2013 Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro Snowboard Review

You might have heard of this guy Travis Rice he’s only been in some monster snowboard movies (Art of Flight, Deeper, Neverland, That’s It That’s All…) and he put together the most innovative yet somehow still back-to-the-roots snowboarding competition with the Red Bull Supernatural last year, so yeah he’s kind of a big deal. Lib Tech makes his pro model snowboard and here’s how it stands up.

Size: 157
Shape: Lib’s C2BTX which is center reverse with camber zones extending from inserts out to the contact points
Bindings: Flow NX2
Stats: Dave 6′ 210 lbs stance at ~24″ regs, 15/-15
Conditions: hardpack, semi-firm groomers not a patch of ice to be found anywhere, well groomed boarder-x course, beginner park features about 30 degrees.

Flex:

Lib rates this one a 7/10 and I’d say that’s probably pretty accurate, it’s a predictable all-mountain flex, stiffer through the nose & tail, some give in the center with just the right amount of torsional give.

Ollie/Pop: 

The T-Rice is one of those boards that excels in the pop department, twin shape and flex so it pops both ways pretty consistently and the outside camber zones give a good platform to ollie from. Comparable to the Ride DH2? I’d have to put them side-by-side but I’m thinking yes. On the landings the T-Rice is definitely stable enough to tackle the man-sized jumps in your local terrain park or the natural hits, drops & gaps that you might find outside the boundary line.

Jibs/Playfulness:

I was not really expecting this to be a jib-tastic board and that was true after riding it. You’ll be able to spread those pow butters but on the groomers the presses and stuff are going to be more difficult.Can you muscle it through some jibs here and there and the occasional rail? Yes. Advanced riders will probably get more mileage in this department than beginners/intermediates who will find it not forgiving enough.

Handling:

The T-Rice is one of those boards that a lot of people talk about and a lot of people rave about, with good reason. This was my first time riding it but it lived up to the hype which is more than I can say about some boards. Stability at speed? Check. Damp enough to absorb chunder and chop? Check. Ability to rail carves on hardpack? Check. Fifth gear? Checkmate this was one of, if not the, fastest board I rode at Test Fest (~57mph). Whatever you want from an all-mountain board the T-Rice delivered.

Price: The T-Rice retails around $550 which is a about industry average for a higher-end board. Click on the "Buy Now" button to compare prices.

Summing it up:

One of the few boards that gets the elusive “5-star” rating from yours truly. Great pop, insane-o speed, carves and handles like a dream. If I was looking for a bigger all-mountain deck for drops, jumps, gaps, and pow the Lib Tech T-Rice would definitely be on the short list.  Recommended for intermediate to advanced riders.