Moving On.....from the G4 to the Mantra or LP

**Kirkwood** · 10-22-2006, 11:35 PM

Decisions Decisions....I started skiing the G4 in a 188 in 2001. I liked the ski so much I bought a couple of pairs when Volkl stopped making them and have been skiing them ever since. I manage to get 35-40 days in a year at Kirkwood.

Now its time to move on to a something new.....I have read the reveiws and forum postings and I am torn between the 186 LP and the 184/191 Mantra. I am 6'0" - 220lbs. Not a little guy.

Not sure where to start this but....Should I compare the 186 LP to the 191 Mantra or the 184 Mantra. Once I get this part down I can get going on picking one. I have not read any write ups on the 191 Mantra. Is it too much ski?

**Toby** · 10-22-2006, 11:48 PM

You're in Bro country at Kirkwood. Hit up splat and the boys for a demo.

**StormDay** · 10-23-2006, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Kirkwood

I have not read any write ups on the 191 Mantra. Is it too much ski?

No, not at 220lbs.

I'm 225lbs and got the 191 Mantra after having the 184.

if you are 50/50 groomed/off-piste, like shorter turns and like to sink into pow, you might be happier with 184.

I found the Mantra to be pretty easy to ski and like the longer length for handling funky snow and getting a little more float.

**dirtybryan** · 10-23-2006, 02:09 AM

I sort of feel you are comparing two very different skis. Mantra's seemed to be really soft in comparison to the LPs after fondling the two in the shop. Also needless to say very quite different shapes. What are you shooting for?

**gforce** · 10-23-2006, 06:52 AM

You are a Volkl guy - so stay with Volkl. Go 191 Mantra because it is softer then the G4 - less burly and has more of a forgiving character.
The LP is awesome too but probably have to drive them more - narrower tip - less float then Mantra.

**Colorado_Freeskier** · 10-23-2006, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by dirtybryan

I sort of feel you are comparing two very different skis. Mantra's seemed to be really soft in comparison to the LPs after fondling the two in the shop. Also needless to say very quite different shapes. What are you shooting for?

Exactly, see my reply here:

http://tetongravity.com/forums/showt...001#post954001

Squatch · 10-23-2006, 12:26 PM

The 191 mantra is stiffer than the 184, at least from hand-flexing. If you get the mantra, go for the big length.

**Kirkwood** · 10-23-2006, 04:07 PM

I am shooting for a one quiver ski. I have heard that the '07 LP is the same ski as last years but with new graphics. I also heard the LP was softened abit Can someone confirm?

I do like to ski 30/70 groomed/off piste. If go with the Mantra (which was stiffened this year) Here is what I am thinking about the Mantra....If I go with the 184, buy the '07 (stiffer). If I go with the 191, buy the '06 (a little softer and save some $$ while I am at it) Is this an applicable approach?

Squatch · 10-23-2006, 04:25 PM

Originally Posted by Kirkwood

I am shooting for a one quiver ski. I have heard that the '07 LP is the same ski as last years but with new graphics. I also heard the LP was softened abit Can someone confirm?

I do like to ski 30/70 groomed/off piste. If go with the Mantra (which was stiffened this year) Here is what I am thinking about the Mantra....If I go with the 184, buy the '07 (stiffer). If I go with the 191, buy the '06 (a little softer and save some $$ while I am at it) Is this an applicable approach?

no.

buy the 191 - 07. I weigh the same as you and the 191 is the perfect one-quiver ski. If you're maching, you can overwhelm the tips if you mount it on the line, unless you go longer.

FYI, I bent the tips on the 191, and got a new pair this year from warranty. I was far from the only one, seems like 1 in 3 people that had 05/06 mantras bent the tip somewhere. I think they stiffened up the tip for this very reason.

**StormDay** · 10-23-2006, 04:42 PM

I agree.

Buy the 07 Mantra. It was only slightly stiffened. Not the radical change that was made to the AC4.

Also the top sheet on the 07 seems more durable.

On the LPs soften up. My 194 LPs have only softened a little. The LPs are still significantly stiffer that my Mantras. You would probably be looking at 6-10 days to get the LP to soften up a bit.