I've Demoed....now what?

[stomachdoc]

OK, so last weekend, with great conditions, I demoed a bunch of skis. I'm an all terrain skier, aggressive, but not a racer. I spend most of my days carving, but like to play around in the bumps from time to time:

I'm 41 years old, 190lbs. Currently on Volkl Vertigo Motions

Here's what I tried:

K2 Apache Crossfire: Nice, controlled, not inspiring

Fischer RX-8: Easy to ski, turns on rails, fun, fun, fun

Volkl 6-Star: Too much ski for me

Volkl 5-Star: Fun, but a bit unstable in the crud

Atomic Metron M-11: Fun, great in the crud, not quite as capable a carver as the Fischer

Salomon Streetracer: Average


I'm leaning toward the Fischer, the Atomic is a close second. Any thoughts out there?

 

[subdude]

Been hearing nothing but great reviews on the Fischer RX8 from others who have tried them. I'm going to be demoing a pair next week. Good Luck

 

[thetrailboss]

You're in great shape. You've narrowed it down to two. If you read your entry again you will see what I did--that you are leaning more towards the Fischers. Now wait for the right deal to come along for that length and model. Hook, line, sinker and you'll be all set :wink: Deals will be coming soon.

I have Head IM75, which are similar to the Fischer's, and they rip. Gotta love the Railflex.

(350th post...sweeeeet).

 

[riverc0il]

what makes you want to get off the vertigos out of curiosity? based on your assessment of the volkls you demoed (surprised the 5* wasn't too good on crud), you may want to try the volkl 724 pro if you get a chance, i think it may be more representative of what you are looking for within the volkl line though i don't think it would be a good bump ski at all. it's tough finding a decent ski that works the bumps well but is also a super carver. that's why i got another ski and am leaving my volkls for the groomers only

 

[stomachdoc]

My Vertigos have about 100 days on 'em. They're not holding a line as much as I'd like anymore; I suspect that theyr'e starting to lose some "oomph"

 

[Vortex]

I got the Sx11 Atomics from Ski Fanatics. If you like a carving Ski ... I really like that 1 and would suggest it. I'm of similar age agressive , I stay out of the woods and bumps. I had the old version and bought the updated this year version. Not up to date with the others just had a great time with the sx 11's.

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

Haven't skied the Fishers, but heard great reviews.

I have 3 days on M-11's. Great in Crud, pow, hardpack. I think I should have gone 1 size longer for more versatility, and stability on "Frozen granular"

 

[thetrailboss]

After one day in my new Head IM75's, I am very satisfied--they kick a$$ and the new boots are much more commanding. I'm glad that I went with the 170 cm length--STIFF ski, very strong, but the short length makes them much more versatile than a 177 length. In general I've heard that one should go shorter.

 

[beswift]

Vokl's

stomachdoc 100 days of skiing would definitely be too many if they were full days and you are skiing aggressively in New England. In fact, I would say that 60 days would be the limit for that ski. From what I've heard, K-2 took over the Vokl line. Although they are still a good German make, they have started to compromise their manufacturing process. I find that a real shame with German product, but with their economy in poor shape they have been forced to make it more competitive. They are using foam now for cores, too. This is something they swore they would never do. Wood and foam cores break down eventually. If I was looking for a ski to last 100 days of hard skiing, I would go for a metal ski. They can bend and a metal honeycomb core can be crushed, but I doubt if you ski (jumps and top-to-top bump skiing the way that will put them in the trash heap.

 

[riverc0il]

i have heard nothing indicating volkl has compromised their manufacuring process and i definitely have not heard anything about foam cores. the volkl line this year had wood cores. i doubt volkl will ever go foam core regardless of who owns it, their technology is built around a wood core. from volkl's own web site, here is a blurb that specifically mentions wood core:

Introduced in the 2003/2004 Season, Double Grip construction provides better edge grip through innovative material processes. Here's how: the construction consists of duallongitudinal chambers - the height of each chamber is doubled, formed by an additional precision-milled wood core over each edge, tapering toward the tip. Doubling the height of the construction above the edge creates added support for the edge, and in turn, better edge grip. New for 2004, Double Grip Carbon (above) adds even more grip with a special carbon fiber inlay.

they certainly added more metal to the process, but i think that's a trend i saw on many of this year's models that i recently demoed. personally, i love wood core skis (especially after spitting a foam core rossi a few years back). so much do i prefer a wood core, i went with one for my AT setup with the dynastar 8000 legend despite the heavier weight than foam core skis..

 

[beswift]

Vokl

I bought a foam core Vokl ski a year ago. Granted it was billed as a >>Woman's Ski<<, but unless they are misrepresenting it, it is FOAM. By the way, I don't have anything against foam cores. Some of the lightest, quickest skiis I have used were foam core. The Rossi 4S (a superb ski) was a foam core ski. The only trouble is that they don't last long. If you ski 40 days a year and like buying the newest versions every year, foam isn't a detraction. One more thing, if the dollar stays at $1.35 or so to the Euro, you are prabably going to be paying 33% more for your skiis next year. In two years the Euro has gained that much in price.

 

[beswift]

20/20 Cores

Although I didn't check the Vokl website regarding their latest skiis, I dug up a print out regarding the '03/'04 ski I bought with a 20/20 core. From that I am quoting.

The 20/20 Cores used in Volkl's Gamma Series women's skiis are 20% lighter and 20% Softer than those in our unisex skiis . . . 20/20 cores use four diamond-shaped stringers. Two of the stringers are wood and two are made fof a special, lightweight material called Caryl.

They include three graphics showing x-ray exploded views of the energY control, the energY xt, and the energY skiis which better illustrate the construction and cores. The control and xt are shown to have foam cores, the plain energY wood. You can't have stringers imbedded in wood, they must be imbedded in foam. By including two stringers of wood, however, they can continue to claim that all their skiis are wood core. With the energY diagram, they include the statement.

Shown above with Volkl's Sensorwood core.

On the same page they include a piece on the

double grip technology

.In this they state:

New for 2003, our Double Grip construction provides even better edge grip. . . formed by an additional precision-milled wood core over each edge . . .

 

[First Tracks]

Re: Vokl's

From what I've heard, K-2 took over the Vokl line.

You've heard incorrectly.

 

[beswift]

Yup

You've heard incorrectly

I suspected so. Can you put up something which can verify it?

 

[First Tracks]

Re: Yup

You've heard incorrectly

I suspected so. Can you put up something which can verify it?

How would you like for me to prove a negative?

 

[ctenidae]

http://ir.k2inc.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=101913&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=581958&

Hate to say it, but K2 announced their acquisition of Volkl (and Marker and Marmot) on June 16th this year.
If I've disproved a negative, do I win a prize?

 

[First Tracks]

http://ir.k2inc.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=101913&p=irol-newsArticle&t=Regular&id=581958&

Hate to say it, but K2 announced their acquisition of Volkl (and Marker and Marmot) on June 16th this year.
If I've disproved a negative, do I win a prize?

Actually, you've succeeded in proving that I am, indeed, a moron. Not only did you prove that I've truly stepped in it, but I'm humiliated to say that I in fact edited the same story myself:

http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/news/stories/108738483778734.shtm

http://www.FirstTracksOnline.com/news/stories/108929120814340.shtm

Anybody have a good recipe for grilled crow?

 

[JimG.]

Anybody have a good recipe for grilled crow?

Crow a la Garmont:

Take one crow; remove feathers.
Split crow in half, put each half on the bottom of a Garmont thermoform boot liner.
Heat oven to 400 degrees even though recipe calls for slow cooking at 120 degrees.
Crow is done when kitchen smells like burning plastic.
Enjoy :beer: !

 

[First Tracks]

Crow a la Garmont:

Ba-da-BOOM!

You sonofagun...why, I oughtta... :blink:

 

[ctenidae]

Don't feel so bad- I spent 20 minutes racking my brain trying to remember what I'd heard about the K2 deal, then remembered this here fancy interwebby thingy. 15 Google-seconds later- Grilled Crow!