Post by JimRatliff on Nov 6, 2013 0:46:59 GMT -7
Perry
6+ Year Member
200 Posts
******
Posts: 397
6+ Year Member
200 Posts
******
Posts: 397
Head Rev 85 review
« on: March 09, 2013, 01:27:24 PM »
Rev 85 review 184cm mounted 1 - 1.5cm forward (86mm under foot at this length)
6'2" 200lb level 7.5 -8 skier.
I bought these as my western 50/50 ski. I ski a Head SS magnum at 177cm for out east. I have also owned the RX8 at 170cm which I loved, and the Watea 98 which was a very good off piste ski and capable on piste, not exactly boring but kinda ho-hum on the groomers - this ski replaces the Watea 98.
Conditions - Skied 5 days at Steamboat, 4 days of fresh snow 16", 8", 6" and 3" and one bluebird day.
Overall - a very versatile ski. It does everything well except for powder more than 12-14 inches. Great in powder up to a foot. Very playful. I skied them up to just above the knee - a wider board would have been more on top.
Groomers - very predictable, nice even flex, soft tip. The early rise is very slight and I didn't notice it at all. No tip flap, no sudden engagement when the rocker tip engages. I did ski a series of turns PMTS style, pulling up my free foot after the top of the turn to get bigger angles and they started digging trenches and laid over very predictably. Even gave a little rebound when pressured this way. Now - these were soft groomers, hero snow so east coast skiers will need to consider accordingly. They are very stable. Not an MX 88 that begs you to just let it rip personal safety be damned....but not many skis are! I had them going as fast as I wanted; 40 - 45 MPH and did not find their limit at that speed.
Bumps - I am not a great bump skier which is why I hesitated to rate myself a full level 8 skier. For me, these are excellent bump skis, the best I have been on (but then again I am not a bump guy so judge accordingly) If you are an aspiring bump skier and want a ski that will help your confidence in the bumps and will also perform elsewhere, then this was a great choice for me. For example I was able to ski Rolex at Steamboat, a black bump run and never stopped due to control issues, just fatigue. This ski turns best for me when I lighten the inside foot and with flexing. My problem in the past in bumps was that I would panic and lift the inside ski to get around a bump and then loose speed control. People who know what they are doing in the bumps will tell you to keep both feet in contact with the snow to help with speed control. I was able to use my uphill edge to "scrape off speed" Clendenin style and it worked great. A BIG difference in bumps for me.
Trees - Again, I am not the guy to ask about tree skis. For me chasing my 24 yo on his snowboard into the trees they helped me. Don't think they were as good as the Watea 98 at 186cm but they were very close (but I didn't ski them back to back) Mid-shin snow, floating through and they were agile enough for me to save some "old man honor"
Crud - really fun. On the runs with pushed up piles I was just plowing through, carving around. Solid and playful - Very fun.
Edge to edge - Not quick or slow - I wasn't impressed nor was I disappointed. About what you would expect for an 86mm ski.
Also, snow feel is very good. I can feel the transition at the top of the turn and re-centering on the inside edge.
I am very pleased with this ski so far after 5 days.
« on: March 09, 2013, 01:27:24 PM »
Rev 85 review 184cm mounted 1 - 1.5cm forward (86mm under foot at this length)
6'2" 200lb level 7.5 -8 skier.
I bought these as my western 50/50 ski. I ski a Head SS magnum at 177cm for out east. I have also owned the RX8 at 170cm which I loved, and the Watea 98 which was a very good off piste ski and capable on piste, not exactly boring but kinda ho-hum on the groomers - this ski replaces the Watea 98.
Conditions - Skied 5 days at Steamboat, 4 days of fresh snow 16", 8", 6" and 3" and one bluebird day.
Overall - a very versatile ski. It does everything well except for powder more than 12-14 inches. Great in powder up to a foot. Very playful. I skied them up to just above the knee - a wider board would have been more on top.
Groomers - very predictable, nice even flex, soft tip. The early rise is very slight and I didn't notice it at all. No tip flap, no sudden engagement when the rocker tip engages. I did ski a series of turns PMTS style, pulling up my free foot after the top of the turn to get bigger angles and they started digging trenches and laid over very predictably. Even gave a little rebound when pressured this way. Now - these were soft groomers, hero snow so east coast skiers will need to consider accordingly. They are very stable. Not an MX 88 that begs you to just let it rip personal safety be damned....but not many skis are! I had them going as fast as I wanted; 40 - 45 MPH and did not find their limit at that speed.
Bumps - I am not a great bump skier which is why I hesitated to rate myself a full level 8 skier. For me, these are excellent bump skis, the best I have been on (but then again I am not a bump guy so judge accordingly) If you are an aspiring bump skier and want a ski that will help your confidence in the bumps and will also perform elsewhere, then this was a great choice for me. For example I was able to ski Rolex at Steamboat, a black bump run and never stopped due to control issues, just fatigue. This ski turns best for me when I lighten the inside foot and with flexing. My problem in the past in bumps was that I would panic and lift the inside ski to get around a bump and then loose speed control. People who know what they are doing in the bumps will tell you to keep both feet in contact with the snow to help with speed control. I was able to use my uphill edge to "scrape off speed" Clendenin style and it worked great. A BIG difference in bumps for me.
Trees - Again, I am not the guy to ask about tree skis. For me chasing my 24 yo on his snowboard into the trees they helped me. Don't think they were as good as the Watea 98 at 186cm but they were very close (but I didn't ski them back to back) Mid-shin snow, floating through and they were agile enough for me to save some "old man honor"
Crud - really fun. On the runs with pushed up piles I was just plowing through, carving around. Solid and playful - Very fun.
Edge to edge - Not quick or slow - I wasn't impressed nor was I disappointed. About what you would expect for an 86mm ski.
Also, snow feel is very good. I can feel the transition at the top of the turn and re-centering on the inside edge.
I am very pleased with this ski so far after 5 days.