2016/2017 - ON3P SKIS Thread (Finally)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
uglymoney
I'm still waiting for more reviews or ski time on the Wren 88 98 and 108 because I want. Even though I am just shy of 6 2' and about 200 lbs I own the 180 Brahma (88) for shit kicking and it is a totally different ski than the 186 Brahma and (way) more fun. I wonder if the same is true for the new Wren 88. When I want more ski I generally want more waist to go with the length.
I jumped on a pair of wren 88s [184], wrens 98s [189] and steeple 98s [184] at WWSRA at mission ridge last season - spring like [February] slushy snow. ME: 6'1", 190#, technique geek, beer leaguer, steep and deep lover, tourist of the PNW. Can drive 'em, pivot 'em, slarve 'em - just depends on the ski and conditions...i like turns [tight or large] and skiing fast. Boots: Head Raptor B3 RD [wrens] and Scarpa Mastrale RS [steeples].
I have limited time on the Brahma, but in comparison, the wrens are more forgiving and playful. I found the Brahma wasn't alive unless you were skiing fast, and it seemed to be better at home on piste, doing larger GS arc'd turns, at least the 187 did. Wrens, at both lengths/widths, and steeple 98, responded well whether being skied hard or gently, did well at a variety turn shapes and skiing styles [best response was 'driving' them, like the brahma]. If the dimension of the wren 88 is more appealing to you, go 184, or 189 in the 98. They don't have the speed/stability capacity of the Brahma, but they make up for that in versatility and more fun category.
I skied about 80+ pairs of skis at WWRSA, from FIS race skis to weight watchers touring skis, expert to beginner skis, all in a variety of lengths, widths, and designs. The wren 88, 98 and steeple 98 were quite impressive in the all around category. I plan on adding the 98
Steeple in the 184 to my quiver [nice compliment to my steeple 112s] as my all around winter touring ski / non pow play days at the resorts. If I could justify the $$ for an extra 5cm and choice in top sheet, i'd submit an order for a wren 98 with the tour layup and tail in a 189.
Hope this helps some.
2016/2017 - ON3P SKIS Thread (Finally)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
auvgeek
People might not care too much, but I thought I'd share a story:
Not pictured in the above is an unmounted pair of backup woodgrain 191 BGs ON3P built for me last year. When they discontinued the 191, got worried the BG was going to get softer, turnier, etc. I realize now that I probably would have been fine with the current 189, and I'd actually love to try a pair with the new changes to see if hard-snow performance has improved noticeably, but at the time I was nervous.
Anyway, I asked for a woodgrain 191 exactly like my original pair but extra carbon in the tail so they'd be 20-30% stiffer for the last 30cm. In our first email exchange, he told me that they don't run carbon in less than full length strips because it isn't as durable but they have a CNC and mill all the cores in house. Awesome! They built a pair, but, before shipping them, Scott emailed me the following:
That level of custy service is just awesome!
I haven't skied them yet but the hand flex seems right on the money. Stiffer than stock by ~20-30% overall and maybe 40-50% in the tail. And the woodgrain topsheet is as gorgeous as ever. Now I just need to figure out how to ski 400 days/year for the next ten years to kill my current pair.
Sounds money. That was my biggest gripe with the Billygoats. Too soft of a tail. I liked my Wrenegades more.
2016/2017 - ON3P SKIS Thread (Finally)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
PowTron
When do you beaters do BBI again? I could arrange for something to happen if I have some notice.
There's also the Jackson Hole version in early March...
