Board: 2009-2010 GNU B-Pro C2BTX, 149cm 
Nose & Tail Width: 278mm
Waist width: 239mm
Effective Edge: 1146mm
Sidecut radius 8.0mm
Boots / Bindings: Burton Mint / Burton Custom
Stance: Regular, width 23.5”, front 9 degrees, back -9 degrees
Test Locations: Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe
Days Tested: 38
A little preface:
At the start of last season and with rumor of a dry winter, I wanted a board that would be tons of fun in all conditions. I bought the 09/10 GNU B-Pro C2 BTX, rode the hell out of it on everything from ice to powder, and fell in love.GNU modified this board a bit for 10/11, but I enjoyed the ride of the 09/10 B-Pro enough that I didn’t jump to the new model.
But now, GNU has updated the board again for the 11/ 12 season, and I am officially curious to see what they’ve done to my favorite board. So this review is of my 09/10 GNU B-Pro (you’re welcome, everybody who is in the market for used or closeout gear), and I will follow it up as soon as the snow permits with my take on the 11/12 edition.
Since the 2010 Gnu B-Pro C2BTX is a true twin board, I set it up with a wide, centered stance, bindings at 9 and -9 degrees, allowing for equally excellent riding in either direction. At 149cm tip to tail, this board was short, light, and very flexible for my size (5’7”, 135lbs). I wore 2008 Burton Mint boots with 2008 Burton Custom Detox Bindings.
The GNU B-Pro C2BTX features several designs that initially swept the boarding industry by LibTech. Some variation of LibTech’s reverse camber Banana Technology can be found in boards from nearly every manufacturer these days. Because LibTech and GNU boards are both manufactured by Mervin, GNU got the hand me down technology before many other companies.
The B-Pro looks to improve that technology by bringing camber back to the reverse camber board, in what GNU calls, “double camber,” or “C2” – as in the name of the board. By combining the easy pivot of reverse camber technology with the power and edge control of traditional camber, the C2 claims to deliver an all mountain, all conditions board.
Then, there’s what LibTech coined, “Magne-Traction.” Waves along the sides of the board create contact points on the ground, which in theory, cut through snow like a serrated knife cuts a tomato. The intended result is better edge hold.
Finally, the board waist of 239 millimeters is wider than most women’s boards. GNU claims the design increases stability, especially on landings.
So how do all of these design claims stand up to actual testing?
Does the Magne-Traction actually provide more traction?Yes. When I first rode this board, it took some getting used to the Magne-Traction technology since I was coming from a fairly traditional and directional, all mountain Burton board. The GNU carved with such ease, I felt like it was doing all the work. I was most impressed with how the board performed on man made snow and in icy conditions. The board stuck turns so well that I intend to ride it at the USASA boardercross competition in Taos this season.
Does the B-Pro pivot easily?
Yes. The board was flexible and easy to press, butter, slide and spin when in motion. However, while standing or moving slow on flat ground, the board seemed to catch edges. This may be due to the double camber making maneuverability easy by raising the edges off the snow, but the added camber then causes the edges to catch under certain conditions.
Is it more poppy?
Maybe. Because of its flex, this board was more playful and can ollie much easier than my Burton, but I haven’t ridden a true reverse camber board before, so I can’t compare the two. Since it is short and flexible, it is certainly fun in the park. Still, I’m not sure how much “pop” is a result of the double camber design….I’ll need to compare the C2 to a truly reverse camber board to get clearer on this.
