Although Mervin always kept it original ‘human size’, the different brands under the Mervin umbrella have been making a lot of noise through the years with its two innovative snowboard brands sharing the same technology – Gnu and Lib Tech – and its binding brand, Bent Metal. This original snowboard company based in the North West of the US have seen many world class riders help them develop their products, from Jamie Lynn to Travis Rice. Jamie Lynn is and always been ‘Lib Tech’. This is why we decided to take the example of Jamie’s 12/13 model to go through the latest technology that Mervin has been busy with lately. And at the same time you’ll know everthing about Jamie’s board, you will also find out what exactly means ‘Magne-Traction, Banana or C Power…

Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Phoenix Classic Series C3 BTX

LIB TECH – Jamie Lynn Phoenix Classic Series C3 BTX

Ok so here’s the beast. Not only one of the best looking boards that Jamie has drown himself, this is a concentrate of what kind of tech Lib is capable of. As it says on the paper, “Jamie ripped on old ski camber, Jamie rips on banana and C2, and for this season he’s been shredding the latest what-Lib-calls ‘experiMENTAL division project’ known as C3 Banana Camber Jamie “Classic”. What is this mish-mash? “It’s a dominant camber with a submissive banana”, and can’t really be explained in a better way… This board features a trapezoidal camber and rocker between your feet. Trapezoidal camber straightens the camber curve out as it approaches the contact points spreading tip pressure creating a broader tip hook area up and turn initiation you can count on. The Banana rocker between your feet gives killer edge grip at and between your feet in hardpack and ice carving situations, provides float in the pow and catch-free jibbing. The combination of these two concepts results in a really even pressure map, tons of pop, rock solid stability, power carving and one of the best camber board we’ve been lucky enough to ride.

Check all the details and Jamie’s explanative video here.

A little more info about the different technologies squeezed into that bad boy:

C3 CAMBER DOMINANT BANANA (C3 BTX)
As we said, it’s a Camber enhanced with Banana Tech made for “aggressive new traditionalists and 90’s camber studs”, in case you recognize yourself in those categories… Focuses a mild amount of pressure between your feet for carving, edge grip on ice, float in powder and our maximum amount of pressure out to the tip and tails for super power, end-to-end stability, pop and control in critical situations.

MAGNE-TRACTION
Magne-Traction serrated edges is design to cut into the snow like a knife (imagine a bread knife for example) giving you more edge hold and control. Magne-Traction features 7 strategically located and sized bumps along each side of your sidecut. The biggest bumps are at and between your feet where your balance is centered adding maximum control and power where you need it most. The bumps outside your feet are smaller and less aggressive providing tip and tail control but maintaining freestyle freedom.

H-POP CORE
Wood Alloy Core. Experimental new dead tree with the highest compression response ever used in a snowboard. It has half the glue weight and absorbs less resin weight. Another industry first for Lib Tech.

DIRECTIONAL TWIN
Effortless freestyle and freeride geometry. Twin chassis (from contact to contact) but with an ever so slightly longer nose than tail. Floats on powder and blasts thru crud, a Twin with an advantage.

BIO BEANS TOPSHEET
As many others – that we salute here – Lib Tech has grown an eco conscience and try its best to minimize its impact on environment (check this funny shit). One of the solutions brought by Mervin is this new generation topsheet made out of beans, water based inks or wood core made out of fast growing renewable trees.

TNT BASE MATERIAL
Fast and low maintenance dual layered fluoro base material. Wax it or maybe skip a day, no biggie.

TECH RECAP:

• C3 Power Banana / Camber Combo Tech
• Magne-Traction
• Basalt / fiberglass combo
• Bio Beans Topsheet
• H-Pop Core
• Directional Twin Geometries
• TNT Base
• Flex: 5.5 – 6.5 (depending on size)
• Art by Jamie Lynn

Check also the whole shabang on:

Mervin webiste
Lib Tech website
Gnu website
Bent Metal website

Negative shape, Chillydog, Banana, Reverse Camber…you don’t understand anything? No worries, everything you need to know about rocker boards is explained here!

The fact that snowboard companies like to experiment with new shapes is nothing new.
Sometimes the new boards work well, sometimes not so well. Now the years of mad scientist like experimentation in dark rooms seems to have reaped its rewards! When flicking through the catalogue you will certainly notice a few new symbols by the boards.

We have not included these to confuse you or because we were bored, but because there have been some major advances in board shape technology over the past couple of years.

The multitude of names such as Negative Shape, Chillydog, Gullwing, Banana, Reverse Camber, Wigglestick, etc. should not put you off. Every company has made their own personal touch during the development of these rocker shapes and has given their own unique name to them. As different as the names may be, the technology is based around the same principle. The camber (preflex) has been removed in certain sections of the board (usually the middle) or has been reversed. The result:

Better control on rails and boxes with a smooth, forgiving and fun handling. Most Rocker Boards are rather soft which also supports these advantages. Nose- and Tail Presses also have become easier with a rocker board, because you don’t have to fight the negative camber while pressing it. Apart from that rocker boards can be great fun in powder, too. The positive camber increases your float in deep snow. So park jibbers can also hit the powder without changing the board.

This is generally how a reverse camber board looks:

Of course there are variations from company to company regarding implementation and materials used. Should you have any questions about a specific model then please don‘t hesitate to contact our Customer Service Team.
However, rocker boards also bring some disadvantages with. Most are, as already mentioned, rather soft, so they are not very opt for high speed races. Apart from this, negative camber guarantees a better pop for ollies. Furthermore, rocker boards are harder to handle with icey slopes or sloppy kicker landings compared to boards with negative camber. Above all for riding the pipe this is a crucial factor. So you should really think about how and where you want to use you new board! If you are already used to TwinTip boards and prefer jibbing sessions in the park, rocker boards will be the optimal choice for you! However, if you prefer precise riding and maximum pop you will be better off with a board with negative camber.
The best thing to do is testing both “versions”. No matter if rocker or not it really depends on your personal taste and riding style which is the best choice for you.

Have fun when trying out the new shapes– the best way to do this would be to pay
a visit to one of the Blue Tomato Test Centres!

We also choose some Rocker Boards from our webshop for you:

Atomic Pivot 09/10

299,95 €

YES Rocker Twin Tip 09/10

399,95 €

Rome Artifact 1985 09/10

399,95 €

Stepchild Chi Borg 09/10

409,95 €

Forum Youngblood Chilly Dog 09/10

419,95 €

Capita Indoor Survival FK 09/10

429,95 €

Nitro Sub Zero 09/10

399,95 €

Burton Joystick 09/10

499,95 €