Why do I hate my Gotamas? WWMD

[wildstyle]

Wildstyle I am a advanced skier and can ski the pow/crud/ and everything else...

I stand corrected....

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

Ok, that clears it up for me. thanks.

I'm still saying the combination of mount,bindings and boots are placing you in a natural backseat position.

i'd change the skis to 190's if you can get them and mount them on the line.

If you can't do that then play with your boots/shim piece.

i still think a remount will be a better idea in the long run and get you to the right position on the skis quicker.

[upallnight]

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.

The Gotamas are just fine as a ski, so I don't think the issue is there -- particularly for an AT setup. Earlier today, I skied some stuff 45-50 degrees, some pow, some wind-affect/slabby snow, and a few smallish airs.

Correct me if I'm mistaken, but I don't think he's saying he needs to get in the back seat to make the ski perform -- I think he's saying he's thrown in the backseat and it's work to get out. If correct, I would think the rear-ward mount *is* the issue.

[skinnyskier]

I had the same issue with my 183 Gotama/Freeride/Denali combo. They skied the soft stuff in the backcountry just fine, but were a tough ride for me inbounds. I took the Freerides off and put alpine bindings on, which helped. Mine are mounted on the sidewall I. Possible you would be helped by heel wedge/spoiler mods to the boot, but only you and your bootfitter know for sure.

[descender]

The I mark is the spot on 183s. On the 190s you can move forward a bit with good results.

[summit]

pull the freeride toe plastic (or buy NX21s)
modify the grides (booster strap, grind toe vibram or put in a heel elevator under the footbed (and dont use the stock footbeds))
consider 190s mount per spec

[girlski0912]

Dammit AG beat me to the punch. Just skied the 183 Gotama the other day and FREAKING LOVE THEM. Granted it was an alpine set up versus the Freeride. I have never really spent a lot of time trying to adjust to the Freeride, but the few times that I have skied them I really didn't like the lift. I felt like I was standing on my tip toes and had to ride really backseat to get anything worthwhile to happen. They were mounted on a pair of really short (for me) Explosives and the combo of a short stiff ski with the Freerides really threw me.

That said...keep the freerides and mount them on something that actually fits you (a 183 soft ski when you are used to something longer and stiffer is probably not the right combo), give me a few weeks to file my taxes and see what my refund is...and sell them to ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, let's talk.

[tknox]

I agree with xtrapickels about the bindings and g-rides being the problem. I have freerides on LP's and only ski them with the g-rides if its a powder day, otherr than that adjust them for your alpine boots. G-rides aren't stiff enough to ski the same as an alpine boot but you can get used to them, but you have to ski a little different to stay out of th ebackseat

[jimmy page]

Have you tried using your current setup inbounds for a day? This might give you enough time to figure out any adjustments to your stance that you might need. Also I am not sure if the G-Rides have a forward lean adjustment, but if they do I would make sure that it is cranked all the way forward.

[stump832]

Sell me your gotamas.

[girlski0912]

Sell me your gotamas.

Nonononono...Sell ME your gotamas

[altagirl]

You can sell them to Girlski if Stump sells me one of his extra pairs. Cheap.

[ski_faster]

WOW the line is getting long. Keep in mind I will be in Utah this weekend drinking so I could be easliy persuaded.

[ski_faster]

UPDATE: OK I took the freerides off and mounted Naxo 21's on the "I". I have skied them once backcountry, and once at the resort 33300 vertical feet. I know longer feel like I am in the backseat. They are back to the ski that I remember from last year.

Sorry Stump, Girlski and Altagirl I am keeping the skis.

[Chainsaw_Willie]

To what would you most attribute the transformation in the way they ski - the change to Naxos or the change in mounting point?


I really really really really really really want a pair of 183 gots with AT bindings for my BC setup. Yep, I really do.

[ski_faster]

To what would you most attribute the transformation in the way they ski - the change to Naxos or the change in mounting point?


I really really really really really really want a pair of 183 gots with AT bindings for my BC setup. Yep, I really do.

I would have to say it would be a conbination of both. If I would of keep the freerides I would of mounted without the toe shim on the "I".

[Cirquerider]

I was having the same problem with Mantra/Freeride/Adrenalin combo. I switched back to my downhill boots (Nordica Hot Rod) and the problem is solved. Unless I am skinning or boot packing the Adrenalins stay behind. While the combo is one of the strongest AT setups, you give up incrementally more performance for the bindings and boots. Personally, I found the boots to be the weakest link. Anyway, if you have high performance alpine boots, use those at the resort on this setup and report back.