Gnu Carbon Credit Snowboard

Gnu Carbon Credit In Depth Review

Size 156 & 159

Days on this board- 50+
Riders- Mostly James and a few beginner to intermediate friends not on the site.
Conditions- Everything from ice to 3 foot plus thick powder.
Bindings Used- Burton Cartel, Flux SE30, Union Contact and Union Contact Pro.
Boots- Burton Imperial, Burton Hail, Burton Ambush, Burton Ruler

The Carbon Credit has had the same BTX/Continuous Rocker shape for 3 years now without much change.  Before the BTX change the Carbon Credit had a camber shape with the same magnetraction side cut.  It was more of a technical challenging board than the BTX which made it less of a beginner to intermediate board but it sure was stable and fun to carve.  The Carbon Credit BTX made the ride much more of a forgiving beginner to intermediate freestyle focused ride. If you are an advanced to expert freestyle rider on a budget the Carbon Credit BTX will still do a great job. For the price this is a great ride but it’s not the all mountain ride that many think it is.  Very little has changed from the 2011 -2013 Carbon Credit in terms of design. It’s still the same BTX Twin shape that they have had for a few years now.  We’d love to see the Carbon Credit add C2 BTX and maybe even a set back stance to give it more of an all mountain/more versatile ride but it’s still a great snowboard for those who know the park will be their primary destination.

On Snow Feel- There is a loose feeling between the feet in almost all conditions of snow.  In harder snow its pretty loose but you still get a loose feel in softer snow as well.  It’s more stable than some continuous rocker boards but it still takes getting use to when it comes to one footing and flat basing.  It’s much more comfortable on edge.  This gives the board a very playful freestyle approach to the mountain and is most at home learning to explore the park.

Powder- So if you ride in light fluffy powder it will be pretty amazing but it’s not going to keep up with a set back shape for directional powder riding in deep thick powder you can experience in the west of the US.  For a freestyle approach to powder it’s a great board that will provide an easy float for it’s centered twin design.

Speed- Their are definitely other boards out there that are much more speedy but they don’t have the all around riding qualities built in as well. You can really neglect the base of wax and it will still ride very well.  The one drawback from BTX is it isn’t as stable as their C2 shapes when it comes to speed.  It can be a little squirrely between the feet when picking up real speed on the mountain and a bit chattery but in most places in the park it’s fine.

Uneven Terrain- The Carbon Credit handles bumpy end of the day snow very well.

Approximate Weight- Its not the kind of board that makes you forget its on.  There is some weight behind it.

Turn Initiation and Carving – The turn initiation is incredibly easy when it comes to the BTX models. It has a very skate like feel which can make for a great park ride. Edge to edge transitioning is incredibly easy which is great for entry level riders.  If you like to work a bit for your turns then stay away.  When it comes to carving the Carbon Credit is not going to be that good.  The more you commit to a carve the more washy it becomes. It doesn’t have that spring out of the turn feel either but that is a common problem with all continuous rocker boards. The Carbon Credit is more of a freestyle board these days so if your priority is learning to carve we suggest looking somewhere else.

Edge Hold- This was one of the Carbon Credit’s draw backs before MTX and BTX. Magnetraction took this board from a score of Good to Excellent. Before you would cringe if you saw a long patch of ice but now don’t even think about it. The edge will hold.

Flex- Its right in the middle but it’s easy to butter and press

Switch- If you want to learn how to ride switch its perfect. Center this board out and close your eyes and you won’t know the difference between the nose or tail…..no wait don’t close your eyes!!!!! but you know what I mean.

Pipe- Great in the pipe! Holds well thanks to magnetraction.

Jibbing- Not the best out there but pretty good for learning most of the jib’s a mid level rider would want to take on.  If you  want to go bigger there are more jib/rail specific boards that will perform better but the Carbon Credit holds it’s own for a do everything board.

Jumps- The Carbon Credit doesn’t handle jumps like others can but its very predictable and forgiving when it comes to landing a small to medium sized kicker. It’s still pretty poppy if you want to create your own air off little jumps around the mountain.  As you get to the larger 30 feet kickers there are many better boards out there but it still does ok.

A Quick Look at the Gnu Carbon Credit Series BTX 2013

A Quick Look at the Gnu Carbon Credit Series BTX 2012

How The Old Gnu Carbon Credit MTX Rides

Overall the old MTX board was more stable, had better edge hold and was better with speed.  However it wasn’t anywhere as catch free or as fun in the park as the BTX.  The biggest thing with the new BTX is the powder riding over the MTX.  The MTX just can’t even compare to the BTX when it comes to easy powder riding.  It’s a lot of work to stay afloat.

Gnu Carbon Credit Gallery

2013

2012

2011

2010

Gnu Carbon Credit User Reviews