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Bataleon Evil Twin 2020-2021 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £420 / $500
  • Category: Park/Jib, All-Mountain
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 149, 151, 154, 156W, 157, 159, 159W
  • Flex: 6/10
  • Shape: True Twin
  • Profile: 3BT Camber
  • Base: Sintered
  • BUY DIRECT FROM BATALEON

Why we chose the Bataleon Evil Twin Snowboard: After all these years, it’s still the ultimate freestyle snowboard.

Well, would you look at that, the Evil Twin is back in the 100. Is this the Holy Grail of freestyle snowboards? That was certainly the intention from Bataleon, and this one’s been on their roster since day one. On paper, it’s an impressive sounding park board. On snow, it’s Bataleon’s magnum opus. This is the deck that redefined the all-mountain freestyle category and remains one of the best selling snowboards ever.

It ticks all the right boxes for a freestyle deck: a true twin shape, mid-stiffness flex and a quality sintered base. Really, though, this is just par for the course for most park-leaning snowboards these days. It’s only when you bring Bataleon’s Triple Base Technology into the mix, that the Evil Twin begins to stand out from the crowd.

“On paper, it’s an impressive sounding park board. On snow, it’s Bataleon’s magnum opus. This is the snowboard that redefined the all-mountain freestyle category and remains one of the best selling snowboards ever”

The twin specific version of 3BT features a wide centre base, with only a subtle uplift in the sidebase sections of the nose and tail. This means you have a solid and stable platform to press or pop from and the board never feels too wishy-washy when you’re setting up for a feature.

That said, it still gives you that unmistakable smooth edge-to-edge transition that Bataleon are known for and, in the park environment, the uplifted contact points make the Evil Twin far less prone to hook-ups or edge catches than you’d normally experience in a full camber snowboard.

The advantages of this profile go way beyond the park ropes, too. Snowboards in this category have no right to carve on the piste, blast through choppy terrain and even float in powder as well the Evil Twin does. It really can pull its weight across the whole mountain and never leaves you feeling short-changed on days when the park’s closed.

That said, the core is definitely configured for the freestyler riders among us. End to end, the snowboard is relatively soft flexing so flatland creativity is always on the cards. Bataleon have also shaved some extra grams with the new Ultralight wood core. The 70:30 split of paulownia and poplar wood stringers retains the strength and energy you’d expect from the Evil Twin, but with a considerable reduction in weight.

“The carbon additives don’t interfere with the torsional flex of the snowboard but, instead, fine-tune the Evil Twin’s freestyle prowess.”

The carbon additives don’t interfere with the torsional flex of the snowboard but, instead, fine-tune the Evil Twin’s freestyle prowess. Stringers are laid up in a cross formation at the inserts to bolster up the power transfer between the edges and dampen chatter directly under your feet, while a hollow carbon rod runs through the centre of the snowboard to increase the camber’s pop when it’s time to get airborne.

Break it all down and the Evil Twin’s mass appeal can be attributed to two factors: Firstly, it’s more than capable of stepping up to the biggest features in the park, whilst still remaining forgiving enough in its nature to inspire progression and creativity. Secondly, it has genuine all-mountain versatility – more than pretty much any other true twin on the market.

Tester Verdict 2020/21

Luke HulmeTignes Spirit

“The Evil Twin is super fun playful freestyle board. I actually got to give this board a go in a variety of conditions and enjoyed it in all. The Evil Twin is definitely aimed at a rider who loves the park but loves when you take it all over the mountain carving pistes and boosting side hits. Is that you?? Pretty sure it’s all of us? Right?

“It locked onto rails well and the 3BT base 100% saved me when I undercooked a spin off a rail”

It’s really fun in the park! Stable taking off and landing jumps, pretty damn light so it feels great in the air. It locked onto rails well and the 3BT base 100% saved me when I undercooked a spin off a rail. I enjoyed the extra freedom the 3BT gave me to spin off rails (and other features), it felt way less likely I was going to catch an edge on the snow if I didn’t have the spin bolts. Having that freedom will allow you to confidently attempt new tricks in the park, side hits, natural features, the pub, anywhere, I guess.

Between the feet the Evil Twin has a good amount of torsional stiffness, matched with full camber, it can rail a carve very well. I found it to have loads of edge hold when laying into a big carve. The tip and tail are so soft, you will be stomping new butter tricks on this in no time! FUNN as freestyle board!!”

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Rob McCreath 2019/20Whitelines

“I’m about as far from a park rat as they come. Most of my days are spent on the pistes, in between them, or out in the backcountry. I’ll definitely take a few laps through the park when the sun’s shining, but it’s hardly my default setting.

That said, my usual preference for a board is a true twin shape. I try to ride about as much time in switch as I do regular and I’m constantly on the hunt for sidehits, drops and natural features.

“There are few other boards out there that inspire as much confidence or offer as much forgiveness to get yourself in some pretty kinky positions and lock in a few new flat land combos”

The Evil Twin suited me down to a T. A solid, medium to stiff(ish) flex, full camber from tip to tail and – obvious enough with that name – a true twin shape.

It’s stiff enough to go full ham down the piste and rail a carve. I didn’t notice the lack of a taper or stiffer tail here, but it’s still super easy to press about and jib on. That’s in no small part to the Twin Triple Base profile.

If I’m being honest, 3BT doesn’t really do it for me on the pistes. I find the edge to edge sensation a little weird – almost like my body has to lean a bit more before I feel the edge finally lock-in and engage. I prefer that ‘snap’ that you get from a regular camber profile.

Having said that, there are few other boards out there that inspire as much confidence or offer as much forgiveness to get yourself in some pretty kinky positions and lock in a few new flat land combos. In the space of one run, I think I’d learned about four new butters.

There are even fewer boards that feature on a full camber profile and still allow for some float in deeper snow. The Evil Twin isn’t a one-stop-shop if you’re eyeing up some bigger backcountry faces this year, but on those days when you wake up to unexpected freshies, you won’t find yourself frantically switching your bindings onto another deck. This’ll do just fine.

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Dan Wilsonsnowfit.co.uk

“It’s not for nothing that this board has been in Bataleon’s line since day one. The Evil Twin is perfect for riders of all levels, especially those who want to hit the park but are looking for a board that will hold up all over the mountain.

“The use of 3BT and SideKick really offer that catch-free edge, allowing for a super-smooth surfy feel”

I’ve ridden a few versions of this board, and it’s easy to see why so many riders love it. It’s full of life, and the use of 3BT and SideKick really offer that catch-free edge, allowing for a super-smooth surfy feel. This, combined with a medium flex, means that you can really let loose and go for it without ever feeling unstable. It’s perfect for heavy landings and uneven terrain alike.

So, whether you’re planning on lapping the park, tackling hard-pack groomers, natural side hits or end-of-season-slush sessions, the Evil Twin is sure to deliver everything you need.”

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