Thug or Pro XXL?

I need some advice in choosing between these two skis, Atomic Thug 192cm and Dynastar Pro XXL. I´ve previously been riding 05 183 Gotama´s, but sold those and want to go bigger and perhaps slightly stiffer.

The use of the skis will be mostly for soft snow, but it should be able to handle hardstuff and everything else you might find on your way down. Of course I also have narrower skis for icy and mostly hard conditions, but the new fatties should be able to go trough everything.

So the real guestion is which ski to choose? Im not very big guy, like 180cm ~70kg or so. Been looking for those longer versions, thug in 192cm and XXL in 194. Or would the 187 xxl be more suitable for me? Usually I like to ski fast, or at least moderately fast, but I also like the skis to be manageable in tight situations, such as narrow gullies and trees.

Hope someone has an opinion on these!

If you have access to the 187, that would be perfect. But the 194 would work.
I haven't skied the thugs.

I'd definitely go for the xxl's in 187 (or why not the xl's in 194, bit more versatile overall) over the thugs anytime. Have skied both, am a bit larger and didn't like the thugs at all.. felt way too heavy.

A Birdie told me 200 pairs of XXL 187's comming in (USA) this week or next. Contact ur rep. Then 2000 pairs with 08/09 graphics in Feb.

I live in Europe, so I guess it´s not a problem to hit those 187´s somewhere. Any thoughts about 194 being too big for me or not? If those bastards were sold in 190cm I´d definitely pull a trigger.

Thanks.

Aren't the thugs fairly soft.... at least comparable or softer than Gotama soft ???

consider the 06/07 and newer gots in a 190. They are quite a bit stiffer than the 05 gotamas, and obviously longer. I have both skis in my quiver and i dont consider them to overlap. The 190s turn easily for their length and do a great job of flattening out the crud/carrying speed. Maybe put the goliaths and ants on your list too (although I havent skied either).

I love my Thugs (192)...and, yes they are a little soft...but these two skis are NOT even close to being the same type of ski.

You need to compare the same types of skis...the Thug is more like a sumo or prophet 130, the XXL Pro is more like a fat, stiff B-Squad....

The Thug skis shorter then it is, though. I am 210lbs, about 5'10" and I like them a lot...they are fun, stable, and pretty bomber-built.

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Originally Posted by 20:59

...been riding 05 183 Gotama´s...not very big guy, like 180cm ~70kg or so...like the skis to be manageable in tight situations...

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The skis you are considering are different, but they all kick ass. I think you will be very stoked with any of those, as long as you can step up and handle them.

I don't know you, but I do not recommend the 194 XXL for you. They are very heavy with long running length, at their best at high speeds all the time. The move from 183 Gotamas to 194 XXL's is a bigger leap than most skiers would enjoy, especially in tight situations. I think 194 XXL's are for the type of skier who, when buying a Gotama, would have automatically chosen the 190 and never even entertained the thought of a 183. In this case, the numbers show the huge leap pretty well:

SkiName...RunningLength...Weight...Radius
05 183 Gotama...~150...~2200...~26
194 XXL............164.5...2590...42

A 197-ish Gotama (does not exist) would have same running length as the 194 XXL. If you wish your 183 Gotamas were 197, then give the 194 XXL a try.

The other 2 skis you mentioned would be a more manageable leap, yet still a big enough step up that you will be forced to progress (good):

SkiName...RunningLength...Weight...Radius
05 183 Gotama ...~150 ...~2200 ...~26
187 XXL..............~157 ...~2490? ...37
192 Thug.............156 ...2414 ...43

Get the 192 Thug if you want more float, more fun feeling, and will back you up pretty well when you wanna get down to some serious business. Get the 187 XXL if you seek more seriousness than fun.

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I bought that 183 Gotama in 2005, and I really liked how it skied. But if I was buying Gots today I´d get the 190s for sure. 183 feels too short. I have also skied some 190cm skis, BD Verdict and Völkl mantra, didn´t have any problems dealing with those.

That +4cm in lenght can´t be that big step upwards, can it?

Damn, I´d like to ski those 187 XXLs before buying, but thats really not an option. I still have that strange feeling that if I bought 187s I´d be a bit disappointed and want to go longer.

I hate the days, when I just can´t get the decision made.

Demo the 194 LP, if its too much ski the the XXL in 194 will be way too much ski

I was on the 190 BD's last year and thought they were a lot of fun, also had the 05 Gots for a couple years which were great, but also thought they were too short. I tried the 194XXL and yeah, they want to run fast in long turns. They were nice, but were more ski than I would want to deal with on an everyday basis. I'm 5'11, 160.

The ski youre looking for = 190 Katana

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 20:59

Damn, I´d like to ski those 187 XXLs before buying, but thats really not an option. I still have that strange feeling that if I bought 187s I´d be a bit disappointed and want to go longer.

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If you don't like the 187's, I'll trade you for my unmounted 194 XXL's or 194 lp's with p-14's.

I'm a girl, 5'8" ~170 and I ski 192 atomic thugs and love them to bits. Great ski.

yea, but you rip.

Yesterday I finally got my new pair, the pro xxl in 194cm. Now I only need to mount the bindings and see how they ski.
They don´t seem so big, their length is actually pretty much the same as 190 verdicts. So, now as I haven´t skied those yet, I think the longer version is just what I wanted.

Thank you all for your opinions.