Corny review for DPS 185 Wailer Coming Soon

[Pow4Brains]

The quiver is quivering from the prospect of another page being added (looks like it fits!)………………….DPS 185 Wailer on loan for test drives (DPS customer service = ”sure we have some skis for you to use” ), heading to harvest some corn tomorrow. Here’s some porn before my $.02
Surprised by the 3 lb 15oz un-mounted weight . Mounted at the line.

[soul_skier]

any idea what happens to them after you are finished????

[upallnight]

Wailer 105 or 95? Can't tell if they're narrower than those ANTs, but maybe if you're taking them out for a 'corn harvest' they're the 95s?

Nearly 4 pounds would be on the lighter side light(ish) for a 105; not so much for a 95.

Curious to hear what you think.

The dp site claims 3.5lbs for the 185/95...and I think it was posted in the past that a 120 in a 190 is 1900g (4.2lbs)/ski.

[JMan]

those are some large sticks and they look like theyre gonna rip.

[Meathelmet]

Wailer 105 or 95?

Yes,our inquiring minds want some answahs.

Thinking of replacing my 183cm havocs with 175cm Wailer 95s.
The damn problem just seems to be the frigging sidecut,what,22m?
A wailer with explosivicue sidecut would be quite mint.
Pity that short bro models are sold out..
Dang.

[benDover]

I am also very anxious for this review. Pretty much been waiting all year for a word on the wailers.

[Pow4Brains]

Inconclusive…………..sorry to say. We hiked for 2 hours to ski 500 vert.
Needless to say, I made 4 turns. But, stable but quick come too mind so far. The “line” mount feels a little forward, but I MADE 4 TURNS. More to come soon………

soul skier – I’ll find out.

upall – yeah, they are 95s……just didn’t *feel* the carbon fiber compared to my 191 REXs (BTW- I used a postage scale so I’m pretty sure it’s right.)

[marshalolson]

those are wailer 95's. are they flex 3's? my lotus' weight in @ claimed.

[Pow4Brains]

are they flex 3's?

Yup, but last years, which is supposed to be this years 2. Correct?

[upallnight]

I'm hoping next year's "flex 2" will still be a "flex 2"; sounds like things will get a bit stiffer, though.

[marshalolson]

Yup, but last years, which is supposed to be this years 2. Correct?

well not really. i guess SD is the man to answer these questions, but my impression is the flexes will come up about 10% on the lotus and maybe 15% on the wailer. the #3 is something like 30%ish (just guessing) stiffer than the #2's.

also, the #3's are noticably heavier compared to #2's. my #2 120's come in just over 4lbs... didn't have a good enough scale for a real # though. the 95 #2's i felt were WAY lighter. adding 10% will still yield a very light ski.

i'd guess next years #2 will be around .3-.5 lbs less than the #3's you weighed and are demo'ing now. again, total conjecture, but somewhere around there.......

[upallnight]

Flex 2 tip, Flex 3 tail would be a cool option in any of the dp skis.

I'm really curious about the wailers (at the lighter weight).

[marshalolson]

Flex 2 tip, Flex 3 tail would be a cool option in any of the dp skis.

I'm really curious about the wailers (at the lighter weight).

the tails are already noticably stiffer than the shovel.

[iskibc]

Pow4brains,

You still have the demos around? Would love to test them out sometime soon. I reeeeaaaaallly need new skis as all of my current setups are on their last leg, and DPs may be the way to go by not sacrificing performance with less weight. Let me know. Would be more than happy to exchange a 6 pack for a day of touring on those skis.

[upallnight]

the tails are already noticably stiffer than the shovel.

Excellent! Now I'm even more excited about their arrival!!

Only how many months away??

[Hugh Jass]

Thanks for the photos. I'm eagerly awaiting a more thorough review.

Did you get them from Rob the CO rep?

[Pow4Brains]

Thanks for the photos. I'm eagerly awaiting a more thorough review.

Did you get them from Rob the CO rep?

Nope. THE man. Hopefully will get some turns on them in the next couple of days!!!

[Pow4Brains]

So it appears that my turns are limited for the rest of the summer, but I felt that I needed to post SOMETHING on em’ cuz it’s almost ski buyin’ time

Anyway, I only got about 4000’ worth of corn on them so please keep that in mind. I’m 6’ 185 and TRY to ski fairly aggressively, but tend to be more conservative in the BC.

My first reaction of the weight of these skis seems to hold true when on your feet. They are mounted at the line, which felt about perfect and the added stiffness in the tails helps keep you out of the back seat. Obviously I had no way of detecting tip dive. The lack of camber (being zilch) made the skis feel “dead” at first (I guess I should have expected this being that these are Drake POWDER Skis), but honestly, as iskibc pointed out, they love to turn (they where ideal for the cooler that MBSC so graciously took me down ) Regardless of the relative short length (185cm) of the ski, I never felt like I could over power them. My best description would be “shock absorbing angle iron”. You putem’ on edge and they stay there. The overall dimensions of the ski seem to be perfect for my intended use in the BC. Fat enough to float, short enough to slip through slots.

Overall, I would love to own a pair, ski them in powder, but can’t justify the price against the weight benefits of the (Fuck, do I even say it!) Goode or BROs (Please consider I am looking for an ultra lightweight BC set up) and the apparent unknown durability of a true carbon fiber ski (Only what I have read about true carbon fiber skis. DPSs seem to be a very well built ski and I had no problems with them.) I think DP hit the nail on the head with their company vision:

We don't aim to be the lightest ski in the touring class or even to be included in it per say, if that makes sense. The goal is to make the highest performing skis made, physically speaking, and in doing so, make sure that the weights stay down in a place where people are psyched to tour on them, even on the big skis, and that they know they will be able to make ultra-quick moves while on them that match the superior power generated by the materials.

Sorry for the lack luster review, and again, please keep I mind I did not get to use them for their intended purpose, but I didn’t want to leave ya’ all hanging. Buy them if you got the $$$$$$ to throw around, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

soul skier: I’ll check with DP about sending them to you when I take them back.

[Squatch]

[vapid, gaper-like opinion] They have the prettiest topsheets [/v, g-l o]

[upallnight]

Surprised by the 3 lb 15oz un-mounted weight . Mounted at the line.

Does anyone recall what the 179 (Stiff) Bros weigh? I can't seem to find the thread that had them on the scale. I think it was somewhere around 7.5 pounds for the pair.

Thanks!

[upallnight]

Does anyone recall what the 179 (Stiff) Bros weigh? I can't seem to find the thread that had them on the scale. I think it was somewhere around 7.5 pounds for the pair.

Thanks!

Couldn't find the post with the pic of the scale (anyone else remember that one?), but I did find the following quote from Splat in this thread:

Without further input due to my bias, I'll just say the finished weight of the 188 Bro soft is right on 4 lbs. per ski, the 179 stiff is 3.75 - 3.8 and the soft 179 is 3.5 lbs per ski.

[soul_skier]

soul skier: I’ll check with DP about sending them to you when I take them back.

it would be much appreciated!
-w