Looking for a change in board
Hey all!
Im heading across to thredbo and possibly falls creek this year and i have been thinking about selling my board and getting a new one.
I have a GNU Billy Goat 162 C2BTX and its been really great but i would like to swap to something a bit more agile (if that makes sense?). I believe it is a full mountain board and very stiff, so i want to switch it up and start playing on some jumps and some quick speed runs through some trees 
Im about 105 / 6"2’ and running size 13 boots (forum ones with great shrinkage so non wide boards should be ok but that said it cant hurt to be safe!
Any suggestions? budgeting max 1k for new board / gloves / beanie / bag, so probs about 7-800 max (less is better though ) on the new deck.
A bit unsure on profile, probs rocker / hybrid(a), my issues is i thought my current board would be more agile but i think its mainly the stiffness that holds me up. Rode a friends GNU and it felt awesome, not sure what one it was but i think it was only BTX not C2BTX.
As far as brands go i like Libtech/GNU, YES, K2, Forum, anything really except for Burton (just dont like that i cant get a channel board and keep my bindings lol!) I like the look of the K2 Happy Hour but i think its just the marketing getting to me.
What hot and new? and pro suggestions?
Current:
If you want to stay with Mervin (Lib and Gnu) have a look at an attack banana, they are supposed to b quite playful and if they come in HP version that would be the one to get. Maybe a Riders Choice might be ok, same profile but a softer board or you could go full rocker in a banana or carbon credit, easier on the pocket those two as well.
I’ve just got myself a DC Ply, was a little concerned at first but after a full weekend on it I’m loving it. I’m a touch under 6’3”, size 12 and about 105 give or take and have a skate banana in 159, a T Rice in 157 and the DC Ply in 159, all these boards have waist widths of 254 or above and I don’t have issues with drag but I also ride with +15 -15 and 25” stance width.
Oh one other thing, even if for no other reason than psychological, get a centred stance true twin if you plan on riding switch regularly (and you should, it’s great for your riding), that’s my thoughts on it anyways.
One of the other guys on here loves his K2 boards, his username gives it away, he might be able to help you with them and a lot of others rate Yes boards so I’ sure they will chime in as well.
what bindings do you have? You do realize that you don’t have to have Burton bindings on a Burton board, right?
However, if your bindings are old they might not be compatible.
Hey oriphinz, welcome to Boardworld. 
A few questions before we begin…
How much do you weigh?
How experienced are you?
What’s your preferred style of snowboarding? Are you looking for a versatile board to handle everything, or do you want something more specific, i.e. park?
Are you only using this board in Australia or do you have plans to ride overseas?
If you haven’t already, please have a read of this thread on camber profiles: https://www.boardworld.com.au/forums/viewthread/4119/
Thanks for the advice all!
NBG, Really like the look of the attack banana there is a 2013 one thats $160 off at my local so ill go check it out this weekend. Carbon Creds have always been highly recommended as well so might give em a look.
How do you go with the skate banana? i look at them and was considering the 159 but the site says 80lbs+ for weight so i thought it might be no good for a bloke my size?
Sorry Gamblor should have mentioned, got some 2012 Forum The Republic which are a bit stiffer than the Shakas which are really popular. but dont work with the ICS channel in Burton boards, could get one of their boards without the channel.
Thanks Rider26!
Used to be a member just cant find my old logon even have some BoardWorld snowboard sock (must say they rock!)
Weigh about 105, planning to drop 5 before i go though (been lazy lately lol), Im not very experienced but i seem to hold my own with my mate who is alot more experienced, i can handle any blue run on thredbo easy and have hit up a few of the blacks without to many issues.
Looking for something a board to learn jumps on and something that can cut a really good tight edge. That said i still want to hit the tops of the mountain, and will probably have to deal with some ice.
Just Aus this year but will be hitting up Japan next year
Have already read the Camber profiles post great post!! I think Rocker or Hybrid Type A are what i want!
Hey mate,
Do you intend on using this same board in Japan?
Just a note, the Carbon Credit is great value and a popular board, but it does have an extruded base, which is something I would be avoiding personally.
What did you mean exactly when you said “something that can cut a really good tight edge”? I’m assuming you mean a board that has good edge hold and carves well?
Yeh it will be the same board for JP.
Current board is sintered so will be looking to stick to it, should have realised the Carbon Credit has a extruded.
Yeh sorry for my terrible terminology but you got it, looking for a board that will hold its edge when i need it to
Unfortunately, rockered boards and edge hold don’t really go hand-in-hand. That’s not to say you can’t carve with a rockered board, but it’s certainly not their strong point. The hybrids offer better performance in this regard.
Given what you’re asking for, I think you’re going down the right track looking at Lib Tech boards. You can get the hybrid profile you’re looking for while also getting their Magne-traction edges (for increased edge hold on hardpack/ice).
The Attack Banana is worth considering for sure. It’s a really solid, versatile board, with everything you’re looking for. I think the 161 (non-wide) model would suit you and should hold up in Japan as well. It still has a 258mm waist, and if you’re boots do have a reduced footprint, you probably don’t need to step up to the wide version (but worth checking in store anyway).
There are other Lib Tech boards you can consider, i.e. Travis Rice Pro, Jamie Lynn Pro, etc. Let me know if you have any questions.
Yeh fair enough,
Thanks for the advice, i think im set on the Attack Banana! Looks great in person, has all the build features i want
Just one more question, what would you say the advantages / disadvantages would be for a bloke my size jumping on a 159, I have the option of either. Currently on a 162 so either way its a size down.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!
I think it’s a good idea for Australian snow and a bad idea for powder.
Though if you can’t sell that board, you could keep it for powder.
Shorter boards are generally easier to turn, spin and butter but may chatter under high speeds or your weight could ruin the camber profile (but by then you probably should be changing board anyway…)
I think either size should work fine. The main reason I suggested the 161 is because you’re taking it to Japan. Simply, the bigger board will float better.
Also, I would take your boots and bindings into the store, attach your bindings loosely to the board and see if you have enough clearance (by tipping the board on its side with your boots/bindings attached). The 161 has an extra 3mm of waist width, and while it doesn’t sound like much, unless your size 13 boots are super shrunk, the 255mm waist on the 159 might not be enough - worth trying though.
Is there any chance you would want to keep your other board? That way you can have a bigger board for serious pow riding and use your new board for everything else. Realistically, you aren’t going to get much money for a second hand board. That’s what I would do anyway.
I like the way you think (my girlfriend wont, already thinks i have to many toys lol)
If i kept both boards i could take out the 162 when doing some fast runs and take it to JP for the pow
So if its not a total terrible idea i might jump on 159, would love to give buttering a go.
Best case scenario: boots fit on the 159 OK, and you end up with one board for freeriding and pow, and another board for park and everything else. Sounds like a good plan to me. 
Let us know how you go.
Orphinz the banana was a great board for where I was at in terms of riding at the time. I rode it heli boarding in NZ in shin to knee deep powder and it went really well. Extruded and sintered bases are different, more often than not keeping your wax job up to speed is more of a drama than which base you have I have found.
The T Rice is a better board after prgressing a bit but I often looked at the attack banana and thought that might have been the better bet. Sorry for being lazy but I haven’t checked if it comes in HP version, I know the banana magic is HP only and I test rode one a couple of years back and really liked it.
Best case scenario: boots fit on the 159 OK, and you end up with one board for freeriding and pow, and another board for park and everything else. Sounds like a good plan to me.
Let us know how you go.
Thanks will do, I have put down the cash and should be picking up my 159W soon! Cant wait!
Orphinz the banana was a great board for where I was at in terms of riding at the time. I rode it heli boarding in NZ in shin to knee deep powder and it went really well. Extruded and sintered bases are different, more often than not keeping your wax job up to speed is more of a drama than which base you have I have found.
The T Rice is a better board after prgressing a bit but I often looked at the attack banana and thought that might have been the better bet. Sorry for being lazy but I haven’t checked if it comes in HP version, I know the banana magic is HP only and I test rode one a couple of years back and really liked it.
Yeh i looked at the TRP as well looks like a great board! I wish i could try before buying makes it really hard to make a choice . Really keen to give heli boarding a try, the video clips look great. Going to hit up japan 1st though Hakuba
I had last minuet buyers remorse and decided not to get the Attack Banana anymore….
Getting a Travis Rice Pro 161.5 pointy tip… Yehaaaa