Coiler Nirvana

[Mike T]

This is a review of two boards: My own "Nirvana Energy" 174, and a "Nirvana V-Cam" 174 that I demoed at SES.

The boards described in my SES demo board review from last year (http://www.bomberonline.com/VBulletin/showthread.php?36980-SES-ECES-Whatcha-demo-Howd-it-ride-Will-you-buy-one&p=372813#post372813) have since been dubbed "Nirvana Balance" by Bruce.

Everything I said last year applies to all three variants. The differences between the "Balance", "Energy" and "V-Cam" models in the same length and sidecut are subtle. (I've ridden all 3 in a 174, 12/14 sidecut now...)

The "Balance" model is IMHO the most well-rounded of the three. Please refer to the post from last year. For SES 2013 attendees, all three boards were back in the demo fleet, with the black p-tex 174 being a demo favorite.

The "V-Cam" model features a smoother and more positive initiation and hookup. It's probably the easiest-riding alpine board I've been on to date. The model at SES was shade stiff for my liking and it still performed beautifully on hero to soft snow. On hard snow I could see the potential but just wanted it softer. Still a surprising amount of pop given that it is such an "easy" board. This was the rainbow-flame demo with the topsheet tape still on.

The "Energy" model features a higher camber and more rebound. Mine is soft... probably as soft as I would ever want to go on an alpine board at my weight. I can overpower it if I try, but it is very lively, playful, "flirty". I can hammer on it on hard snow with excellent results and I need to remember to dial it back just a share on soft snow. Air between turns happens easily. This was the rainbow-flame with no topsheet tape that I was riding for much of SES.

There were a couple of other new Nirvanas in the demo fleet that I did not ride. One was an "Energy" model with a different sidecut - 10.5/12.7/12. The other was a 176 made for a lighter rider, which was somewhat... experimental, and from what I hear, not representative of the Nirvana ride.

The Nirvana tales the best of the Coiler VSR, Monster, Schtubby, and Classic and puts it into one board. Highly recommended!

[Neil Gendzwill]

I'm not sure which of the 3 flavours I have - mine is a 180 with the 12/14 sidecut and 8 mm of taper. But I had it all over the place during SES - chopped-up pow, soft groomers, firm groomers, big soft bumps - it worked everywhere for me. Friday at SES was only my 2nd day on the board and I felt at home right away. I didn't bother demoing anything else, I am extremely happy with my new ride.

[Surf Quebec]

I have to ask Bruce which Nirvana I have (received in october), I know I have more camber than usual Nirvana, maybe I have the Energy model.

[bigwavedave]

Loved the black ptex topped Nirvana 174 so much I asked Bruce to make me a copy because SOMEBODY bought the demo. Easy to ride, almost too easy, but not in a bad way, kind of a buttery smooth ride in crud, a shape that liked completing turns, nice for controlling speed on steeper runs.

[lafcadio]

I had tons of fun demoing the 174 Energy model. After winning a Coiler at the banquet (thanks Frank!!) that's the board I'm going to have Bruce build me. Can't wait!

[xy9ine]

the specs sound intriguing. any more info on these boards? the coiler site hasn't been updated for some time.

[Mike T]

xy9ine, anything you want to know in particular?

[nekdut]

What's the general purpose for the Nirvana build? VSR shape, plus Monster feel?

[Surf Quebec]

When I asked Bruce for a new board that would have the most edge hold for the east coast , he said the Nirvana because the flex is right at the middle of the board.

[Ian M]

I've got a fair number of days on my new Nirvana, so it's time I contributed to this thread! This is the most enjoyable carving stick I've ever owned, so I'm going to speak quite highly of it. The specs are:

• 176cm length, 20cm waist, 14-12m SCR, 16mm taper, high-camber 'energy' variant, perfect custom stiffness as usual.
  

The general vibe of this board is fun. I second Mike T's descriptors "lively", "playful", and "flirty". While it still rides with the quiet dampness you expect from a metal board, the Energy variant has just the right amount of life to it. Air transitions are easy to achieve, but are smooth and controlled. The feedback from the board about the rebound is very good; I am rarely surprised when the board airs, and the majority of the time when it's not launching, I find it easy to harness the rebound energy for fast edge transitions on narrow trails. Between the rebound and the variable sidecut, the board has incredible agility and turn size versatility.

Compared to my previous Stubby, which I asked Bruce to make stable and controllable, this board is a bit of a hot rod. I asked for something with more "gas pedal" this time, and this has it. All of the best characteristics from my previous Stubby and Factory Prime are in here; controllable dampness, grip, and mid-flex from the Stubby, and the playful energy (but smoother) from the FP. I asked Bruce to build this for my weight on perfect middle-of-the-road hero snow, and find that I can ride anything from glare ice to soft groom and crud with the right technique. No significant limitations from the board in terms of conditions.

The greatest strengths of this board are its ridiculous edge grip, playful energy, agility, and excellent feedback.

The only negative I've noticed is that this high-camber version is more difficult to feather from sliding to carving turns and vice versa. While I do miss that, it's worth giving up for all of the other benefits, especially considering that it's fairly rare that I am sliding turns. Bruce said that the other two lower-camber versions have less of this trait, but also slightly less edge grip if I remember correctly.

While it's great to talk specifics about different Coiler models, keep in mind that Bruce is able to tailor a board to suit your exact needs. Really, the most impressive thing to me about this Nirvana is that he nailed - for the second time - exactly what I asked him to build for me. Out of all the boards I've ridden, there is still something special about the Coiler feel, and how the board lets me know exactly what's up all the time without being too bossy :P

Here's a quick clip of me riding it on Jet at Jay Peak. The narrowness of the run at the top demands tight turns and quick transitions, and the board helps with both of those. Remember this is 12/14m SCR.

Cheers,

Ian M

Edited March 17, 2013 by Ian M
Added video

[bigwavedave]

So, not long after SES last year, I got my copy of the 174, black p-tex topped Nirvana balance, which Bruce described as the low-taper, damp, with 20cm waist, 12-14 vsr.

It gets the most use out of my 3 carving boards, partly because it's the perfect ride-anywhere size (being the middle sized one), but also because it is the most versatile, riding well in everything from soft crud to perfect groom or ice. It's so easy to ride, that I could ride it in my sleep (or while meditating?), but I really want to stay awake cause it's so much fun. I feel like I can do anything on this board and it's very forgiving of my sometimes lazy technique. A board I can ride with abandon.

Edited February 7, 2014 by bigwavedave

[jacopodotti]

I have a Nirvana VCAM 178/21 12/14 , fantastic board.

We had it on test at the carvers days and all the people that rode it said that is fantastic.

Extremely easy  to ride , it improved so far my riding.

Easy on pack as in fresh snow.

Probably the best board I have ever rode.
The only think that I don't like is the design of the nose and the tail, I would like to have a hammer head nose and straight tail.
More aggressive look, but it is only a look thing

[pokkis]

You can get them, just mention them when placing order

[lonbordin]

I rode my Nirvana Balance almost exclusively this season in all-conditions.  I typically ride with a Bomber 4mm plate and TD3 Sidewinders on BP risers. I run fairly low angles ~53/47.

 

Specs-

178 Nirvana Balance 23 wide 12-14 (Flex and taper left to Bruce)

The sidewall says: T178 NFCB 015DW - 6.5 + 5

 

Great board... really confidence inspiring...  able to go anywhere I asked it to and it listens to my input.  My riding improved tremendously this season.  

 

It's not as happy in the gates or at super high speed but that's not what it's meant for.

 

Fit and finish is top notch, Bruce does quality work.  I think a Monster is in my future.

 

Picture here- http://forums.bomberonline.com/index.php?/topic/40235-new-board-porn-20142015/?p=415142

[lonbordin]

Dammit. 

BRUCE! I need another.

 

[Neil Gendzwill]

It's a powder board now, rockers are all the rage!

How'd you do that?

[lonbordin]

7 minutes ago, Neil Gendzwill said:

It's a powder board now, rockers are all the rage!

How'd you do that?

Backside carve around a large snow mound... was entering said turn when I hit a VERY soft section of snow.  The board said left and stop... my momentum said 250lbs must go forward... something had to give... alas it was my precious.  I've already sent a message to Bruce and moved the bindings to one of my Doneks... I must go tomorrow as it might be the last day of our "season".

IMPORTANT NOTE- This Coiler took two seasons of my 250+lbs beating on it without fail.  Bruce's construction is top notch!

PS- A friend of mine has a set of those "bent" skis... they are crazy.

[najserrot]

Had a chance to ride a Nirvana Balance for a solid week. 

170 -ish in length

10.5/12.7/12 sidecut

I normally ride a donek rev GS(11/16) and SL(7/11) so i will base my opinion on this. 

I have never been on such an easy plank to ride before i got on this one. 

The main thing i notice with the Balance is that it is far more superior in regards to versatility. I found that i could still have fun carving on less than ideal anow conditions as if that was not the case. Soft snow? Choppy snow? Hard pack? Wet spring conditions? NOT A PROBLEM. It will continue to ride smoothly.

But one thing i found it difficult to ride on was ICE. Most would say ICE is mostly technique. But with my crappy technique the REVs would bite on to the ice for dear life. With the Balance, not so much.

I really like the SCR. Weight in front and it makes small SL turns. Weight in the middle and I could skim elbows on the snow. The one i like is the third SCR on the tail wich slows the board during a turn when weighted on the back foot when necessary.

Where in the REVs like to be ridden fast and requires presence of mind 110%. The balance is a smooth relax easy going ride. Not much thinking and more like enjoying the flow of the turns. Every turn is a pleasure on this one. I actually get sad after the last turn.

If you are new to harboots, i would suggest this one. So easy to learn on

If  you l hve been on one for many years and want to still enjoy carving in not so stellar conditions? I sugest this board.

Maybe not for those who ride icy slopes

[Ernie00]

for icy slopes I got to test with Bruce an Nirvana Energy .4 metal - 174 and it has been beyond my expectation.    I've been logging a days and runs from icy days , to softer days and it works amazingly. 

if you ride a lot of ice like here, you really want to consider a .4 board.

[Surf Quebec]

My new Coiler is a  Nirvana Energy .4 metal - 174, I know I ride on ice by the sound only, this board holds its edge on the ice crazy !

[JRAZZ]

I'll add my 2 cents here.

Just came back from day 1 on my NFCB 174 with 10/12.7/12 SCR and I have to agree with all that has been said here. Fun and friendly. It's as though it's telling me: "Don't worry, I got your back."  It really gave me a ton of confidence.

 

I think that for the first time I felt as comfortable in hardboots as I do in softboots. Best of all, finally I think I have my answer to the question of "why hardboots?"