The Dynastar Thread

[Bandit Man]

Spent my first day (night skiing actually) on my 192 M-Free 108’s. Conditions were fast but very edge-able with stashes of 4-6” fresh snow on the edges of lit runs. No ice...pretty good winter conditions.

I mounted my 192’s with Salomon Warden 13 demos. I skied them on the line.

Here are my initial impressions...

The MF108 is a capable but FUN ski that really blends freeride point-and-go power with freestyle energy and a level of playfulness.

On soft groomers, the 20-m sidecut is very capable of getting on edge easily and holding that edge...as long as you stay centered on the sidecut or slightly forward. I could ski them really fast and they were quite stable. The heralded “looseness” of the ski shows up on groomers really quickly, as that tail disappears quickly and the ski will skid or break loose out of a carve very easily. For some skiers, it might be too easy. But you don’t buy a ski like the MF108 as a groomer zoomer. This ski craves soft snow, but also is more than capable on groomers if you understand how to ski it and where those limits are.

These have the largest amount of camber I have skied in a long time. The camber gives the ski an energetic and playful feel, but the camber also makes the ski less damp than many other skis. This isn’t a bad thing if you want to pop of small features, but it also creates a certain amount of “feedback” in the ski that is especially noticeable at speed. Make no mistake...these are stable skis...it’s just that the camber acts like a spring...it absorbs bumps and that energy wants to do something...it wants to be released.

I got a few run on some soft conditions out on the edges and I see where the “magic” of these skis is found. They float quite well and are so, so loose and slashy. I get why some have said “they are loose like a narrower Billy Goat.” I originally thought that had to be an exaggeration...but now I total understand. Soft snow if the MF108’s happy place. They are a blast slashing and popping off bumps and other features. I really look forward to more days in their intended conditions.

Now, let’s talk about length and mount point. The 192 is the right size if you are over 175-180 lbs. I was worried about the 192 but it was really manageable and never felt “long”. As I mentioned earlier, the significant rocker in the tail makes the tail disappear quickly on groomers. I now see why some people prefer to ski “forward” of the line. I had no desire to go back. I also think that a 182 is going to ski really short. I think a 187-ish length would be a better option for most people.

So, what ski did this remind me of? It’s not a direct comparison, but the MF108 made me think a lot about my 191 Enforcer 110, BUT with camber and a more energetic feel. The E110 is more damp and not quite as loose.

The MF108 is a great ski. It does have a soft snow bias (my opinion), but more than acceptable groomer manners. To reinforce that statement, something like an Enforcer 104 Free is going to be a better choice for most non-TGR skiers who want a ski that rips groomers and also floats off piste. The Enforcer 104 is nowhere near as loose in deep snow, but much easier to ski everywhere else...more intuitive. There are lots (and I mean LOTS of skis in the 10X range) that surpass groomer performance of the MF108. However, there are few (I really cannot think of any at the moment) that feel as loose and fun in deep snow.

I swapped out to my 184 Katana K108’s for the last hour of skiing and was reminded what absolute stability at speed and solid groomer performance for a 108-mm waisted ski felt like. [emoji6]


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[phatty]

Nice review, Bandit. Don't disagree with anything, though I felt the groomer performance didn't leave much wanting for me. I probably need more time and I haven't skied nearly as many skis as you have. I would expect skis with metal to feel more damp, though, so your comparison to the Katana 108 is not surprising. The "fun" factor is what really draws me to the MFree. It's the definition of "playful charger" that I (and many others) have been looking for. I don't feel like I need to dial back at all, but still get the pop and energy from hits and coming out of turns.

[jackattack]

I swapped out to my 184 Katana K108’s for the last hour of skiing and was reminded what absolute stability at speed and solid groomer performance for a 108-mm waisted ski felt like. [emoji6]

Have you tried the LP105? Get it while you can.

[Bandit Man]

Have you tried the LP105? Get it while you can.

I owned the creamsicle orange OG LP (186) and XXL (187...I loved that ski...still cannot remember what possessed me to sell it). I know I would love the 192 LP 105...at a bigger mountain. I’m worried I would kill someone if I rode a pair at Stevens...


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[jackattack]

Yeah, stevens skis small and crowded.

[Bandit Man]

Nice review, Bandit. Don't disagree with anything, though I felt the groomer performance didn't leave much wanting for me. I probably need more time and I haven't skied nearly as many skis as you have. I would expect skis with metal to feel more damp, though, so your comparison to the Katana 108 is not surprising. The "fun" factor is what really draws me to the MFree. It's the definition of "playful charger" that I (and many others) have been looking for. I don't feel like I need to dial back at all, but still get the pop and energy from hits and coming out of turns.

My only difference of opinion is that I would refer to the MF108 as a “playful ski that charges”. The quintessential “playful charger” in my book is the OG Cochise. So stable and powerful, but pretty easy to ski. But my definition my vary from yours or that of others.

The MF108 is a freestyle-freeride hybrid with the heart of Dynastar’s race room heritage, but not quite all the braun. Again, it’s a very cool ski if that mix is what you are after.

For a hill like Alpental or Stevens, the MF108 is a no-brainer. The mix of high density deep snow and challenging mini-golf terrain are the perfect playground for an MF108. I definitely have a spot for these in the quiver due to where I ski most often, but I will likely only ski them when it is soft and I get to play offpiste. I feel like I give up a little too much for conditions call for on piste, harder snow conditions. But dang, do I want to go play with them in the trees on our next 6-8” new snow day..


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[TAFKALVS]

Like the billygoats, I would suggest a multiday commitment on the mfree108, once your brain can wrap itself around how the ski works I suspect you'll see a bigger envelope of performance on hardsnow and mixed conditions than first brush might indicate.

[Bandit Man]

Like the billygoats, I would suggest a multiday commitment on the mfree108, once your brain can wrap itself around how the ski works I suspect you'll see a bigger envelope of performance on hardsnow and mixed conditions than first brush might indicate.

I’m sure you are right. But it took me one run to know the 2014 BG was “special”. [emoji6]

I’m trying to be objective. When those of us here in the PNW say a ski like an MF108 can be a daily driver, I think you need to take that with a grain of salt. Our terrain and typical soft conditions are perfect for a ski like an MF108. People from other locales might arrive at a different conclusion...kind of like they sometimes do with a Billy Goat.

I think you were the one that first said that the MF108 “feels” a lot like the BG in terms of playful looseness. You totally nailed it with that comparison.

I’m really glad I bought these and that others “facilitated” my enlightenment, as I obviously had some prejudices about the MF108 that were not entirely correct.

For you Dynastar diehards that have LP105’s, MF108’s, and MF118’s/Proto’s...I’d say you have a pretty dialed, covers all the bases quiver.


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[birdboatboy]

Thanks for all the MFree discussion. Really helpful.

Can someone enlighten me on generations of the LP105? Any comments on the ~2008 era compared to others?

[Bandit Man]

Thanks for all the MFree discussion. Really helpful.

Can someone enlighten me on generations of the LP105? Any comments on the ~2008 era compared to others?

IIRC, that was the updated top sheet for the 97-mm version. Not raceroom construction but an amazing crud muncher. The 186 was a nice all-around ski, but was tough for some people to turn due to the large radius. The big boy version was a lot of ski.


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[toast2266]

Thanks for all the MFree discussion. Really helpful.

Can someone enlighten me on generations of the LP105? Any comments on the ~2008 era compared to others?

Someone will probably correct me here, but I'm pretty sure those are 2nd (?) generation Legend Pros. 97mm underfoot. The wider iteration would be the XXL. Both the Legend Pro and XXL were traditionally shaped / cambered - no early rise. There were also the Big Dumps from around that same time period that were 120mm underfoot and had an early rise tip. Some of the LP and XXL models were built in the "race room." Someone else will have to chime in with which model years got that treatment.

The Legend Pro and XXL were discontinued - 2010 was the last year for those. In 2011 only the LP 115 was offered - similar construction to the LP and XXL, but 115 underfoot and with an early rise tip. Still heavy and 30+ meter radius.

The LP105 was introduced in 2012 as a more or less scaled down version of the LP115. Turning radius got a bit shorter (but still long by today's standards). Construction is still heavy - 2 layers of metal. For a while the LP105 was available in a normal size run, but now it's only offered in the 192.

[kc_7777]

Like the billygoats, I would suggest a multiday commitment on the mfree108, once your brain can wrap itself around how the ski works I suspect you'll see a bigger envelope of performance on hardsnow and mixed conditions than first brush might indicate.

This was really good advice for me. My first day on pow was epic but on groomers I was thinking ??

I now have 4 days on my Proto 118s and each day was better than the day before.

Ya they’re super playful but chargy too.

For us forward mounters....I think +3cm too much. I’m now at +2cm which I think will be better. Remounted as I’m not selling these so don’t care about extra holes under my pivots.

[lrn2swim]

"as I’m not selling these"

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[birdboatboy]

Someone will probably correct me here, but I'm pretty sure those are 2nd (?) generation Legend Pros. 97mm underfoot. The wider iteration would be the XXL. Both the Legend Pro and XXL were traditionally shaped / cambered - no early rise. There were also the Big Dumps from around that same time period that were 120mm underfoot and had an early rise tip. Some of the LP and XXL models were built in the "race room." Someone else will have to chime in with which model years got that treatment.

The Legend Pro and XXL were discontinued - 2010 was the last year for those. In 2011 only the LP 115 was offered - similar construction to the LP and XXL, but 115 underfoot and with an early rise tip. Still heavy and 30+ meter radius.

The LP105 was introduced in 2012 as a more or less scaled down version of the LP115. Turning radius got a bit shorter (but still long by today's standards). Construction is still heavy - 2 layers of metal. For a while the LP105 was available in a normal size run, but now it's only offered in the 192.

Spot on, totally missed the dimensional differences here. Those are 97mm. Thanks.

[tsk01]

LP105 for cheap I found while browsing Marketplace. I'm looking for 175's cause I'm midget sized, but these 184's are dirt cheap especially when you consider the price is in Canadian pesos. 184's for $75CAD with binders. Maybe they'll ship?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...5860918914965/

[gwat]

^you in Canada? I know of some 175s for peanuts...

[tsk01]

^you in Canada? I know of some 175s for peanuts...

Yes I am - Calgary. Mind PMing me the details?

[waxoff]

The Legend Pro and XXL were discontinued - 2010 was the last year for those. In 2011 only the LP 115 was offered - similar construction to the LP and XXL, but 115 underfoot and with an early rise tip. Still heavy and 30+ meter radius.

The LP105 was introduced in 2012 as a more or less scaled down version of the LP115. .

Actually, in 2011 there was also an LP100 with similar graphics as the LP115 but with an orange outline on the Dyna logo. A wee bit of tip rocker but less than that on LP105. 184 LP100 were 128-100-118 r27.

[TAFKALVS]

Was it a good ski?

[DarthMarkus]

I’m sure you are right. But it took me one run to know the 2014 BG was “special”. [emoji6]

For you Dynastar diehards that have LP105’s, MF108’s, and MF118’s/Proto’s...I’d say you have a pretty dialed, covers all the bases quiver.


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I don't know if I would call myself a die-hard, but this idea is what let me to get the m-free 108 after skiing the proto last year. It accomplishes most of what I want to ski. For everything else, I have a few tools up my sleeve including the menace 98 and the proto.

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[waxoff]

Was it a good ski?

It is still a good ski! Not a slishy slasher by todays standards. But if you know how to both bend and unweight skis, they will sure take you anywhere on the mountain with confidence.

[phatty]

For you Dynastar diehards that have LP105’s, MF108’s, and MF118’s/Proto’s...I’d say you have a pretty dialed, covers all the bases quiver. ]

Would love a Proto vs. BG comparison from those who have skied both. I'm happy with my 191 BG (of course thanks to you), but the 118/Proto discussion has me interested in giving it a shot.

[Bandit Man]

Would love a Proto vs. BG comparison from those who have skied both. I'm happy with my 191 BG (of course thanks to you), but the 118/Proto discussion has me interested in giving it a shot.

Woody can provide some insight. If we ever get real snow again, I’ll hope to chime in.


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[toast2266]

Actually, in 2011 there was also an LP100 with similar graphics as the LP115 but with an orange outline on the Dyna logo. A wee bit of tip rocker but less than that on LP105. 184 LP100 were 128-100-118 r27.

Ah, nice. I'd forgotten about that one. Never skied it but I bet it was / is fun.

[Mofro261]

Maybe because of radius of the LP105 was tamed to 25M instead of the 29M on the 97mm LP and had a softer tip, or the 33+ on the 109XXL with the manly tail, ... that the MF108 feels closest to the LP105 but with an easier release tail. Like if a LP and a Buddha Gotama had sex if that makes sense. Sizes for me were 186, 187, 184, now 182. Yes, 186 for the MF108 would have been the killah.

MF108 also reminds me of the Fraction CT 3.0 108 (V2's w/ enforcement) that's also a twin with camber and a ton of pop in the "playful charger" category, but the MF108 won't fall apart when you look at.

I was getting a little concerned on the speed limit of the shorty 182. Dunno if it was the snow conditions/light I'd been out in so far with them, or mostly skiing in a puffy, or that black bases are always faster than yellow, or me becoming a puss, but I hadn't been getting these up much past the high 40's/ low 50's mph on the reg. But with this morning's primo conditions I dropped down and pushed them into the upper 60's and didn't notice any tip flap.