- Sizes: 151.5, 154.5, 155W, 157.5, 158W, 161.5, 162W, 166W
- Flex: 7
- Profile: Combo
- Shape: True Twin
- Price: £499 / €559
UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2019-2020 Gnu Riders Choice here
The Gnu Riders Choice snowboard has become one of Team WL’s perennial favourites. Its all-mountain chops have long been proven, so it’s always a pleasure to see it return for another year. Despite a few little tweaks, this is the still the classic everyman-friendly asym.
The sidecut is deeper and shorter on the heels than on the toes – it’s a matter of preference, but there aren’t any riders we’ve met who don’t appreciate the extra help on the heel side. Both edges have the ‘Magne-traction’ wave, so you get increased grip when the serrated metal hits the ice.
“Freestyle-forward, but with design elements that make it excel away from the park too”
Like most Gnu boards, the Gnu Riders Choice has rocker between the feet and camber on either side. While you don’t get the same explosive pop as you do with a camber, you’re less likely to encounter a nasty edge catch. The central bend also helps you stay afloat in powder, which is especially handy on a twin-shaped board like this.
This year the core features balsa wood alongside the paulownia and Aspen, so it’s pretty light (if not remarkably so). The sore is also a little softer on the heelside, to help that deeper sidecut do its thing.
While perhaps a little too stiff for beginners, the Gnu Riders Choice deserves its broad appeal amongst the other levels of rider. Freestyle-forward but with design elements that make it excel away from the park too, it’s a true all-terrain vehicle.
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