Board: Libtech TRS
Size: 157
Camber Option: C3. Camber 2.0 with a slight hinge between the feet that comes down into a flat zone before the upkick in the tips.
Bindings: Rome Black Label
Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 200lbs
Resort: Arapahoe Basin
Conditions: Late in the day preseason conditions. So shade on the runs, bluebird skies, ice, push mounds, scraped off snow, crud, chunder, and zero wind with average temps.
Flex: With an ever so slightly stiffer than middle of the road flex you get a board that is powerful. What you have is softer tips mid way to the insert pack, then it stiffens up to that just past middle of the road flex. There’s some torsional flex and it’s noticeable but you never over power it.
Stability: This board is smooth and stable to a point. In really rutted out terrain at speed you’ll notice some chatter in the tips and it does slightly resonate back under foot. This board can plow through most chunder with ease as long as it’s not rock hard.
Ollies: This board has snap. Load up that C3 profile and just boost. It’s easy to engage and you never feel like it’s fighting you to engage.
Pop On Jumps: As it was preseason there weren’t any jumps but I was able to hip this weird spin/bonk combo and it popped with ease. Would I hesitate to hit small, medium, or large jumps? Oh hell not this board has you covered that’s for sure.
Butterability: The flat section in the tips gives an optimal platform to get your weight out over and butter on. You feel locked in and it holds its own with ease, just make sure you’re not half assing it.
Jibbing: A little speed is your friend that’s for sure. You want to go a bit faster and muscle just a bit more. It’ll do basic jib tricks and that’s kind of where you want to leave it as it’s not a jib deck.
Carving: This board rolls from edge to edge with ease. It’s quick and nimble. What I will say though is when you aggressively lay this board over it has a limiter on it. You can’t rail over on edge all the time so it leaves you more open to tight quick carves and turns and mellow drawn out carves that swoop from one side of the trail to the other. The Magnetraction does what it’s supposed to do so you don’t feel like you can’t grip when on ice.
Rider in Mind: Freestyle focused higher end all mountain rider.
Personal Thoughts: It’s been a while since I rode the TRS and I have to say this is a move in the right direction. The C3 gives this board power and knowing that they merged the Hot Knife into this board it retains some of its carving prowess. Overall this is a solid contender for an all mountain freestyle board that’s more all mountain focused.
Comparable Boards: Jones Ultra Mountain Twin, Capita BSOD, Ride Helix
4 Comments
I’m looking for an all mountain freestyle board that will help me to progress on jumps. I would also like to progress on rails but the rail setup at my park is crap so that’s nice but not a necessity. I’m currently riding an arbor 154 coda rocker as my first board. I love it, but have progressed to wanting a slightly more performance leaning board to add to my quiver. I see the coda being more of a party board in the future. While I’m not committed to anything the capita mercury, yes typo, libtech e jack knife, and Jones mountain twin have stood out the most. I’m 5’8 120 lbs, I think my coda is a little too big for my weight because I’ve been having problems with it being too stiff. Thanks in advance.
I’d probably look at the Typo if I were you.
Angry been riding the 157 Box Knife for 2 years for teaching snowboarding. Want to stay on a twin because I need to ride switch a lot but need something that’s a little more aggressive and locked in for steeper terrain. Should I go 157 or 159 in the TRS? 5’9, fluctuate between 195 lbs, size 9.5 boot.
I’d say go with the 57 if you plan on riding it more for teaching as it will be more forgiving and easier to ride around with your students. But if you’re looking to haul ass and charge and your students will either keep up or die trying then go 59.