Location of Test: Mt. Hood Timberline and Skibowl
Duration: Since January
Value Rating: 9
Durability Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 10
Product Name: Riders Choice
Product Brand: Gnu
Best Use: All Mountain
Sizes Available / Specs: 152.5, 154.5, 156.5, 160.5
Full Review
The Gnu Riders Choice is a good all mountain slayer of the goods. The rocker camber and asymmetrical true twin tip design are pretty rad. It is an all around all mountain slayer. I have ridden this on superb POWDER days, hard wind pack (the magnetraction is kick ass), and on nice warm slushy days in the park. The all around rideness of this board is superb and I would say it is as good if not better than the LibTech Travis Rice that I had before getting this weapon of mass destruction. It is not as stiff and poppy as a traditional camber board, but the rocker camber and the asymmetrical side cut on the true twin set up kicks some major butt and it is a hoot to ride regular or switch. The rocker camber also does pretty good on deep POW days with little to no leg burn to keep the front up and float. The stiffer flex compared to the Park Pickle makes it not as jibby in the park, but for the jumps the extra stiffness is a pretty awesome. This is one of the better all around boards I have rode and it does pretty good in all aspects as far freestyle, park, and just all around good board.
"The Good" List:
Magnetraction, asymmetrical design, rocker camber rocker, not too dorky of graphics, great reviews, and if you can only afford to get one board for your quiver I would say that the Riders Choice is a pretty good choice.
"The Not so Good List"
Not everybody likes rocker camber rocker and the price tag is higher end
The Bottom Line
I think GNU nailed it pretty good on this one as it is a great ALL around excellent board.