Bro Model Update

We've been tuning up the Bro Models to get as close to perfection as possible. The results have been extremely rewarding, but the required extra work is going to set us a bit behind in our previously announced shipping dates of next week. I wanted to let you guys know as soon as it appeared we'd be running a bit late.

We're creating two choices of flex, so we've been testing more brototypes at Hood, experimenting with new metal binding mounts after it appeared the aluminum we were using caused camber loss, and reshaping the core to get better performance. We're more stoked than ever, based on the skis' performance this last weekend. But we decided to get a little thicker underfoot and had to order some new cores that will be delivered this week and will be tested next week for what we believe is the final test before going into production.

So you all have a range to compare the flexes when we ask what flex you'd all prefer via an email that will be sent out in the next week or two -
I flexed our last stiff proto up against some B3s and LPs. The flex fell right inbetween the two in comparison. And it skied like a dream. But we're going to stiffen it up about 15% so it will definitely be classified as a stiff ski. We'll test that final version in ten days. I expect it to be close, but not quite as stiff as the LP.

Although the soft ski performed exceptionaly well, we felt it, too, could stand just a skosh of stiffening, so we will test a 15% stiffer version on the next go-around as well. I don't have a comparison with rack skis on the soft version, but will try to have a comparison for you after next week's tests. We fully expect to be 100% satisfied enough to ship those models, but know damn good and well we can't go into production until we are certain you guys will rave about them.

So we have been forced to move our anticipated shipping dates out to the last week of October. I'm sorry if this inconvenienced anyone, but it is our most heartfelt conviction that it is better to ship the gold late than to ship pewter early. Thanks for your faith and understanding. We're busting balls to make you happy by making the Bro Models rule.

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Legend Pro, bro.

I flexed some Big Daddys recently, but forget the comparison. But I really want to be able to give everyone a flex that's on the shop racks to compare to. The soft version skied great in every situation, but we're going to take it 15% stiffer for those who don't want a real stiff ski, weigh a little less, etc.
We railed the hell out of both versions and both ruled, but we're buckin for perfection and thinkin we can't put out a noodle just because it's a little softer. Anyone who wants to show up at Hood the 9th and 10th is sure welcome to give them a run. Thanx for puttin us up, Natty. I wanna see you on the hill one of those days!

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Originally Posted by Vets

How do the new stiff flex and new soft flex compare to the original stiff prototype and the new improved weekend of July 24th prototype?
Is the new stiff flex somewhere in between those two or more like the original stiffie?
Is the new soft flex close to the new improved prototype or softer?

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edit:
Stiff version is closing in on that original stiffie, but with less bulk, Vets. I'll add that the new version of the stiffie is far more user friendly, i.e., it will hook up turns at slower speeds and the rounding out of the flex just makes it alot easier to ski, yet it is evvery bit as damp and strong.

The soft is alot like that improved proto you skied but with the flex more rounded out. Skis waaaaay better. You're gonna love it.

We were running Palmer in 3-4 turns at mach and it just did it soooo easy. Yet, we could link short turns all the way down without even thinking. On both models.

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Originally Posted by phUnk

Splat is definitely the hardest working man in porn.

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Thanks, but that chick in your avatar really knows no boundaries.

Does she ever take a break?

Duct Tape - No wider, just thicker. Still running the same dimensions 125-99-114 because they rock with the way we've shaped the sidecut. When you respond, just send us a note on your correct shipping addy, as it will be a group email and you can respond to Tyrone at his PM Gear addy.

verbier - We'll nail down some fairly concrete flex comparisons with rack skis after these new adjustments are made and post them here. We'll also be shipping as soon as the skis are finished, and by that I mean as soon as a pair is done, they're on the way. Don't wanna spoil anyone's early season wet dreams......

Here's a shot of Rob, Sunday at Hood, sans his tele gear.

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Originally Posted by Ubersheist

I don't know what the flexes are like on B3's or "LPs" (I didn't know what that refered to at first, either). What else are the new flexes comparable to? Volkl G4s? Super Nobis? Atomic ex? Just curious... I'm sure that info will come out soon enough...

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Uber - It will be a lot easier to give you other models to compare the next flex to once we have made the final prototypes and flexed them up against a variety of skis. I'm holding off comparing something that has yet to be made with something already made, as sometimes subtle changes in the design can make a much bigger difference than anticipated. So I'd be shooting rubber bands at the stars to make such a call at this time. (Even though I do think it will come in a little softer than the LP on the stiffie, don't have a comparison yet on the 'soft', except to say it won't be PR soft.) I just stated what this last stiff one flexed like. After we ski the next and, hopefully, final set of protos and call it a done deal, we'll flex them next to other skis people can go to a shop and flex, so they have a damn good idea what they'll be getting - in both the stiff and the soft. To date we've done 11 different protos to get where we needed to be.

I concur. Whattaya gonna do? Hurt your ACL?

Same as seeing a 148 - this year. Maybe next year.

But maybe someone will let you ski theirs and you can judge it after skiing it. I'm working on a demo binding deal, whereby I can get killer demo binders for Bro buyers at wholesale. All we ask is they let a bro try their boards. With no demo program in place, the is the best way we have figured to get the skis on more feet. I'll know more in the next day or two. They're the Tyrolia SP 130s we gave the bros in Argentina and have been using for all our testing. DIN 13, but they rock just fine. Don't even look like demos.

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Originally Posted by Magoo

Almost makes skiing like work, eh? ;)
Too cool how much you guys are putting into getting it just right!
Love the updates and info you're posting about the process and development of the Bros. Makes it even more exciting for those of us lucky enough to be getting a pair!
Looking forward to hearing how the next protos work and flex -- and to ultimately getting my own pair!

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Is that Larry Segal in your avatar??

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Originally Posted by powwrangler

dude, are you going to have those brototypes avialable for testing during the season?

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Yes. We are currently under contract with approximately 60 ski testers from this board. Plus, there should be a couple random pair floating around for riding or testing. Multiple choice, oral, or written, we know we will have to endure the scrutiny of the world once we let this design go into production.
Which makes me sometimes feel like an expectant father.
"oh, my god, will it be breathing?"
"will it have two arms?"
" will it walk?"
" run?"

"do I even have a vagina?"

edit:sp

Geezuz, fez....
You make it sound like you dwarf Herman Munster. I got 208s, 195s, and 193s that I've been skiing on forever, and am 6-2, closing in on 200 lbs.
(slightly up due to the anxiety eating binge I indulged in last week)
So, unless you could squirt titty milk straight into my eyes, I say give the beeyatches a try, then talk we can talk length. You're starting to give me good reason to come to Montana...
God, I love Montana.

also- the Bros tele quite fine from what I've heard...why change up?

About 4.3 to 4.6 pounds each without bindings. They're pretty light.

I'll flex them up against as many of those skis as possible (and I'll have someone else flex them for a second opinion) and report back to you after the next and, hopefully, last adjustment we make next week to ski at Hood.
It's the best way I can think of to give you an idea of the flexes.
Thanks for the list.

Yes we have. The mount points at Hood on the 4th of July were way far back, like 5 centimeters, based on a shop tech's suggestion that proved totally wrong. We moved them up in Argentina and again at Hood two weeks ago. (See pics of 'storm-mounting').

Last weekend we felt like we'd really nailed it, as Rob and I agreed that the boot centerline we'd established the week before with Tom was right on the money. One click forward or back on the Tyrolia SP 130 binders and we could totally feel the difference.

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Originally Posted by Idris

We tried but the freakshow in the nice warm mountain shelter wouldn't lets us play ;(

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To put it mildly, Tom. We went to the Silcox Hut, thinking it would be like huts elsewhere in the world, but oh, no, this is a corporate hut. It does not serve the mountaineers who brought it back from destruction. It's a fucking retreat for corporate gumbies who need to get out and rough it in the mountains. Plus, the asswipes working there were the "Friends of the Silcox Hut" - a bunch of clingon dweebs who acted like we invaded their space. Even though we showed up during one of the two ten day periods per year when the hut is actually open to the public

Shit like this boils my blood - people who climb Hood have nowhere to stop off and warm up, eat food, or socialize because Timberline and the USFS have turned the mountains into a money-grubbing circus for people who can barely walk where there are no sidewalks and escalators. And to top it off, they get a bunch of idiots (Friends of Silcox Hut) to come and upgrade the place twice a year FOR FREE, in order to let these fools think they are a part of something grand. These people were a bunch of posers who acted like the clients they serve for free, and then treated us like we invaded their home. Pathetic........

Yet, the hut was preserved through the sweat of mountaineers who rebuilt it for the purpose of providing shelter to those who climb and ski. It's a fucking shame. A crying fucking shame that nothing simple and pure can exist in the mountains without government and corporate politics sucking the energy out of it for money. But anywhere else in the world - well, let's just say huts are for the people who can actually benefit from them. What a stark contrast in comparison to the refugio in Argentina - or anything in Europe.


edit: add pic

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Originally Posted by fez

uh never mind. i thought they were one size only 180.

188 is definitely more reasonable.

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Damn glad to hear that, fez.

And since it was you guys who made the Bro Model possible, I want you all to be the first to see the ad that will appear in the December issue of Powder.
Magnificent graphics by the one and only: MD9

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Originally Posted by BlurredElevens

So, whens the official ship out date? Hope things are going well.

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Final, final test this weekend at Hood. Very minor change, but we have to ski it before we'll turn it loose. Once we give it the nod, we start cranking out about 5-8 pair a day, shipping before the month ends. I hate it when things don't go on schedule, but like I said, we can't be letting down those who made it happen by not being certain it rules.

After months of agonizing indecision, Telenater finally pulls the trigger...

At a little over 4 lbs, it tours and packs great. Rob says it rules on both fronts. We're going to do some inserts for a couple of the freeheelers so they can swap plates with both types of binders.

Worried that people will think they're a tele-specific ski? Not even.
I know everyone here is going to turn in innumerable alpine reviews.
It's just versatile.

Off to Hood today for the final test before we start cranking them out.

Dooood! Wow. Sorry to hear we missed you and to hear what sounds like an international journey of Brohood.
But you went out to git some. We got in early am, but were roadfried and relieved to catch some rest. The lifts are spinning Monday, too.

Proto w/wood core, no sidewalls.

http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic28063.jpg

Walk into a shop and flex skis this way in front of the shop guy.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic28062.jpg

Prepping for dryland tests.
http://www.biglines.com/photos/blpic28061.jpg