sizing GS Race skis?

**Evil E** · 11-12-2005, 02:58 PM

Back in the skinny ski era I liked 205cm GS boards for everything, except bumps which i skied a 190-195cm bump/slalom ski. Then the midfats came out and I was skiing 190-195cm for a while, now Im on the super fats... or just plain fats as we know them now. 95-130 mm underfoot and no longer than 186cm.

I want a GS ski to haul ass on this winter, but have no idea about sizing for this type of ski now. Im 190, strong, and 5'10" what size GS ski should I get?

**marshalolson** · 11-12-2005, 03:00 PM

e - all you are gonna find that ain't oldschool:
180cm (womens w/c)
185-6cm (mens w/c)

**Dexter Rutecki** · 11-12-2005, 03:09 PM

186 seems to be the standard--if you skied a 205-208 GSer back in the day, I think 186 is the call. I know last season you could get some 192 GS skis, but I really don't see the point. I'm the same size as you, and my Stockli GS skis are perfect in a 186--that's down from a 196 three or four years ago, and 208's before that.

**Godwin-Austin** · 11-12-2005, 03:09 PM

I know alot of people will probably disagree, but I think that you can run a 170 in a real race-bred GS ski - the way these skis are built these days - they are just so stable at high speeds even in short sizes...

plus you can really flex the shorter sizes..less work!

**marshalolson** · 11-12-2005, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by Godwin-Austin

I know alot of people will probably disagree, but I think that you can run a 170 in a real race-bred GS ski - the way these skis are built these days - they are just so stable at high speeds even in short sizes...

plus you can really flex the shorter sizes..less work!

185 is the min length allowed by FIS, which means 185 is the shortest GS ski made by companies.

**Shin-to-Win** · 11-12-2005, 04:46 PM

While the shorter GS skis are super stable, they demand that you stay centered and balanced which is fine when you are trying to shave three tenths in a GS course, but kind of annoying when just letting them rip on the groomers.

I prefer 190cm+ outside the gates. If you want the shorter GS skis, I'm sure you could find plenty 2 year old pairs made before the new standard.

**300hp** · 11-12-2005, 05:21 PM

I believe that for this season 180 is the minimum men's length and 165 for slalom. Not 100% on that though. Since I only have the chance to do one or two fis races this year, I'll worry about it when I get there. At your weight, I would go with a 185 for max stability and bombing courses on steep runs that are set with an open course so you can really roll the skis on edge and let the sidecut do its thing. If you want something a little more versatile, I would not see any problems with the 180. If you find yourself in flatter, nastar type courses, the shorter length will be easier to flex to your likings and somewhat easier to make a short (er) turn on than the 185's. Either way you will not go wrong, and most manufactuers make GS boards in both these lengths.
Good Luck
Hunter

**Evil E** · 11-12-2005, 09:40 PM

Im no gate runner I just like high speeds. thanks for the 185 suggestion. any models specifically?

**marshalolson** · 11-12-2005, 09:42 PM

Originally Posted by Evil E

Im no gate runner I just like high speeds. thanks for the 185 suggestion. any models specifically?

cheap, couple of year old stuff...
i'll ask some folks, and look for stockli on ebay.

**the_eleven** · 11-13-2005, 04:48 PM

Speaking of Stockli, why not just a pair of SS's in a 186?

The waist is narrow at only 91mm.

These hold an edge real well in the hard and icy.

**300hp** · 11-13-2005, 07:04 PM

while i definately agree that added mm underfoot is best for all conditions, why not get a skinny waisted ski if it is dedicated purpose? the edge to edge transition is pretty damn quick on a skinny GS ski. I would look at a local ski swap for the best deals. Racers unloading their stuff cheap to get next years gear. I have skied on the fischer RC4's, Rossi and Dynastar GS boards and hte new Atomic's in the course. Any "race stock" board in the right length should give you the ride you're looking for. All these can be had 1-2 years old for around 200 or less with bindings at swaps that racers attend./
Hunter

Z · 11-13-2005, 07:42 PM

If you go under 205 your just wasting everyone's time.

**300hp** · 11-13-2005, 10:23 PM

I agree that 75 mm is quick enough edge to edge. One of the previous posters was talking about SS pros. those are 91 underfoot. not quite what I would consider hardpack oriented. And as to not finding sheet ice outside of the racecourse, I would say it all depends on where/when you ski. I'm going to school in the midwest and get alot of days on refrozen shit that holds groomer lines all day long. Somewhere EC might have icy conditions too. Bottom line, I would consider 75mm underfoot in a stiff enough ski fine for hardpack/ice GS performance. 90+, you can do it for sure, but there might be better things out there if you're getting a specialized set of skis for ripping fast on hardpack
Hunter

**dipstik** · 11-13-2005, 11:19 PM

I would say something around 180-185 at your height/weight. I'm 5'10, 165lbs., and I race on a 180. If you want a GS ski, get a GS ski....anything else will probably dissapoint you. A 91mm waist ski is not skinny, and won't compare to a GS ski on hard pack/ice.

Another thing to consider is turning radius...true GS skis have a >21m turning radius, and this may be more than you want. "Consumer" GS skis usually have a tighter radius, around 17 or 18m. Don't discount consumer GS skis though, they are still bomber and will probably take you as fast as you want to go, but they'll be more managable.

I've found that "consumer" GS skis with a tighter turning radius are a lot more fun for all-mountain skiing than race stock skis are - race stock skis are really just meant for the course.

So basically, to answer your question, I would reccomend something in the 180-185 range, with a turning radius of around 18-19m.

**InspectorGadget** · 11-13-2005, 11:58 PM

dipstik's got the right idea.

My vote:

Volkl Superspeed 115-70-99

182cm = 19.3m turn radius --> Serious go fast fun.

Volkl Racetiger GS Racing 110-67-96

180cm = 19.1m radius
185cm = 20.3m radius

**Franz Klammer** · 11-14-2005, 12:02 AM

Atomic GS11 - not race stock, but damn nice

**ulty_guy** · 11-16-2005, 07:17 AM

i know cupulos is villified here (i have no experience good or bad), but you can get a pretty darn good gs stick for $100 new (although me thinks you'd have to use markers w/ that plate)

http://www.cupolosports.com/vop50f1gsran.html

**yooper** · 11-16-2005, 07:42 AM

I had a pair of those a couple of years ago. Nice ski. And, yes, that one does require Marker.

**ulty_guy** · 11-16-2005, 07:48 AM

hey yooper, is the plate very easy to mount ones-self? it is just a matter of screwing? any epoxy necc?

thanks

**yooper** · 11-16-2005, 08:46 AM

Just screw it on. Couldn't be easier.
Put the toe piece on first, and make sure the mid-sole marks line up. Then make sure the heel is roughly in the middle of its adjustment range, and with the boot in the toe piece, put the heel piece right up to the heel of the boot. Make note of the holes, remove the boot, and screw down the heel piece. Adjust your forward pressure. Done.

**ulty_guy** · 11-16-2005, 09:07 AM

sweet yoops, thanks! i'm coming home (from england to usa) for xmas and will be skiing stowe for a few days and don't feel like lugging skis back and forth. i've got a pair of death traps spare, so i'll just bring-em and snap 'em in.

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