My very own Banana
;)
Skate Banana 152Lib-Tech Skate Banana 152
This thing was so hard to find. I checked over 15 stores online hoping to take advantage of the strong yen/weak dollar. Not one of them had a Blue 152 in stock. I finally gave up and ordered one of only two available in Japan. I just got it today! Fresh outta the box, and unridden. But I already know how it rides. Why? Because on New Years Day. A nice guy named Scott let me try his brand new 152 and I took his ride for a spin at Nozawa Onsen.
FUN.
Usually when I hop on other people's boards I don't do so well right off the bat. But the banana felt good right from the beginning. I really liked the soft flex. Presses were easier, obviously I could lift it higher because of the soft flex and the rocker, but I could hold my backside nose presses longer too without falling over like I usually do.
With ground tricks, I could spin 3's easier than before and ollies still had lots of pop. But I couldn't do switch 3's off my nose because couldn't plant the nose into the snow to pop off. Too soft for that trick I guess? I'm sure it'll just take some getting used to though.
I'm 5'7" and the 152 size was more to my liking that my current 156. So I'm not really sure if all that good stuff was because of the better size/flex or the Banana tech or Magnetraction. ;)
Magne-tractionI know thanks to the rocker turns come much easier, I wouldn't call it squirrelly but for sure it seems that it can turn by itself. Banana tech just means that the board is already curved. Like you can spin it around like a helicopter when the board is sitting on the floor(obviously there's more than that but that's all I can explain). I didn't chuck my meat over any high ledges or do any kickers on that run so I don't know how landings are. But the Magnetraction wiggles/edge seemed to work when I tried to carve down a run.
;)
Initials on the stickerIt's too bad that the board doesn't have the metal edges wrap all the way around the nose and tail. They're sure to take a beating with all the little plants/saplings that I run over. One other thing I do like is that someone actually took the time to sign the label stuck on it to show that it was hand checked. Makes me feel a little better knowing that I spent big bucks on something not mass produced in China. I'm going to Hokkaido in a few days. I'm so looking forward to riding my blue Banana!!
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3 Comments
Reader Comments (3)
Sick!!! How much did you get it for? Probably a lot, no? I never tried it, so I wasn't sucked in to buying one, and just got a regular board to replace my hand-me-down Ride, but had I ridden it, I just might be the dude that buys the one other banana in Japan. haha. So is it easier to ride a shorter one? We're about the same height 5'7", but the board I got is 156 cause I figured that 152 is too short. Have fun in hokkaido
I got mine for 57,435 yen shipped. It was selling in stores for 75,000 So I think I got a pretty good deal.
After three consecutive days on it in Hokkaido, I finally got my legs back and am able to do all the stuff I was able to do last year. But on top of that I really do think the banana's rocker, soft flex and 152 size makes me a better rider. I was able to stick my 3's more often and I landed my first BS 5's too. The spin was easier to initiate and the landing was easier to stomp. I hardly ever land switch (I'm regular) but I was still able to control it without catching any edges.
I'm pretty good at gunning it straight down the mountain so the shorter board doesn't really bother me at all regarding speed wobbles. But in the deep pow the short board is harder on my right leg. Nothing a couple inches of set back wouldn't cure though.
I LOVE my banana. The best part is that it really is a noticeable difference, not something thats just in my head. Come boarding next time and we can swap boards for a run!
Score! I was looking all over ochanomizu, and they were all like 7-8man.
I've only ridden stiff boards, so a soft flex would be something new, as well as the curvy edges. Dang, just got a new board this year, can't be getting new boards every year.