib's TNT base is a nice low-maintenance base. But all of the boards you are considering have sintered bases.
I'm between 10.5 and 11 and while waist width isn't everything, it gives you a rough idea as to how wide the board is at your feet. For the same waist width boards with a deep sidecut will be wider at your feet will be larger than boards with a shallow side cut. And yeah, there might be some boards with different shapes that don't hold true to this rule, but for me if a board is under 25.5cm waist width I check it out very carefully before buying.
Most of the brands on evo.com have recommended boot sizes for the boards, which is helpful.
Here's the one for Gnu: https://www.evo.com/gnu-snowboard-size-chart
And for Lib-Tech: https://www.evo.com/lib-tech-snowboard-size-chart
The 159 Wide Mullair is wide enough for me with size 10.5 Salomon Synapse Wide boots. I wouldn't want the board to be any narrower. There are too many great options for freeride boards out there to compromise on a too-narrow board.
I prefer sintered bases but it wouldn't make or break a board for me. Lib's TNT base is a nice low-maintenance base. But all of the boards you are considering have sintered bases.
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