Board: Yes Standard
Size: 159
Camber Option: Camrock. Camber between the feet and rocker in the tips.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 21.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis
My Weight: 188lbs
Resort: Arapahoe Basin
Conditions: Overcast skies, frigid temperatures, high winds, low visibility at times, firm fast snow.
Flex: This board has an around the middle of the road flex. It’s that right mix of freestyle fun and all mountain charging. The tips are playful enough to press but still have that precision you would expect from a board that has a set of powder inserts. The torsional give is abundant enough to center flex and steer the board from the mid-bite contact point back if you want or locked and loaded.
Stability: There’s a little bit of chatter and flap up in the tips when charging but the good thing is this doesn’t resonate back towards the inserts and up into the legs. Think of it as damp yet very lively.
Ollies: Snap is the name of the game with this board. The sweet spot for boosting off the camber zone on this board is immense. It has that pop you know and want whether you’re really loading up or being more lazy.
Pop On Jumps: When hitting the flattest jumps on Earth it’s good to know that the board has the pop you need to make it to what resembles a landing. This board can be in the air and doesn’t fight it.
Butterability: The rockered tips coupled with the shape of the board give a nice sweet spot for pressing and playing around. The board has a little fight in it but not enough to wear you out or hinder you from being able to really drive your weight into the board.
Jibbing: Would I jib on this board all day? Probably not, but it’s got that perfect amount of flex that you can lock into a rail or two if you want. My suggestion, go a little faster if you want it to press a bit harder.
Carving: So the sidecut on this board wants to rip into a groomer like your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving. The mid-bite contact point works and is most prevalent when you’re center flexing the board causing the nose to lift up. That added bite into the snow really helps. The sidecut and flex of this board is just so well balanced that any type of turn initiation comes with ease.
Rider in Mind: The guy that wants a twin that has the option to set it back. They’ll ride the park, ride some groomers, get into the pow, rip a tree line or two. It’s for the guy that needs a quiver of one deck.
Personal Thoughts: As I said to my friend when we finished up riding for the day “I could see this as my daily driver if I had a smaller size.” It was that well balanced of a board. It’s got just the right amount of flex to really push this board through a hard turn yet still be playful enough for hitting a rail or two. Overall I’m kind of pissed I haven’t ridden this deck sooner.
Comparable Boards: Dinosaurs Will Die Brewster, Gnu SPAM, Nitro Suprateam
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31 Comments
How does it compare to the mercury
Mercury is a bit more playful and not as damp in my opinion. I find the Mercury a better all arounder if you’re more freestyle focused while this one I’d say is a bit better at charging.
Sounds like you liked the standard. Do you like it as much as the Greats. I was comparing the 158 Greats to 156 standard as my big mountain daily. Which do you like better? I don’t do any park anymore so it’s just popping, tight turns, trees. Sounds like they’re both good options.
You’re not going to want a Greats if you’re looking for a big mountain daily, it’s just not the right board.
How would you say the standard compares to the Jones mountain twin? Looking for a quiver of one board that has pow capabilities. And I value hard charging much more than freestyle, but still want the option of going switch.
For what you’re looking for the Standard is better than the Mountain Twin.
Hey Angry, I’m looking for a deck that’s really quick edge to edge for rallying through bumpy terrain/trees, holds up on firm snow and can rip a carve, and floats decently in maybe 1-1.5 ft of fresh. Something that’s middle of the road to medium/stiff would be great, not looking for a super stiff charger or a noodley park board. A few boards came to mind like this, the Yes Basic, Jones Mountain twin, and the United Shapes Deep Reach, but since you have had the chance to ride dozens of boards I was wondering what would make your shortlist for this. (I’ve got size 11 boots so something with a mid/wide or wide option would be awesome.) The reviews are the addition of video reviews was awesome, keep it up!
-Andy
Do you want a twin? Otherwise there would be more options. I’d look at the Jones Mind Expander, Yes Optimistic, Standard, PYl, or even the 420, Gnu Spam, Ride Wildlife, Rome Blur, pretty sure there’s more I could be mentioning.
I guess a twin isn’t super necessary, I like to butter around a bit, maybe throw a spin or two and ride a bit of switch every once in a while, but switch riding/takeoffs/landings definitely aren’t part my bread and butter.
Hi Angry.
Is this a board you would size down on. I usally ride a 159 but notice it is quite a wide board.
Thanks Adam
Honestly you could.
As the only board you own is it a bad idea to get a true twin? Or should you get something more directional? Need a quiver of one board and I’m worried about buying a twin since I don’t ride switch. But this seems to tick all the boxes
It doesn’t matter.
Hello! I’m a fresh intermediate, been riding 4 weeks in total on rental. I was thinking of this as my first board, but while I can carve quite well and generally mess around on groomers I suck ass at riding switch. Would a twin be a bad choice? Will directional provide help a newbie since I’d imagine it provides a few advantages? Also I’m thinking RCR board will help me be a better rider and, or should I get a CRC board? No idea what the rental boards I’ve used were. I just ride. I ride all over the mountain, not much park since I fall alot there. Would like to improve on jumping, jibbing isn’t my thing. I’m too old and fragile (30!). Also a huge thing is, I’d like a board that is reasonably in gulley’s and moderate offpiste powder. I don’t have a huge backcountry so just need an all around board!
This is not the board you need. Get a Jones Explorer or a Rossignol Templar.
Nice, I’ll look at those. If I may ask one last question, how does the capita mercury or YE. PYL sound for me? (I can get discount on YES boards).
No.
Helloes!
Looking at this as my daily driver. I need a do-it-all board and do everything well enough. Could this be it, or would you suggest something else?
If you’re doing Yes you want the Typo for a daily driver.
Quiver killer, looking for the best. Least important factor is park ability.
Jones mountain twin vs Capita Merc vs YES. Standard
YES. typo is unfortunately not an option as the graphics for 2019 are complete horseshit and for 13 year old kids.
If you’re not doing any park and those are your options, then it’s the Standard.
Would you suggest something else? More options are better as I can shop around different places for prices
There’s so many options out there. Rossignol The One, Ride Helix, Ride Berzerker, Rome National, Rome Ravine, Rome Mod, Lib Tech TRS, Gnu Riders Choice, Salomon Mans Board, at this point I’d say just dig through the reviews we’ve done.
Thanks alot, I already started. Tho:
TRS seems quite aggressive?
Ride helix is asym twin, why is that better than say Merc or standard?
Ross one is directional like the MT?
Can’t find a review of the Rome Ravine? Shape looks interesting tho. Thanks again.
It is.
It’s got a deeper sidecut on the heelside edge so you can really crank a carve with it. It’s also stiffer than the Merc and Standard to start out but takes longer to break in.
Yes.
No review of the Ravine as it’s a new model and we won’t have it out till the fall.
Quiver of one for a guy who just moved into the intermediate category looking to improve and progress on all fronts. Except jibbing, I have no interest in that at all
Could this be the board im looking for or should I look for something else?
Thanks
You want the Typo over this if you go with Yes otherwise Capita Mercury.
Thanks, I’ve been looking at it. Can’t get the 2018 version anywhere, the 2019 has basalt stringers instead of carbon fiber, will I feel any difference? Im guesing no, but you never know.
Also that small bump in the middle, deathgrip they seem to call it, does it work? Or is that just gimmick?
You’re not going to notice anything with the basalt in all honesty. As for the Deathgrip it kind of works when you’re on ice or really firm snow but it’s not something that’s crazy overwhelming.
Im hyped for this board, I did some reading around and everyone seems to love their mercury, can’t believe I missed it. Getting new boots and bindings – i already purchased boots, I got the Burton Ruler as they fit amazing on my almost elephantiasis feet. But bindings is almost impossible to pick among the 2323923929 different kind. Im looking at the Union Strata right now, but they seem new and unreviewed. Would you recommend some?
Get affiliate links to Amazon.de ASAP btw 🙂 Have a great one!
I’ve seen the new Strata and it looks interesting, should pair up well with a Mercury. I’d also look at the Force as it’s a work horse binding from Union. Others I’d consider the Rome Katana, Ride Capo, K2 Formula, Arbor Hemlock, and The Now Pilot/Ipo.