Franco Big Gun Swallowtail 170 Snowboard Review 2019-2020

TESTER: Brent Fullerton

BOARD: Franco Big Gun Swallowtail 170

TEST YEAR:   2019 SHAPERSUMMIT SNOWBOARD REVIEWS

OVERALL IMPRESSION FROM  1 TO 7:  7

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOARD?: overall shape and aesthetic

WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT THIS BOARD?: Not a board to be ridden in variable conditions.

OVERALL COMMENTS: beautiful top sheet veneer and wood sidewalls with enamel spray clear coat make heads to turn when you’re pushing through tram line. Likes to go fast down the fall line and was able to steer off the back foot in tighter spots. This board shines when ridden on flat, open snow surfaces. A great choice for morning freshies and wide open lines. It made me feel I was driving a Cadillac

BOARD STYLE:    FREERIDE BOARD    

CONDITIONS TESTED IN: HARDPACK    POWDER

RATE THE SHAPE FROM 1 TO 7:  7

SHAPE COMMENT: AT THING OF BEAUTY

ADDITIONAL SHAPE COMMENTS:  It looks like a weapon

RATE THE FLEX FROM 1 TO 7:   7

FLEX COMMENT:  JUST RIGHT

ADDITIONAL FLEX COMMENT:  perfect flex tip to tail

RATE STABILITY THROUGH TURNS FROM 1 TO 7:  7

STABILITY COMMENT: ROCK SOLID- AS GOOD AS IT GETS

ADDITIONAL STABILITY COMMENTS: With the large amount of surface area in the nose, I was getting bucked around in the heavy chooped up pow. Better stability on smoother snow surfaces

RATE THE POP/ PLAYFULNESS FROM 1 TO 7:  4

COMMENT ON PLAYFULNESS: OK

ADDITIONAL COMMENT ON PLAYFULNESS:  the flex pattern makes it playful enough for a 170 swallow. Not exactly the shape to choose if you’re looking for pop/playfulness

RATE FLOAT IN POW FROM 1 TO 7:  7

COMMENT ON FLOAT IN POW: EFFORTLESSLY FLOATY

ADDITIONAL COMMENT ON FLOAT IN POW: Good luck sinking this ship!

RATE THE GRAPHICS FROM 1 TO 7:  7

GRAPHICS COMMENT: AESTHETIC AND INSPIRING

ADDITIONAL GRAPHICS COMMENTS: Beautiful