Lib Tech Mayhem Rad Ripper review: camber twin for freestyle
The Lib Tech Mayhem Rad Ripper is a true twin (identical nose and tail - rides the same in both directions) with traditional camber and no Magne-Traction - a modern retro weapon for freestyle, with the soul of the late 90s and up-to-date Mervin construction. Who it is for: a good, long-time snowboarder who knows why they want a twin, camber, a centered stance (the distance between the bindings) and a lot of pop. Here is what we know about it from the shop and from Mervin.
-25%- Delivery in up to 2 days
- Shop at 6A Golo Bardo St., Sofia - since 1997
- Size advice:
+359 887 800 575
Snowboard Science Ep. 1: Camber - the original snowboard shape
The Rad Ripper is a classic freestyle board, made by a surfer
Mayhem is the brand of Matt Biolos - the shaper (the craftsman who makes surfboards) behind ...Lost Surfboards, whose boards win world titles in surfing. From his collaboration with Lib Tech we already know the Quiver Killer, Rocket and Sweetfish. Mervin says it straight: "Matt's boards win world titles, so we decided to make a snowboard that can do the same."
The Rad Ripper was developed with ideas from the riding of Devin Tubbs - a freestyle rider from Mammoth whom Mervin calls an "all-terrain freestyle vehicle who handles any terrain". That is why the board is not a surf experiment like the other Mayhem models, but a pure freestyle twin for the halfpipe, park, street (riding in the city - rails, stairs) and the natural obstacles in the resort. For 2024/25 the artwork is by Steve Carranza - neon, mesh and chrome spheres like an 80s cassette cover. It comes in three colors. In Lib Tech's official video for the season, Matt Biolos himself shows the board in the Mervin factory, and it is ridden by Kai Huggin, Liam Gill and Devin Tubbs.
Traditional camber and a clean edge: the board gives back what you put in
Traditional camber: the board curves upward between the feet and touches the snow with the nose and tail.
Everything follows the classic recipe: true twin, traditional camber, setback (stance shifted toward the tail) of 0, lots of pop and a clean edge, without Magne-Traction. The camber loads the edge along its whole length and gives spring on every ollie (pop off the tail) and out of every turn. It does not hide mistakes - it gives back cleanly everything the rider puts into it.
The lack of Magne-Traction here is a choice, not a way to save money. A smooth edge is quiet and predictable on rails and boxes and gives the classic edge feel that people who grew up in the 90s know. On ice you rely on the camber and your own technique.
Progressive symmetrical turn radius: carving in both directions
The turn radius is progressive and the same in both directions - 8 m at the ends and 8.3 m in the middle. Mervin says this lets the board carve on ice and packed hardpack on both sides. The width is enough to keep your toes from dragging at a deep angle, and the springy wood core of aspen and paulownia sits on a solid camber platform.
The flex (how soft or stiff the board is) is about 6/10 in all sizes - soft enough for presses and nose or tail balance presses, stiff enough for speed in the halfpipe. The OP+ construction and the sintered base (faster, holds wax) make the Rad Ripper a strong board for the halfpipe, park, street and groomed terrain that can also carve seriously. Mervin defines it as an "instant classic" for aggressive freestyle riders of every level - we would give it to a rider who already has their own style.
Who it is for and who it is not for
This is the choice of the good, classic, long-time snowboarder - someone who rides in both directions, loves jumps, the halfpipe and street, and knows why they want a true twin + traditional camber + centered stance + pop. If you grew up on camber boards from the late 90s, the Rad Ripper will feel familiar from the first turn.
It is not a board for your first day on snow and not for deep snow. Camber without Magne-Traction demands precision, and the centered stance and true twin shape do not help the nose float. If you want one board for more days in deep snow, look at a directional model like the Mayhem Rocket.
- traditional camber
- true twin
- setback 0
- no Magne-Traction
- progressive symmetrical turn radius
- OP+
- aspen/paulownia
- sintered Knife Cut base
- flex 6/10
- Matt Biolos / Devin Tubbs
- halfpipe / park / street / groomed terrain
Sizing: one flex, choose by weight and boot
The flex is 6 in all sizes, so the choice comes down to weight, style and boot size. For park and street, most riders take a shorter board; for the halfpipe and speed, a longer one. The waist grows from 25.4 to 26.1 cm - the 159 is for a bigger foot. We have the 153, 156 and 159. Enter your weight and boot size and we will show you which size.
| Size | Contact length | Waist | Turn radius | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 153 | 110 cm | 25.4 cm | 8 - 8.3 - 8 m | 6 |
| 156 | 113 cm | 25.7 cm | 8 - 8.3 - 8 m | 6 |
| 159 | 115 cm | 26.1 cm | 8 - 8.3 - 8 m | 6 |
-25%- Delivery in up to 2 days
- Shop at 6A Golo Bardo St., Sofia - since 1997
- Size advice:
+359 887 800 575
Rad Ripper vs Off Ramp, T.Rice Pro and Mayhem Rocket
Lib Tech Off Ramp is the closest relative - also traditional camber, true twin and setback 0, but with mini Magne-Traction, a stiffer flex and a character for younger riders in street and park. Lib Tech T.Rice Pro is a twin for the whole mountain - C2 with rocker between the feet and pronounced Magne-Traction, more forgiving and better in deep snow and on ice. Lib Tech Mayhem Rocket is the other side of Matt Biolos - a directional, surf-inspired carving board with setback. If the Rad Ripper is a retro twin weapon for freestyle, the Rocket is its directional, surf brother.
| Rad Ripper | Off Ramp | T.Rice Pro | Mayhem Rocket | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profile | traditional camber | traditional camber | C2 | directional camber with early rise |
| Shape | true twin, setback 0 | true twin, setback 0 | twin, setback 0 | directional, setback 2.5" |
| Who it is for | experienced freestyle rider | young riders in street / park | one board for everything | advanced rider for carving |
| Flex | 6 | 7 | 6-7 | about 6-7 |
| Terrain | halfpipe / park / street / groomed terrain | park / street / freestyle | park / all-mountain | carving / all-mountain / deep snow |
-20%Frequently asked questions
Why does the Rad Ripper have no Magne-Traction?
Because it is built for a clean, classic edge feel. A smooth edge is quiet and predictable on rails and boxes, and on hardpack the camber and the progressive turn radius do the work.
Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not. Traditional camber without Magne-Traction does not forgive mistakes - it gives back exactly what you put in. For a first board, look at the Skate Banana or GNU Money.
Is the Rad Ripper good in deep snow?
It is not its terrain. A true twin with setback 0 and camber does not help the nose float. It will cope in deep snow, but you will be leaning back.
What is the difference between the Rad Ripper and the Off Ramp?
Both are true twins with traditional camber. The Off Ramp is stiffer, with mini Magne-Traction and a street character; the Rad Ripper is softer, without Magne-Traction and with a progressive symmetrical turn radius for the halfpipe and carving.
Which size should I take?
The flex is the same, so weight and boot size decide: 153 from 45 kg, 156 from 50 kg, 159 from 60 kg and for a bigger foot. If you are not sure, write to us.
How to choose and where to see it
If you have ridden for a long time, love camber and want a clean freestyle twin for the halfpipe, park and the resort - the Rad Ripper is the choice. If you want the same with a bit more grip on ice - the Off Ramp. If you want one board for the whole mountain - the T.Rice Pro. Come to our shop at Golo Bardo 6A in Sofia or call us at +359 887 800 575 - we will show you the three colors in person and pick the size together.
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