Snowboard Review: 09-10 Never Summer Lotus-R
21 May, 2009
Location: Colorado, Whistler/Blackcomb, Utah, Washington
Snow Conditions: Powder to hardpacked to slushy days, a good mixture of variety of conditions throughout this season.
Setup: I rode the Never Summer Lotus-R with Union Forces and my Rome Vamps size 8.
First Impression: I had two first impressions, I took some pipe runs with it at Breck on the first day and it was decent. Then I took it to Keystone for night riding where it drove me nuts, it was too grippy and I didn’t like how it was riding. I think I even said I hated it at the time, first impression on testing the board and then the next day I got used to it and now it’s my main snowboard.
Size: 157cm
Weight: average to a little heavier than average.
Flex: Since it’s the womens premier F1, it’s noticeablye softer than the men’s version but still offers a more aggressive ride for women. Softer nose to keep it afloat and stiffer tail for powder riding, underfoot it’s a midflex making it easy to initiate turns and still a stable ride. With the RC technology, you get some fun play from the rocker in the center and the camber giving it a freeride stability when riding. Since the creation of the Lotus, it’s been my main snowboard over the premier, with the narrower waist width to match my boot size and a tad softer flex it’s still able to handle the mountain and with less effort from me.
Turning: Quick edge to edge and it is great for carving, definitely you have to adjust to how to turn it within the first couple times. But once you get when to power into a turn, the board holds the carve, the speed on edge and is ready for the next carve. It’s easier to get on edge, I felt very comfortable on it when freeriding with even in the trees. Quick response and good handling. Coming from the cambered version, it still feels like you are riding a board that can really handle freeriding with the reverse camber/camber.
Stable: I’ve been riding the 157cm Lotus-R as my everything board all winter, from pow days to pipe days to even some mini park days. Through a variety of conditions icy to powder, it’s held an edge and held float through them. It’s able to charge through conditions, even choppier conditions with the dampening, remained stable through it all. On groomers, it can handle speed and charging with. I really have no complaints on how stable the board is.
Powder: I managed to get a couple powder days in with the Lotus-R and comparing it to the cambered Lotus, it does help more in powder. But it depends how much snow we are talking about, I noticed that in a couple inches to 12 inches it did fine, floated and was easy to control. But on one day where we received more snow and got 20+ inches, I had to stay in the backseat to stay afloat and the size impacted that as well.
Pop: With the stiffer tail of the Lotus-R, you still can pop ollies off the tail and there’s not much crazy adjustment to get used to that. In tail and nose presses, it’s not as easy as the freestyle boards in the line but the nose is softer and easier to press. The rocker/reverse camber is fun, I can ride rails without it catching an edge and ride halfpipe where it holds an edge going up the walls.
Switch: The Lotus-R is still a directional board, so it can ride switch but it’s not a true twin so takes some adjustment into switch riding on it. I haven’t noticed it being difficult to initiate into switch turns and it’s capable but with some adjustment. Took me a couple turns to get used to it.
Overall Impression: I was impressed when the Lotus first came out, a women’s equivalent of the premier which stepped up to women’s freeriding with another solid board to choose from. The Lotus-R is the next step up, with the reverse camber/camber you still get the charging women’s freeride board but with extra float in powder and still capable of freestyle. I’ve ridden my Lotus everywhere this year, in pipe, on rails, in trees and in powder. It’s been my everything board and it was the only board I took to Whistler with me because it does everything.
Shay’s Honesty Box: I really did hate it that first night riding session, I think my friends were amazed that I could hate a board that was gripping the snow on a icy night. It held an edge, but it was too much for me at the time. I ended up dragging it along some stairs at the contact points to detune it so I could keep riding it. Since then it’s been my main snowboard when I’m not demo’ing. My only gripe with it is the stance width and stance insert options. I wish it wasn’t set back as much and allowed the rider to have a broader stance range. I keep my bindings at the first insert and then the 2nd insert from the back, which is perfect for me.
*This Review was done in January 2009, please be aware that products may change.
Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the 2011 version of the Never Summer Lotus-R or shop their full line of Never Summer snowboards
Never Summer Lotus-R Description
About the author
Shay
From the beginning of time, I was Shannon. From the beginning of snowboarding, I was Shay. From the beginning of online communities, I was Shayboarder. In the end, I’m the writer, photographer, editor, publisher, guru of sorts, product tester, curvy girl, and most importantly the snowboarder behind it all. Follow me on this journey through snowboarding, mountain biking, traveling and fun experiences!
25 Comments
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May 21, 2009arent you supposed to be high? Lol Just bustin, Good to see you posting
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May 23, 2009
Do you like the Lotus-R better than the Gnu B-Pro? If so, why? [I am looking into buying a new board for next year, and I value your reviews!]
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May 25, 2009
Anonymous…thanks! Not high at the time.
Paige. They are comparable in my mind, the big differences are the weight and how it handles over chop cruddy, the ns handles those better because of the dampening. The b-pro has two more contact points than the lotus so it does hold an edge ice better. Other differences are the waist width, the b-pro is a tad wider than the lotus.
What’s your riding style and experience and where do you plan to ride mostly with the board? Both boards are meant for more aggressive riders, freeriders. I’d ride both anywhere, I ride my lotus and it’s built tough definitely.
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December 07, 2009So it’s a toss up between this board, the b-pro and lib tech t-rice for me… could use a little help in sizing… 5’9″ athletic build size 9.5 boot, 157 in the lotus would be a good choice? 155 in the b-pro? 153 or 157 in the t-rice? how tall/weight are you? I like shorter boards just for the quicker maneuverability, but definitely notice a huge difference in plowing through powder on larger board… Also, how necessary is a woman’s board when I am an aggressive rider and a taller woman… I’ve been riding an old school b-pro for years and have loved the hell out of it but interested in this reverse camber ish and possibly going for a “male” board…your thoughts?
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December 07, 2009
and of course, I forgot…your site rocks
keep it up and enjoy the winter! -
December 08, 2009Anne,
The Trice is a midwide which is the reason I haven’t rode it yet, because it’s definitely going to be more waist width than you need. The Lotus and B-pro are on the same level in my opinion, women’s charging boards that won’t let you down. The Burton women’s supermodel is another one to add to the mix but it’s not reverse camber.What’s your weight? That will help decide on what size board for you. I’ve been riding men’s boards for years and it depends on the boards, most women’s boards are too small for my weight (200 pounds) so I tend to ride and own men’s boards with the exception of the 157 lotus. Definitely some of the women’s boards that are higher end are aggressive as much as men’s boards but with a narrower waist to match the women’s boot size.
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December 08, 2009
I’m about 165lbs…thanks so much for the help…
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December 08, 2009Just wanted to let you know your site rocks. I was curious if this board was be okay for someone fairly new. This is my second season and I’m looking to upgrade. I will be riding mainly East Coast ice with a possible trip out West. Thanks.
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December 08, 2009
Anne, I’d stick with the women’s boards if you can since your weight works fine on them. Comparing the B-pro to the Lotus, the B-pro has a wider waist width but comes in the smaller size 155cm, but it’s also your old board but now with new reverse camber which I think you’ll find on either board beneficial to your riding. What size board have you been riding and are you planning to do more powder than freeriding?
Jessica, thanks! Depends on the rider and how much you progress/want to progress. Lotus is the more charging freeride board in the line-up so if that’s where you feel your riding going and you want a board to last, then definitely a consideration. Also what board are you coming from, that helps a lot to see if this would be a easy switch. Sometimes it’s just adjustment and getting time in on the board and making sure you pick a board size that works for your skill/riding style.
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December 10, 2009
Well…lets hope I will be doing more powder…! My favorite type of runs are steep powdery bowls and trees…I’m in mammoth… So mammoth on a good day… Last question then would be, if either board will treat me well, do you think with my height,weight and riding style, would be better off on a 155 or 157 board? Shay keep on spreadin the love and if you are ever in mammoth lakes, hit me up, lets ride!
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December 10, 2009
Anne, I’d definitely love to make it out to Mammoth sometime so I’ll definitely let you know if I do. For board size I’d lean to the 157 since you’ll be riding powder and freeriding, 155 if you ventured into more freestyle.
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December 11, 2009I bought an Alibi board last year, so I feel like anything I buy this year is a step up. I really just want a board that I can progress with and learn to build up speed (so my husband doesn’t have to wait for me at the bottom all the time). I really have no interest in park. After reading more reviews, I’m now leaning more towards the Infinity-R or the GNU B-Nice since it has magna traction. Any input on either one of these boards? Thanks so much for your help.
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December 21, 2009Hey Shay!
My girlfriend looking for a board.. she is 5’5″ and 140lbs. And NS Lotus makes her crazy..(she’ve just started to board, but she is a.. lady.. she LIKES how it looks=) I cant fight against that..=\)
What size should i choose for her? It’ll be her all-around stick.
Please help..:) -
December 21, 2009
Jessica, what’s your riding ability and level? You bought the alibi but did you find it to hard of a ride or what is the reason you are wanting another board? I haven’t rode the GNU B-nice but both that board and the infinity are more all mountain women’s boards. The lotus is the more freeride women’s board which if you aren’t riding park, then I’d go into the freeride board. The MTX can help a lot on the icy days, NS has vario grip so also grips but has less contact points as the MTX so less grippy.
Ghostovan, Ah yes girls like the looks! Well it’s definitely going to push her riding in the long run and a board she’ll have for a while. If you go smaller it’ll be an easier ride for her in the size, but if you go for her size she should be on then it’ll last her longer but might be harder for her to control at first. The 151cm is right in the center of those, the 149cm would be easier though. Either one of those sizes.
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December 21, 2009
Oh, thanks a LOT Shay! I’ll go with 151 then.
I appreciate your help.:) -
December 25, 2009Does this compare with the Gnu B-Nice BTX? I’m trying to decide between the two, but it seems that the Gnu is Rocker only, while this one (NS Lotus) is Rocker & Camber
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December 25, 2009
Ghost, no problem and glad to help out. Let me know how she likes it!
Emily, Gnu B-nice is more all mountain easier ride than the lotus. It’s more entry level for upcoming riders while the lotus is more aggressive. The comparable board in the GNU line to the Lotus is the B-pro which does come with rocker and camber (C2 technology). What kind of riding style/experience are you and where on the mountain do you ride? Also boot size?
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December 25, 2009
Thanks for your response!
I’m borderline beginner-intermediate. On my most recent day out on the snow, I was able to transition heelside-toeside without much problems on green runs, except on the icy patches. I saw this as a huge improvement, since the time I went before that, I could barely transition without getting nervous. For now, I’m probably just going to be carving down green runs and I’ll move on to blue when I’m more comfortable with the speed. Eventually I’d like to try out some park stuff (maybe boxes, rails, small jumps), but I think it will be a little while until I have enough confidence for that.
I’m currently riding a used Rossignol 145, regular camber. I’m 5’3″, 120lbs, size 7.5 (women’s) boots. I live in NJ so most likely I’ll be riding a lot of groomed trails with lots of icy patches.
I’ve been doing a lot of research to find out what the difference between “rocker” and “rocker and camber” are. Most people are telling me that NS’s R&C is better than Gnu’s banana tech. I also thought about just sticking to a regular camber board, but I haven’t seen any new 2010 one that’s caught my eye yet…
Anyway, I know that’s a lot of stuff I threw out there and I appreciate any insights you have. Thanks!
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December 26, 2009
Emily, thanks for the detail on your riding. Definitely going from camber to rocker is going to take some adjustment but it’s pretty easy transition.
The Magne traction helps a lot with the icy days, so you’ll be fine with BTX still holding an edge. I wouldn’t say that NS is better than banana tech because they aren’t comparable. NS’s tech is comparable to C2 and still depends on the board and rider on which one you like over the other. BTX definitely has a purpose, when you start going into the park it’s going to be really easy to play with and less catchful on your edges when riding. Overall stability goes to reverse camber tech since you have the camber/rocker combo but BTX definitely is a lot of fun.
Personally the lotus is a more advanced aggressive womens board that sounds like too much of a board for you and the B-nice sounds like the perfect board for your ability level, progressing and going into the park.
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January 10, 2010Shay, I am trying to decide between the Lotus and the Infinity! Can you help? I am a 5 foot 2, 110 lb female. Love to charge hard as you say, and always have trouble finding a stable board that is not too stiff for me to bend and twist. Oh yeah my foot is a women’s six. Generally I ride a 154-156 for the stability but have to be super-picky about waist width and sidecut. Leaning toward the Lotus … very attracted to the dampening … but worried it will be too stiff. Want to try a shorter board this year too, in hopes that the new technology will allow me to not feel like I am on a skateboard… What do you recommend?
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January 10, 2010
Jo,
I can definitely help you out. With the reverse camber you can definitely go shorter and not feel like it won’t handle the mountain or feel like a skateboard. I ride shorter boards than when I rode camber and feel comfortable riding them everywhere in the smaller sizes. I think you’d be fine on the 154cm Lotus and it suits your riding style more than the infinity. -
January 10, 2010
Hey thanks for that Shay. I was actually thinking of going down to a 149… figure it can only be more agile so long as its characteristics allow it to hold, carve etc. What do you think?
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January 20, 2010hey shay, thanks for all the great info. i am in need of a new snowboard, although i loved my old one. i was riding a 154 neversummer infinity-r from last season. i like steep, lots of pow, trees, live in park city, but could hit up the groomers now and then and the choppy stuff. i liked the flex of the neversummer in comparison to my men’s burton supermodel from a few years back and love the reverse camber. i am 5’8, about 150 lbs and a size 10 shoe. i definitely want to stay on a women’s specific board so thinking a b-pro, ns infinity or ns lotus. thoughts and should i stay at a 154 or try the 155/156. thanks!
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April 22, 2010Hey Shay! This site is awesome…great reviews with lot’s of food for thought.
I’m looking at buying the Lotus-R. I currently ride a 153 cambered board. The guy at the shop said I could ride a 151. But I’m iffy about this; my weight is 150lbs and height is 5’4″. Should I get the 151 or should I search for a 154. Thanks again! -
April 22, 2010
So now I’ve read that you have also ridden the 2008/09 Lotus…would I be severely disappointed if I bought last years model over this years .
