The Background
After getting back into skiing after a long layoff, I did so with pair of 170 Rossignol Bandits (not B1, B2, B3, or X, just the wood core Bandit model). This was two years ago. I ended up last season doing the double diamond terrain at Deer Valley (okay, not the most challenging hill, but still) and then skied a huge powder day over in the glades at the Canyons. I still enjoy the groomers, but really think I'll be spending more time off-piste in the future. As such, I've decided to upgrade to a pair of Bandit B2's. The 2006 versions availble, however, are in 166 and 174 lengths.
The Question
I'm about 5'10.5" and my weight fluctuates around 200lbs (usually just over) and I've skied on a 170 for the past two years. Would I be better off with a 166 or a 174? I'm leaning heavily toward the 174, but using the 'middle of the forehead' rule of thumb, these would be just a bit on the long side. Of course, with a weight of 200+, that might be appropriate. I've also heard comments to the extent that going from 170 to 174 is too small an increment to tell any difference at all.
Any thoughts?
After getting back into skiing after a long layoff, I did so with pair of 170 Rossignol Bandits (not B1, B2, B3, or X, just the wood core Bandit model). This was two years ago. I ended up last season doing the double diamond terrain at Deer Valley (okay, not the most challenging hill, but still) and then skied a huge powder day over in the glades at the Canyons. I still enjoy the groomers, but really think I'll be spending more time off-piste in the future. As such, I've decided to upgrade to a pair of Bandit B2's. The 2006 versions availble, however, are in 166 and 174 lengths.
The Question
I'm about 5'10.5" and my weight fluctuates around 200lbs (usually just over) and I've skied on a 170 for the past two years. Would I be better off with a 166 or a 174? I'm leaning heavily toward the 174, but using the 'middle of the forehead' rule of thumb, these would be just a bit on the long side. Of course, with a weight of 200+, that might be appropriate. I've also heard comments to the extent that going from 170 to 174 is too small an increment to tell any difference at all.
Any thoughts?