Raze
Posts : 935
ONLINE
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Posted on Dec 27, 2007
I finally got the chance to test out my latest stick, the Lib Tech Dark Series 08.
This board comes with Magentraction, not optional.
I ride in one of the most "brutal condition" resorts, Mountain Creek, New Jersey. This is the epicenter of the ICE coast, and probably one of, if not the MOST crowded resorts EVER. Yet, its home. I digress.
My combination with the 161w Dark Series was a pair or shop demo 07 Salomon Relay bindings and a pair of 07 Vans Encore Boa boots.
I started out on the more crowded, freeride oriented mountain to warm up and to get a feel for the new setup. With the very first run, the board wanted to charge down the hill like a lightning bolt. I left my friends in the dust within the first 100 feet of the run. As there was some thin cover and icy areas, I was curious how well the magnetraction would hold the edge. If there was ice, the Dark Series didn't tell me so. It handled perfectly and carved as if it was packed powder. I also noticed that with the severe speeds I was hitting at points, the board did not chatter or feel out of control at all. In fact, if it wasnt for my eyes watering and my cheeks flapping in the wind, I wouldnt have thought I was going fast at all. At one point in a slower area, an inexperienced snowboarder started bolting clear across the trail sideways, I caught him coming just before I was about to plow him. The magnetraction dug in, turned by board completely sideways and allowed me to traverse around him with only a "heads up bro" to be had.
Did a few runs on that mountain, and then decided to step it up to the freestyle mountain, my usual domain.
Board handled like a pro, felt more like a surfboard than a snowboard, but I was told that was partly how the Relay bindings felt. The sharp quick carving action was amazing, Ive never rode that good before. Tight, quick carves all the way, regardless of how fast I was going. Buttered boxes and rails with ease, hit the spines and quarter pipes like a pro. Getting an accurate feel for speed was a dream come true, was able to launch myself as needed over a spine or stop right on the lip and pull stallouts and slides. Jumps were insane. At one point a buddy and me were standing about 20 feet out from a 30 ft tabletop and he asked me if Id be able to catch enough speed to clear it. Easy task. I charged it like a ferarri and the speed and insane pop I got from the board almost made me clear the tabletop AND the transition. I nabbed the last bit before landing flat. Beautiful response.
To recap, the 08 Dark Series:
Pros:
-SUPER fast
-Massive control
-Handles ice like fire
-Can stop on a dime when needed
-Great acceleration
-Huge pop
-Plays well in the park (jumps, walls rails, boxes etc)
-No board chatter/instability at high speeds
Cons:
-Magentraction is sharp. Will cut skin, gloves, clothes, tear a hole in space-time continuum if not handed with care
-Pricy. About $100 more than most other companies top of the line boards. Might make it a high target for theft. Board check this one.
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