Snowboard Review: 10-11 Lib Tech Attack Banana EC2
03 Dec, 2010
Location: Mammoth, CA
Snow Conditions: Mixture of hardpacked to icy to softpacked powder.
Setup: I rode the Lib Tech Attack Banana with my Union bastardized bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.
Size: 159cm.
First Impression: The attack banana matches its name. This board rips up the snow whether it’s attacking the groomers or powder.
Weight: average
Flex: For an all mountain freestyle board the flex is right on, it is on the stiffer side but that allows it to really charge the mountain in powder. Lib Tech rates it as a 6 on the scale Longitudinally it’s stiffer from nose to tail, especially the tail where I found that butters and presses took more work than expected. Torsionally it was softer, easier to get quick response from edge to edge. The flex overall was ideal for the mountain, I didn’t want it to be softer but I probably would have sized down. The Attack Banana features Ec2 technology which is a mix between BTX and C2 technology, featuring rocker (a.k.a. banana) between the feet; from the feet out the snowboard is shaped with an elliptical camber shape.
Turning: This is where I immediately liked the board. It was easy to turn and had quick response from edge to edge, which riding a 159 with a 25.5 waist might not always be possible but it never felt like I was riding a 159, rode shorter with the less effective edge. The stiffness of the board from nose to tail, helped deliver stability in turns and on edge, it held a turn whether short or long down the mountain. I just loved cruising with it. The MTX held an edge but wasn’t overly grippy, in fact I barely noticed it until it came to some icy spots when I had no problem staying on edge.
Stable: On the groomers, the board could haul. The first day I took it out, it was such a fun day to just go fast on the groomers and I felt comfortable from the first second I stepped on the board. No adjustment, nothing weird to get used to…it rode like a board should. I was able to get in some leftover powder with the attack banana but I would have liked more on it, the board floated and I had a blast ripping through the trees in the powder. It felt stable without any problems floating. Through some cruddy chop, it handled but a little bounce around but still a blast to rip through with.
Pop: Normally when I ride a 159, I wouldn’t take it through the park. But the attack banana felt so comfortable that I started to jump the little jumps with it, just feeling comfortable on it. On one run, you could ollie off the cat track and I felt super comfortable on take off and landing with the pop. The stiffness longitudinally of the board made it a bit tougher to butter with or press with. Snow sprays and slashes were a blast, the board never folded and I could spray the shit out of the snow. Since I borrowed the board from the tech rep who had yet to ride it, I made sure to ollie over any rocks and got some good ollie time in. Easy board to pop and ollie despite the size.
Switch: The attack banana is a true twin and rides like a true twin. I didn’t notice any differences when I rode it regular to switch, easy to flip around and comfortable to ride.
Overall Impression: This summer I ran into Pete Saari at Mt Hood who was trying out a new board that was between the BTX and C2 technology, I’m guessing it was the EC2 he was on and probably this board. The Lib Tech attack banana delivers a board that truly attacks the mountain. I found it to be the perfect blend between the two technologies, a board that still charged and handled the mountain but could also ride park or freeride. It wasn’t as loose feeling as BTX but it wasn’t as aggressive as C2. A good middle of the road for technology but still offering the rider something of everything.
Shay’s Honesty Box: It reminded me of the quickness and response of the Billy Goat but with the flex of the Banana Magic mixed with the all around riding of the TRS. I got on this board and immediately fell in love. It is hands down my favorite Mervin board I’ve ridden to date. I probably wouldn’t ride the 159 all the time because I’ve switched to shorter lengths for all around riding but it was a blast to ride.
Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Lib Tech Attack Banana or shop their full line of Lib Tech snowboards
On Snow Photo
Lib Tech Attack Banana description
Review Disclosure: I borrowed this board from the Lib Tech So-Cal Sub-rep and returned it to them. Thank you Mike and Bob!!
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!
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53 Comments
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December 03, 2010Shay, interesting review… my only thought when I read all of the specs was that I couldn’t see where it was different from a TRS with C2… I know the shape is different but I was thinking how it rode. From your review am I right in thinking same longitudinally but softer torsionally? I was set on the TRS until I heard about this…
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December 03, 2010good review, My attack banana has been sitting inside since mid october. I’ve been itching to use it.
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December 03, 2010How would you compare this to the banana magic?
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December 03, 2010I was set on the TRS until i saw this too. I know the core of this board is like the normal skate bananas where as the TRS has the colombian gold core. I just don’t know if i should go with the 157 TRS or the 156 Attack now?
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December 03, 2010Thanks for the review!! Makes me feel a lot more comfortable now reading this after shelling out £480 on a board I’ve not tested! Cannot wait to get on the mountain with it! Thanks Shay
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December 03, 2010Hi Shay,
How you will compare the Lib Attack 159 to the Never Summer SL 158?
In terms of All Mountain, Flex, Freeride (fast speed and Damping), fun factor, Powder etc…
I am 5’10” 178pds boots 9US, and ride very advance where I like glades, trees etc…
Thanks -
December 03, 2010
Also, it is a TNT base or a Sintered one, the Lib Attack?
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December 03, 2010Your feet are on the Lib Tech website yeah Shay!
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December 03, 2010Kieren, the TRS has the TNT Base (basically extruded), Attack has the Swirl Sintered UHMW Base. The tech is different, TRS has C2 technology, Attach has EC2. Really depends on what you are looking for. I love the TRS but the attack banana definitely won me over.
Jojo, can’t wait till you can ride it. Wanna hear your feedback on it!
Mike, Banana Magic is a solid board too! I think Banana Magic handled more playful than the attack banana. Loved both boards.
Chaz, read what I put to Kieren above.
Adam, can’t wait to hear your feedback on it! Sick board you own!
Francis, I haven’t rode this year’s SL to compare yet…but I will. It’s a sintered UHMW base on the attack.
Keither, I saw! Rad!
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December 03, 2010After reading this review itd be interesting to hear reviews for other mervin all mountain freestyle sleds, especially a re-review of the MC- kink.
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December 05, 2010shay…
are you sure the attack banana has the sintered base? i called up lib last week and spoke to someone who said that the base was a TNT extruded base. can anyone please confirm on this?
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December 07, 2010Thanks Shay, I’ve been waiting for a review of this board. What size do you think would give me the best quiver killer? I am 5.6 175lbs. I ride all mountain, trees, pow, park (mostly jumps, rails if I’m bored)
Also, I noticed that the Magne-Traction is real mellow on the Attack Banana and only has 5 contact points. Do you think this will be less effective for northeast ice, or Sierra cement? (Just trying to figure out if I’d be buyin a truely experiMENTAL board, or a more perfected design????)
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December 07, 2010
Wang, I’ll try to get on the McKink in the future.
Songa, sorry for the misclarification on that. I thought it was the sintered UHMW base but it is the TNT base which is “The TNT base is a UHMW, aka. Sintered.
It’s just a different type of sintered base that we add fluro-poloymers to make it extra fast and require less wax.” so definitely a mix up on the type of base.TJC, probably the 156, You don’t need the bigger size for the east coast but you could go bigger if you ride pow/trees way more. Up to you. It will still hold an edge on ice, I rode mine one day when it was more icy and it handled fine with being able to hold an edge and not washing out.
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December 07, 2010Shay, I have a quick question. I’m a freerider who loves to cruise down all terrain, but every once in a while I’d go hit a small kicker. Out of the Attack Banana & the T.Rice board, which would be better for me as far as speed and stability goes?
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December 09, 2010
Luke, you know I haven’t been able to ride the Trice yet unfortunately but it’s also a midwide so less reason for me to ride it. Attack banana handled freeriding for me so I can vouch for it there as being a cruising all terrain and hitting the jumps with.
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December 09, 2010I took this board for a 3 lap demo today at Bear Mountain, CA. I rode the 156 and I’m 6’0 170lbs. I really wanted to ride the 159 but it was not available to demo. The one thing I did not like about this attack banana was that it did not power through chop well and folded on me a few times. It was rattling like a ruler when you load and release it at the edge of your desk. My knees no likey. Could this be because the 156 was too small for me?
I took out the TRS afterwards in 159 and was so much happier. Much more stable and solid. Too bad I did not ride the attack in 159 to have a better comparison against the TRS. Currently, I’m in favor of the TRS over the Attack.
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December 11, 2010hey im thinking about getting this in the 159 size,
im 6’3 and 190lbs – do you think the 159 will be ok for all mountain? mostly east coast cruising – i am intermediate skill wise looking to progress
i was thinking 161ish in other boards but i heard with reverse camber i can drop afew cm
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December 11, 2010Rode my Attack Banana 5 times so far all @ Mammoth, 2 powder days and 3 on groomers. I love this snowboard!!! It can do it all…not sure what else I can say… =D One thing I did notice is the MTX is extremely mellow on it, much less pronounced than on another MTX board I rode.
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December 13, 2010
I rode the board over the weekend. I’m certainly not a great boarder. I purchased the board because I wanted to get a board that I could learn on and something that I wouldn’t out grow throughout the season. It was pretty good, i was able to do things on this board that I did on my cousin’s board that i borrowed last year. I have two more snowboarding trips in January, by that time I’ll be able to give you better feed back after my trip to Keystone.
But as for now, the board handles great!! the rocker/camber on it was perfect all around. The magne traction held up pretty damn good. Hopefully this board will help with my snowboarding. I’ll keep you informed!
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December 13, 2010
oh btw, i’m 5’5 160lbs.. and im riding a 153.
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December 19, 2010I rode the Attack Banana 59 at Sunshine Village in Banff on Friday and found it to be an awesome board. There was a foot of fresh and the board cruised through it effortlessly. It was really fast in the powder and the carving on the packed was great. Switch was easy and the pop off of a couple of medium sized jumps was almost scary. Did’nt get to hit any rails. I would definitely recommend this board. I cant wait to get some wax on it as I rode it with the factory wax. Nothing but good things to say. I’m 6ft and 190 lb and the 59 seemed to be a good match.
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December 22, 2010I am very interested in this board.
I currently ride a 156 original Banana on the east coast in parks mostly but want something for trips out west and hauling arse on groomers. Fun board but at high speeds it is sketchy. I am 6 foot 180 lbs. Should this board be ridden smaller, or is a 159 ok?
I used to ride 159-160′s traditional camber boards out west in powder. Will the 156 attack banana cover me?
Thx -
December 24, 2010
Rad to hear the input from others who have ridden the attack banana!
Stinkbug, you’ll find the attack banana a lot more stable than the original banana. I rode the 159 but would have liked the 156 better. Since you are already riding the 156 and ride east coast park you’ll be fine on that same size and it’ll handle when you go west.
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December 28, 2010Rode my 159 Attack Banana for the first time today. What an amazing board! We had a nice 15cm dump of fresh, so perfect varied conditions to test it out, from deep windblown stashes to packed pow down the bottom….and this board handled it all.
It really floated well in the powder and turn response was great through the trees, where its needed most. Coming from the 153 09/10 C2 T-Rice it gave me better float and speed, and more confidence to land some smaller drops in the deeper stuff, where I have had troubles with the nose sinking on the smaller board. This board handled everything I could throw at it.
I really like the EC2 technology. It seems really stable on the packed tracks on a flat base and has plenty of pop in all conditions. I think I will need some more time on it to really feel the difference between this and the C2 Power BTX. I also noticed the MTX is really mellow compared to my old T-Rice, and also compared the other Libs in the shop. A good thing I think for the all mountain feel.
I was really unsure on what size to get, as mentioned above I rode a 153, however found the 159 to ride shorter and still be as playful and responsive as the shorter board. Butters and spins were easy and turning in all conditions was done with ease. I think board is on the stiffer side which made it great in the powder.
Hope this helps with anyone still unsure of what to get. A great board for the whole mountain!
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December 29, 2010Hi Shay,
Great review. I’m choosing between this board (Attach Banana) or the NeverSummer SL. I’m looking for a all mountain freestyle board that can get some speed, but also take jump and work in trees. I’m 5’11 boot size 11 and 180.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thanks,
Elliott -
December 31, 2010
I finally got mine delivered this week after ordering it two months ago. Slapped some Union Force SL’s on her and waiting to ride in the coming month! Wooooop!
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January 01, 2011Hi, interesting to read the review and all the comments. I am stuck between the attack banana and the new c2 Phoenix. I am looking for a board that will do absolutely everything so I only ever need to pack one board. Has anyone tested these two back to back (or is there a shay review of the phoenix in the pipeline)? I currently have a standard 159 banana and a 160 btx Phoenix and love them both but I want to drop down a size for my next board and fancy giving the ec2/c2 technologies a go as I have read lots of positives. I find the current banana great yet it can be a little soft in the chunky stuff. The Phoenix is amazing but I found that it never offered great edge hold in very icy conditions especially compared to a mates trs. Also would love the Phoenix (and every board i ride) to be a true twin although it does a very good job of riding switch.
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January 01, 2011Hi Shay,
thanks for all the great info. I’ve been riding a womens burton alpha 151 (2006) for the last four years, and love it. I’m really interested in the attack banana, but I’m a little uncertain about switching over to a wider mens board, as well as going a little longer to a 153. I’m 5′ 7″, 130 lbs, shoe size 7. Love to go fast, and riding a bit of trees. I really want to progress my riding, learn to ride switch, etc. I read your review, and noticed you were riding a 159 with no problem, and no worries with quick responsiveness when turning. However, when I went to the shop, the salesperson seemed to think a Never Summer Infinity would be a better fit because it is a narrower womens board. They both seem like good options, but I’m not able to demo the attack banana, only the infinity. Any thoughts? Thanks! -
January 07, 2011Hey, i currently ride a 153 gnu park pickle…im thinkin about getting the attack banana..i ride park all day..we don’t get to much pow here…im wondering how much stiffer is it then the pickle? i like how the pickle is real playful, but it seems to wash out on big booters..im lookin for a board that will kill rails and presses, launch 50 footers..and slay some pow, that is when we get some..should i stick with my pickle or get the attack banana??
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January 14, 2011Hey Shay,
Small correction for one of your comments above… The Attack Banana is actually a TNT base.
Awesome review as usual!
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January 16, 2011
Elliot, I think you might find the SL more all mountain freestyle than the attack banana but it can definitely handle the park as well.
Mick, haven’t been on the phoenix this year but there’s past reviews of it. I’d say maybe demo the attack banana or just buy it, ride it and sell which board you don’t like.
Maria, I’m a bigger girl and have been riding 17 years on men’s and women’s boards so switching to a men’s board is no issue for me. I also have size 8 boots which help handle the width. Try the infinity and see what you think also see if they have the lotus or gnu b-pro.
Roach, are you able to demo the attack banana? I think it’s stiffer than the park pickle but that’s going off of memory. It could definitely handle jumps and stability so up to you.
Leo, yep left another comment that acknowledged it’s TNT base.
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February 03, 2011Just orderd the last 159 in England! Rode my buddies trs last year and made my palmer feel like crap for the rest of the trip. Hope we get some fresh to play with in chamonix.
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February 07, 2011Great reviews and info.
I picked up the attack banana about 4 weeks ago. This board is outright SICK! They go it right.
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February 17, 2011
paulc, sweet hope you get some pow to play in!
Go big, awesome! Yeah I just rode the 2012 and definitely still in love with the board!
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March 23, 2011Hey Shay,
Had my mind set on the narrow TRS 151, but thinking bout changing my mind when I saw this board come out. I’m worried 153 might be too long for me? I’m about 5’4 150 lbs. Mix of probably 80% all mountain, 20% park. Think it’d make a difference in ease for presses and butters?
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March 24, 2011
Mark,
What’s your boot size? If you were going for the narrow TRS 151 and looking for a mix of board, you might want to stick with your first choice. Attack is definitely a charging board and TRS would be a bit more freestyle friendly. -
April 03, 2011Honestly your review is garbage…bought the board in December than read your review while waiting for delivery and had me stoked…rode the board less than 10 days and cracked it in multiple places…hands down the best park board lib has made in recent years, but definitely not what you claimed it to be (didn’t believe originally as you we’re riding a 59)..And you seriously believe the attack is more playful than the magic? wrong.
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April 04, 2011
Womp,
You misunderstood what I said about the attack banana in regards to the banana magic. Above I said, “Banana Magic is a solid board too! I think Banana Magic handled more playful than the attack banana. Loved both boards.”
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April 05, 2011
Hey Womp,
Honestly your attitude is garbage.
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May 09, 2011Womp, if your only complaint is that the board broke, warranty it (if you were not at fault, you will get a 2011/12), then give your opinion on how it rides. I’m with Keither, this isn’t some flame session, please mind the negative attitude. Props to Shay for the polite response.
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December 15, 2011Hey Shay,
Just ordered the attack banana in a 161 wide and wondering if I should have gone with a 159W instead. I’m 6’1 170lbs and size 13 clown shoe. It sounds like it rides shorter, but seeing how a lot of 6 footers out there still choose the 159, I’m having second thoughts.
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December 20, 2011
Yoss, Awesome on the new board! You are fine on either size, depending on your riding style. You could always return and ask for the 159 or keep the 161 if you plan to freeride ride pow more often than anything playful.
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January 03, 2012Hi Shay,
Fantastic review. Maybe you can help. I’m 5’10 155lbs size 9.5US. I’m intermediate mainly riding the pistes and the odd off piste and was wondering 156 or 153. I’m looking for an agile board (easy to manouver) but also reasonably stable at speed. Any help would be much appreciated. -
January 03, 2012
PH, thanks! I think you’d be fine on the 153 without worrying about stability too much. Attack Banana definitely handles speed good so worth taking it out.
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January 23, 2012Hey Shay,
Your reviews are awesome so wonder if you can help me out? I’m 5ft9 165 lbs, an intermediate rider who enjoys freeriding down groomers and in pow. I don’t ride park at all but I want to start hitting jumps off natural terrain on and off-piste and I had been looking for a new board that will suit this style of riding. I’ve got my hands on the 156 Attack Banana and am really stoked but am having second thoughts as to whether I should get a board (like the NS SL 158) given the type of riding I want to do.
Would I be way better-off with the SL or should I save myself the effort and stick with the Attack Banana – then given my weight do you think the 156 will hold up ok in pow or should I have looked at the 159?
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January 23, 2012
AP, yeah can definitely try to help you out! Definitely the SL would be more playful than the Attack Banana but since you are still freeriding and are planning to ride natural features I think you’ll find the attack banana capable of them at that size. It’ll handle pow with the banana rocker.
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January 30, 2012Shay,
Im 6ft 3, 180lbs will the 161 cm wide of this board work for me?
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April 30, 2012I am 6ft 175 and am trying to choose between the 156 and 153. I have never rode a reverse camber board but I normally ride a 157 camber board. PLEASE HELP!
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August 02, 2012Hi there,
I’m size 9 US boot (Burton Ruler) 5’6 (170cm) 165lbs(75kg) without gear. I mainly ride groomers but have just started hitting some small jumps. Australian snow is basically steep sheets of ice, but I do go overseas in search of pow.
I’m a Beginner-Intermediate and really want to find a board that will help me advance to the next level.
Should I be riding a 153 or 156?
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August 02, 2012
Chris, you could go either way really. Overall for what you ride the majority, it sounds like the 153 would be better suited but I think in the long run the 156 would give you better handling, definitely more pow float.
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