by windzup » Tue Sep 09, 2008 11:06 am
Aside from both brands offering boards with non-traditional shapes, there is quite a bit of difference internally as well the design briefs are completely different.
This shape is obviously a winner in powder conditions, and Lib followed that mentality completely adapting the shape, length and stiffness into an ultimate powder board. The Twisted had less input from gravity and focused more on how the board felt when a rider is powered by a kite. Several details then come into play, especially considering that a kiteboard needs to be valuable in multiple conditions, not just powder. With the Posi Side cut there is less effective edge, so more length was required to give the board better control on harder surfaces. The result is a board that feels big in powder, but rides like a smaller board on hard pack.
Lib has focused there reverse camber in the center of the board, with most of the rocker between the bindings...then staying flat out to the tips. More rocker in the center is good for rolling into transitions, like a wakeboard. The Twisted has more of a three stage Posi-Rocker, carrying the curve all the way out to the tips. By carrying the rocker out farther, the board tracks straighter, yet when you initiate a turn the entire board carves consistently. This is also due to the flex and stiffness of the Twisted, it has a moderate stiffness to allow the board some torsional flex. It gets techy from here.
If you are only downhilling in powder, go with the Lib, if you are kiting more with your board, you will appreciate the subtleties of the Twisted. What I can say is riding this shape is DIFFERENT. It is NOT like a normal snowboard, and it takes some getting used to if you have a background riding traditional decks. But it is fun to ride and feels more like a water kiteboard than a snowboard. I think it will be a great all around board for new Snowkiters, possibly making their first season more enjoyable and easy.... and it will be a second deck for advanced Snowkiters that need to be dialed into all conditions.
More to come soon..and snow I hope.
Windzup,
Brian Schenck