Location: Loveland, CO
Snow Conditions: Bluebird with hardpacked groomers to icy groomers.
Setup: I rode the Lib Tech Dark Series with my Raiden Tigre bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.
First Impression: The dark series never lets me down
Weight: heavier than average
Flex: Stiffer flex longitudinally and torsionally, which would make it stable for jumps. It’s a do-it all board, stiffer and longer effective edge to handle freeriding but could take into the jump line if you wanted to and has good pop to it. If you are expecting an easy, non-aggressive board that’s buttery soft this is not it.
Turning: The dark has a longer effective edge which makes turns really stable and controlled. With the mtx, it was gradual so I never felt like the mtx was holding me into a turn. The response edge to edge is quick. Obviously turning on ice is no issue, the mtx holds an edge. Stable: Very stable ride, when hauling ass or just taking it easy. I didn’t have much chop to take it through but in some leftover powder spots, the board just drove through them no problem. Very stable on edge and turning.
Pop: The dark has good pop, it was easy to pop into ollies. Swing weight was a little heavier so hopping into 180’s was noticeable a little slower. The Dark features the org throttle which really lets you pop the board from nose to tail or from edge to edge, it works both ways.
Switch: It could me a couple runs to get used to riding switch on it.
MagneTraction (MTX): It was a good gradual MTX on the dark, not aggressive throw me into a turn all the time MTX so it was a good ride for me.
Overall Impression: The Dark Series has yet to let me down, I like the stiffer flex for just charging with and it really is a good freeride board despite the freestyle label.
The Dark Series will be changed in 2009-2010, word is that the Dark will have double banana camber on it and be more the aggressive freeriders board. I’ve always thought of the dark as a really stiff park board, great for freeriding so I think that’ll be sweet to see this new version come out and the take on it.
Shay’s Honesty Box: Stiff and stable…that’s what I like.
Lib Tech Description
For more information on the Lib Tech Dark Series go to Lib’s website.
Anonymous
January 15, 2009 at 8:05 pmHi Shay,
Nice review, I do have 1 question:
Can you make a comparasion on hard carving (Mach 3 speed) compare to the Lando Pro Model 160cm et terms of stability and damping? Cause I really like my Lando for that and just want to know the difference between both?
Also can you please elaborate on the double banana? 😉
Francis B.
Montreal, Qc.
Anonymous
January 16, 2009 at 12:52 amYeah, if you could elaborate on the double nana, that would be much appreciated. Thanks!
Anonymous
January 17, 2009 at 2:56 pmStill feeling weird about my trs btx. It’s edgy. it’s unpredictable. It has NO pop. I got on my bro in laws’s 13 year old nitro (167) and even though it was way too long for me, it was so much more natural. I want to scrap my trs btx. I’m angry.
What is double btx????
Thanks
Anonymous
January 18, 2009 at 12:09 amHi Shay,
I know now…
Double banana will be the marketing name of Lib Tech Hybrid Rocker for 2010?, Cause I heard and read that the new trend of 2010 will that a lots of company will have their Hybrid rocker shape as Never Summer did this year… Even Salomon, K2, Burton, Rome and all others will dot it… It will be confuse to select a new board for 2010… Lots of choices and colors in perspectives 😉
Francis B.
Montreal, Qc.