Nidecker Gamma Snowboard Review

Nidecker Gamma Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who It Is For

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How This Review Happened:

I borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 157
Days: 4+
Conditions: Everything from moderate to good mid-winter snow and varied spring conditions.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)
Boots: Ride Torrent, Ride Fuse, Nidecker Rift Lace, Ride Deadbolt
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Force, Union Ultra, Nidecker Kaon X
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak, Skyline Fuse Jacket, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket, Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket,
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Bib, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bib,  Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant,
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Similar Boards We Like (but not the same): Never Summer Photosynthesis, Yes Greats, Stone Message, Lib Tech Box Knife, Yes Basic, Ride TwinPig,

James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +15/-15. Close to Reference.

How It Was Tested

I rode this against the Gamma APX. Some days I rode the YES Greats too.

Approximate Weight

The Nidecker Gamma doesn’t seem to weigh too much more than the APX and feels pretty normal. (We don’t put in the exact weight because, with wood cores, there is no consistency in a board’s weight)

Sizing

This 157 Gamma and APX was perfect for me. I wouldn’t want to size up or down.

Sizing is all about balancing what fits your boot size and your weight for how you like to ride. Height comes in a distant 3^rd. Some prefer control, so matching the boot size is the priority. Others prefer dampness over control and like to size up. Regardless, you have to be most careful about finding the right boot size. If it’s too wide, you can’t turn it, and if it’s too narrow, you get the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. With this width, I would suggest staying below size 10
153: 8-9
157: 8.5-9.5

For weight, I would stay close to Nidecker’s recommended weight ranges on the 153 and keep it under 200 lbs for the 157.

Shape

The Nidecker Gamma’s asymmetry makes it more symmetrical than a twin, but only with a perfectly duck stance. Without a duck stance, it might feel a little off. It’s a very centered ride.

Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

You have a high camber going almost to the nose/tail but then a pretty abrupt rocker before the spoon nose. It makes for a more forgiving ride than you would think for this much camber, and I found skidding out a turn was pretty easy.

Flex Personality

The Nidecker Gamma doesn’t have the pop of the APX, but it sure does pop well compared to most other twins/asym twins. I found this ollies easy and pops like a champ. If you want more pop, go APX, though.

Buttering wasn’t easy with either due to the spoon nose/tail. It kept washing out, and it’s just not an easy board to butter. It could be a deal breaker for some.

Uneven Terrain

The Nidecker Gamma did better than the APX in hard, uneven snow but didn’t do as well in soft, uneven snow. That being said, it’s a very good all-day ride as long as you don’t like to power through soft, uneven snow.

Edge Hold

I wouldn’t want to ride this in super hard snow, but the hard patches I occasionally hit held up well enough.

Speed

The Nidecker Gamma was

Base Glide

The APX base is faster than the Nidecker Gamma, but this isn’t bad at all.

Turning Experience/Carving

I had more fun turning with the APX vs. the Gamma, but this is no slouch. There is so much camber and a very easy spring to it. Turn initiation is very quick without being twitchy. Once I got it on edge, there was a very tiny experience to it.

Powder

I didn’t ride this in powder but didn’t really want to when I had so many other tapered/directional rides from Nidecker. It’s not going to be as bad as full-on camber, but it’s not as easy as some twins with a lot more early rise.

Switch/Freestyle/Park

The Nidecker Gamma is very easy switch. Asym twins make switch riding easier for average riders like me.

This would be fun in the jib pard if you don’t butter on the nose/tail.

Pipe and jumps are fun with the Gamma.

Final Thoughts

I enjoyed both the Gamma and APX. I liked the APX a little more, but both are very fun rides. If it weren’t for the washy spoon nose/tail, I would really like these. Still, as it stands, if you don’t butter these are very fun rides.