Location: Winter Park, CO
Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to softpacked to icy groomers.
Setup: I rode the Bataleon Goliath with Flux RK30 bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.
Size: 153cm.
First Impression: Ride everything and ride it good, that’s the goliath. It was one of my top 3 boards of the demos.
Weight: Average
Flex: The goliath was on the mid range for flex, not the softest bataleon but not stiff like the enemy. It was the perfect flex for all mountain, still pressable on the nose and tail but tad stiffer between the bindings and underneath the bindings.
Turning: In my notes I spoke of how amazing the S turns were on this board and I remember exactly how the lines were looking back uphill, just clean and smooth narrow lines. It was one of the best boards on carving and especially on my heelside turns which always aren’t so clean but the goliath was so good on edge. Easy to intiate into each turn and once on edge, it was just locked into the carve holding you into the perfect line. It required more effort for me getting from edge to edge but only because of the width, waist flex and my boot size.
Stable: TBT definitely has a handle on stability for carving and edgehold. I didn’t get the board in too much bumpy terrain just groomed runs where it handled nicely on the slopes.
Pop: Handled good on the pop, fun board to play with and ollie on. Buttering was easier, could press and butter up whenever you wanted. Definitely one of the more playful TBT boards I’ve been on but without sacrificing good riding.
Switch: The goliath is a true twin with shape and flex, I didn’t notice anything different on how it handled switch and it was the same ride both ways.
Overall Impression: The goliath is that do-everything, ride-everything board that handles it all. It was a perfect board for the cruisers, playfulness and stability. Just all around held up through the riding and made it a blast with the TBT.
Shay’s Honesty Box: Sorry Riot love you but when it came time to tell Snowboarder Magazine what my top 3 boards were at the on-snow. The first board that came to mind was the goliath. TBT has always been a favorite technology for its adaptability from carving to playfulness and the goliath was the ultimate all mountain freestyle board at the demos.
Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Bataleon Goliath or shop their full line of Bataleon snowboards
On Snow Photo
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Bataleon Goliath description
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Review Disclosure: I rode this board at the SIA on-snow. Please be aware boards may change, this review was done in February 2011.
David Z
March 15, 2011 at 7:26 amI had an ’09 goliath briefly. I think they have changed the flex pattern on this board over the past few years so maybe it rides a bit differently now. I found it fairly playful & good pop, but overall it was a bit on the stiff side for my liking. After all the hype I read about Bataleon & TBT I guess I was expecting more but it just didn’t impess me and in some regards, particularly how it handled on ice, it was really lacking.
Rico
March 15, 2011 at 7:57 amWhat’s your other top 2 boards? Was thinking of going with a YES or Goliath for next season to compliment my T.Rice.
James
March 15, 2011 at 8:37 amHas Bataleon done anything to address some of the issues from past seasons with the board collapsing along the TBT contours in the nose and tail?
Vertti
March 16, 2011 at 1:12 pmoh! they really have changed everything, shapes, sizes, flex, etc.. i think i like the new stuff.
Alex
March 21, 2011 at 8:34 am“…particularly how it handled on ice, it was really lacking.”
I can emphasize that. Got the Goliath 2011 and it’s a pleasure to ride on soft / hard snow. But when it comes to icy conditions I feel uncomfortable and can’t get the control I used to have with normal cut boards.
Nevertheless it’s a dream on nice’n’easy slopes…
Gareth
August 22, 2011 at 11:12 amHi,
Your review on the ‘Bataleon goliath 2012’ was very helpful I am thinking of buying it but could you tell me what the flex is out of 10 in your opinion?
Many thanks
Gareth
Shay
August 22, 2011 at 8:10 pmGareth, it’s described as a 6 from 1-10. I agree with that.
2011-2012 Snowboard Review – Shayboarder.com
October 17, 2011 at 12:27 pm[…] 11-12 Bataleon Goliath […]
will
October 29, 2011 at 1:25 amBased on your review, I demo’d a goliath yesterday. Felt much stiffer than my 06 Evil Twin, and to be honest, took me about 20 mins to get used to it. By the end of the session I loved it. I would probably describe myself as a improving beginner so was looking for a board to help me along the way. I found turning really positive and it was much easier to hold a good line. Seemed to pair up well with my Rome 390 boss bindings. Ended up buying a 158, demo was a 153. Can’t wait to get out and try it again.
Shay
October 29, 2011 at 8:38 pmWill, awesome to have your input on the Goliath! Rad you got to try it out and bought one!