After exclusively riding a Cheater 170 for 2 seasons, I decided to try out carving on a few different boards at my local shop. It was an end of season day, so very firm snow with a layer of ice beneath. They did more or less ok, but I struggled to get consistent grip, and towards the end of the day the snow started to get more and more icy and less and less fun. I thus jumped back on my Cheater for one last run before heading home and. . I was shocked. I suddenly had so much more grip, so much less chatter and overall I immediately noticed how much more solid of a platform I had between my bindings. I really had been talking for granted the longer effective edge and the torsional rigidity of the Cheater, and I'm very happy I chose it 2 years ago as it helped me improve my carving significantly, in all conditions (including ice and slush). That said, it is definitely not an easy board to master, especially if one needs to slide it around due to moguls, poor conditions, traffic etc. And even more so if you are relatively lightweight such as myself (60kg, Burton size 42.5 boots). Buyer beware. Last point, I can confirm it is rideable in powder, assuming you have open fields and not tight trees. It floats very well, and if you are lightweight like me you might even need to shift your bindings even farther towards the nose as it is absolutely possible to ride it with 50/50 weight distribution. Overall I'm incredibly happy. I will keep testing other boards for sure, but I'd be surprised to find something comparable anytime soon.

2 days out on my cheater wide 170. I have a few daily drivers, and they are not even on my radar at the moment. The board just rips- easy to cruise and easy to force into aggressive carves. It's friendly and compliant while asking for more and giving it back to you on the exit of the turn. Thank you Mats! Keep em' coming!

Beastial! Not for the faint-hearted, or if 20%+ of your turns are skidded turns. I'm 171cm short, 71kg light. I mostly flatline, charge and carve. I upgraded from a Korua Cafe Racer Plus as I wanted even more grip and to carve deeper trenches. The Cafe racer always felt short-tailed and I yearned for something that would do a better job of finishing it's turns. I'm at the lowest weight recommended for this board so had my reservations from going from 159cm to 170cm. First impressions: Dear lord, this thing takes real focus and energy to tame. I was humbled on my first day, repeatedly landing on my ass during my heelside turns - the nose felt like it was fighting me. As another reviewer suggested, I moved my front binding right up as far as I could and immediately regained control over this monster board. I proceeded to have an amazing day of riding, digging trenches deep enough to lose your small pets in, and charging at speeds that put Sonic the Hedgehog to shame. It will take time to master and I recommend tweaking your posi posi binding setup forward the board as you can - it's a rewarding ride that feels powerful, cool and fast once properly dialed-in. Pros: - This board rides very fast, and the base has got great acceleration. - Great edge hold in all snow conditions, including very hard-packed/icy conditions. - Can still perform small sharp carves despite the length. - You feel badass walking about with a board this tall. Cons: - Requires real focus and (ideally) space - it is not an easy board to pivot turn or skid around. Sometimes I did miss the ability to throw in a small skid like I could on my Korua. - One foot riding (including slow gentle carving on blues) is possible, but hard work. - Takes some adjusting too - but stick with it. I can't wait to ride this board again, and I'm sure I'll keep progressing each time I do. I recommend this board for anyone looking to step up to the next level of carving and charging.

I bought a Strandu Cheater 170W and I couldn’t be happier. I’ve never ridden a better snowboard. It holds an edge incredibly well and feels extremely stable. I’ve been riding it for a couple of days now, and every time I’m amazed at how much it helps me get the most out of myself. With this board under my feet, I’m riding better than ever. Mats has truly created a masterpiece.

I bought this board in the extra‑large version and I ride it with K2 Traxis size 12 US. I’m 1m78 and weigh 86 kg. It’s a real beast to ride. It took me about ten runs before I could control it perfecly, but now… what a monster! You can go fast, very fast — 80 km/h+ with zero vibration. And the carving… my back knee touches the snow on toe‑side turns. What a war machine. You feel like a train on rails. I recommend this board to any rider who wants to carve and go fast, but be careful — this is a board for advanced riders or above.

've been on a Cheater for two years now, wanted to have some time on it before I left a review. I'm 175 lbs, size 11 US boot, on a 170w.  This board has been such a joy. The edgehold is frankly absurd, and combined with enough width to prevent booting out, it makes for a really special kind of ride, unlike anything else I've been on. It is both deeply calm and thrilling, plenty damp but still able to air out of carves over rollers. I feel like I can get as high on edge as I want, and know that it will hold, and yet I find it still pretty playful (for a carving board): you can really bend it into different radii, do big cutbacks up on banks, or just let it open up and point it. The base is super fast, and the damp construction supports you making use of that speed without limit. I rode it more than anything else last year, because it makes mediocre hard snow groomer days into ones where I can have a blast and hone technique. To be sure, it is still definitely a carving board and one I don't want to take in the trees, etc. In the 170w, with that huge effective edge and bow of camber, it's a handful at the slowest speeds. But that's not what it was designed for at all, and I wouldn't trade its capabilities elsewhere.  One day last season, I was on a wide open Colorado groomer and was letting myself rail through deep low carves, feeling totally in sync with the board. A kid stopped me in the liftline and asked how the f--k did you do that? and asked me to give him carving pointers. Thanks, Mats, for making this board. It's a fountain of youth, it's a tool of limitless potential, and it has me hooked. Can't recommend it highly enough, and I know I'll be on it for years and years.

The most fun you can have on your heel side (and toe side too!) I rode this in all kinds of conditions from hard packed, early morning conditions to late afternoon cut up mushy moguls and not once did I feel like I was going to loose my edge grip. The board could go as fast as I wanted and it was awesome seeing my deep cuts in the snow as I was riding back up in the chair lift. I don't know why everyone doesn't have one of these boards!

Like many, I had pondered on the option of the Cheater over the many others. Eventually I purchased one. For me it's a quiver board. I find when it's on, and the cordoroy is in optimum condition this board is a blast. It's a carving machine that lets me style out the turns. Possi possi +12 +36 works to help me get the angles I crave. I'm selective and pick my moments to really 'unleash the beast'. Nobody is expecting you to come round that fast so be aware. Edge hold is solid and confidence inducing. I also ride a much shorter carving / pow board (Ride Peace Seeker) for giggles and fun sharp snappy turns with the Cheater it's the big gun for serious turning. A riding friend commented on watching me ride both. 'The little one looks fun, however, that Cheater looks smooth, fast, and so cool'

Hello, I've taken the plunge and gotten back into snowboarding after a 15-year break. For the past few years, I've only been skiing with my son. I'm 51, weigh 108 kg, and originally started using hard boots in the mid-90s. The last snowboard I used before my long break was an F2 Eliminator with K2 Clicker boots. I spent a long time deciding whether to get the Descender or the Cheater. I decided on the Cheater Wide in 170 cm. I'm extremely happy with my setup: Cheater, Niedecker Supermatic Carbon, and Ride Insano. The board drifts well on choppy slopes, and it's a dream on edge. It's my only snowboard, and I can do anything with it. The only limit at the moment is my fitness. I haven't used the board to its full potential yet.

Love the board! Super fast and stable. Holds an edge beautifully but not hard to enter or exit. This is my first Stranda board and first 170 length. It's stiffer than what I was used to but I've found the more you dive in, the more it responds. It really feels like a board that is only limited by my ability to carve - which I love. As I work to improve, my sense is that it'll meet me at each and every level. And shout to Mats - when I had questions he emailed me back quickly and directly. Great board + customer service.