^^^^[emoji1320]....since u have Kendo...get K108 for shits and giggles.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
NE ice- Kendo
NE fresh snow/crud buster- K108
NE Tour- Blaze 106?
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^^^^[emoji1320]....since u have Kendo...get K108 for shits and giggles.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
NE ice- Kendo
NE fresh snow/crud buster- K108
NE Tour- Blaze 106?
The M102 is a great daily...Blaze 106 for dawn patrol freshies. I really like my M102.
I really want the katana and I know the 102 is a baller. Have a w99 mounted tech but may end up skinning the resort more this year with the bug going around. Fucking carbon skis blow on NE hardpack, so the 99 may be decommissioned.
Blaze 106 and Katana seems redundant
I can’t imagine how often you would miss the Katana at an Eastern resort if the M102 was your daily.
And on those softer days, ski the Blaze 106 in the morning?
Blaze and katana seem redundant why? They seem completely different in build and in desired use.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
I’d buy the katana and the 106 to add to the quiver. I don’t own a ski less then 100 except my Ova for low tide skin tours. I have a 107 and 110 that are my go to touring and then for the resort days I have a 100, 108, 107, and another 108. I ski east coast.
In all honesty I’d buy the mantra and the katana both.
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I thought about keeping the M102 when I got the new K108, but couldn't justify - they're so similar (caveat - I have yet to ski the K108 but same construction, same sidecut, same ski but 6mm wider can't be very different other than the width). If it's soft then I'll be on the K108, and if it's crusty and hard I'll be on something other than the M102.Quote:
Originally Posted by SoVT Joey
The Blaze and Katana are vastly different skis than the 2mm difference in width belies.
Re: redundant I guess I was focused more on width than construction, they're very different. I also have a legend x106 so that gets to be a crowded spot in my current quiver. Although this is a quiver realignment exercise..
And I've got a lotus 120 spoon so there's that
leaning towards blaze 106 w tecton and Katana but in a shorter length than my x106
EDIT: 102 is going to get the nod over Katana, just more usable around here
I have brand new 184s up in gear swap
Bumping to see if there any more thoughts on forward mounts.
177s just showed up today.
They are replacing E100s and Collective 105s, both 180ish for lift serve skiing in the NE.
The mount looks far back, but not as far back as my Vectors.
Happy to give up top end speed for easier pivoting in tight trees. Thinking +1.
Any input?
All I can say is mine are mounted on the line and I like it there. I have four days on them so far this season and I really like this ski. Edges as well as the M5's but has a little more oomph in the chop, which is exactly what I wanted. Pivots quickly, carves well, very intuitive. Makes me psyched for low tide early season skiing. That said, I've never been one to mess with mount points, so take it with a grain of salt.
I said before mine are mounted +1. Take this with a grain of salt because I’m a beater, but I like them +1 because it makes it less likely my slightly too old to heal well ass will make traumatic contact with snow while I’m attempting to learn exciting tricks in the park like hitting jumps and landing without hurting myself.
In terms of on the ground performance - I have gotten occasional hooking which is either tune (possibly fixed this year), technique/laziness or being a bit forward on the non-traditional side cut. High speed stability is quite satisfactory still in general and the weird behavior is rare and seems most common on roads or other low angle terrain where it doesn’t matter much.
Have no regrets on the +1 even with the occasional hookiness.
If anyone is curious about sizing, the 184 M102 is about 1cm longer than 2012-2014 184 metal Katanas (which run way longer than 2011 and earlier Katanas). But the M102 has more tip and tail splay, so it probably skis shorter.
First day on my 191s today.
For those keeping tabs, I mounted them +1 for a 320 bsl but have a 325 so puts me @ +0.75cm.
Heavy file detune to tips n tails.
Short version : Super stoked.
Great blend of stiffness, energy, and turn shape versatility.
Pleasantly surprised by the amount of rebound from a relatively low camber ski too.
Last three years the 190 QLab has dominated the no new snow, frontside quiver slot. M102 has 95% of the beef but is decidedly more versatile and intuitive. Looks like I’ve found the usurper.
Will report back after more days and a little bit of carnal knowledge but great first date.
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Kind of a random question but... someone had posted 102/191s for sale in GS but misspelled Volkl. I clearly remember this but cannot find the thread. Sure their long gone but thought I'd try. Anyone have a lead?
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First day this season on my 184 M102’s today...mostly inbounds/frontside skiing. Love how they behave on hard pack. These may be the most intuitive Mantra I have ever skied. They rail on hard pack. Feel like they have no speed limit. Yet, they have this innate looseness in off piste conditions that is even better than the full rocker Mantra.
My 184’s are mounted on the line with Warden 13 demos. Perfect mount point IMO. Would love to try the 191 on a bigger mountain. My local hill (Stevens Pass) just runs out of room too quickly, so the versatile 184 fits my needs better.
Curious- how far back did you detune?Quote:
Originally Posted by SeatownSlackey
skied a day on mine without touching them, but definitely will detune.
Detune? Man I haven't detuned a ski since the early 2000's when skis kept getting shorter and the detuning area kept getting smaller.
That said i did forget to base bevel my edges once after a stone grind and, wow, thought I'd forgotten how to ski. Turns out I must have beveled one ski twice but not the other.
I found no need to detune my M102s. Don't seem hooky to me.
I’m detuned about 15 cm down from tops and maybe 12cm up from the tail.
Added that detail as I’ve found having extra sharp edges at the widest points on the tip and tails hinders release more than it provides improved edge grip.
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So can we all agree now that the M102 is savvy on hard snow / front side environments.
I mean, if people are detuning their extremities for added release value over edge hold, it’s clear that that tune trick is to benefit hard snow performance.
We’re tuning the M102 as our hard snow ski now?
I don’t disagree. I’m actually laughing in agreement.
+1...I performed a very similar detune on mine. With the very dense maritime snowpack of the PNW, it makes a big difference when off trail and in tight spots.Quote:
Originally Posted by SeatownSlackey
My pair ended up at +1.3.
I went back and forth between on the line and +1, before asking the shop to drill them on the line. They then proceeded to mess it up, which for Pivot mounts means no minute modifications is feasible. Oh well, they will probably ski just fine at +1.3 too - especially given my experiences thus far on MVWs.
I have yet to ski them. They will be my new low tide rippers. I have high hopes for them :) Will detune a bit before I ski them re the feedabck above. :)
Well, I just ruined things for my 16-yo yesterday. I let him ski my 184 M102’s...and he loves them. He loves that they ski so stable and he said “I love that tail! I can get so much power out of it!” Well, looks like I need to find another pair of 184’s since I love these skis, too. He told me to sell his 185 Enforcer 100’s to fund the search.
Also, I made him ski them on the line. [emoji6]
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My 177s are about 7mm forward. Ski great, but have only used on harpack.
I must admit to being somewhat sceptical if these would be able to live up to all thehype TGR and Blister/Paul Forward have delivered. I have also thought that perhaps I made the wrong choice when I sold my ON3P Wrenegade96ti before trying these.
I need not have worried.
Mantra102s - 177, mounted at +1.3cm with Pivots - are simply sensational on hard snow. I am not sure if the 3x radius thingy has anything going for it yet (I am not a short turn type of guy, so I do not really care how well they do that). The skis have a higher speed limit than I do on groomers. The tails release effortlessly regardless of speed or where in the turn one is. You def do not need to be an expert to have a lot of fun on these on harder snow, though a preference for high edge angles and big arcs does not hurt. They are freaking amazing at high speeds doing huge arcs. I cannot wait to take these to a more groomer specific resort with more vertical.
They seem to be a tiny bit more of a handful in skied-out variable, though not what I would describe as punishing.
So in closing - TGR - thanks for making me aware of these slayers. My quest for a worthy low tide slayer is officially completed, at least for the foreseeable future, even if I am more than a bit curious for what devilry Völkl will deliver in the rumored new 2022 Mantra M6.
What's your BSL?Quote:
Originally Posted by kid-kapow
Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
293 - Lange XT3 130s in 25.5.
As previously mentioned the +1.3cm mount is not by design - the shop did something weird / messed up when they drilled them. Seems fine though.
10-4, was going to demo a pair at +1 before I drill mine but sounds like it works there and my boot is smaller than yours by 8mm.Quote:
Originally Posted by kid-kapow
thx
I went back and forth and back and forth on the same question (on the line or +1), but I am very happy that I ended up where I did in spite of the shop's attempt to drill them on the line ;)
While I am a pretty ardent “on the line” advocate, there is a big enough sweet spot on this ski that you could go forward and still retain the overall feel of the ski.Quote:
Originally Posted by ticketchecker
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Tx, I don't want to lose everything you guys promised this thing is seeing as how I bought the ski I wanted at a good price and all. :biggrin:Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
Damn, saw your quiver pics dood. I may come crawling back to you for those 138's some day, they look happy though with all their new friends.
If there are anybody out there who are hesitant to get on m102s because they think they are super demanding, well rest assured that they are not - even if they kinda demand that you are able and willing to stay on edge at speed.
I currently have a bit of a woobly left knee, not sure why - but I am trying to have it not blow up completely. So today I made the swith after one run today from my ON3P Woodsman108 182s - as they were more ski than my knee could handle, just a painfest - and got on my m102 177s. The m102s remained on my feet for the rest of the day without any issues. I think that is about as strong an endorsement I can provide of how well mannered, predictable and easy to manipulate these skis are. They are simply awesome imho. My left knee approves.
Two hours on the M102 today. Great ski. For reference I normally ski the enforcer 110 191 about 4-5mm back on the mount. Borrowed my buddies 184 M102 and mount put me at about +2 or 3 mm. Fantastic balanced powerful skis. Not hard to ski, fun in soft bumps. More powerful charging cut up groomers than the enforcer. Really enjoyed it. Will probably buy, this is like the enforcer but goes to 11. Skis like the middle sidecut of 20m and didn’t notice any weirdness of the tri sidecut. Carves a real train track turn very nicely.
Just got a ship notice today from Corbett's for last year's M102s.
The M102 and Enforcer Free 104 will be my low snow inbounds Whistler combo.
Will be interesting as the majority of skis I've been on since around 2010 have all been mounted at -6cm.
Likely going to the at least the +2cm line.
Pumped!
Anyone been on this and the Kastle MX99? Suppose I'm debating the 191 Mantra vs 184 Kastle
I love how we both ski the PNW and coastal snowpack and have ended up with nearly identical quivers. M102’s, Rustler 11’s, Menace Pr-oto’s, and Enforcer 104’s.Quote:
Originally Posted by kc_7777
I know you have a tendency to like forward mounts, but the M102 is surprisingly loose feeling in soft, variable snow...on the line. Mine do have demo bindings on them, so one of these days I may play with the mount point and see if I am missing anything. [emoji6]
i've skied a couple of days on my 184 mantra 102 on the line. I had to admit I'm a little underwhelmed. I'm not sure if it's where they are mounted or my size (5/9-170) but i haven't been able to feel any energy or reponsiveness out of them. Not that the tail is too stiff or punishing just overly damp maybe? are they fast and good in crud? yes. maybe i should be on the shorter size? anyone else having this experience? should I remount a little further forward?
I'm about your size and I'm on the 177, mounted on the line. Had a day yesterday on them where I really feel like I got to put them through the ringer on four inches of two-day-old chop and bumps with a hardpack subsurface, on legit 2,000-foot vertical fall lines, and I really felt like the skis did everything I wanted them to do with very little effort on my part. I just felt totally in control and confident, easily transitioning between turns with a lot of energy. One thing I will say is I put a 1/1 base and side-edge bevel on them the other day and that seems to really be working well for me. The factory edge bevels are 1/2, which is slightly sharper on the side edge, and although I never noticed them being hooky, others mentioned they detuned a bit. In any case, 1/1 is definitely where I want to be from now on.
ETA: As others have mentioned, the 177 is comparable in size to 180 among other brands, so your 184's are probably more like a 187. I usually try to buy as close to 180 as I can get, and in this case I'm glad I sized down.
great feedback thanks. normally 180-184 is my sweet spot. must have missed that these ski long.
i also have the OG Corvus in a 175 and updated Corvus in 183 so splitting time between them to try to figure things out.