byronm
Recent Member
Posts: 15
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Post by byronm on Nov 25, 2013 2:36:17 GMT -7
Hey All...Harkening back to a discussion last year about user friendly skis that also have a high performance envelope, I wonder if a list of such skis could be developed with that in mind?
For example, last year I purchased Rev85 Pro's because of their purported utilitarianism and forgiveness. I love the Revs and was doubly pleased to find out, based on a good review by Perry that I likely won't "run out of ski" as I progress because of that high performance envelope.
This year I plan on expanding my quiver to incorporate a 95-105 waisted ski for when conditions get choppy, heavy or hopefully deep(ish) I would like to target test a few skis that would fit the bill of easy listener and performer.
5'9"-50ish-165 lb - Intermediate, Ski Northern Az, Southern Co. Mostly on piste but don't want to be limited if not by own ability.
Cheers
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Post by superbman on Nov 25, 2013 9:49:54 GMT -7
Well, this is getting to be well-trodden ground on just about every forum this Fall…but, my 7 cents: Since you have a very capable 85mm waisted ski, I'd lean towards the 105mm end of the spectrum. My Short list:
Liberty Helix Rev 105 (based solely on everyone else's opinions, I've never skied it) Icelantic Nomad RKR (listed 105, but closer to a 110mm) Nordica Patron (again, wider than the 105..but not much)
The Formula is pretty straight forward: well-made sandwich layup skis, Tip Rocker, camber underfoot, twinned or rockered or both tail. Go mid sized length in each model run.
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Post by ron on Nov 25, 2013 15:09:00 GMT -7
hmm, the Nomad RKR is 110 underfoot, actually, 111 and you need to add 5mm to the tip and tail as well. Also, Patron is 113 so not really a 105... tell us a little more about what you want these for. The issue is again, the width doesn't really tell us much but there's a huge bandwidth of performance in 95-105. A Soul7 vs a FX94 is a huge gap! . Are you looking to ski bumps, ski more loose soft, just groomed, etc. There a bunch of great ski's out there. its really hard to pick a bad one. I would hate to see you on something that won't be a good bump ski or too carving focused or too soft snow oriented.
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byronm
Recent Member
Posts: 15
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Post by byronm on Nov 25, 2013 15:17:54 GMT -7
Indeed there is a plethora of reviews out there on the subject. I guess everyone has to find their niche in terms of where they ski, how they ski and how they WANT to ski.
Also, I didn't verbalize it initially, but I was thinking too in terms of affordability. We have talked on the forum before about last years or two year old "new" or even used equipment. If not compelled toward keeping up with the Jones' which I am not, there are some smoking deals on great equipment out there. The Rev 105's you mentioned, last years model which Gary loves can be found for a pretty reasonable price.
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Post by superbman on Nov 25, 2013 16:30:33 GMT -7
Yeah, Ron, I know
I was going with the 'stretching the performance envelope' of a two ski quiver (based on the title of the thread) and was thinking in a 95-105mm range what stretches the envelope the most with the already owned Rev 85 (which I assumed is what he wanted for bumps groomers and soft and shallow skiing)?
Buy something fun. Check out exoticskis.com and see if there is something that tickles your fancy.
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byronm
Recent Member
Posts: 15
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Post by byronm on Nov 25, 2013 17:34:38 GMT -7
Hey guys...actually was looking for something with a bit more float and stability when things get heavy and pushed up. Where I ski most is prone to days where they will get a good snow dump but then it warms quickly and gets heavy. Also, on the backside of my home hill windblown dust over crust is an issue. Lastly, I am beginning to think that proverbial "powder dump" for me is all but an elusive fantasy for the most part (short of dumb luck)but would like to be ready for one just the same.
Skis I am curious about and would like to test drive just based on grapevine and online reviews;
Line Prophet 98, Head Rev 105, Atomic Alibi, Armada TST, SQ98
In my area, demoing is difficult as the shops just don't have the selection. So in reality, I might get a couple of these out for a test run.
It should be noted that I have very limited experience with wider skis....I demo'd the Cham series 97 and 107HM and didn't get on well with either of them....even the HM felt heavy and slow to hook up.
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Post by ron on Nov 26, 2013 7:53:59 GMT -7
I like your thinking!
for many, the proverbial dump is elusive but when you do get it..... Slow to hook up: slow to engage or quickness underfoot and tight turn radius? Its a wider ski, its not going to be super fast.
OK, so you have a good list but pretty varied.
I have not skied the TST but its a ski that many love and find to be about perfect for what you are looking for. Blistergear.com has some good reviews on it and I like those guys. Its really gonna come down to if you want the ski to be better on soft/fresh over mixed.
any of these are going to do well up to 6-8" just not as floaty or fun but will out perform the soft bias ski's when it does get pushed and mashed. I would start to focus more on the Atomic Alibi's, or the Ritual (103) Sali Q105, Nordica Vagabond (pushing it at 108) Nordi Hell and back and the Nordi Soul Rider is a great ski (I own it and It could be the top pick IMHO) K2 schreditor 102, Scott punisher (in 173), Keep that TST in the mix along with the REV 105 & the Blizz Kabookie too. (a soft Bonafide)
The Soul Rider is a blast to ski and will rock on the groomers too. Its short falling is on firmer bumps where there's not enough tail (too much rocker). The REV 105 does have better float and better for G-force railing but the super wide tip is too wide for firmer tighter bumps. (I am not an accomplished bump skier so I would not say its great for those conditions; that's why I am skiing a FX94)
there are a lot of ski's in this mix!
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Post by livingproof on Nov 26, 2013 8:42:20 GMT -7
Byron,
Check with your local mountain to find out if they have a demo day. Most do and it's still early enough to plan to be there on those days. As you are looking for around a 100 waist ski, there should be plenty to try. Demoing is not a perfect experience, but, it sure is fun to try a whole bunch of skis. I, too, am on the horns of a dilemma about the purchase of a 100ish ski.
FWIW, there should not be too many days when your Rev 85's will not serve the purpose pretty well. I spent 9 days last year in the west on the Rev85 and never experienced a day when wider skis would have made a difference. I'm at odds with many on the benefits of wider skis, but, my thinking is you need to be committed to spending time on them and figuring them out. Taking strange skis into conditions that you do not encounter frequently can result in a very long day...at least that's been my experience.
But, give 'em a try for yourself.
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Post by ron on Nov 26, 2013 11:06:49 GMT -7
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byronm
Recent Member
Posts: 15
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Post by byronm on Nov 30, 2013 1:56:55 GMT -7
Thx for the input guys...I will be getting my ski legs under me this week. Mountain only partially open. Conditions may be a bit rough so I will be skiing my older Blizzards for the first outing as they have one year seniority on my Rev 85's. I will seek out and take advantage of demo opportunities as they arise this season. I am sure there is a pair of wider skis with my name on them at some point this season.
Cheers....
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