Legend Pro Rider 194 or 186??

Help a Jong out . . .

I am looking to pick up some Legend Pros and need some advice on length. Did a search but nothing came up.

I will primarily be using them on the east coast and have been pretty happy with 175 Volkl 6 stars but I am looking something for the powder days at Jay or Sugarbush. It might not be worth picking them up just for east coast skiing but I am heading to Telluride in February.

I would normally gravitate toward the 194 if I were out west, but I might be skiing them in some tight spots in the east.

I am 6'1", 200 26 y/o athletic not fat. My other skis are 188 Fischer GS skis.

You're pretty big...so i'd say GO BIG.

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Originally Posted by Smails

Help a Jong out . . .
I would normally gravitate toward the 194 if I were out west, but I might be skiing them in some tight spots in the east.

I am 6'1", 200 26 y/o athletic not fat. My other skis are 188 Fischer GS skis.

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I'm 225lb and have the 194 LPs. the "tight spots in the east" makes me think the 186cm would be a better choice.

With either the 186cm or the 194, you should expect to have to give the ski allot of input to get it to do short turns.

I'm a similar shape to you although "athletic" might be pushing it a bit. I have the 186 as my everyday ski, over here in Euroland. It's a good solid ski and I will never come close to overpowering it. However, it isn't frighteningly huge - in fact, I think it's a fun but demanding ski in almost all conditions.

The 194 would definitely be a big gun and might not be so much fun in situations where you're not going fast. And the 186s certainly get more fun the faster you go - the threshold is prolly a bit higher with the 194s

Thanks for the replies thus far guys. It sounds like I can't really go wrong with either. After going from a 201 GS ski to a 188, it is hard to imagine going back up to a 194 but generally people seem to say 194 is the way to go in this ski. Too bad demoing probably isn't going to happen. I guess I will probably just go for what I can find at the best price used.

Any east coasters here who have taken the 194 LP in the trees in pow or bumps?

Im 5'10/170 and love the 186s from last year which are supposedly stiffer than the nonraceroom version of 06/07. Theyre surprisngly mild mannered and easy to ski when you consider how stiff they hand flex. Id say youd be fine with either, but Id probably urge you to get the 194 or at least try to arrange a demo.

Both the 186 and 194 are incredible skis. However, the few times I've taken my 194s in the bumps I always regret it...it is a lot of work. In the trees the 194 is okay, although, I've been tempted to buy the 186 for times when I'm skiing trees at Steamboat/Vail. IMO the 186 might be better suited for what you want out of a ski.

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Originally Posted by Colorado_Freeskier

Both the 186 and 194 are incredible skis. However, the few times I've taken my 194s in the bumps I always regret it...it is a lot of work. In the trees the 194 is okay, although, I've been tempted to buy the 186 for times when I'm skiing trees at Steamboat/Vail. IMO the 186 might be better suited for what you want out of a ski.

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Yeah, you might right about the 186 being better for what I will be doing with them. How tall are you by the way and what lengths do you ski in other skis?

Also, can anyone comment on whether the 07 has less of a problem with delam then the 06 version? I have heard bad things . . .

I ski the 194, but would probably get the 186 if I skied back east.

Delam is not a problem with the ski. The top sheet would "peel" because to the 90* top edge. That has changed for 0607 and it is now rounded. The skis are still full side wall and the rounded top edge is simply to make the ski more durable.

If you want the 05-06 version (raceroom) I've seen a bunch on eBay recently, saw a pair of 186 go for $450US (new). Pretty good deal. Some are buy it now $650US.

I have the original ones (pre-metal tip protectors) in a 186. I'm 5'10'' 160#s, and they're alot of ski, but not too much ski. I'd say it might almost be worth getting something softer/more manageable in a longer length for you rather than these in a shorter length, because if you might have noticed they are not real powder skis. The tips are stiff enough that they dont have that floaty feeling till you really get going - they're big mountain do-everything-skis. If you want that, go for the 194. If you're looking at the 186 at your size, maybe look at something like a 190 Gotama or a Blizzard titan 9? Then again, given that the east coast gets so much waist deep blower, their submarining tendencies might not be too much of a problem for you.
cheers
-john

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Originally Posted by seldon

I have the original ones (pre-metal tip protectors) in a 186. I'm 5'10'' 160#s, and they're alot of ski, but not too much ski. I'd say it might almost be worth getting something softer/more manageable in a longer length for you rather than these in a shorter length, because if you might have noticed they are not real powder skis. The tips are stiff enough that they dont have that floaty feeling till you really get going - they're big mountain do-everything-skis. If you want that, go for the 194. If you're looking at the 186 at your size, maybe look at something like a 190 Gotama or a Blizzard titan 9? Then again, given that the east coast gets so much waist deep blower, their submarining tendencies might not be too much of a problem for you.
cheers
-john

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I actually don't want a real 100% powder ski and I like the fact that the Legend is a stiff beefy go anywhere ski. I used to free ski on my Volkl GS skis with a derbyflex so I don't fear the stiffness.

I appreciate the other suggestions too, I will check them out.

The Pro could be a fun East Coast ski if you charge hard. I'd stick with the 186 though, the 194 takes a lot more power to drive. Try real hard to find some demos though before you committ to a size.....

yeah im really not sure why you would need teh 194 in the east...that seems like overkill to me. Especially because teh 186s really dont have a top speed on them and if youre skiing bumps/trees the 194s would just be a pain. The only reason to go with the 194 is for more float(not a problem in the east coast) or to have a higher top end speed, but really hwo fast do you plan on going on east coast groomers, its not like you have huge alpine bowls to charge through like out west.

Alright, well it sounds like I will go after the 186 as my first choice. I appreciate all the help and advice.

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Originally Posted by Smails

Yeah, you might right about the 186 being better for what I will be doing with them. How tall are you by the way and what lengths do you ski in other skis?

Also, can anyone comment on whether the 07 has less of a problem with delam then the 06 version? I have heard bad things . . .

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5'11, 195 pounds. As far as other skis...My old freeride boards, now rock skis are Dynastar Bigs in a 194 and my AT skis are 184 Mantras. For hard pack days I ski a 191 race stock Nordica GSR and 185 Fischer World Cup RC.

Haven't experienced or heard of delam problems...

If you got other right coasts sticks, go with 186, if not then 194 is the choice.


EDIT: this ski should only be used out west, so go with 194 and let it drool in your closet until it's number is called.

ROFL...yeah man, the 194 would not be my first choice for eastern trees, even at your size. Maybe if you weren't going to ski them in trees much, but then it becomes more a quiver ski....or maybe an all around soft snow ski you're not going to ski in the trees with much....eh. I'm 6'1", and find that a beefy ~185cm ski is the best compromise between having enough length to go fast on but still being very manuverable in tight trees. The 186 would be a very solid all round choice, the 194 would big and fun, but a pain sometimes.