Push the Envelope: Heritage Labs RC85 and RC95

[forumskier]

If I was flush, I’d have a bunch of HL skis by now.

[forumskier]

Thanks for the information. FR110s were definitely like cheating in bumps. The day I skied them, there was moderately funky Tahoe mashed potato bumps. I came into a tight little spot at speed with them, that I didn't pre-adjust for a little zipper motion, and they just rolled with the punches great, no hesitation.. Did the same thing later on Katana 108s and they are good too, but their heavier swing weight, and stiffer and cambered nature caused for a slightly longer hesitation for me, in order to set up that little 3 bump zipper motion at speed. FR110s are amazing skis, I just felt a touch too much tail behind me. Probably could adjust to that easily with more time, I only put like 5 runs on them. I'd buy a pair of FR110s right now if I found some.

What I got from Bry's 192 FL105 review, was that they were slightly more easy going than Pro Riders. A heavier, but much looser, full rocker version of that sounds absolutely perfect to me. Pro Riders are my favorite ski I own (tied with BO118s), but they are way too tiring when the bumps get big and I can't just go over the top of them anymore. I'd love something with almost the speed limit of Pro riders, but full rocker so can slither through VW Beetle sized moguls often enough.

The full rocker Mantras don't quite have the flat base presence of the older full rocker Katanas, nor the speed limit. Which is what I'm looking for in a thinner full rocker all mountain ripper. FR110s had a better flat base presence too, and a bit higher speed limit than the Mantras in my opinion. Mantras hand flex stiff, but ski very soft. Makes them damp and they absorb a lot, but also makes them too greasy sometimes.

[hoarhey]

There is a full rocker HL 100 ski
In the works…

The R100

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[McShortyShorts]

Finally got a chance to compare the shape and hand flex of the RC85s to my old Solly X-Drive 8.8s. Tip rocker on the 2 are very similar, but the xdrives' tip is a bit fatter. The tail flex of the 2 is in the same ballpark, but the biggest surprise was the flex in front of the toe - going from flexing the RC85 to the xdrive makes the xdrives feel like they're broken. Granted they have been in desperate need of retirement for a few seasons, but the contrast in flex is wild.

Overall though, the RC85s flex is amazingly consistent and yes, very, very stiff. It's actually a biti similar feel to my Wrenegade 88s, just a lot stiffer. The 88s have much deeper rocker lines too so I doubt they're gonna feel remotely similar on snow, but they both have a smooth, consistent flex

[TAFKALVS]

Bump. I am beyond excited to ski these this year.

[singlesline]

I saw there was a bit of stock left and started considering one again.

Although it says "1 left" on the regular stiffness RC95, but "sold out" if you actually try to grab it...anyone know if there might actually be another pair available to order?

[Marshal Olson]

Good Q

With the skis arriving in about 10days, there have been a bunch of substitutions.

So with that in mind, the inventory (ie if you can actually add them to cart) is always right, but there may be a few hour lag on my updating the qty remaining text during a work day or over a weekend.

and I’m always available via email for specific / time sensitive type questions.

[ma4b86]

Finally got a chance to compare the shape and hand flex of the RC85s to my old Solly X-Drive 8.8s. Tip rocker on the 2 are very similar, but the xdrives' tip is a bit fatter. The tail flex of the 2 is in the same ballpark, but the biggest surprise was the flex in front of the toe - going from flexing the RC85 to the xdrive makes the xdrives feel like they're broken. Granted they have been in desperate need of retirement for a few seasons, but the contrast in flex is wild.

Overall though, the RC85s flex is amazingly consistent and yes, very, very stiff. It's actually a biti similar feel to my Wrenegade 88s, just a lot stiffer. The 88s have much deeper rocker lines too so I doubt they're gonna feel remotely similar on snow, but they both have a smooth, consistent flex

I've been looking for an x-drive 8.8 for ages with no luck! Nothing I've tried has been similar. Hopefully the RC85 is.

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[Norseman]

TAFKALVS let me fondle his test sled rc95.

Now I'm trading my r99 comps for some rc95 comps

[east or bust]

^..color me intrigued


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[Island Bay]

TAFKALVS let me fondle his test sled rc95.

Now I'm trading my r99 comps for some rc95 comps

Nice work, Norse.

The Comps would be too much for my weedy 165 lbs surf body, so I'll probably just be sensible and order AM100s.

[abraham]

^..color me intrigued


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Me too.

Though I still haven't mounted my r99s yet.

[Conundrum]

TAFKALVS let me fondle his test sled rc95.

Now I'm trading my r99 comps for some rc95 comps

I have the regular r99s and added comp rc95s. Thinking r99s when I’m hungover and 95s when I’m not when there’s not much new snow. I’ll test the efficacy of my decisions over the next winter.

[Kopi_Red]

Me too.

Though I still haven't mounted my r99s yet.

I love my r99 comps. The ski is so good.

[2FUNKY]

Yeah, from my cold dead hands will my R99COMPS be removed. I skied the two back to back as well.


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[Norseman]

Speculation of course but I think the 95comp is gonna be the better-rounded ski, in that it can bring bawlz to a more diverse realm, with different turn shapes being unlocked yet not really giving up any speed or stability. TAFKALVS preached this, but it wasn't until groping the 95 that I came to see it, too. I loved the 99comp and it will still rule in the right conditions, but for me I think the 95 comp will be the ticket.

The 99comp is fkna awesome but it wants to kinda remain 1-dimensional. The 95 is almost flat, just a hair of camber, plus a tad of tail rocker that looks just so sexy. And it's 3m straighter in radius. These three differences I think will let them be faster and easier in soft snow, and so much looser in steeps, bumps, chutes, etc. where one doesn't always want to finish a turn... yet still completely rail the groom. An update to the 99 is what I hope to find when riding the 95.

[TAFKALVS]

TAFKALVS let me fondle his test sled rc95.

Now I'm trading my r99 comps for some rc95 comps

This pleases me.

[2FUNKY]

Oh dude, don’t get me wrong, the RC95 is a great ski, more soft snow oriented is all. If not for the fl105 the rc would be in the quiver. I don’t feel the 99 is one dimensional at all as I have a lot of days on them in varying conditions. Someone should swoop them up when they hit the outlet! Stoked for you Norse! You’ll dig them!


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[Norseman]

Oh dude, don’t get me wrong, the RC95 is a great ski, more soft snow oriented is all. If not for the fl105 the rc would be in the quiver. I don’t feel the 99 is one dimensional at all as I have a lot of days on them in varying conditions. Someone should swoop them up when they hit the outlet! Stoked for you Norse! You’ll dig them!

I think Zombi Labia might be just the homie...

Anyone with an R99 Comp needs to free up some funds for the new RC hotness, send them my way. Just throwing it out there.

Forgive my pontification here for a minute. I feel the need to expand on what I said.

I, too, have skied the 99comp in a range of conditions, pretty much always with a shit-eating grin, and have but one minor hang up with it. It's not the build... my word what a feel! So solid and composed.

It's geometry-based: that the tail dominates the character and demands the most attention. Even though the tip rocker is minimal, it is still there and reduces the EE a little. But since the tail is flat, this puts the rider's CG forward on the EE when on edge. I often felt the need to pull back from pressuring the tips in order to keep the tails under control, which is counter to how I think a ski like this should be ridden.

Of course edge tuning plays in, but I am very picky about edge detuning and felt like I couldn't dull them or move the feather inboard any further without taking away their hard snow bite.

Another ski that had this effect for me was the Praxis RX, but much more pronounced with its tip-only hinge point rocker. Fuck I hated that ski so much. Couldn't get my ass back far enough or dull the tails enough to make them edge acceptably.

It is my opinion that if the EE is reduced due to rocke and/or taper, it should be done both in the tip and tail, to keep the mount point/CG at the right spot along the EE. I think this allows for more balanced, intuitive edge pressure, and actually allows for more aggressive skiing.

I loved the 99comp and it shreds for sure. But I think the 95comp will amplify the shred.

[iriponsnow]

My take is that the r99 is a more "tip to tail" technique ski and the rc shape is more of a progressive / contemporary "ski from the middle" shape. One is more pure carve & one is more slarve n pivot between digging those trenches.

[east or bust]

Love these discussions. Thanks for taking the time for that write up Norse. I think it highlights how drastically different some peoples' ski styles are.

Personally, the Praxis RX is still probably my favorite do-it-all ski to date. There really aren't any conditions you'd typically find skiing in the intermountain west that I wouldn't take them out in. Maybe not coincidentally, my experience with the R99comp has been a bit different. I find their proper home is definitely as a front side ripper. However, to my surprise in a few inches of fresh and even in bumps, I've found them to be much more skiable than I would have thought. Would agree that skiing them off a groomer does require different body positioning and perhaps a less aggressive style overall.

In any case, very excited to hear the first impressions coming from those of you who have had time on the R99comps or have the ability to do a direct A-B comparison with the RC95.

[Conundrum]

Taken from HL's website on the r99

Proper GS flex and construction in a 99mm footprint.

. Shral gave an accurate and fair description of the ski.

Probably why it's a rad ski and why the tail feels locked the way it does. I personally dig it a lot. Having not skied the stiffer version, I would guess it's even moreso.

[Norseman]

Yes yes but my point is that the presence of a little tip rocker makes the flat tail stand out more, and IMHO detracts from the overall balance of the ski. Just a little.

I think I'd prefer it with 10cm more length in front of the boot with the present shape.

[Conundrum]

It's okay to not love every ski. Some of my ski pals love skis I'm not into and vice versa. I'm stoked to try out the 95 this winter. Who knows, maybe the 99s get hung up or sold. But I'm skeptical on that.

[TAFKALVS]

My RC95 comps have demo bindings on them, for further scientific analysis of the maggot hoard.

For me, the rc95 felt more stable and more planted yet less locked in than the r99. I preferred the feel but that’s not to say the r99 isn’t awesome… I mostly talked Marshal in to making these because I couldn’t get a pair of r99 comps. In the process we made a different mouse trap that’s a little closer to what I prefer to ski.

YMMV and all that