I started last season with a brand new 09 Trice 153 btx and i must admit it was a great purchase.

I was looking for something a bit smaller than my usual 157 and was keen on trying btx so i checked out a few libs and after flexing a couple of different models i found the skate banana a bit soft, so i settled on the TRice.

First impressions on the snow were how short it looked strapped on, and how light it was hanging off my foot on the lift. The bindings were set at 23" apart, and centered, although the inserts are slightly set back.

The board has great edge hold for such a short board and the only word for the base is FAST!

I compared my speed with a friend who rode with me most season and over the flatter sections the TRice was way faster. I know there can be a lot of variables in that type of comparison but we've been riding together for a few years now so i think it was a good gauge.

Turns are defiantly different with a banana but not in a bad way. I think its a bit easier to initiate turns and the control does feel as though it comes from between the bindings.

After tweaking my ollie style and giving it a bit more back foot, I found the amount of pop was above average even compared to some of the regular cambered boards I've ridden.

In the park i usualy only hit the medium features and the TRice was real solid on both take off and landings. I reckon the banana helped me land a couple of spins where i hadn't quite completed the rotation and should have caught an edge.

It's a great board for flat ground tricks. Again I think the banana helps here with keeping the tips out of the way and the board already being slightly pressed helps with the butters and nose presses.

High speed is no problem for such a short board, and I never really felt that squirmy feeling you hear some banana owners talk about. I think being a bit stiffer tortionally is a big help.

Cheers.

How is the butter factor on it?

The butter factor eh? larv that term!
The butter factor is ace. Its a bit easier than a standard camber to press but again that depends on the flex of the standard board. I love doing manuals or tail/nose presses weather its on a box or on the flat. The TRice is easy to press. It presses on the snow alot easier than you would expect after flexing it by hand. Hope that helps

I was tossing up between this board and the neversummer slr but i just dropped the cashish on the slr, for US$350 + freight I couldnt say no!

Sounds sweet. Ive heared a heap of good reviews about NS boards. Shame you couldnt support a local shop but some times you just gotta look after yourself.