Mervin’s C2 vs BTX

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C2 Technology takes the banana rocker in between the feet but puts camber from the inserts out to the contact points. When the board is flat on the ground the rocker is what is touching the ground (remember if you put a cambered board on the ground, there would be a gap between the ground and in between the bindings, camber) but with rocker, it’s the opposite, that section is towards the ground which makes the nose and tail lifted up. In the case of C2, where the inserts are and out, there is camber there so at that location, the board is lifted up with camber from the ground.

The five models that feature C2, four of those are pro model snowboards with three of those pros focus being on big mountain/backcountry riding. The softest flex of the five is the women’s model, the GNU B-pro coming in from 4.5 to 6 on the flex scale, the Danny Kass features a 6-6.5 on the flex scale, Trice features a 7 on the flex scale, Dark Series with a 7.5 and Billy Goat with the stiffest flex of 8 on the scale.

When you look at the riders who ride C2, they’re focus is on backcountry or big mountain riding. BTX is still very fun but it’s focus isn’t on big mountain riding. C2 is the answer to that, it allows the boards to be consistent and steady. In my opinion, C2 is freeriding and BTX is freestyle. 

Comparision

I was able to ride the Lib Tech Dark Series and GNU B-pro when they were BTX models and rode them earlier this year as C2 models.

Both of the models I noticed were stiffer with the C2 than in previous years with the BTX and they gained a bit more stability and handled better freeriding. The C2 made them less freestyle friendly, it was harder to butter/tail press on C2 than with BTX. Still possible but not insanely easy like it had been before.

With BTX I used to feel a loose feeling when riding, especially on the softer boards and less noticeable on the stiffer boards. The C2 completely removes that loose feeling, giving a freeriders board with a good mix of rocker and camber. Even with the C2 you have better float in powder than with a regular cambered board, but the better float is with the powder rockers. However if you mix your riding from groomers to powder, C2 can handle it. Both boards feature MTX which gives them both a good edgehold on icy conditions, I would say equally good.

In terms of aggressive, the C2 rides more aggressive than BTX.  It’s less forgiving than BTX and meant for a more aggressive rider mostly due to the stiffer flex of the boards.  

When it comes down it, it’s what suits your riding style. I spend most of my time in the winter freeriding and riding halfpipe with the occasional mini park jib. My riding style suits the C2 technology better than riding BTX all the time and I prefer having rocker/camber when I’m riding now. People need to take into account their own preferences and riding style, always demo’ing is the best way to find out if it suits you.   

Sources on the C2 in Danny Kass and Travis Rice Boards: