Mavens’ vs. Toons’

**jmpilo** · 04-09-2009, 05:40 PM

Has anyone skied both the Bluehouse Maven’s and the K2 Pontoon’s? After reading the reviews, I am torn between the two and am looking for a mainly Powder oriented ski

I’m currently skiing the 09 ObSETHed really like it but it it’s a bit short for me I’d like to keep the ObSETHed and widen my quiver to include a longer powder oriented ski.

Any input would be appreciated, thanks

**123ski** · 04-09-2009, 05:45 PM

For anything over 2 feet deep you will like them both. For mixed conditions go with the tooners. The mavens are too soft torsionally to either ski crud or groomers well. Yes, I have skied them both.

**123ski** · 04-09-2009, 05:47 PM

Oh, and you might want ton consider the Kuros..I haven't skied them yet..but maybe someone else can comment on them.

**volklpowdermaniac** · 04-09-2009, 06:07 PM

Originally Posted by 123ski

Oh, and you might want ton consider the Kuros..I haven't skied them yet..but maybe someone else can comment on them.

Kuros are a great choice. Right now only available in 185 and shorter, but next year, a 195 I hear is coming.

Similar to a toon, but stiffer IMO, normal sidecut but have the fat shovel,pin tail thing going on, Kuro is a pure pow ski that will get you back to the lift just fine. Nice balence between rocker and normal sidecut. in pow, some have said they need to be powered up, I don't find them to need to go real fast, but they will if you want them too, they are plenty poppy for any meadow skipping needs.

I fucking love it, durability is a little bit of an issue, same sidewalls that gave the katanas all the issue, mine have been repaired, topsheets take plenty of chipping, but you can do a little filing and take care of that.

Its fun as fuck, very easy to ski, its a great one direction pow ski (as oppose d to a hellbent or ep pro and such), It can stomp as well as any thing, I just haven't tried to stomp backwards with that pintail, something might get sketch there.

**jmpilo** · 04-09-2009, 07:02 PM

Thanks guys, that’s exactly the kind of input I was looking for. A “pure pow ski that will get you back to the lift” and one that will handle mixed conditions.

Funny you mentioned the Karhu’s I was just checking out the 130’s on their web site. Although, I’m not quite sure how much rocker they have. I do enjoy the slight rocker on the Seths, I find that the ski tends to ride on-top of the wind pack crap - Sastrugi a little better so I can slur my turns, feels less hooky with the rocker ski.

**mn_teleswede** · 04-09-2009, 07:24 PM

Not 100% sure, but I believe that the 2 previous posters were referring to the Volkl KURO not the Karhu 130- 2 totally different animals

**schwerty** · 04-09-2009, 07:26 PM

Don't get either. Buy some Lhasa's.

**volklpowdermaniac** · 04-09-2009, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by mn_teleskier

Not 100% sure, but I believe that the 2 previous posters were referring to the Volkl KURO not the Karhu 130- 2 totally different animals

ding ding ding. Not Karhu, KURO.

**jmpilo** · 04-09-2009, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by volklpowdermaniac

ding ding ding. Not Karhu, KURO.

oh .... my bad thanks

**tuco** · 04-09-2009, 09:37 PM

Never skied on a 'toon but if considering Bluehouse look no further than the Shoots! Fucking skis absolutely kill everything but super hard pack(icy shit)but I don't think there are any skis in this category that do. I was very surprised at how versatile this ski is. Absolutely great in pow, but in cut up shit watch out, that's when these truly shine!

**oftpiste** · 04-10-2009, 09:30 AM

My Mavens have been great for a pow ski that will get you back to the lift line no problem if you mount them at the right spot. I can carve fine (as much I'd want to on a ski that big) and though soft, the rocker and width float right up and over pretty much any cut-up stuff. I've been frequently surprised at their versatility.

I think for the kind of price you can pick them up for - vs. 'toons and others - it's a deal that can't be beat.

**jmpilo** · 04-10-2009, 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by oftpiste

I think for the kind of price you can pick them up for - vs. 'toons and others - it's a deal that can't be beat.

That's just it - I was leaning toward the Toons for next fall but can now pick up a pair of new Maven's on the cheap. - thanks

**oftpiste** · 04-10-2009, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by jmpilo

That's just it - I was leaning toward the Toons for next fall but can now pick up a pair of new Maven's on the cheap. - thanks

and even if you end up not liking them you're not completely out on a limb. Do your mounting-point research. I ended up -10 from the powder line and think I got it right, at least for me.

**PowTron** · 04-10-2009, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by jmpilo

That's just it - I was leaning toward the Toons for next fall but can now pick up a pair of new Maven's on the cheap. - thanks

how cheap? I have some prototype Mavens that are hundreds of times better then the production for CHEAP...

PM me if interested. They are stiffer then the production ones, and have some camber underfoot so they actually can handle groomers and crud.

**123ski** · 04-10-2009, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by oftpiste

My Mavens have been great for a pow ski that will get you back to the lift line no problem if you mount them at the right spot. I can carve fine (as much I'd want to on a ski that big) and though soft, the rocker and width float right up and over pretty much any cut-up stuff.

That is interesting because I have found that out of any rockered ski I have skied on they are one of the worst skis on icy groomers. They carve alright on hardpack but not "fine". They ski deep pow really really well. They ski deep pow backwards really really well. But unless by "cut-up" stuff you mean deep pow that has only been skied a few times before you, these things are some of the worst rockered skis I have ever used in crud/mank. But, that is just my opinion and I have heard both sides of the board for the Maven.

**oftpiste** · 04-10-2009, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by 123ski

That is interesting because I have found that out of any rockered ski I have skied on they are one of the worst skis on icy groomers. They carve alright on hardpack but not "fine". They ski deep pow really really well. They ski deep pow backwards really really well. But unless by "cut-up" stuff you mean deep pow that has only been skied a few times before you, these things are some of the worst rockered skis I have ever used in crud/mank. But, that is just my opinion and I have heard both sides of the board for the Maven.

I would never choose to ski them on icy groomers, but on groomed snow that is at all edge-able I really don't have a problem getting them on edge, which - every time I do it - surprises me because they're so goddam fat under my feet! It's also the only rockered ski I've ever been on so I don't have a lot to compare too.

Early in the season I was intimidated by them thinking they'd be really bad in anything but fresh pow, but once I got out on them I have to say they exceeded my expectations in all areas, especially getting back to the lift line. As for crud and mank, well, nothing skis that well under those conditions, but all things considered, unless the mank is refrozen, crusy or something, I've just not found them problematic at all. Maven's, like many others are indeed a tool for a specific purpose but I have not felt like I had to give up everything else to get good powder performance.

For me there's always an economic tradeoff. I wanted a rockered ski and that was not going to happen at a high price. These fit the bill perfectly and I've enjoyed them. Again, I think that getting the mount right is critical for these.

**fish85** · 04-10-2009, 11:13 AM

I have skied both the Maven's and the toons. Both are pretty much unsinkable. At the correct mount, the mavens have the best pure powder performance out of any ski I've tried. The completely flat camber and narrow nose give them almost a full r/r feeling with added fload and stability in the deep stuff. The toons are less surfy due to the wide nose and narrow tail. I think the toons get more hooky in the tracked up deep. Both skis are super soft and get knocked around in anything other than really soft snow. If you have to ski long groomers to the lift and you're not at an area that gets dumped on a lot, I probably would be looking at other options than these two skis.

Here is a video of both in action yesterday: http://tetongravity.com/forums/showthread.php?t=156997

**123ski** · 04-10-2009, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by oftpiste

It's also the only rockered ski I've ever been on so I don't have a lot to compare too.

As for crud and mank, well, nothing skis that well under those conditions, but all things considered, unless the mank is refrozen, crusy or something, I've just not found them problematic at all.

Thats your problem right there, once you get on something that handles Crud/Mank really well..you won't want to go back. You are right though, the price point on the Maven is hard to beat, and it skis great for what you pay.

**jmpilo** · 04-10-2009, 05:37 PM

Fish, thanks for sharing, appreciate your insight, and LOVED the lip hit b-flip!

**gaijin** · 04-11-2009, 10:02 PM

I have 20 or so days on my Mavens and have zero durability issues, fwiw. I have found, however, that the bases needed to be flattened by my shop and a fresh wax is required every day. I have had some non-wax days treat me quite miserably. I think those bases require a bit of work, imo. I would prefer a fast base material versus a durable one.

Right now, 350 (which is sick) for end-of-the-season unloading suggests that BH is updating their lineup. I bought early season discount for Japan trees and have fallen in love. There are a few things I would change in the next design for crud, but as far as new snow is concerned- they're perfect.

I mounted 88cm from the tail (~~ -3.5cm) with STH 16s with no regrets. I never ski switch, just trees.

Thread: Mavens’ vs. Toons’

Thread Tools

Rate This Thread

Mavens’ vs. Toons’

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

We proudly support: