Well, not entirely true. You will all just have to wait a bit to see what may or may not be changing :)
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Any chance of demos coming through Montana? Pretty please?
An unfortunate hole conflict will force me 1cm forward or back from the line on my BGs from 12/13. I'm leaning towards back. Anyone have experience? 176 tour layup, tour setup.
Back. Easier kick turns and better float on a short ski.
Yeah, sub 4 lbs/ski (1814 grams/ski) with thick bases & edges, full length sidewalls, 100% bamboo core, and a carbon/glass hybrid layup just isn't going to happen. The pairs we built in January came in around 2250 grams/ski, so the change to a different bamboo isn't going to come close to making up that different.
We've only had a few pairs come all the way through finishing thus far and they are coming in around 2120 grams/ski (184cm) and 2000 grams/ski (174cm), which is about what I expected considering all we changed was the bamboo. Really small sample set thus far, though, so maybe we see it shift slightly either way.
For what it is worth, our priority is still durability and the ride down, so until we are willing to cut the base & edge thickness back to what everyone else is using, go to a CAP or wood sidewall, and move away from a 100% bamboo core, we just won't get there. That ski also won't ski like an ON3P, so again, not our focus. We'll start testing full carbon skis this year, to see if we find something we like, but we like how our skis ride and maintaining those characteristics is paramount in all of our ski development. Lots of companies out there are trying to make the lightest ski they can. Our focus for the tour/steeple line is a lighter version of an ON3P ski, which still places emphasis on durability and the feel of the ski. If sub 8 lbs/pair is really your focus, lots of options out there.
Yes we will definitely be in Montana again this year. Big Sky for sure. Not sure besides that, but the demo tour is currently in planning and we will be running our factory fleet all over the western US from December through April along with a smaller fleet in CO and in the NE after SIA.
How big are you?
Man, maybe it was because I was just breaking in my own pair of 191 billy goats, maybe it was because I rode them inbounds on variable snow, but I just did not like the steeple 112 189 at all. Would need more runs in different conditions, but I was all too happy to get back on my BG.
To anyone in the thread wondering: should I get a pair of billy goats - yes, definitely, why haven't you pulled that trigger yet. I actually like them better on groomers at speed than the bibby. The caylor bibby comparison makes sense, but that rocker length feels noticeably longer in the caylor. Takes me longer to shut the caylor down on firm snow. They were a little easier in trees and a little worse on firm than the bibby. I also really notice a difference in the smoothness of the flex between the bibby and either the caylor or BG. The on3p flex is just...velvet. It feels perfect. The companies with offerings that I find in a similar class: Folsom, praxis. I think dps and pm gear are making world class products, but they aren't as buttery on the snow as the others. Same with moment. Don't know why that is...just what I've experienced. The praxis I refer to tend to be Medium stiff.
I keep dreaming of a 186 BG with beasts to complement my 191 with p18s...for no reason other than gear lust.
It's that good.
what about Moment? In same "class" as praxis or folsom you are trying to say?Quote:
The companies with offerings that I find in a similar class: Folsom, praxis. I think dps and pm gear are making world class products, but they aren't as buttery on the snow as the others. Same with moment.
Take care.
I just don't personally like the on snow feel of moments as much as on3p, Folsom, praxis
I actually feel the same about this ski, but I know it is a preference for me...if you are using it to tour for powder, or are under 185lbs or so, the Steeple is a great choice. I really like it in soft, untouched snow and the just chopped snow. If it starts to get really cut up, post-pow refrozen, etc I prefer the BG for sure. In my opinion this is the difference between our tour layup and the traditional, more beefy layup.
Both work great, but heavy and super aggressive guys will still probably prefer the traditional ON3P layup. OR, I am just making excuses for weighing 200 lbs :)
I dunno. I weigh 165. That flex on the std layup is just so dialed for me. I wish there was a 105-110 underfoot std layup BG shape. I'd use that for a park ski preferentially to the kartel. Admittedly, I suck at riding switch...
Colorado folks:
I'll be doing a demo this upcoming weekend (Sunday 11/16) at Loveland...small version of our demo fleet with skis tailored to our current conditions, but if you haven't had a chance to try this year's product and need to get on them, here is your first chance of the season.
Hope to see some of you up there!
We will be at Big Sky for sure. We will try to do Bridger as well. It has been on our list for awhile, but the last time we tried to it fell apart at the last minute and we just haven't had a chance to make it back. Definitely on our list though. Hopefully we can get it done this year.
Looking for some verification on Kartel 106 sizing....I demoed a pair of 186 at beartooth and loved them but I'm wondering if the 181 would serve me better. I couldn't get my hands on both lengths at the demo. They felt surprisingly quick in the longer length but a buddy demoed the 176 and was surprised with how stable they were in the shorter length. I'm about 6' 150# and don't feel like I need to be on the longest length in the range. I have 186 BG's and my usual daily driver length is around 180 with either full camber or tip rocker. They will be my daily all-mountain ski in Jackson on all but the deeper days, with a bit of park mixed in.
^^Ren feels like an ON3P to me. Hoji less damp, IMO.
The on snow feel of the Ren is phenomenal. Similar to on3p, but a just the slightest bit plankier and a little (splitting hairs here) more demanding. I have std 191 billy goats. Auvgeek's wood grains are plankier than the Ren. Mine are less so. I haven't skied the hoji. The issue I had with the Ren was the narrow balance point. I like to drive skis and ski from my shins, rather than from the ball of my foot. The rens don't cooperate so well when you try to boss them around from your shin. I also can't seem to recover them on a deep day if I happen to stuff an edge under the snow. For my style, a hint of camber goes a long way.
Are you guys coming through Jackson at all for demos? I really want to try a pair of Kartel 106s. I've been on my BGs for 3 seasons now and they're still my favorite ski.
You certainly have the height for the 186, but being so lightweight, I don't think you would over ski the 181 either. As you are used to skiing skis around 180 w/ full camber or tip rocker only, I suspect effective edge on the 186 K106 is going to be comparable to what you are on. Since you are skiing Jackson, you do have the space to let the skis run a bit more, so I would probably error on the longer side. That said, the difference between the 181 and 186 is fairly small when you get down to it, so if you like one, I think you would like the other. I generally tell people to trust their gut on what length to go, as I can offer a bit of advice, but you know how you ski better than I do.
I will let the demo guys know! We will be out there for sure and would be happy to stop by. Small mountain demos are often the most enjoyable, as you get to talk with people a lot more and it isn't just a constant stream of skis in and out.
We made it to Whistler last year, and will be out there again this year. Besides that, I expect to be able to make a few demo days in the interior BC and maybe Alberta , but nothing is official as of yet. Trying to get our demo schedule up by early December.
Glad you are liking the BGs! Jackson is definitely on our wishlist and we will reach out for a demo around late Feb/Early March. That said, a lot of times the larger resorts aren't super receptive of us demoing at their mountains, so we shall see what happens (we've never contacted them about a demo before, so they might be all for it). I know Targhee is also on the list. Hopefully we can make it happen.
I've got a 'Ghee pass too so I can be there for either one! Really want a 186 Kartel 106 as my daily here,
I am with you and really looking to some reviews on these... I have 191 Billy, 186 Viciks and first gen 191 Wrens and for whatever reason this ski has my eye BIG time... I am just waiting on some 191s to be built... If you get a chance to get on them please throw up your thoughts...
I haven't skied the Kartels, just fondled at a demo last spring.
They're way jibby-er than BGs, Wrens, Viciks, etc. Not necessarily a bad thing, but they're quite a bit softer, more center mounted, more poppy, less damp, less directional shape. Think wider Jeronimo.
My GF tried them and didn't like them - not damp enough. She's a good skier but not exactly a hard charger. She loved the Jeffrey 114 though, and despite the width they make a great playful everyday ski too. Kartel is you want more of a park ski feel, Jeffrey if you want more of a directional, all-mountain, but still playful feel, Wren if you want traditional directional ski.