Gnu Zoid 2015-2018 Snowboard Review
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| Riding Style | Snowsurf |
| Riding Level | Intermediate - Expert |
| Fits Boot size (US) | 8-10 |
| Manufactured in | USA by Mervin |
| Shape | Tapered Directional |
| Camber Profile | Hybrid Rocker |
| Stance | Setback over 20mm |
| Approx. Weight | Feels Normal |
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Gnu Zoid 2018 - 2015 Review by The Good Ride
The Gnu Zoid Snowboard is a rather unique board because it’s got a directional asymmetrical shape to it. Yep, that means they make boards specifically for regular riders and goofy riders. Not much changed over the years since we first rode this board.
Size: 158
Days: 1
Conditions: Pretty soft new CO snow with some powder in the trees and only a few icy patches.
Riders: James, Peter, Jimbo,
Boots: Burton SLX, Burton Fiend LTD, Salomon F3.0
Bindings: Burton Genesis
Set Up: Set back 23″ wide 15 front -6 back
Approximate Weight: Felt normal.
On Snow Feel: Felt pretty loose between the feet but it’s got a similar ride and feel to the Gnu Space Out except for the directional asymmetrical sidecut and bigger set back. It has no problem with groomers but doesn’t shine there as much as it does in powder. If you are over the camber in the back foot it’s not bad flat basing and it’s ok one footing off the chair but it can feel loose. It’s all about surfing the mountain and Peter and I really liked this feel as surfers.
Turn Initiation: Very quick and easy turning and if reminded
Flex: Nice medium flex that is fine on a tail butter or nose press. Feels playful.
Edge Hold: Feels like it’s ok in the little hard patches we hit but not really a board for those who see hard to icy snow.
Powder: Ok this has a 2″ set back and a tapered directional shape so it’s really a powder board first and a surfy slashy freeride board second.
Carving: Not that bad but you really have to be over the camber in the back foot to make this carve better. It’s only a little tapered so it doesn’t wash too much. It’s more just the tip and tail being lifted that make it a little washy but it’s still a fun surfy carve.
Speed: Look you can bomb with this board once you get use to it but it’s not going to give you that super stable feeling. It’s a little loose between the feet on groomers and a little tiny bit chattery. However it can bomb no problem in powder.
Uneven Terrain: Very easy in uneven terrain and we all had no problem going over sloppy groomers or negotiating bumbs.
Switch: Nah…
Jumps: there is good pop off the tail and from the center of the board and you can ollie no problem. Not really for lapping the park though.
Jibbing: It’s not really for jibbing. We didn’t take it to the jibs though.
Pipe: Not really a pipe board either but you could slash under the coping like it’s a wave.
So all in all the Zoid is a fun really set back floaty powder board that is also a decent groomer board for those that live for powder, like to treat the mountain like they are surfing but also know they are not always going to have deep powder.
Gnu Zoid Specs
Gnu Zoid Images
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Gnu Company Information
Gnu Zoid User Reviews
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There is no more snowboarding for me...only Zoiding.
Possibly the most fun I have had on a snowboard in 20+ years. This thing is an all around weapon. It carves really well (I would also give this an excellent rating), floats in pow and is extremely quick edge to edge..which makes it a super fun tree riding board.
I own 3 other lib/gnu boards and they havent seen much snow this year. This thing is just too much fun.
Wow such a fun board
This was very refreshing! Amazing carving snowboard I mean wow! It really deserves a excellent in that category if you ask me.
Rode it for 4 days preseason and it was such fun. I was smiling all the time a VERY surfy feel.
I tried it on a couple of jumps as well and i would say that its ok there but nothing special.
Perfect board if you have a more aggressive snowboard like Libtech TRS, Slash ATV or a Custom X and want to surf for a day or two. This board would be sick in pow aswell iam certain of it! Perfect grip on ice like all magnetraction boards. Try this board just try it, if you like surfing and skateboarding you will love this snowboard. A very nice board if you are on a longer trip riding everyday and are feeling tired in your legs, then you can choose this board is very easy to ride you won't be tired from riding this carver.
Quite Surprising
Picked up the Zoid while on a trip to Revelstoke BC, Lake Louise, and Banff Alberta.
I love tinkering around with new tech, and always find myself going through gear (sometimes too quickly). Current quiver - Rossignol XV Magtek, Lib Tech Gold member, T.Rice (just sold), Capita TFA, and of course the Zoid.
I have approximately 7-8 days on the Zoid, mostly hard pack and icy conditions (unfortunately), and one pow-ish day. I have to say that I'm quite impressed, especially as I typically ride boards in the 160-164 cm range. Conditions this season (Western Canada), have not been great.
I found the not-so-pronounced magnetraction to be more effective. than the exaggerated Mag found on my T.Rice - especially in bullet proof conditions (I'm not sure why, it just seemed to better penetrate super hard ice - instead of scratching around on the magnetraction bumps).
The snow conditions on my trip were a confidence killer, until I got on the Zoid. I found carving to be surprisingly good (in the hard stuff), very good in fact - perhaps my footing was better placed over camber zones than the good folks at TGR? I tend to board with intermediate - advanced skiers, and they were very uncomfortable in the conditions. Surprisingly, I wasn't.
The board handles chop well, floats very well, feels nice and surfy (I like - said with Borat's accent), and has good snap out of the tail (what tail? - LOL). Overall I'm very impressed. Thanks GNU.
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