_REVIEWS2010-2011_BOARDS

Snowboard Review: 10-11 GNU Riders Choice C2BTX

Location: Mammoth, CA

Snow Conditions: Mixture of soft packed groomers to choppy powder to deeper powder.

Setup: I rode the GNU Riders Choice with my Union bastardized bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.

Size: 154.5cm.

First Impression: C2BTX does the Riders Choice good.

Weight: tad heavier than average.

Flex: The Riders Choice is meant to be a stiffer board that handles aggressive freestyle lines and landings.  It’s stiffer both torsionally and longidinally but with a good amount of pop.  Despite the torsional stiffness it wasn’t hard to get quick response from edge to edge and the overall stiffness made it perfect in the powder.  It felt comfortable from the beginning.  The Riders Choice features C2BTX which is banana rocker between the bindings and camber from the inserts to the contact points.

Turning: The last time I rode the Riders Choice in 08-09 the mtx was too grippy but that wasn’t the case with this board, it turned on a dime easily and held an edge without being too aggressive into the carve.  On the hardpacked spots, it was natural just to ride without thinking about it, no catching and no overally grippy feeling.  Shorter turns were easy to get on edge with and longer drawn out turns felt solid.

Stable: Normally I wouldn’t ride a 154cm in powder at all and it was a good test of the “ride 3cm less than you normally would” because it did hold up in the powder very good at the size I was riding.  It floated, it carved and it was a fun board to make powder slashes with.  The only time I had an issue with stability was the really choppy bumpy spots where I felt bounced around on it and it didn’t absorb them as much.  But on the groomers and in the powder, felt stable charging and a comfortable ride the majority of the time.

Pop: When I rode the BTX version the pop was good and with C2 it’s definitely good.  I really liked how poppy the board was and you just wanted to jump on it knowing it could handle the landing.  I didn’t take it into the park since it was a pow day but in the pow and fun tiny drops, it was fun.  I did try a couple butters, possible but definitely butters better in powder.

Switch: It’s a true twin and rides like a true twin when switch.  It didn’t feel different when riding switch on the mountain.

Overall Impression: The Riders Choice is that stiffer freestyle deck that can handle a pow day or a park day.  I rode the 3cm shorter than I normally would and it actually was legit in the powder.  I floated, slashed and had a blast today on the board.  It’s still a more aggressive board in terms of the flex but it’s also quite poppy and the C2BTX is the perfect compliment to this board.

Shay’s Honesty Box: The last time I rode the Riders Choice it was 08-09 and there was some mixed feelings about it even though I loved it.  Now with C2BTX it was love without the mixed feelings.  I didn’t encounter the MTX being too much for me and the 154cm handled the powder that I thought it wouldn’t.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the GNU Snowboardsor shop their full line of GNU snowboards

On Snow Photo

[singlepic id=10334 w=500 h=281 float=]

GNU Riders Choice description (click on it to pull it up)

riderschoice

Review Disclosure: I demoed this board from P3 Snowboard Shop in Mammoth Lakes, CA.

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  • Francis
    December 16, 2010 at 7:12 am

    Hi Shay,
    Good review… Looks like a really good board and deal quality in Mervin, (Gnu) line up for the Retail price…
    How you will compare this board with the TRS C2 of Lib? For sure, the Riders Choice suppose to have a better base Sintered versus TNT…

  • keither
    December 16, 2010 at 7:20 am

    This board is sick. Awesome review Shay!

  • Tweets that mention Snowboard Review: 10-11 GNU Riders Choice C2BTX – Shayboarder.com -- Topsy.com
    December 16, 2010 at 7:22 am

    […] This post was mentioned on Twitter by shayboarder and Shred Union, Girls Learn To Ride. Girls Learn To Ride said: Snowboard Review: 10-11 GNU Riders Choice C2BTX http://bit.ly/gnzkBz […]

  • wonton
    December 16, 2010 at 6:19 pm

    Yeah it really ticks me off to find out that after dropping $500plus on a brand new Lando Lib Tech I come to find out that it has a cheap extruded base that hardly holds wax and doesn’t have teflon like it used too. Sucks to see a cheaper board from the same company with better base.

  • Marvin
    December 18, 2010 at 9:34 am

    Wonton, lando is not extruded base material.
    It is sintered, try waxing and letting it soak in overnight with warmth.

  • Francis
    December 20, 2010 at 6:49 pm

    Marvin,
    Lando is TNT… TNT = extruded base
    I do have the Lando 2008, like it a lot but I feel it that in not fast after 2 days of rides ,but that is ok cause with BTX you can go fast, it is just in the traverse spot on hot days (wet snow) that I will prefer to have a better base like a sintered where the wax hold better for speed in that situation. (in my opinion)

  • Alex
    March 3, 2011 at 4:53 am

    Hi there.

    I’m 6,1 and 200 lbs so just hesitating between 162w and 166w. Could you please advise keeping in mind that I’m trying to get universal intermediate deck after my 1st season that will help me to progress.

    Thanks in advance.

  • Shay
    March 6, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    Alex,
    What type of conditions do you ride, boot size and skill level. Are you linking turns, riding blues comfortably?

  • Paul
    March 12, 2011 at 9:48 pm

    pretty keen on this board. Im an all mountain freestyle type guy who hits the park on firm days, on kickers mainly just the dd rail here and there.

    I just cant decide on the size. Was looking for a 156 and of course this sits right in the middle of the 154.5 and 157.5.

    I am 177cm tall (just a tad under 5’10) and weigh 170. Boot size is a burton 9.5

    Can you pls suggest a size?

  • Alex
    March 15, 2011 at 5:31 am

    Hello Shay.

    I’m riding 60/40 mountains(inc hardpack)/park. My boot size is 295. I’m linking turns(learning aggressive carving), riding switch, learning butters, frontside/backside 180.
    Thought if I even take 158w?

    Thank you so much for the advise.

  • Shay
    March 15, 2011 at 7:54 pm

    Paul, the riders choice is definitely the board for an aggressive rider and will handle the jumps (definitely stiffer for the rails though). I think you could handle either size but probably the 154.5 would suit your more park style better and still be as capable without being on the bigger size.

    Alex, what’s your weight?

  • Alex
    March 16, 2011 at 3:24 am

    Hey Shay.

    My weight is +/- 90 kilograms (around lbs).

    Cheers.

  • Alex
    March 16, 2011 at 3:25 am

    200 lbs sorry %-)

  • Angela M
    April 1, 2011 at 6:40 am

    Hey Shay, have you ridden the gnu b pro c2btx 2011? Do you know whats it like compared to the 2010 model? Has anything changed? Thanks. You’re like a snowboarding guru. Chur

  • Ocie
    April 27, 2011 at 5:33 pm

    Angela,

    I haven’t ridden the 2011-2012, because I’m a nobody, but I do know that the new model will have asymmetrical heel and toe side, similar to the Park Pickle, which is pretty neat.

  • Jeff
    May 10, 2011 at 4:22 pm

    Hey Shay,

    I’ve been thinking of switching from a burton board for a while now, and I’m pretty set on getting the Rider’s Choice. I’m about 5’7 and 145 lbs, and I’m debating between the 151.5 and the 154.5. I used to due mostly park but I’m starting to do 3’s off of 15-20 foot jumps, so I want a board that could handle. Is a 151.5 too small? (I ride a 152 Hero right now)

    Also, what bindings do you recommend with the RC?

    Thanks,
    Jeff