Location: Keystone, Colorado
Snow Conditions: Bluebird with hardpacked groomers.
Setup: I rode the GNU B-PRO C2 with Union Forces and my Rome Vamps size 8.
First Impression: I liked this ride a lot better than when I rode the dark with C2, I think the detuning improved it for me a lot more.
Size: 152cm
Weight: lighter than average
Flex: It felt like a stiffer board than last years, but just a tad stiffer and more torsionally. I still wouldn’t classify it as a stiff women’s board, it’s on the high end of medium flex. I found it still easy to press the tail of the board and with the stiffer nose it made it a really stable ride when going through chop and charging, never noticed the nose being unstable. Over the really bumpy, bad crud I noticed it wasn’t as stable but that was the only time I encountered that.
Turning: Despite it being the B-pro, Barrett Christy pro model it’s an easier ride than it seems especially when turning. Easy to initiate turns and it’s stable during long radius turns but you can still really carve it into shorter turns with no issues. The magne traction helps with the edge hold and I like mine detuned so it’s less grippy, less holding me into the turns when I ride.
Stable: The B-pro is already a really stable board for women and with the C2 it makes it more freeride focused and less freestyle but offers up better stability for charging the mountain.
Pop: I didn’t any problems with popping off small rollers on this board. It was still pressable on the nose and tail, definitely a little less pressable than when it was just BTX.
Switch: Didn’t have riding switch be an issue, easy to transition around into switch and no catching motions when riding.
Overall Impression: I think the C2 definitely makes this a better board, still very stable and a fun ride. It just charges which is great for women riders to have a board like this.
Shay’s Honesty Box: I love the B-pro, it’s one of my favorite women’s boards and a board I love riding at demo’s even when it’s a smaller size. I never feel like it’s that small and it still impresses me when I charge with it.
*This Review was done in February 2009, please be aware that products may change.
March 6th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Great review!
I demo’d the 147 version of this board and the 151 Ally BTX when Mervin Mfg was at Whistler a couple weeks ago.
I’ve been anxious to get a BTX board (have MTX right now), and the 2010 B-Pro is at the top of my wishlist! …actually, it’s the only one on my list.
November 4th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I’ve been told too scale down in size for this board. I really want it, but am concerned on the length.
I ride a 147 Rome now and it’s a bit too small. I’d like to go with the 149 BTX, but I don’t want to feel like it’s too long and I can’t control it, especially in the park, which I just got into. But I also have many trips this year that will involve backcountry powder and want to bring this board.
So is it best to go bigger with the 149, which is a good length for me, or will I feel like I am drowning on it in the park and therefore should go with the 146, which jut seems SO small!
Thanks!!!
November 4th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Esser,
You can definitely size down with it if you want to, I was riding a lot smaller size than I should have been and still felt great on it.
What’s your weight? That will help tell a lot about what size to get. If you think you’ll feel better on the 149 and especially in powder/backcountry then I would go for it since the next size is smaller than you are used to.
November 16th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Hey!
Thanks for the advice.
I am 120, 5′3″, but I like to ride fast. I used to ski race, but am just getting into the park too. I think I’d like to go with the 149, but do you think it will feel funky in the park with the extra length and reverse camber?
Thanks! LOVE your blog!!!!!
November 16th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Esser,
You’ll be fine on the 149cm. It won’t be too funky in the park since the reverse camber will still give you a lot more play. And it will let you ride fast. If you plan to do a lot of park riding then the 146cm would work but honestly if you feel the 147cm is small then I’d just ride the 149 and the reverse camber will help in the park to make it easier on you.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Cool! Thanks! I think I’ll go with the 149 then. I am a part-time park rider, free rider at heart! I am stoked for this board!!! I’ve never rode reverse camber, so it will be a true adventure here in Vermont this winter.
Are you going to the Dew Tour stop in Breckenridge? I work in the industry and would love to meet up if you go!
Cheers!
November 16th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Esser,
I think you’ll be more comfortable on the 149cm. Sounds like me, part time park rider and freerider at heart! Definitely let me know how you like it once you get it on snow, I think for women’s boards it’s one of them that I certainly stand by and enjoy riding everytime.
I just looked into going and seeing about getting press credentials. Sometimes as a blogger it’s hard to get into those events but I definitely hope to make it down for some of it. We’ll definitely have to meet up, would love that!
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Cool! Let me know if you end up going! Would love to meet up too!
Cheers! AND think snow!
ES
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
Esser,
I’m golden on the Dew Tour so I’ll come down for it that weekend. Shoot me an email, shayboarder@gmail.com and we’ll exchange numbers so we can meet up.
Stoked on snow!
January 19th, 2010 at 11:19 am
Shay,
First off, you are awesome! I love your reviews – thanks so much for taking time to demo boards and do your write-ups. I started boarding last year on a super-flexy park board (Burton Blender). I’ve decided, however, that I really just like blazing down the mountain rather than riding the park. When I read your review I felt the GNU B-Pro C2BTX sounded like the perfect board for my interests. I’m also in the NW and my little park board slips like crazy on our cruddy, icy mountains, which is unnerving at rocket speed. I’ve been having a hard time deciding the length of the board to get and was wondering if you could give me some pointers. I’m 5′5″ and weigh 135 pounds. My current board is a 148. I was leaning towards the 149, but a few folks have told me I should size down due to the C2BTX (getting the 146). But others say, size up to the 152 for control at higher speeds. Since I just started last year, I’m not the most skilled boarder (not even close) but I like to ride hard. Any thoughts you have would be really appreciated!!
-G
January 19th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
Gritter,
Thank you so much for the great words on the site! The GNU B-pro is a solid board and the mtx would help on the cruddy conditions and charging through them. Your weight is best on a 149-152cm, I’d say stick with the 149cm since it’s not much of an adjustment and you can still charge with it. 152cm will be on the larger size spectrum and might be more of an adjustment and push you harder as a rider to control. 146cm is just small for a girl who wants to charge at your weight and for NW mountains, you’ll over grow that size too quick.
Hope that helps!
February 16th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
Shay,
Love your reviews, hard trying to do research when there isnt that much out there for the ladies.
I’m 5′5/110 lbs and have a ‘08/09 147 Roxy Ally MTX which I love. Starting to look for a new board simply for a different feel. Ride mainly on the east coast so I’m gonna stick with Mervin’s MTX (love it). Havent ventured to the park yet, but am trying to make my way. Was thinking about the B-St to have something to mess around on, but the B Pro was another suggestion, what are your thoughts?
February 17th, 2010 at 7:18 am
Alex, I hear you on that there’s less out there for women, good to know this site helps.
Definitely makes sense to stick with MTX since you love it and helps on the icy conditions. Are you more of a freeride/charger or cruiser/play around on the mountain currently? Definitely if you plan to ride park more, the b-street is more playful or consider the roxy eminence (same board different graphic, sizes, has mtx) in the BTX models but if you want charging/freeriding, the B-pro would be a better choice. So really depends on your style of riding and what your looking for.
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:01 am
Hi Shay,
I’ve been reading your reviews and your suggestions regarding this board and I am completely excited to try it. Thank you Thank you!!! However the only issue is the board is quite long for what I have been riding and what I imagine I would be used to. I am 5′3″/125lbs and currently ride a 144 board. Do you think it would be difficult to transition to a longer board? Lots of comments have been made to scale down… In terms of my skills, I’m able to ride fast & carve well but haven’t progressed to do much of the terrain park stuff – I mainly ride on the northeast (icey at times). Many Thanks!
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:15 am
Hello,
Great review.
I’m a dude 5′11 170lbs shoe size 10. I have a burton custom X 164 as my freeride board and my wife has an traditional 10 year old ride timeless camber board 152 which I want to sell off and get a b-pro in 155 c2btx or btx regular. I’m also considering the gnu mens riders choice 154.5 and gnu park pickle 153 or 156.
I’m thinking of using the b-pro board for her when she comes out (rarely) and also serving as freestyle park board for me
. I dont own a “quiver” but would like to have one and this is my ticket for an excuse to have one. I hope its not too big for her and the banana rocker should help her turn initiate turns easier. She is a beginner. My wife is 5′8 around 130(?) pounds with woman shoe size 9. Her problem is that she picks up good moement and keeps heel side carving. I’m trying to get her to break that habit and start doing more toe side carves.
Any advise you can provide regarding getting c2btx or just standard btx mervin boards in general?
Regards,
WeekendSurfer
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:13 am
Hi Shay! Thanks for the review of this snowboard. I have been looking for a new board for a while, but have had trouble making a decision. I am currently riding a K2 Luna, and was looking at Mervin boards. At first I was leaning toward the Lib-Tech bananas, but they are not women specific. I am a little big for a woman, 5′4 and 145lbs, so I thought I could ride a men’s board but am not sure about that because I have always rode on women-specific boards (does weight matter when choosing between gender-specific snowboards or just height?). Then I looked at the Gnu boards and fell in love with the B-Pro series. However, I am confused on the difference between the B-Pro BTX and the B-Pro C2BTX. I understand that C2 is a camber system but am not sure what that would do for me as a rider. I currently am an intermediate/expert rider, and love tearing down the steep slopes and challenging mountain terrain. I ride in any conditions and generally stay away from the parks, although I want a board with room to learn that could play around a little on the jumps even though I don’t plan to become advanced in that area. Can you make a suggestion for me?
Thanks,
Britt
March 6th, 2010 at 6:16 pm
Hi Shay, I stumbled across your site while I was searching out some info on the differences between B-Pro BTX and the B-Pro C2BTX and I found your review really helpful. There just isn’t enough good information out there for women’s boards!
So, this is my second season and I’ve been using a learner board lent to me from a friend. Its a Division 23 148 and I know for a fact that its pretty old even though its in good shape. It is rather rigid and definately too short for my height/weight seeing as I’m 5′9″ and roughly 160. I would say that I am past beginner in skill level and into the intermediate range. I love floating in the powder, into the chop, and just carving down the runs. I’m not too interested in the park, maybe I’ll explore it in the next season or two. After all that, I know I want to move up to a 152 and my question really is about which board to pick up. I’m set on either the B-Pro BTX or the B-Pro C2BTX, with a leaning toward the C2 because of the camber and its more a freeride board while the BTX is more freestyle board. Any advice or suggestions? Does the camber really matter for what I’ll be using it for?
Thanks,
Jess
March 6th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Green, I think you’ll find the 146cm fine especially for your weight and riding style, more freeride focus. If you like to go fast and carve, you’ll find the longer length a improvement. Are you able to demo it before you buy it?
Weekend, Thanks! For freeriders, C2 is the way to go. For park/freestyle BTX is super fun and playful. Both boards handle powder but C2 gives you a stable feeling when riding and offers up a versatile board. Definitely sounds like it’s time for your wife to get that new board and you guys to have a quiver together.
Britt, Lib Tech actually has the narrow skate banana which is meant for women, that would be a consideration if you want a park board. You are not big, don’t even worry about that. Women can ride men’s boards but it also helps if you have the boot size and weight to match the men’s board. I ride men’s boards all the time, I have the weight and my boot size can handle most of the men’s boards waist width’s. So depends a lot on the rider and what you want/used to. Awesome on loving the B-pro so far, C2 is rocker camber so it gives you the slight playfulness of rocker with the stability of camber. Rocker is just plain playfulness, loosey feeling and fun for park riding. For your riding style, C2 is the better match and would allow you to ride a variety of conditions like pow to freeriding to park if it came down to it.
Jessica, totally agree on the women’s information and glad to make this site something of value for women. Awesome on the learner board, that definitely is wise to do and make sure you enjoy snowboarding. The small size makes it easy to learn on but also good you are looking for a new board to progress with. 152cm is a good size to invest in especially if you want some powder turns it’ll help keep you up with the longer length. For what you’ve mentioned the C2 seems like the better fit and will give you more stability for your freeriding than the BTX. If you wanted to go into park sooner and really get into it, I’d say the BTX. Either board will help in powder and you won’t have to work as hard to stay afloat. You’ll find the longer length 152 some adjustment from your learner board but you’ll be amazed at how fast and charging you can go plus it’ll help you progress those intermediate turns. It’ll definitely be a lot stiffer than that board so just to prepare you some adjustment when you first get on it.
March 7th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Hi Shay,
Did you get a chance to try the Roxy Eminence C2BTX? I’m trying to figure out how that board compares to the B-Pro C2BTX. I tried the B-Pro and loved it (except for the snake graphic), but Mervin didn’t have the Eminence available at our demo day.
March 7th, 2010 at 5:27 pm
Thanks Shay! I’m really excited to take the C2 out on the mountain and progress my boarding skills. Now all I have to figure out is boots and bindings and I’m good to go!
Jess
March 8th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Tara, I have not had the chance to ride the eminence with C2 yet. I was able to ride the ollie pop C2 for the first time which is the less aggressive, more forgiving, do it all board in the line up…I can see why it’s popular. Eminence is more playful, mix of freestyle focus but can still charge and ride powder in but that was with BTX. Bummer they didn’t have it at your demo day, I’ll see if I can try it soon to get a comparision.
Jessica, Awesome! Make sure you get good fitting comfortable boots! Try on lots of brands to see what fits your foot the best, that’s the only way to know for sure.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:18 am
Hi Shay,
Can’t say enough great things about your site!!
I’ve been thinking about this board a lot for next year. I’m thinking I’ll purchase it on closeout over the summer, so I probably won’t get to demo by the end of this year. I’m 5′2″-125 and currently ride a 150 med-flex board. I’m torn between the 149 and 152 for next year. I’m an all mountain, backcountry, Pac. NW conditions, go fast girl who will only venture into the park on “forgiving” days. Any suggestions between the two sizes? THANKS SO MUCH!!