_REVIEWS2008-2009_BOARDS

Snowboard Review: 08-09 Lib Tech Phoenix “Lando”

2008-2009 Lib Tech Phoenix “Lando”

Location: Loveland, CO

Snow Conditions: A mixture of groomers and hard packed popcorn, choppy terrain.

Setup: I rode the Lib Tech Phoenix Lando with my Raiden Tigre bindings and my Vans Omni Focus boots.

First Impression: WOW, I rode the Phoenix Blonde in a 154 and now the Lando in a 160 and it is a lot stiffer.

Size:  160cm

Weight: little more than average

Flex:   This phoenix was actually noticeably stiffer than the 154cm phoenix I rode.  It was very stable in carving, turning and freeriding but definitely with the length and the stiffer flex, it lost the more fun freestyle feel.  


Turning: The phoenix is very predictable, but in a good way…you know what it is going to do and there’s no surprises. I put in the mtx part that the mtx is mellower on the phoenix which in my opinion is great. It lets the rider still control each turn, rather than the board just diving in, locking to the snow and giving you a ride without you wanting it.   That was the same for both phoenix’s I rode, but the lando for me when riding the long radius turns were the bread and butter.  Shorter radius, I didn’t get as quick of a response and during one turn around the cat track it was slower edge to edge response than I would have liked.  

Stable:  Of the 3 boards I rode for both days, it was the most stable through the varying conditions and just for hauling down with.  But it was also the longest size of the day at 160cm.  I didn’t feel any speed wobbles or issues with it vibrating.  

Pop:   Other than a couple tail presses and 180’s on the cat track wall, I didn’t really test the pop of the board.  No ollies on it, just strictly freeriding with it.  The 154cm was poppy and fun, but the stiffer flex of the 160 threw me off when it came time to getting freestyle with it.

Switch: Switched into it for a couple turns, didn’t catch an edge and didn’t feel any different in the handling.  

MagneTraction (MTX):
I prefer a MTX that’s more mellow, gradual letting the rider do the work…not the board do the work for you. The Phoenix is that, both of the boards had really low key MTX barely noticeable…but you do notice it when you need it on the icier terrain.  It still gripped the snow well on the harder packed stuff but didn’t feel like you were locked into the snow. I liked that as a rider, I could control the board on edge.

Overall Impression:   It rode a lot different than the 154 Phoenix Blonde I rode, just stiffer flex.  I really wasn’t expecting that big of change.  However with the stiffer flex, came more stability and for carving, felt like the big S turns were the most fun on it.  I’d definitely want this board on a powder day with the stiffer flex and BTX, but on groomers the 154cm was quite enough fun for me than the 160cm. 

Shay’s Honesty Box:   I liked the 154cm Phoenix better, just more fun and more freestyle all mountain flex.  The 160 was fun for bombing with and a really steady stable ride but I liked the more fun of the 154cm.

On-Snow Photo

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  • Anonymous
    November 3, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    Thanks Shay,
    Sounds what I am expecting on 160cm compare to 154cm since the different size (radius and length) and the different flex of both boards. For sure they are made for different program of ride style.

    Francis

  • Anonymous
    November 3, 2008 at 1:49 pm

    Also:
    Compare to your NS SL 158cm review versus Lando 160cm which one is more stable at Mach2 or Mach3 speed (I main fast on grooming)?
    Is there any comparaison to make on these board?
    Thanks

    Francis

  • Shayboarder
    November 3, 2008 at 1:52 pm

    The lando felt more stable than the SL, it’s also stiffer than the SL at that size. The Lando 160 felt more like the heritage or premier in terms of stiffer flex.

  • Anonymous
    November 3, 2008 at 2:14 pm

    Gnu B-Pro review coming soon?

  • hoon
    November 3, 2008 at 4:47 pm

    nice shay. nice. lando is a kick ass rider with a kick ass board. how was the BTX with a stiffer board?
    honestly i think the lando probably would be better served for someone who requires a stiffer board. as you mentioned your preference is for the 154 (which makes a ton of sense).

    i think people sometimes forget that for a BTX board they’re supposed to stick with their regular size (or some people size down slightly). so a 160 stiffer board probably would be best for someone who weighs a buck eighty or higher…

    nothing you already didn’t know, but a bit of random food for thought.

  • hoon
    November 3, 2008 at 4:51 pm

    PS and of course terrain is a huge factor. 😀

  • Shayboarder
    November 3, 2008 at 5:27 pm

    Yep B-pro up later this week 🙂

    Totally right Hoon. I don’t think early season at Loveland gave it a fair chance, I’m gonna definitely take it out again when the whole mountain is open at Loveland or Steamboat to really judge it in powder and bigger runs with it.

    Honestly I didn’t really notice the btx when riding…I didn’t really judge it either because I wasn’t doing any freestyle stuff with it or riding powder…and btx in powder is just plain fun. A 160cm for me is 2 cm’s more than i usually ride. In powder I ride bigger so we’ll see how this handles when we get more snow.

  • Anonymous
    November 3, 2008 at 8:01 pm

    Sound interesting Shay and Hoon.
    Just bought it and shoulb be able to ride it in few weeks (around Montreal)and will let you know guys about my openion.
    I do have a TRs BTX 154cm (that I like a lot) and want a faster machine for grooming that is not afraid at Mach2 or Mach 3 speed but can also go Powder or 360 since my other machine Elan Vertigo 162cm was only good on grooming…
    Francis

  • hoon
    November 3, 2008 at 9:16 pm

    good luck with it. i really want a trice btx but the WW on the 157 is way to wide. my 08 was fun but not quick enough for me edge-to-edge… wonder if i can get away with a 153 BTX in the pow. just what i need another board right?

    dying to take out the Volcom board.

  • Anonymous
    November 4, 2008 at 7:41 am

    Hoon,
    I was the same dilemma cause I was also looking to T.RICE… the 153 BTX should be very powerfull and good in pow depending of your wait… Me because I already had the TRS 154 BTX my choice went to Lando 160 for big fast mountain riding but for sur the T.Rice must kick ass to cause my TRS do! 😉

  • Huckleberry Hart
    November 4, 2008 at 10:16 am

    So that’s how Lando plows through everything…he rides a tractor of a board.

    Man. I want to go ride…

  • Marc
    November 4, 2008 at 11:54 am

    Lando Rules!

  • hoon
    November 4, 2008 at 2:58 pm

    153 just isn’t my style… i’m small, compact and heavy… i like a long board when charging steep terrain. the 153 would be hella fun for EC… but i’d have to first get past my affliction: Burtonitis.

  • Anonymous
    November 24, 2008 at 11:39 am

    Hi,
    I did my first test of the Lando BTX 160cm! Wow amazing board!
    You can carve very fast, stable and at the same time feel pretty light and agile under the feet for goo freestyle! Plus, it is BTX with Twin radius what could you ask more? 🙂 So happy cause it is as good as my last Elan Vertigo 162cm for carving (if not better because of the Magna Traction) and feel very freestyle as any RC on the market including Skate Banana!, I know now why Mark Landvick rode this one!

    TESTER:
    Francis, Montreal
    5’10” 165pds
    Drake Mentor Large with Northwave Legend size 9US

  • Shayboarder
    November 24, 2008 at 3:49 pm

    Awesome Francis! Glad you got the board out and liked it!

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