The Official Great Pacific Octopus Thread

[98brg2d]

Dane1 wrote: Care to share those calculations?

They are simple geometry but you need all the measurements:

Straight pull length
Straight pull tip to boot center/boot center to tail
tip contact point to boot center (or straight pull rocker length)
tail contact point to boot center (or straight pull rocker length)
straight pull contact length is good to have to confirm the calculations are correct.

PM me your email address and I can send you the spreadsheet loaded with 187 GPO, 182 Shogun, 186 Auto, 193 Auto.

[Dry]

So the DPS RPC is stiffer than the med - stiff GPO? Is that the pure 3 construction?

Just pulled them out again to verify. 192RPC is a Pure from '12/13 and the the GPO is a recent 182 Carbon. By a hand/floor flex No question the RPC is a stiffer ski over all. The GPOs are softer tip and tail but stiffen up quickly under foot. Under foot who knows which is a stiffer ski. RPC has a more uniform flex over all and a good bit stiffer. Observation not a criticism on either ski.

I am hoping the skis are similar enough on paper to be different flavors of the same dark chocolate. I have a 192 GPO coming as well in a medium+ flex. Which i am really excited to get on the snow.

FWIW I really disliked the 112RP. And really like the RPC. Everything DPS did to the RPC to enhance that ski, Keith and Drew did even more of on the GPO imo. Same recipes may be, different master chefs?

[shafty85]

Anyone able to comment on the stiff version of the GPO?

the chicken could

But will the chicken do so?

Everything DPS did to the RPC to enhance that ski, Keith and Drew did even more of on the GPO imo.

How do you mean?

[Bird Blaster]

Medium stiff is less stuff than rens

[Dry]

"Everything DPS did to the RPC to enhance that ski, Keith and Drew did even more of on the GPO imo."

How do you mean?

Start with the 112RP. IMO the RP is a soft flex (but stiff torisionally). Too soft for my own use. It has a lot of rocker in tip and tail. For the RPC they added some width under foot, made them stiffer in flex and lowered the tip and tail rocker which gave a longer ski surface and edge contact (i think) . Love the ski in 115 RPC form. Disliked the 112PC. They'll always sell more of the 112RP and then sell a lot of the 112RP owners a RPC at some point is my guess. Pretty much acknowledged by those that know the 112RP is a "beginner's ski". The RPC is one of DPS's most versital and high performance skis.

If I wanted to bump the performance of a RPC for my own use? And I am alwasy looking for the next "best" ski. At least in my mind, continue along the lines of the RPC mods. The GPO lowers the tips and tails and reduces the rocker. Make it a more progressive flex and still torsionally. For a lively and still damp ski the hybrid carbon/wood build is a good option. Little added weight over the Pure version of the RPC.

To be fair i have yet to ski on my GPOs but will shortly. Not that late season snow is going to tell me much. All the above is just paper and hand held observations. I could just as easily be full of chite about all this.

I did put my money on that bet with two pair of GPOs. One here and one coming. The only decision now is where the boot will be mounted. Praxis is making some really beautiful skis

[shafty85]

192 carbon med - stiff GPOs with sister Theresa topsheet ordered. Excited.

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[Dry]

If it isn't here already it should be



Dueling world champs Drew Tabke and Lars Chickering-Ayers at last year's Kirkwood stop of the FWT. Both on Praxis skis. PHOTO: Keith O'Meara

[easternskr]

Been following this thread for awhile and decided to go ahead and pick up a pair of GPOs. At 60, 5'10" and 155 I'm no spring chicken and not a big burly charger, but I've been looking for a ski that could handle the chop and crud as well as the untracked. I currently have the DPS Wailler 112 RP at 178. These ski great in untracked powder, and their ability to turn at slow speeds in powder make them a ton of fun when hitting the very tight trees up in Northern Vermont. However, once those freshies have been tracked up a bit the Wailers tend to bounce around a lot and I really don't like skiing them at all once that happens. I demoed a pair of Kastle BMX 108s in 178 last season and loved their ability to crush crud at any speed, and they floated fairly decently though not super great at 108 underfoot. But after reading all the good stuff about the GPOs I thought they might fit the bill even better, possibly handling the crud almost as well as the BMX but providing significantly better float too.

One question I have is about the flex. I don't like noodles but at 155 I'm not going to flex something really stiff either. Keith has recommended I go with a medium flex (in 182), with the carbon layup. What do you guys think about the medium flex? Is that still stiff enough to handle the snow once it's all cut up? As an fyi this would also be one of a pair of skis I would travel out west with each year. So, the GPOs in medium flex skiing hard down Rendevous Bowl at JH in tracked up powder. Is this the right combo? Any suggestions are very appreciated.

[sandflea]

Go medium stiff, I have both the gpo's and 112 RP. You'll probably be disappointed with the medium.

[spindrift]

My bias is to listen to Keith when it comes to his skis...

If you are so inclined, you could split the different with medium+, which Keith will do.

[easternskr]

Thanks for the replies.

I sent another email to Keith with a few more questions on the stiffness. Maybe the medium - medium/stiff would be the best bet. I'll see how Keith replies.

Things like this are always a bit difficult when you don't actually get a chance to demo something first - and this is my first pair of Praxis skis.

[hoarhey]

My bias is to listen to Keith when it comes to his skis...

If you are so inclined, you could split the different with medium+, which Keith will do.

I went with the medium+ option and it feels nicely stiff underfoot and throughout...

I'm 5'8" 165-170 lbs, 43 yo...

I also ski a 188 S7 (relatively soft) and a 190 wailer 112 rp (softish also)

I think the GPO, is a nice balance of weight/flex and should be good for skiing "fast" down Rendezvous Bowl throung untracked pow.

I'd say medium plus would be good, as would medium.

[undertow2]

My bias is to listen to Keith when it comes to his skis...

If you are so inclined, you could split the different with medium+, which Keith will do.

^^^^^^This... I completely agree... I sent him my specs and he responded and after getting my boards he was spot on and glad I listened... I have not been on the GPOs and hope to, but with your stats (size and age) I do not think Med/Stiff would be the way to go... I am 6'4", 205 lbs and 42 and Med/Stiff is what I would go with... I would listen to Keith - he designed them and built them so to me his feedback/input would be hard to beat...

[easternskr]

After a few emails with Keith we decided on the medium+ version, which should be a little stiffer then medium but not quite as stiff as medium/stiff, and should be good for my weight.

You sure can't beat being able to communicate directly with the guy who is building your skis for you. Awesome service.

And thanks to the group here too for all of the advice. Once I actually get these on snow (too many months away from now), I'll chime in too with my thoughts on how they ski.

Oh and now for that mounting issue, right now I am thinking -1 or -2. I have a tendency to really drive the boots forward and engage the tips. And I envision the GPOs as being a bit more of a charger. Though I have learned to ski more centered when on the Wailers.

I know there is a lot of discussion on this topic and I've seen lots of people commenting on mounting on the dimple, or -1, or -2, and so on. Sounds like a tough thing to agree on.

[xtrmjoe]

Just got my 192, all glass, med/stiff, powder eagle GPO's. Amazing price, service, and build as always!

Im planning sollyfit plates mounted on the line or -1. On hand flex tail seems very supportive, under foot plenty stiff, tip is exactly what i was looking for shape/rise and flex. They look like they will rail the resort and are replacing my rp112's and moment rubies for in bounds duty.

Planning to detune a lot from contact points out as with my woo 1.0's. will wait for early season reviews to finalize mount point and detune regime.

[SupreChicken]

[QUOTE=shafty85;4010461]So the DPS RPC is stiffer than the med - stiff GPOS? Is that the pure 3 construction? Anyone else able to comment on this?

The above is true.
That pure 3 RPC (only one available last year, right?) is stiff as a board. The med-stiff gpos are a touch softer than I would like...but they snap and pop nicely. If i did it again, i would go stiff. car analogy: The wrx is a zippy car with a suspension that is nice and lively. Fun to drive. The sti is so stiff that you feel every little bump. But the car is more powerful and responsive. That's actually a perfect analogy for the comparison of the two skis, IMO.

RPC is stiffer and less forgiving. But a little more lively, slightly higher speed limit. A little less float and a little better on firm snow.

Med-stiff GPO is easier in bumps and
Tight spaces, better in untracked deep. Slarvier. More apt at making different size turns.

Both will rage if you ask. The RPC is not so good at not raging.

Overdue, but helpful?

[Dry]

I have a pair of GPO here now unmounted. 182cm med/stiff. 192cm med+ GPO has just been shipped along with a 187cm Protest in med/stiff. Once here they will be skied at Mt Hood shortly after delivery.

Should be an interesting comparison.

[racesla]

New 187 GPOs.
Med/stiff, cabon layup, & vintage graphic. Very stoked on how the graphis turned out. Hand flex seems just right.

[Dry]

I am so stoked I am actually shaking! BD presents to myself are a little early this year ;_)

Med Stiff GPO, Custom Protest in Pompeii graphics and a custom GPO in Sun.

[Shu Shu]

Some ridiculously good GPO stoke form Chile

[adrenalated]

Got some gorgeous 187 carbons with the Stained Glass topsheet. My 6th pair of Praxis and the best craftsmanship yet.

Now... mount point. I'm thinking -3cm. Dynafit with Maestrale RS. To be skied in variable BC snow, never switch, sometimes charging, sometimes meadowskipping. I ski very forward and don't like new-school, center mounted skis.

For reference, I wish I had gone -1 on my 184 Freerides (they are -9cm from center), my 188 Rossi Squad 7s at -9cm from center sometimes feel too forward, and my older 189 RX's are -11cm from center and feel perfect. With the GPO's dimple at -7, I think I need to go -2 to -3cm from there. Talk me out of it...

[Dry]

-3 may be more here as well. I'm on the way back home from OR at the moment but will mount my 182s this week and ski them days later. RS and Dynafits as well.

Same situation, never switch. Just a "trad" old school all mtn skier. But really like the GPO design, flex and shape compared to my Rossi and DPS. Mount location will make or break this ski fro me. So I want to get it right the first time.

Glad I am not the only one thinking around -3.

[abraham]

Mine are shipping Monday, med stiff+ 192s. Not yet sure where I'm mounting but I'm watching this to see what people think. Plan on doing 9xx first then may mount for dynafits. Probably will do inserts for traveling as well

[98brg2d]

So my 7 flex (soft side of medium stiff) skis came in and here are my hand flex comparisons (comparing to the stated 7 flex):

182 shoguns with 75ish days - 8 overall flex. Tip and tail are MUCH stiffer than the GPO, especially the tail.

184 movement Goliath sluffs lots of days - 8.5 overall flex. Similar flex to shogun but stiffer underfoot however, skis softer through the tip.

179 K2 Seth's (first year with rocker) - 7 flex overall. These two skis flex almost identically. I have only skied this ski on shallow graupel and refrozen crud and it skis so short on hard snow that it is nearly impossible to make a statement about how it flexes on the snow (the contact length is only about 6 inches either side of the bindings).

175 coreupt candide pow (100-mm underfoot version) - 6.5 overall. Similar tip and tail flex, noticeably softer underfoot. Very round flex.

186 atomic automatic (going off memory on this one) - 7 with very similar profile as the GPO.

I would put most front side carvers at 8 to 9 on this scale although they can have a wide range of flexes.

So, not sure what to think about the flex and how they will ski. Hand flexing doesn't tell the whole story (not by a long shot) but at least gives a bit more data for others to consider. Also, if Praxis believes that 7 and 8 are close enough that they warrant the same description I would bump my numbers up for higher numbers and down for lower numbers. My numbers represent significant differences in hand flex.

Not sure if comparisons to older skinnier skis help anybody but there it is.

[shafty85]

So my 7 flex (soft side of medium stiff) skis came in and here are my hand flex comparisons (comparing to the stated 7 flex):

I would put most front side carvers at 8 to 9 on this scale although they can have a wide range of flexes.

So, not sure what to think about the flex and how they will ski. Hand flexing doesn't tell the whole story (not by a long shot) but at least gives a bit more data for others to consider. Also, if Praxis believes that 7 and 8 are close enough that they warrant the same description I would bump my numbers up for higher numbers and down for lower numbers. My numbers represent significant differences in hand flex.

Not sure if comparisons to older skinnier skis help anybody but there it is.

How do you know the GPO is a 7 flex?

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