The Official Great Pacific Octopus Thread

**nickwm21** · 04-05-2013, 05:19 PM

It is damper. But the gpo is very stable at speed.

sent from the future using my mind powers

**davieboot** · 04-05-2013, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by spindrift

Echoes what Keith told me about his wood topsheets (gorgeous BTW). As I understand it, he adjusts the base layup to get the right flex as ordered with the wood on top. But there's that thread drift again...

Ditto about Keith's attention to detail, but this seems above and beyond.

I'm interested if anyone is looking at the 182 GPO.

**auvgeek** · 04-05-2013, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by shroom

^^ sweet, i was lead to believe the cochise would offer a damper, more stable ride at speed, which is what im after. appreciate the comparison.

Dood, the 192 GPO in the fiberglass layup, stiff flex, and custom topsheet can be had for $465 (w/20% coupon). That's got to be the best deal in skiing today.

If I hadn't given away my 30% coupon, I'd be hard pressed to find a reason not to buy them at just over $400 for a brand new custom-made ski. Fucking unreal.

**adrenalated** · 04-05-2013, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by auvgeek

Dood, the 192 GPO in the fiberglass layup, stiff flex, and custom topsheet can be had for $465 (w/20% coupon). That's got to be the best deal in skiing today.

If I hadn't given away my 30% coupon, I'd be hard pressed to find a reason not to buy them at just over $400 for a brand new custom-made ski. Fucking unreal.

The 30% coupon is exactly the reason I pretty much have to buy a GPO in some length and layup. The price is insane.

**hoarhey** · 04-05-2013, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by davieboot

Ditto about Keith's attention to detail, but this seems above and beyond.

I'm interested if anyone is looking at the 182 GPO.

I'm interested in the 182 and talking with Keith about it now.
I'm 5'8" 170, and normally ski a 188 S7, and my bc ski is a 190 wailer 112rp.

I got a pair of 177 cm protests (haven't skied them yet).

I think 182 cm GPO's which will be stiffer than my S7's (duh), even if I go softer than stock med/stiff... should have maneuverability and stability at speed.

**shroom** · 04-05-2013, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by neck beard

I think 4mm would be too much. 3 is money.

tell me more.. did you go stiff flex, hybrid layup?

**wwwllw** · 04-08-2013, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by SupreChicken

That's absurd overlap with the gpo and gambit and Bibby. I have a problem. Whatever. Eventually, I'll find the one that decimates the quiver and there will be one hell of a sale that day.

Hope that helps? Any more specific questions?

Curious to here more about how the GPO compares to the bibby. The bibby is my go to ski, but I'm considering picking up the GPOs for kicks and would like to know of any benefits or pitfalls of the GPO. Thanks!

**shroom** · 04-08-2013, 06:36 PM

paging the chicken..

**SupreChicken** · 04-08-2013, 08:58 PM

Yeah. So.

Both are awesome, but I like the GPO more...pretty much everywhere. Even though it's not advertised, the tip definitely has some reverse sidecut, like the RES in the billy goat. It gives it a looser, surfier feel in deep snow.

For the record, my bibbys are mounted with Dukes, while my GPOs have STH16s and I think the stack height is actually a difference maker for me. I tend to ride the skis at high angles at speed and the bibby edges are quicker to wash out in the firm. Both are incredibly nimble for stiff, chargy skis. I think both are agile, forgiving and not just manageable, but I daresay, awesome in tighter spaces. Great tree skis, and both handle icy bumps with deep troughs without ruining the pilot. Both are much easier in those conditions to handle for me than the billy goat or the renegade.

Untracked: Whatever, both are money. GPO is a little less sinkable and surfier. There are four reasons that I can think of:
1) Narrower tail
2) Mellower (shorter) tail rocker
3) Reverse sidecut in the tip.
4) longer tip rocker

Condition-based comparisons are below. Both of these skis do everything well, so I'm sort of splitting hairs, but hey. It's fun.

Untracked: I ski the Bibby centered just a little. I can still rail the GPO tips and they won't sink. But really, if it's a powder day, I would have a blast on either one.

Cut up, heavy snow: This is where both of these skis just completely kick ass. Just point em. They will rip right through. Damp and stable and no real need to slow down. Bibbys are a little heavier, GPO are a little easier to throw sideways on a dime in soft snow.

Bumps: Advantage Bibbys...barely. They are just a little more maneuverable. Longer and steeper tail rocker. Soft low angle bumps are worth ignoring on either ski. It's more fun. Steep, icy, deep bumps...Bibbys are easier to toss around.

Hardpack: Advantage GPO. For the same reason that makes the Bibbys the bumps winner.

Airs: GPO. Pintail sinks in and the tail is a little stiffer and gives more support when you land imperfectly...which I do most of the time I land.

Park: Bibby is better switch. GPO is a little easier to bring around in the air. Both are stupid fun for a big charging ski.

I have yet to find the speed limit on the GPO. I found it on the bibbys making high angle turns on slushy groomers, where the edges are quick to wash out. Not sure if that's the dukes vs. STH stack height or the ski.

Both can be had for amazing prices now. Both are solid companies worth supporting. Probably why I own both. If I sell one, I'll sell the Bibbys.

Neither is as maneuverable as a JJ or Skevik Anton. Both are more maneuverable than the 195 gambit or 191 Billy Goat.

Buy one of them. Or a gambit. Or a billy goat. Not enough rage? Get a lib tech pow. Shit. Everything is on sale now. And you can get the Backcountry warranty on some of them...

**Bandit Man** · 04-10-2013, 03:30 PM

Is somebody able to compare the GPO to the Squad 7? Curious how they stack up since they look quite similar on the surface.

**hoarhey** · 04-10-2013, 03:39 PM

Originally Posted by whyturn

I compared it to my squads which are similar in a lot of ways. Discussed with ski guy. Seems right. Hopefully will ski it in the next few days. Will report back

paging Whyturn to the white courtesy phone...

**whyturn** · 04-10-2013, 06:14 PM

Family visit delayed test run
Hopefully this weekend though
As soon as I ride them my report will go up on this thread

**Shu Shu** · 04-10-2013, 07:14 PM

Jealous. Spring storm gonna drop a little on the EC on friday, wish I had mine already to take for a run. Oh well when June roles around and these finally arrive, its going to be the biggest tease. Anyone recommend some good wax for grass?

**SupreChicken** · 04-14-2013, 11:19 PM

Getting silly in the April Pow at Stevens on my GPOs. Way better than the first vid.

**Bird Blaster** · 04-15-2013, 05:10 AM

Awesome GPO stoke

**whyturn** · 04-15-2013, 06:35 AM

Nice pow chicken

**wwwllw** · 04-15-2013, 06:49 PM

192 GPOs ordered. Hope I don't regret not going carbon. Thanks for the Bibby comparison Chicken.

**hoarhey** · 04-15-2013, 09:31 PM

ordered a pair of 182 GPO's!
carbon/glass hybrid layup.
Stained Glass MTN graphic
went with a flex at upper end of medium
(hair softer than stock)

Anyone else go with the 182's?

**Bandit Man** · 04-17-2013, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by SupreChicken

Getting silly in the April Pow at Stevens on my GPOs. Way better than the first vid.

The music had me waiting for you to bust out a Microsoft Surface tablet and start jibbing off stuff. That isn't your day job is it? The pow was amazing last weekend wasn't it?

**Jim S** · 04-17-2013, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by SupreChicken

Yeah. So.

Both are awesome, but I like the GPO more...pretty much everywhere. Even though it's not advertised, the tip definitely has some reverse sidecut, like the RES in the billy goat. It gives it a looser, surfier feel in deep snow.

For the record, my bibbys are mounted with Dukes, while my GPOs have STH16s and I think the stack height is actually a difference maker for me. I tend to ride the skis at high angles at speed and the bibby edges are quicker to wash out in the firm. Both are incredibly nimble for stiff, chargy skis. I think both are agile, forgiving and not just manageable, but I daresay, awesome in tighter spaces. Great tree skis, and both handle icy bumps with deep troughs without ruining the pilot. Both are much easier in those conditions to handle for me than the billy goat or the renegade.

Untracked: Whatever, both are money. GPO is a little less sinkable and surfier. There are four reasons that I can think of:
1) Narrower tail
2) Mellower (shorter) tail rocker
3) Reverse sidecut in the tip.
4) longer tip rocker

Condition-based comparisons are below. Both of these skis do everything well, so I'm sort of splitting hairs, but hey. It's fun.

Untracked: I ski the Bibby centered just a little. I can still rail the GPO tips and they won't sink. But really, if it's a powder day, I would have a blast on either one.

Cut up, heavy snow: This is where both of these skis just completely kick ass. Just point em. They will rip right through. Damp and stable and no real need to slow down. Bibbys are a little heavier, GPO are a little easier to throw sideways on a dime in soft snow.

Bumps: Advantage Bibbys...barely. They are just a little more maneuverable. Longer and steeper tail rocker. Soft low angle bumps are worth ignoring on either ski. It's more fun. Steep, icy, deep bumps...Bibbys are easier to toss around.

Hardpack: Advantage GPO. For the same reason that makes the Bibbys the bumps winner.

Airs: GPO. Pintail sinks in and the tail is a little stiffer and gives more support when you land imperfectly...which I do most of the time I land.

Park: Bibby is better switch. GPO is a little easier to bring around in the air. Both are stupid fun for a big charging ski.

I have yet to find the speed limit on the GPO. I found it on the bibbys making high angle turns on slushy groomers, where the edges are quick to wash out. Not sure if that's the dukes vs. STH stack height or the ski.

Both can be had for amazing prices now. Both are solid companies worth supporting. Probably why I own both. If I sell one, I'll sell the Bibbys.

Neither is as maneuverable as a JJ or Skevik Anton. Both are more maneuverable than the 195 gambit or 191 Billy Goat.

Buy one of them. Or a gambit. Or a billy goat. Not enough rage? Get a lib tech pow. Shit. Everything is on sale now. And you can get the Backcountry warranty on some of them...

I have spaced out on this thread a bit. Where did you mount and your height and weight?

I'm 6'2" and 187 lbs and mounted on dimple. Fairly awesome but I wonder if a bit further back might make me even happier.

**SupreChicken** · 04-17-2013, 07:12 PM

Not my day job. But managed 40+ this year. I'm an apple user, but the commercials are sweet. As is the soundtrack. April - one of the best pow months of the year.

**SupreChicken** · 04-17-2013, 07:13 PM

I am 6'0" 165 and I'm on the dimple. Floats great in heavy snow. In blower, I was actually wishing I had gone -1 as well...but we usually see more heavy in the pnw...