Location: Loveland, CO
Snow Conditions: A mixture of groomers and hard packed popcorn, choppy terrain.
Setup: I rode the GNU B-pro with my Raiden Tigre bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.
First Impression: I wish I was riding the 155. What size feet does Barrett Christy have? Cause damn this is wider than my 156 Infinity.
Size: 152cm
Weight: lighter than average
Flex: I was expecting a stiff flex because Barrett Christy doesn’t mess around…and maybe the older versions without btx are stiffer, but with the mixture of btx to the board…it was fun and playful while still being able to hold an edge and freeride with. The wider waist width definitely had that effect to stabilize the board. It was a good mix of medium flex for a all mountain do everything board. I wish I had powder to see how the btx rode since I just free rode with it this time.
Turning: I was expecting a more aggressive board and in size it was easy to initiate and follow through each turn. Quick short turns were more fun and I could take it into longer carves when I wanted to, but with those I wished I had the longer length board to really get into it with. The smaller size was easy to maneuver around I just preferred more length underneath me.
Stable: I take into account the stable feeling was the wider waist width. When I took it out the second day and wanted to go fast with it, was riding on some popcorn runs and didn’t feel any vibrations when I should have. Just from the size did get bucked around a little when hitting bumps, not the best absorption and that is an effect from the size and my weight.
Switch: The B-pro is a directional twin and I had a centered stance on it. When I rode switch it was on really flat groomers and easy to switch around, btx makes it hard to catch an edge. A little adjustment to riding switch on it.
Powder: I wish I had powder to try the BTX in.
MagneTraction (MTX): For the most part it was a gradual, not very aggressive mtx. On the icy terrain it held an edge and gripped the snow. There were a couple moments where it would surprise me and pull me into a turn when I wasn’t expecting it. But that was pretty rare and I partially blame the fact that I was riding with warped goggles for a couple runs.
Overall Impression: I took this board through some choppy crap in the morning and it held up, I took it slower cause of the size but it still held up through some not fun snow. I was surprised by the ww on the board, definitely suited for women riders that want more all mountain freestyle and have bigger feet. Even in the picture you can see my size 8’s on the board have room. The board is cute, but it doesn’t settle for cute (aka i’m in the lodge) riding…it is a board meant to handle what you give it…whether it’s a more advanced rider or someone still progressing.
Profits from this board go to Boarding for Breast Cancer.
Shay’s Honesty Box: The size wasn’t for me, riding a 152 with me and how this board rode I definitely would have wanted a 155 to ride. I hate the cuteness factor but that’s just me.
GNU B-Pro Catalog Description(click on photo to open bigger)
razzi
November 6, 2008 at 12:08 pmOh, I wanted to try this board, dang you! I saw it in a shop and it tickled my fancy… haha. And the graphics are cute 😀
Hey, is it cool if I copy your review format for the Bataleon Distortia I rode for shredbetties for my blog post? I like your format a lot, it’s simple and to the point… the review that I gave shredbetties was for the “fun factor”.. haha
Shayboarder
November 6, 2008 at 12:21 pmHey Razzi,
Yep was a fun board. You could have rode it if you met up at Loveland on Saturday!
I like to keep my review format mine. I would use it as an example to make yours but make it different. My friend Marc on Vociferous Void used a similar format but made it his own version without completely copying mine. It took me a while to come up with mine and I’d prefer to keep it mine.
razzi
November 6, 2008 at 1:07 pmActually, never mind, I’ll just stick with mine, haha, not as organized but I don’t think anyone reads my blog!
Shayboarder
November 6, 2008 at 1:13 pmhaha I read it!
It’s good to make your own up…you have more stuff I know you can comment on than I should, especially with jumps and rails. I don’t mention that on my reviews at all, only halfpipe when it comes to it.
Martin
November 7, 2008 at 10:46 pmsweet gnu review, I’ve been waiting to hear more about mtx.. still not decided on the board I want to buy this season.. It might actually depend on what I can get a proform discount on 🙂 or rep discount.
I hope you dont mind if I mention your site on twitter… I know some people that will be interested in what you have to say. let meknow
Shayboarder
November 8, 2008 at 7:40 amThanks, yeah choose quickly or the discounted boards are gone.
Yeah that’s fine by me to put it on twitter.
dodgye
November 14, 2008 at 12:44 pmThanks for another great review.
I bought this board last night and can’t wait to ride it. I got the 149 and paired it up with last season’s Flux Stream ‘Rain Camo’ bindings.
Shayboarder
November 14, 2008 at 6:30 pmThanks Dodgye! Congrats on the new set up! After you get a couple days on them, let me know how you are liking them and what you think.
dodgye
November 16, 2008 at 1:05 pmArgghhh! My brother now has me questioning my choice… the store sold me on a shorter board than I usually ride (the 149 over the 152) because of the Banana… My bro is convinced I’m going to sink in the powder… is he just jealous because he lives in England and I live in Vancouver or does he have a point? This is my second season riding, I’m 5’9″ and weigh 150lbs – your thoughts please Shay.
Shayboarder
November 16, 2008 at 6:41 pmI would agree with your brother and step it up to the 152cm for the powder. 149cm your going to be struggling with in the deeper snow.
If you haven’t rode it, your shop should let you return and trade it in for the other size.
Anonymous
November 20, 2008 at 11:12 pmhey shay if you get the chance, can you demo the b street btx?
Shayboarder
November 24, 2008 at 6:09 pmI haven’t had the chance to ride the b-street btx yet, but I have rode the roxy eminence btx which is the exact same board as the b-street with an extra cm on the nose and tail, same board different graphics.
http://www.shayboarder.com/2008/11/snowboard-review-08-09-roxy-eminence.html
Fel Constantin
February 7, 2009 at 5:39 pmI just came across your review…Good thing. I was thinking of ordering the B-pro 146 ’cause my current board is getting set to retire. You mentioned the waist width being wider than you expected. I wear size 5 boots and currently ride sigma mvmt bindings which I have to fiddle around with to get them centered anyways. Would the waist width on this board make it difficult for me to adjust the bindings (center them over the edges) for my small feet? My toes barley reach the edge on a board with 22-23cm waist.
Thanks!
Anonymous
February 8, 2009 at 6:48 pmHi, i have been riding a Gnu B-pro BTX w/mtx for the whole 08-09 season so far and i ride a 146. i am 5’6 and enjoy riding a smaller board. I love this board so much i already want next years because this board has taken some beating already this year. I have rode this board through straight ice and i was carving like it was no problem. I have rode this board in powder and it rides like a champ. I love the banana and magnatraction and the board altogether. with the combination of the wider tips and wider center because of the magnatraction it gives you the opportunity to ride the board in any condition. I had an interest in this board last year and was thrilled finding out that the board this year came out with banana and magnatraction because i have been interested in having a board with those features. I just wanted to give you my opinion in the board because i have gotten a chance to ride it all winter and i have also been able to ride it in many different conditions.
Anonymous
February 8, 2009 at 6:52 pmone more thing… if you wanted to know what bindings i paired this board with, i have Ride Zeta MVMNT dfc edition 08-09 size medium on my board. I love these bindings because i feel they are more flexible and i can move better than when using my older pair of Ride DVA’s 05-06.
Shayboarder
February 13, 2009 at 12:42 pmFel, the ww on the 146 is 23.8 so definitely wider than what you are used to but in terms of centering the bindings if you adjust the plates to be front to back then you should be fine on centering it easier. What are you looking for in a board?
Awesome thanks Anonymous for posting your review of the board as well!
Anonymous
March 2, 2009 at 2:49 pmHi Shay, I’ve been riding an older Barrett Christy board for the past several years. I have a 148, but wanted something a little longer to go faster. Plus, it was just time for a new board.
Anyway, I bought the 149 BTX and rode it for the first time this weekend in some new powder. Unfortunately, I just then realized that the board was too big for me. For some reason, the board is actually almost 3 inches longer than my 148! I didn’t think that it would be that hard to adjust to, but it was very difficult to control.
I’m 5′-3″ and 110 lbs, have size 6 boots. Will the 146 still be too big for me?? Thanks!
Fel Constantin
March 6, 2009 at 9:08 amNice comments! I now have the opportunity to pick up this board for a super low price. End of season dealzzz.
I would define my riding as “all-mountain freestyle”. I like long runs with lots of natural hits. I like to stomp my landings and attempt butters here and there. I only hit the jumps or boxes in the park, as I would rather jib trees than metal. Lol. I am finding it difficult this year as I could not demo many boards either than some Burtons’. I like to have my boards with a med flex, but as I have tiny feet I feel as though with a wider board I might lose some toe to heel edge control. Or it will feel as though I am working harder to edge. Hmmm…
Thanks again, loveys!
2008-2009 Snowboard Review – Shayboarder.com
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