The Diinosaurs Will Die Rat is one of those jib boards that can be a little more than a jib board and it’s got a confidence inspiring ride.  It’s the kind of board I’d like to have under my feet when I’m in the jib park.  Also, the price is right for a board that will face the inevitable destruction that the jib park brings. Not much has changed from 2015-2017.

Size: 151
Days:  2
Conditions: Both days were Hard snow in the morning slowly working to soft and then slush
Riders: James
Boots:  Burton Hail
Bindings: Burton Genesis, Union Contact Pro,
Set Up: Centered 15 front -15 back 23” wide

I don’t think I’ve had this much fun on a jib stick since the first time I tried the Lib Tech Burtner Box Scratcher.  This is one of those boards that makes the jib park easier for most riders like myself who aren’t that strong there or average riders that want to get better in the jib park. As you know from my bio I’m not a strong jibber and so it’s never fun to try a board that isn’t forgiving when I go in the park. 

Approximate Weight:  Felt light but it’s pretty small so probably normal for its size

On Snow Feel: Not that bad when it came to stability between the feet and it wasn’t very loose at all. Pretty easy to flat base and one foot. This continuous rocker board felt like a flat to rocker board to me.

Powder:   No powder but it’s not going to be bad for a small jib board.  It will want to float and will be fine unless it gets really deep.

Turn Initiation and Carving: super quick and snappy edge to edge while still being stable.  I was surprised how much fun I had turning this board.  It really blew me away.

Speed: Of course the Dinosaurs Will Die Rat is not really a bomber kind of board and I could feel chatter any time I picked up speed from the stretch of groomer going from the park to the chair but that is expected for a board like this.

Uneven Terrain:  Not at all a chunder buster.

Edge Hold: Better than I thought.  It held a really good edge in harder morning snow and I was impressed.  As the edges get beat by rails this will disappear but it’s not bad at all to start with.

Flex: So playful, buttery and still snappy and poppy. Really liked this and the way all the DWD boards flexed for how they rode.

Switch:   Perfect either way.

Jibbing:   What a fun jib board.  I had no problem working my way around entry to mid-level jib parks.  I really wish Peter, Kyle, and Jimbo could have tried this board because they are all stronger jibbers than myself.  I think they would have really enjoyed this stick. I’m usually just a box or two and a bonk but this board actually gave me the confidence to try more advanced boxes.

Pipe:  No pipe to ride around me this year but when it’s edges are new I wouldn’t hesitate to take it in there. It’s not a drive wall to wall kind of pipe board but you could have a lot of fun in a spring pipe or just stop in there on occasion.

Jumps: The Dinosaurs Will Die Rat really popped between the feet well and I had a lot of fun hitting small to medium kickers on it. It’s not really a dedicated jump board though for those who like to go big or want a little extra help from the tip/tail on off landings.  It was, however, a blast to Ollie off natural terrain.

All in all the Rat was a really snappy playful excellent little jib park board and pretty good park board that I would love to have in my quiver.  I’d also love to get the rest of the gang on it as well.