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Snowboards

Ride Berzerker 2016-2017

UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2017/2018 Ride Berzerker here

  • Price: £400
  • Sizes: 153, 156, 159, 160W, 162, 163W, 165, 167W
  • Flex: 5
  • Profile: Setback Camber
  • Shape: Directional
  • RIDESNOWBOARDS.COM

Jake Blauvelt is the man behind the Ride Berzerker, but don’t think you need to be a heli-dropping hellman to enjoy this. If it’s an all mountain board you’re after, this definitely fits into that category.

Jake does most of his riding pointed in one direction, but he’s more capable than most at styling out a massive back 5 off a spine. As a result, the shape and profile of the Ride Berzerker are directional, but not overly so. The mostly-camber profile features a small section of rocker at the nose, and the stance reference points are a little set back. It’s therefore most comfortable in your usual stance (especially in the powder, where the rocker helps keep the nose up) but there’s still plenty of tail there if you like to switch it up.

“Surprisingly forgiving for something designed by one of the world’s top freeriders, the Ride Berzerker can turn its hand to anything”

As for the construction, it’s got a sturdy-yet-lightweight core made from three different types of wood – aspen, bamboo and paulownia – sandwiched between two layers of fibreglass. By putting a triax layer on the top and a biax one underneath, they’ve struck a middle ground between super-responsive boards that only use the former, and mellower ones that use only the latter. Underneath it all is a slick sintered base that’s perfect for high-speed charging.

Being a Ride board, the sidewalls are made from urethane which helps to dampen chatter as you ride, and also protects your edges if you bash them off rocks. The rubbery stuff is also wrapped around the flattened lengths of carbon that have been added to the core. These ‘Pop Rods’ deliver a bit of extra ollie performance without turning the Ride Berzerker into a super-stiff plank. There’s more carbon running from the inserts to the contact points, making the board react instantly to your every whim.

Surprisingly forgiving for something designed by one of the world’s top freeriders, the Ride Berzerker can turn its hand to anything – even park laps. Fans of one-board quivers should definitely take a look at this.

Tester’s Verdict

Andrew Duthie – Whitelines

I won’t soon forget the day I took the Ride Berzerker out – weather-wise, it was by far the most miserable of the whole season. That mattered a lot less than normal, however, as this is one terrific board.

“It felt comfortable right from the off, without any getting-to-know-you period”

It felt comfortable right from the off, without the getting-to-know-you period you can often get during tests. From edge to edge it was super smooth, and made snowboarding in near-zero visibility a lot less sketchy.

It cleared up a little later on, and I was able to take it off some sidehits. It’s not the poppiest board I’ve ever tried, even if we’re only talking all-mountain models, but there’s enough there to still be enjoyable – it’s far from lifeless.

Overall this was a seriously impressive snowboard, my favourite out of everything I tried this season.

Trade Secrets

Tanner McCarty – Marketing Manager, Ride

Jake Blauvelt had a heavy hand in the inspiration, profile and design of the Ride Berzerker. Built with a slightly directional shape, hybrid camber profile and carbon enhancements, the board embodies Jake’s style of attacking big mountain lines with a smooth, effortless flow.

The Ride Berzerker is a board that can handle the deepest of pow on that lucky day, or keep you on edge (in a good way) when the groomers are ripe.

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Selected for The 2016/17 Snowboard 100

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