Why do I hate my Gotamas? WWMD

[ski_faster]

I have 05/06 183 Gotamas mounted with Freerides. They are mounted -1. I feel like I am always in the backseat. They ski really short and I was thinking I might enjoy something a little longer. My resort skis are 191 Mantra and I love them. WWMD? Should I take the plastic piece out from under the toe? Should I remount on the line and take the plastic piece out under the toe? Should I look into getting something a little longer?

Boot:Garmont G-Ride
Height:5'10''
Weight:180

[XtrPickels]

word is that they do ski short. I haven't been on them though. (They will for sure if you're use to 191 mantra's with that big ol tail on the got's) I think the free rides have a flat delta angle, so that might be part of being in the backseat.

I don't see a reason to be -1, but i don't think that going to the line will help much.

[skibackwards]

maybe you would like the 190 better. i dont think the 190 is even 190cm as 189 k2's are longer and i measured them to be exactly 189cm high.

Plus effective edge is only about 170cm on them.

[bbirtle]

I don't know much about gear and maybe this is obvious, but perhaps it's the stiffness that's just a bit too much. They say stiffer+fatter+longer = better or at least that it will get your more pussy. But having just bought some relatively stiffer skis myself, I find myself having to be super vigilent about staying forward - if you get even a little bit in the backseat you're toast. Personally I think although a great skier can drive anything, the stiffness gets to be too much at some point depending on your body weight.

Again please forgive me if this is not correct - when people start talking gear I start getting sleepy, usually.

[iggyskier]

The mounting position on Gotamas are already pretty far back, so maybe move the mount up.

Also - have you removed the toe shim on the freerides? That can give you some positive ramp angle to help get you out of the back seat.

[shit sandwich]

They feel short because they are short at 183.

[wildstyle]

Was there a reason you mounted them -1 ? I've noted that most people mount them on the line and they all love them.

Definitely remount i you want to keep the skis. i'd say on the line if you can or +0.5 if you're tight on the 1st set of holes.

The removal of the toe shim will help you feel less in the back seat. You will have to file down the existing screws/get shorter new ones. I haven't removed the shims on mine. Its weird switching between alpine bindings and touring bindings but you do get used to the ramp angle change.

i also think you should be on the 190's. That ski ramp tail makes them ski v.v.short.

[upallnight]

The issue is probably the -1 mount (why did you do this?). You also might find the 183 length skis short, in general, esp if you are used to a 191 Mantra.

I've been riding a 190 (i'm 5'10"/185# w/ small pack) w/ Fritschis + Denalis. I mounted +2. Probably have 45 days on them since mid-Dec....and they are fantastic. The +2 mount helps w/ AT gear & not being in the backseat...

[ski_faster]

bbirtle- I think I can drive a 183 just fine since I ski a 191 Mantra.

Iggy- I haven't removed the toe shim just yet.

Wildstyle- When I mounted the skis in December I hadn't heard many reviews on where to mount.

Next Question: Should I remount and remove the shim and run the risk of still not enjoying the skis. Plus devaluing the skis even more.

[danadog]

start with removing the shim and see it it helps, before you drill your ski again.
Good luck

[upallnight]

I wouldn't remove the Fritschi shim. I personally do not find the so-called ramp angle issue to be a problem at all.

I would remount at the line or a bit forward.

Also, be sure that for all mounting issues you use the "I" marked on the sidewall, not the topsheet. The FS & FR lines marked on the topsheet may vary from ski to ski as it is (apparently) very difficult to line up topsheets. The center mount point on the sidewall, however, will not vary.

[upallnight]

EDIT: I just saw danadog's post. If you can do so without any re-drilling, that sounds like the best and safest way to go. Why not try it first? If you don't like it, then re-mount.

[addict]

Garmont G-rides are also a little backseat compared to a decent DH boot. Not very canted.

[upallnight]

Could you maybe grind the toepiece, too - at least to get to a neutral or slightly-forward state?

Have you tried the boots with any other setup?

Please post your results, when you decide the best route.

[ski_faster]

Have you tried the boots with any other setup?

First season on the G-Rides, but I think the problem is with the mount and length of the skis.

[Particle]

No one has posted the real reason he probably hates his Gots: they are sooooft and shooooort!

Plus why is everyone telling the guy to mount forward if he already feels like he's in the backseat? If you are needing to get backseat to make the skis perform/float, then it's likely he's still too far forward even at -1. Oy.

I'm sure the G-Rides just compound the problem. I for one have skied Gots and am not a fan, although I have really enjoyed other Volkls i.e., G41, explosiv, etc.

[wildstyle]

I think the problems are in this order:

1. Your mount is too far back.
3. The skis are short for you.
2. You're switching to a touring setup and have lost the alpine ramp angle you have been used to.
4. Denalis have a more neutral angle comapred to DH boots.


All these have conspired to make you feel in the backseat.

Removing shims, shaving boots etc etc are used to fine tune a setup rather than fix a problem with a binder mount.

If it was me, i'd remount them.

I think that will make the most difference to the feel of the ski.Then get used to the new ramp angles.

Fix the problem rather than the symptoms.

I've never been afraid to redrill wood core skis. I have 2 sets of mounts on my nordica beasts but i tend not to think about resale value. Resale value doesn't help you feel comfortable at 50mph on the steeps in powder.

Ideally, you should get some 191's as these would serve you well.

And don't feel bad about buying skis too short for you. I bought a set of 04/05 gotamas for a killer deal that were 176cms. Took me about 5 mins to work out they were waaaay too short for me. Mrs wildstyle is now very a happy lady and i'm about to take delivery of my 190 gotamas.

Hope this helps.

[wildstyle]

No one has posted the real reason he probably hates his Gots: they are sooooft and shooooort!

Plus why is everyone telling the guy to mount forward if he already feels like he's in the backseat? If you are needing to get backseat to make the skis perform/float, then it's likely he's still too far forward even at -1. Oy.

I'm sure the G-Rides just compound the problem. I for one have skied Gots and am not a fan, although I have really enjoyed other Volkls i.e., G41, explosiv, etc.

see below

They are mounted -1. I feel like I am always in the backseat

This looks like ski_fasters first proper touring/backcountry setup (correct me if i'm wrong, ski_faster) so i doubt he'll be wanting super stiff skis to master the pow/crud/creamy on.

Super stiff powder skis give you a good consistent response in a lot of conditions but take more skill to use in all conditions and at all speeds. Yes the gotamas are soft but with that comes easier turns and a fun lively feel to them.

I for one will be getting some stiffer powder skis only when i start to overpower my existing softer skis.

[Particle]

OK wild correction: soft isn't the main concern, or a concern at all for a touring setup. I mean, I have 185 sickbirds for my AT skis...

But I find that when I'm skiing backseat because of a setup, it's because my skis are mounted too far forward and I have to surf the tails to get them up out of the pow. So if I'm backseat it's usually not b/c the skis are mounted too far back, it's b/c they are mounted too far forward. IMHO.

[wildstyle]

OK wild correction: soft isn't the main concern, or a concern at all for a touring setup. I mean, I have 185 sickbirds for my AT skis...

But I find that when I'm skiing backseat because of a setup, it's because my skis are mounted too far forward and I have to surf the tails to get them up out of the pow. So if I'm backseat it's usually not b/c the skis are mounted too far back, it's b/c they are mounted too far forward. IMHO.

No probs particle.

Ski_faster, can you quicly clarify this for us.

When you say you feel "in the backseat", do you mean you feel like you're naturally feel like you're leaning back/being thrown back on landings or that you're having to ride the back of the skis to keep the tips up ?

[ski_faster]

This looks like ski_fasters first proper touring/backcountry setup (correct me if i'm wrong, ski_faster) so i doubt he'll be wanting super stiff skis to master the pow/crud/creamy on.

Super stiff powder skis give you a good consistent response in a lot of conditions but take more skill to use in all conditions and at all speeds. Yes the gotamas are soft but with that comes easier turns and a fun lively feel to them.

Wildstyle I am a advanced skier and can ski the pow/crud/ and everything else. I really like my Mantra's for resort days so I do ski a stiff ski. I am not saying the Mantra is the stiffest but it is stiffer than some.

[ccwaskier]

I have 183 Gotama's, freerides mounted on the line, and g rides. I hate using the grides with these skis. I found it difficult to turn the skis with the g rides and i was in the backseat. I am your same height and weigh 130 lbs, so the 183 is a pretty big ski for me, and that might have something to do with it. I really like skiing the g rides with my 175 pocket rockets and freerides, but that is a super easy skiing ski. Before you go changing other things, see how you like the skis with your alpine boots. If they help alot you'll know the boots are the issue. If your still in the backseat you can try other things.

[altagirl]

OK wild correction: soft isn't the main concern, or a concern at all for a touring setup. I mean, I have 185 sickbirds for my AT skis...

But I find that when I'm skiing backseat because of a setup, it's because my skis are mounted too far forward and I have to surf the tails to get them up out of the pow. So if I'm backseat it's usually not b/c the skis are mounted too far back, it's b/c they are mounted too far forward. IMHO.

That's exactly how I feel about why I hate skiing anything mounted forward. Plus - Freerides only make it worse with the ramp angle. So I'd agree with Particle and say you should mount farther back. But take out the toe shims for starters, since it's easiest.


Or just sell me your 183 Gotamas really cheap. Because I'd love a backup pair.

[ski_faster]

No probs particle.

Ski_faster, can you quicly clarify this for us.

When you say you feel "in the backseat", do you mean you feel like you're naturally feel like you're leaning back/being thrown back on landings or that you're having to ride the back of the skis to keep the tips up ?

When I say backseat I mean feel like naturally leaning back or being thrown back by ever little bump.

[XtrPickels]

When I say backseat I mean feel like naturally leaning back or being thrown back by ever little bump.

this means its not the mount, because he's not compensating.

I say its the delta angle of the binding + the g-rides. For the backseat concerns.

Other concerns will arise from the shortness of a 183 got.
If you think about how short the effective edge is on a gotama... I wouldn't want to go any further back because then you'll have no tail to your ski.

Ski- Try a different boot, see how that feels to you. You have freerides so you can get an alpine boot in there. Its a place to start. If it helps the problem, then you might be able to salvage the skis. If you still feel the same, then the setup probably isn't grooving and you need to look at another ski.