Merry Christmas to you! You’re going to love them both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robik
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Merry Christmas to you! You’re going to love them both.Quote:
Originally Posted by Robik
Oh man... I'm trying hard not to gift myself some kendo's right now.
Totally don't need but kinda want.
And it's so low tide around my parts these days it's even more tempting.
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I gifted myself some M102s for Christmas and ended up with something similar:Quote:
Originally Posted by Robik
Attachment 439992
Almost looks Christmas themed! [emoji319]Quote:
Originally Posted by Merlyn
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I just added the Blaze 106 to the quiver (to replace the delaminating 100Eights).
TigerShark 11 ft 175
Kendo 184
Bridge 179 (rock skis at this point)
Blaze 106 186
100Eight 181
The Kendos are my daily driver east coast ski. The TigerSharks are pretty much relegated to the “skating rink” days. The Blaze will be for the softer EC days and my “small” ski for any western trips (small because I’ll bring my OG Pontoons if there’s a chance I can use them).
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4a32b9d02d.jpg
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...546d767b55.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...5081797f38.jpg
Anyone have any experience with the Rise Beyond 96 and/or the Blaze 94 as a dedicated touring ski? I'm trying to decide between that and the Blaze 94 as a new, dedicated touring ski. I'm a fairly big human (6', 215+) and want to have a light setup that isn't going to totally for the downs. I plan/hope to do moderate length tours, but realistically I don't tour that often and don't do super long days in the BC.
I would mount the Rise with a Vipec for now (because I have them on hand) or do an Alpinist/Trab on the Blaze (because that ski is cheaper so I'll have the extra money) so weights would be similar. I like the idea of the Rise for the up, but I'm worried I'll overpower the ski and/or it will be an annoying light touring ski. Conversely, I like the shape and weight of the Blaze, but my touring nerd friend tells me that ~1550g is far too heavy for walking.
Thoughts? Am I crazy for doing Alpinists on the Blaze?
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Skied M102 last season and loved it, tried M5 today and also dug it. Great skis.
As luck would have it I have the Blaze 94 with Ski Trab Vario 2 bindings, so I might be able to help a bit. Due to the lack of snow here at the moment I have been using this setup quite a lot, even within the resort (I don't want to trash my Kendos). It skis really well for the weight, and the Blaze is very versatile in a wide range of snow conditions.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArbez
I am a couple of inches taller than you, but quite a bit lighter, and I find the Blaze to be a nice compromise of weight and strength for touring. I do have a lighter touring set-up for spring and for fitness, but for enjoying the ski down the Blaze is a different world (though the boots contribute to this as well).
I have not skied the Rise 96. I would love to try it, as it might work well as a way to thin down my quiver when I need to replace the Blaze, but I suspect that at that point I will have to give up ever using it inbounds.
Ultimately if the overall weight of the set-up will be the same I would go with the Blaze, especially when you are a fair bit heavier than me. I think that you will apreciate the extra strength on the down. If you could get the Rise and combine it with the lighter binding then maybe it would be worth having another conversation, but if the weight is the same I would go with the stronger ski and save the weight on the bindings.
A lot of people do big days touring with much heavier set-ups than you are looking at, so I would not stress too much.
One last thought would be whether you have done much research about Alpinist vs Ski Trab. My friends who have had Alpinist talk about them having their quirks, and certainly the Ski Trabs do as well. I love the Ski Trabs (I've just bought a second pair), but they have fairly low risers, and when used with the brake they do not have a flat mode. They work for me, but it just depends upon your needs.
Good luck.
2023 mantra 102 - Has anyone been on it yet? I love the og m102. The og in 184 (with forza pivots - looks sick) has been my favorite ski the past few years, but thinking of adding the new version for slower skiing and bumps, with kids, east days. IÂ’m on east coast but also thinking of using it as my low tide ski for trips out west to replace a kastle fx 96/106 ti (would bring a 115 underfoot too).
^^^
I hope to have my new sticks' clamps on today.
Will report back...2023 M102 191.
Exciting! Looking forward to your impressions.Quote:
Originally Posted by Djongo Unchained
Not different enough to warrant it. Go trash your 1st gen on some rocks first. Like I did.Quote:
Originally Posted by MD12
Thanks for sharing your experience with the Blaze and the Varios! Super helpful to hear about how the skis have worked for you. I will look into the Alpinist quibbles - do you mind sharing a synopsis of what your friends have experienced?Quote:
Originally Posted by Mountain Relish
Anyone else have experience with the Rise?
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I am sorry but it was quite a while ago, so I cannot remember all the details. I just remember low risers and annoying brakes were both been mentioned.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArbez
I think that you’ll find lots of useful info in the 300g binding thread on here [emoji106]
I've got Blaze 94 in a 186 as a 50/50 ski mounted with light telemark bindings. I wouldn't hesitate to mount them with a light AT binding as a dedicated touring ski either.Quote:
Originally Posted by TheArbez
They'd ski real nice with vipecs too I would think.
The Blaze weighs about the same as the BMT 94 putting touring bindings on it makes more sense than resort bindings IMO.
Chiming in on the Blaze 94. I got a pair of last year's in a 179 (6" 180lbs., old) and put Zed 12's on them which I were previously mounted on a pair of 177 Mantra V Werks. Using the Blazes as my dedicated touring ski. I haven't skied them all that much (Vermont skiing 22-23 no bueno so far) but I like them better than the V Werks Mantras in that they are much easier going. They are lighter and 6 mm narrower than the Mantras and a lot easier to get into and out of the turns (softer and none of the stiff carbon feel). Ski very nicely on piste and great in the one day of soft snow. I've got a couple of touring trips to the Alps coming up in March and April and am feeling really good about my gear set up for that.
Just bought a pair of blaze 86 for $349 CDN... will either put some super light touring bindings on them for fitness and longer tours, or some attack2s for low tide / moguls / teaching my son / taking it easy in the resort.
Narrowest ski I've owned in years but it still has the mild rocker profile and triple radius that I love on other volkls.
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How are folks liking the “new” Volkl 3D radius side cuts for skiing the steep and not-so-deep?
I have had some bad experiences in the past with multiple-radius skis not tracking in parallel, when skiing across the fall line. However, it was only a major issue on steeper slopes when my downhill foot was weighting the middle of the ski and my uphill foot was weighting the back of the ski.
I am currently considering the Blaze 86 or 94 for a spring couloir ski, however I am thinking that 3D radius side cut may not be ideal for that application.
^^^ what do you mean by "new"?
My blaze 106 and katana 108 and last years model and I absolutely love the 3D radius. It's a game changer for me, in a good way.
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By “new”, I mean since ~2019. It seems like the vast majority of Volkl skis have been revised since 2019 to include a 3D radius side cut.
Last Volkl skis that I skied were the 2017 Mantras and BMT 108s, both of which were full rocker and single radius.
I have the K108, M102, M6, and the new Kendo. I’ve used all of them on steep, hard snow traverses without incident or problematic edging problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl_H
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl_H
Don’t ski with that much weight on your uphill foot would probably be a start.
The blaze would be a perfect application for that use in my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by Karl_H
A long effective edge available to you but not hooky or punishing.
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And don’t size down.
Anyone have any experience on a 2014-2015 Kendo?
I blew up my Fischer Motive 86's on Saturday and found a pair of lightly used Kendo's locally for $150 (CAD).
I'm thinking they will be a good place holder until I can sort out what I want next.
The only hitch is that the bindings are mounted for a size bigger so I may be 0.5 forward, they are the 184s.
They’re traditionally shaped 89 under foot Volkls with a full layer of metal. They tweak them every now and then, but you know what you’re getting. For $150, just buy them, give them a proper tune, and ski them. 0.5cm forward means nothing on such a rearward mount.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Tortoise
Did a remount to my M102 191 cms. They were forward of the rec line(most rearward line) by 12mm. I knew immediately on day one that I should of just stuck with the rec line. So after about 1/2 a dozen days of use went for the remount to the rec line. The way to go for me. 6' and 215lbs. ymmv. Truly amazing skis for sure.
Having a good time on these Kendos here in NEPA during this crap winter…have been skiing them on 100% man made gun powder.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandit Man
These have a real smoothness to them. Lots of different turn shapes/really holds a nice long edge but can also have a nice pop into the next short turn…Very easy to ski…I am glad I got them/ I will probably ski them more than intended.
Despite my Moment 2 ski quiver…..I guess I am still a “Volkl guy”.
Just here to remind everyone that the M102 is a ridiculously good ski.
They ended up coming with a good tune on them, with STH 13 bindings.Quote:
Originally Posted by kootenayskier
The mount is 0.75 cm forward, hopefully it's not an issue.
For $150, it seemed hard to go wrong. They are replacing a pair of Motive 86's that I liked in soft snow but never really loved on anything firm.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...d25d79f934.jpg
A steal at that price. Enjoy.Quote:
Originally Posted by The Tortoise
I can confirm that the newest version is ridiculously good too. Spent two days on it and was surprised how much more energy and forgiveness it had even at lower speeds - much more dynamic ski, jumping around tight moguls etc. great in soft snow and firm conditions. I like it more than the older version. Didn’t notice a drop off in stability at higher speeds but I didn’t push it quite as hard as I’ve pushed the older version quite yet.Quote:
Originally Posted by ASP
I finally got the new M102's mounted and got healthy enough to go out and roll them for the past 3 days.
Some impressions:
I went out planning on sticking to groomers early, still smooth and easy before the peeps get moving, trying to not jack a recent nerve issue in my back.
Contrary to the initial plan, I immediately go faster than I want, quite comfortably. It's just that they were so easy right outta the gates that I kinda let em go. 55 mph on their first run.
They are interesting in that they feel like a full on GS ski, but they handle fairly nimbly. Matter of fact, I'm thinking nimbleness and agility may be a highlight of this ski.
If I'm right, it may be the droid I've been looking for.
A big mountain charger that doesn't trade down in performance for a bit more catlike personality.
So i'm banging around fast on the cord and carving like a sonofagun. The sharp edges are a treat. I detuned the T&T's hard, but a truebar just before snow showed edge high rails fore and aft, nbd.
Arcing the shit outta the cord and turning up the speed until the daily average was pert high.
Booking everywhere, as piles shaped, they blast everything.
Maybe a tad of deflection at mach offa bumps but damp and predictable response. It's not gonna pull you off in some rando direction easily.
A coupla inadvertant bump launches offered a smooth airtime and easy confident land n go's.
This ski breeds confidence if you push it. Although I've only had it feel wonky a coupla times going unpushy...
And therein lies what I think/hope may be its secret, it has reined in some of the tougher aspects of a true GS er.
I'm finding that this ski can pivot amazingly and the ability to alter that pivot radius almost instantaneously is most excellent.
On the smooth you can be in a 30m turn and change it to 16 in one arc then let them push back out into a 40m accelerator like it's nothing.
But off piste is where this ski really seems to shine for me.
Crudbusting has a kinda unique feel in that I'm standing on a dimensionally perfect platform and very well self centering.
Like that bounce offa the diving board when you nail the bounce and have a perfect boing!
I find myself in that position 95% of the time on these.
Slowing down for big carvy bumps is maybe the magic moment tho.
If ya pick a bigger line, maybe a 3 bump spread, you can let them manhandle the ripple while staying in control of the carve.
They will pivot offa the high point sooooooooo easily, I'm finding it rather uncanny, tbh.
Maybe it's the lighter tip and tail, but for a 191, them floppers go from side to side damn quickly.
I was talked up into the M102 from my first choice, the M6, which I had demoed last spring.
Having zero fucking regrets about thaaaat decision.
I was trying to ski a 1on/1off schedule to rehab the back nerves.
3 days in a row and I don't wanna take a day off.
I'm amazed these skis aren't beating me up more. They let me finesse my way outta trouble, rather than wrestling my way out.
^^^ Nice!
Regarding a little edge high at the tips and tails... I have actually noticed that on every new pair of volkls I've bought in the last couple of years (4 pairs).
I just reset the edge bevels to 1 degree in those areas... part of why I even noticed this very minor amount of edge high is because my 1 degree bevel file doesn't do anything under foot but it does file some edge down at the extremities.
There's probably still a small void area of the base in those areas but I've noticed no grabbing on any of those pairs.
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Anyone ski the revolt 114 yet?
Or the new Katana V-werx?!
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What changed with the Katana vwerks?
I just say SkiTalk's presentation of Völkl 23/24 lineup, and it did not look like the KVW had changed at all. If it did then I could not tell from afar, nor had its dimensions changed. So it seems most likely that it returns unchanged for 23/24Quote:
Originally Posted by rob stokes
Apparently it's been tweeked with some taper. There's talk about it on some gear previews I've seen.
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