Salomon Rocker2

[Professor]

Bump for more info from Alka after he skis them, which was supposed to be this weekend?

[Alkasquawlik]

Bump for more info from Alka after he skis them, which was supposed to be this weekend?

Still waiting....

[meatdrink9]

I grabbed mine from the office today. Super cool looking ski both in terms of dimensions and graphics. The tip is really unique. It actually doesn't have any metal edge for probably 8-10 inches up front. I guess it's actually honeycombed in the tip and tail reduce swing weight as well. The portions of the metal edge just before and after the gap are heavily de-tuned. Flex feels really lively in both tip and tail, but super solid under foot. I think it would be just about impossible to hook an edge on these things.

I guess Abma has been mounting them centered and Douglas slightly back of that. I'll mount these up either today or tomorrow and have a report back in a few days.



The gap between metal edges.

[SeatownSlackey]

these look very interesting. Still don't get why they kept the rocker moniker when clearly these are entirely different skis then the old rocker?

[Professor]

Cant wait to hear how they ski, but that lack of edge concerns me. I would think catching a rock right where it ends in the tip would likely be the end of that ski. Kind of like why they started putting metal edges all the way around snowboards way back in the day.

[El Chupacabra]

Is the tail missing all that edge too?

I suppose it would reduce swing weight, but at what cost to durability?

[klauss]

Edge still goes a ways up if you compare to these pics from page one

[meatdrink9]

There's no metal edge on that portion of the tail of the ski either. I believe the neon greenish color you see is the honeycombed material. It's in the tail too.

The skis do feel really light for their size. I may have this wrong, but they mentioned something about the tip having "kicker" for deflection. New concept to me, but I guess this was relayed from Douglas. Definitely excited to take them for a spin.

[Professor]

From the original pictures, I cant tell just how much tip has an edge or not. Just too hard to tell what is an edge and what is glare on the plastic. If it is only a bit of the tip that doesnt have edge, no big deal. If it is close to what portion actually contacts the snow, that is where it could be a problem. Just my $.02 anyway and still waiting to see real reports since I think this ski could be a lot of fun.

[D(C)]

These look sweet and, unlike my pre-ordered Renegades, actually exist. Canceling my order and going for these is getting tempting...

I also wonder how similar they are to Bent Chetlers since both are from the same parent company. If they're anything like the Chetlers, they should be sweet.

[nickwm21]

Is the tail missing all that edge too?

I suppose it would reduce swing weight, but at what cost to durability?

LibTech boards have no edge on the tip and tail, the base runs flush into the topsheet. I was told that there is some cost to durability but it is equalized by an easier fix, no messy bent edges to deal with. Also it is supposed to eliminate hookyness

I have always wondered why no1 in the ski industry has tried this... Now that Solly is doing it it will be interesting to see how it works out. I like their design better than libtechs... They have edges where needed, no edges where one would detune, and heavy duty edges at the tip/tail for durability. Libtech just has no edge from the end of the sidecut on.

[Angel]

Hmm, the tips look like they could become durability issues. Seems similar to the Lib Tech snowboards I've seen come into the shop without wrap around edges. These have had a continuous problem of the edge wanting to pull out from the base from where they stopped it. I would be interested to see where the edge actually stops in comparison to the contact point of the tips and tails. If it stops too close to the contact point it seems to hurt durability quite a bit.

[meatdrink9]

I'll try to get some more photos up tonight. I'll snap some profile pics and draw lines to show where the edges start and stop.

[Professor]

^^^ Thanks Meat, that would be awesome.

[spaztwelve]

Hmmm...a cap ski with incomplete edges in a place where durability matters. I just don't get it. There are so many other skis on the market with simlar dimensions and much sturdier construction (do you folks really like full cap skis?)

Just my opinion...

[Professor]

^^^ there is a difference between a normal cosmetic cap (ala K2) and a moncoque design like Salomon uses. However, the bottom line is I have always liked the way Salomons ski and have never been disappointed by them except when I folded an AK Rocket in half

[Alkasquawlik]

Hmmm...a cap ski with incomplete edges in a place where durability matters. I just don't get it. There are so many other skis on the market with simlar dimensions and much sturdier construction (do you folks really like full cap skis?)

Just my opinion...

Hey Spazt, just out of curiosity, how do you know for a fact that they're aren't a sturdily built as other skis? Don't mean to incite, just curious as to how one comes to that idea since it's a new product.

Oh and back to topic, got mine in the mail today. Pysched!

[TheDon]

So purdy!!! Why the crap can't we get them now??!!!

[RaccoonFace]

Oh and back to topic, got mine in the mail today. Pysched!

Hey Alka, when you decide to get rid of these I'd be willing to buy just the 2 white skis... If you ever decide.



okbye
TMRF

[Alkasquawlik]

So purdy!!! Why the crap can't we get them now??!!!

In addition to the Salomon store, Porterstahoe.com should have them soon as well.

So they're not entirely absent from the market, just slow getting there as of right now.

Raccoon- That's a good idea.

[tombre2]

heres a photo showing where the edges stop. Same proportions on the tail of the ski

Also noticed when i got my skis back after having them mounted that they're not aligned. It's about 1cm difference give or take a little bit. Is it worth going and getting it remounted or will the screw holes be too close and possibly cause failure? Not impressed at all to say the least.

[The Dad]

So Alka, since we've got your attention...

How 'bout that indemnification list?

[TheDon]

heres a photo showing where the edges stop. Same proportions on the tail of the ski

Also noticed when i got my skis back after having them mounted that they're not aligned. It's about 1cm difference give or take a little bit. Is it worth going and getting it remounted or will the screw holes be too close and possibly cause failure? Not impressed at all to say the least.

Did you get them mounted at a shop? If so they owe you a new pair of skis bro.

Make sure when you measure them you pull a line from the tip or tail to the binding and compare. Be sure before you go in there asking them to face the music.

[meatdrink9]

Well since I made the diagram I'll post it up anyway.



The extra sexy mount job by GT40 and I (notice the white and black bindings):

[iggyskier]

I really don't think you are going to see any significant decrease in durability with the edge only running so far. UHMW is a pretty strong material and once you get past a certain point in the rocker, the the edge just isn't really doing anything. As long as the edge isn't pulling out, I think you'll be fine. We've talked about doing something similar in a new large pow ski we've been working on. Our goals have mostly been focused on decreasing weight in what is a pretty huge ski, but it will also help the tips from being so hooky. We haven't tested this out on snow yet, so can't comment from personal experience, but for a pow oriented ski I think it can definitely work.