Attachment 226772
Gifted Laser SC. Unreal fast.
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Attachment 226772
Gifted Laser SC. Unreal fast.
How do you like the Black Crows skis?Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeJ
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The SD105s are not very heavy (~4800g) and not very stiff. Which is quite good for me : it can be easily handled even in tight spaces. The drawback is in hard snow, they don't absorb vibrations as much as the LPR for example. In soft snow, even in soft chop, they rocks. They like the speed a lot. Switch your brain off and go.Quote:
Originally Posted by Island Bay
Their long radius and their size are not a problem because they are (quite) lights and have a very progressive rocker.
Yes !!! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by mbillie1
TJ you're stateside, are the blackcrows readily available over your way? how do they compare price wise to US niche brands?Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeJ
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The Orbs I was really impressed with. Nice versatility - locked in on groomers but still lively and fun in small powder stashes and variable off piste conditions. Liked them enough that it had me interested in checking out their other skis.Quote:
Originally Posted by Betelgeuse
Anima Freebirds - I only have a handful of days on these so far, both touring and resort / slackcountry. They are SO light for being 188cm long and 116mm underfoot. I don't really intend to use them inbounds ever again, but they were new so I took them with me to Canada and played with them at Revelstoke and Kicking Horse. Definitely light enough to get deflected in chop, but for backcountry purposes they were awesome. They also have a pretty healthy dose of tail rocker and are fairly center mounted, but even as a tip driving directional skier I was able to adjust to them quickly. This is my first ever BC lap on them, in the Revelstoke slackcountry chasing after fellow maggot Grinch who was nice enough to be my tour guide: https://www.instagram.com/p/BfPbazcg...-by=jaytierney
I feel like with more time I'll be able to get more aggressive on them, but I liked them enough to pull the trigger on the Navis Freebirds for my skinny setup. Still haven't mounted the Tectons on them yet but expect them to get plenty of use this spring in Tahoe.
- The Noctas I found for super cheap on STP so I figured what the hell. Only one day on them so far and I was concerned that the 185.5 length with a fairly centered mount would make them feel too short, but I was able to adapt to them quickly and by the end of the day I loved them. I probably wouldn't mind the 190cm but I do like how quick they are in the trees at this length, especially since they're still pretty light for a 122mm ski (only 4,000 grams). Pretty excited to use them again, actually.
I love my ON3P's for raging and charging, so these are a nice change up with the lighter weights when your legs are a little tired. And of course for touring on. I actually think - despite the obvious weight differences - there are some similarities between brands that cross-over in terms of appeal. The sidecuts and shapes seem fairly complimentary to some degree.
Yeah, a bunch of shops in Tahoe carry them, and of course Backcountry.com and Evo.com do as well. Pricing is similar to other boutique / indie brands like ON3P.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossymcg
they're big over our side in France. A lot of the piste patrolers, mountain guides and freeride instructors are using them. you got some quality skis there amigoQuote:
Originally Posted by TahoeJ
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I’m missing a lighter, and more forgiving ski in my quiver..Something 188-190cm, but really easy to ski.Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeJ
I was out yesterday with tired legs on a stiff ski, and it wasn’t fun. Not my best day, for sure, and frustrating in the bumps.
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In Verbier it's more who's not on them... every other set of skis on the lift were a free bird Navis, Camox or Corvus with Dynafits.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossymcg
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It is worth noting that you can't just assume every Black Crows ski is light. While ON3P's are fairly consistent in terms of burly builds and relatively heavy, there's a much bigger range with the Crows. For example, I asked them what the regular Corvus in 188cm weighed and they said 4,400 grams! That sheet of metal really adds to the total. Pretty much the same weight as the Wren 108 in 184cm, which are barely shorter than the the BC's version of 188.Quote:
Originally Posted by Betelgeuse
I really wish there was a universal standard method for measuring ski lengths. I like how ON3P does it - the right way, really - but their skis tend to run "long" compared to how a lot of other brands measure. I've seen some Nordica lengths that were just straight up bullshit... no conceivable way to come up with that number.
what's your view on them being so popular? they've took the freeride market by storm in Europe, I was in the Tatra mountains in poland last week and saw plenty there, loads in Italy as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by lordf
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They are becoming fairly popular with the younger freeride crowd in Wyoming too. I don’t get it. I’ve tried a few pairs and just didn’t seem to mesh with them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossymcg
it's not as if they're blowing them out at great rates. I've not closely inspected so can't comment on quality.Quote:
Originally Posted by skibrd
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That’s the even weirder thing. Some of these new brands kids are getting them free or at steep discounts, but I never see Black Crows for sale. Now that I think about it, the prevalent crew I see on them are guides, a few patrollers, two pros and shop employees. All of them got them for free, or at a steep discount. Of the people I know who paid for theirs, only two ski hard. One of which destroyed his Noctas after half a season and the other is a weekend warrior these days.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossymcg
What ever, I’ll stick to Kastle (3x), Volkl (x4), Blizzard, Dynastar and Fischer.
Wow, that anecdotal observation really means so much. I see plenty of beaters on all the brands you mentioned too. So what?
Good skiers ski good skis and pro skiers ski skis they are told to ski? Idk? Everyone likes different things so they go with what they like?Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeJ
I'm just so surprised at how quickly they've took off. Good marketing and got themselves out there well and quickly and just wondering what all the fuss is about. your Insta edit it is cool, looks some serious fun, what sticks were you on there?Quote:
Originally Posted by TahoeJ
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W/ Black Crows if you have skied one Black Crows you have skied one Black Crows. They make so many skis across a wide spectrum of styles and theories I’d be hesitant to rush to any judgement on their skis being great, meh or complete dog shit. IMO, they make all three;out of two different factories.
They are however, definitely trending. While many of the shop employees and mountain professionals didn’t pay full price, they all chose the skis from equally inexpensive options. Doesn’t mean they chose wisely. YMMV.
They are the Apple of freeride skis.
(I) Don't believe the hype. Although I am sure they are good skis, I sincerely doubt their popularity is based solely on ski performance, but rather the looks and trendiness of the company. They have got the concept of branding figured out. Good for them.
Fully agree - they definitely seem to be all over the map with their various models.Quote:
Originally Posted by XavierD
I'm sure sponsoring a ton of athletes has played a big role in this. I'm not much of a trend chaser, I just kind of stumbled into the brand. I came across the Orbs at the end of last season for over 50% off and since I needed a groomer ski at the time figured I'd give them a shot. Was very impressed with the results, then when looking at making my touring setup significantly lighter this season, I liked the shape of the Anima Freebird (almost identical dimensions as the Billy Goat but *way* lighter), and also know a maggot who was using them and we have very similar tastes in skis.Quote:
Originally Posted by smooth operator
Then seeing the Noctas for $299 on STP was tough to pass up since I was casually looking for a resort ski for super deep days (and lo and behold it finally started snowing in Tahoe right after I got them mounted). These models are all so light I'm definitely concerned about durability, especially after becoming accustomed to abusing my ON3P's over the past several years and mostly getting away with it.
I have seen some black crows skis with some serious topsheet gouges.. Most people I talk to about them say they love the performance, but the durability isnt the best. A buddy in Jackson had a pair delam after only 5 days or so on them.
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Most of their skis are semi cap construction now, I believe, so that has likely helped with the top sheet chipping.Quote:
Originally Posted by Betelgeuse
I'm sure marketing has played a huge role in their growth, but it doesn't hurt that they seem to be well designed skis, at least the ones I've been on so far.
As someones who's day job is marketing and branding I would say they have got their targeting spot on, that and everyone seems to love their designs. The interesting bit is I don't see many popping up for sale second hand and the folk who I know who have them seem to like them (not just shop folk, but chums I would class as decent skiers). Then again it could be down to the fact they are decent skiers who can ski anything well...Quote:
Originally Posted by Rossymcg
I've only skied the Daemon but I was impressed, then again the chap in the shop who was trying to sell it to me also said the M4 Manta (which they didn't sell) was better... The discounts offered in Verbier are not that much, my partners sister is an instructor out there and she gets far better discounts off the UK reps because of her BASI level, her discount in the shop in Verbier that sponsor he company isn't much (about 20% off RRP). They are one of the bigger shops in town and carry a limited range (Mostly the freebird line) thats been hand picked for Verbier (about 1/3rd) of the current Black Crows catalogue.Quote:
Originally Posted by XavierD
so the quiver has undergone a bit of a transformation:
176 BMT94/Vipec 12 Black
176 BMT109/Tecton
176 BMT122/Vipec 12 Black (now love these)
179 Wrenegade88/Tecton
179 Wrenegade108/Tecton (best ski ever!)
179 Billy Goat/Tecton
176 Kartel98/Pivot 14
181 Kartel108/Pivot 14
Attachment 227823
so yeah - lost my faith in Libs and replaced all of em with ON3Ps. I prefer the latter, especially the wrens that are simply amazing.
Are you sure you're not overdoing it with the Fritschi's? :O