Atomic R:EX vs Volkl G41/4

[saddlsore]

I own some G 41's but haven't had a chance to try some R:EX's. I like skis with this geometry and stiffness but want some relief from the cumulative depleted uranium feel of the big heavy wood core skis. Is the ride and feel of the Atomic at all like the Volkl?? Other ski in this "cateogry" I've tried is the Blizzard Titan 82 which was nice but yet another "heavyweight." Any takers??

[BakerBoy]

IMO, the difference in ride between high-end Volkl fat skis and Atomic fat skis is enormous. Where Volkls tend to be heavy and damp, Atomics tend to be light, snappy and transmit every single vibration into your legs. My experience is that I definitely prefer one over the other, so if you do not like how the Volkls ski, I would definitely recommend trying something else.

[mr_gyptian]

The ski simply hauls ass. REX, I mean. I tried everything on the rack this year and it seemed to have the most raw muscle.

[saddlsore]

Thanks, peeps, for your input. Don't get me wrong, I like the G41's but after several days, their heft wears me down. Looking forward to mixing it up with a livlier, sappier ride. If your experience is true Baker Boy, I'd enjoy both.

[Shredhead]

I like the G4 better. I can't get my Rex's to turn nearly as quickly or get the pop of the G4. But that may be because I have Freerides on them.

[Ski Monkey]

I've skied a 184 REX and and regularly ski a 188 G4. My preference is for the G4 since it doesn't seem to deflect as much in crud and variable snow and at top speed seems to be a bit more stable. Having said that, both are great skis, it just comes down to preference in how you want it to feel.

[Stealth Radness]

I also have a pair of each skis, the REX being my AT setup and the G4 mounted with Salomons. I loved the G4 for ripping high speed turns but were too heavy for touring. The REX was the closest thing I could find to a lightweight G4, and it is snappier and more prone to deflection than the G4 mostly by virtue of the weight difference. Both skis are stiff crud rockers.

[Arty50]

What Stealth said. I have 177 R:EXs for BC and 188 G4s for inbounds.

[laseranimal]

arty do you overpower your REX's in the BC? I have a 178 G4 and am thinking about picking up a 184 TMEX or REX depending on whether I can get my tele skills up to par and am wondering if 177 would be too short

[highlander]

I have both and think the g-41 188 with solly is the best thing ever made. It will do big high speeders with a great tail feel, pop some fast ones, blast over or through anything, super tough bases, it will even bump alright. The tenex has never felt that good to me, I have a 191 with a freeride, maybe it's the binder. Much less damp, much more torsional rigidity, much more deflection. It does like going fast and might be quicker to whip around in the trees or whatever, but it's just never been my fave. If you want to buy it shoot me a pm, I'll make you a deal.

[Arty50]

Originally posted by laseranimal
arty do you overpower your REX's in the BC? I have a 178 G4 and am thinking about picking up a 184 TMEX or REX depending on whether I can get my tele skills up to par and am wondering if 177 would be too short

Actually, I can't answer that question just yet for two reasons. I'm new to the BC, so I've been taking it easy compared to inbounds. Also, I've been overpowering my G-Rides instead. Last week I blew up straightlining something because my boots couldn't handle the speed. Prior to that I had been making some huge, fast turns in corn and they held up really well. A couple of days later, when things got manky on Tallac, my boots were practically folding up on me. My AT boot situation is starting to suck. Other than that, I've been really happy with the setup. The R:EXs are really light, super quick in the trees, and when I have openned them up in pow/nice corn they've been really stable. I need more days on them though. Maybe I'll take them out to the resort with my alpine boots and see how they do. But right now, I'm plenty happy with the shorter length.

[Lunch]

I have the R:EX in 177. It's my primary ski (resort) and I really really like them. They are incredibly versatile for a wide mid-fat ski. Great in bumps, crud and pow. As already mentioned, they're light quick and responsive. They really shine in the deep stuff. There's only a couple days each year (5'+ days) when I wish I had something a little wider (working on it). Sorry, can't compare to the Volkl's b/c I've never tried them.

My $0.02. Good luck.

[Jiffy]

Originally posted by Arty50
A couple of days later, when things got manky on Tallac, my boots were practically folding up on me. My AT boot situation is starting to suck.

Gain access to a grinding wheel and put in a flexon tongue.
It makes a WORLD of difference.
Also, rivet some plastic into the upper cuff.

Somebody on here told me about this, and it works.

I started skiing mine inbounds in ALL conditions and they difference is now neglible. i cant take a pic, cuz i dont have a camara, but i can go into more detail if you want.

[laseranimal]

alright, I FINALLY got a day on the REX's and can compare them to the G4's

G4's 178

REX 177

Me 5'10" 235

The REX is a great ski, the G4 is a great ski they're just different temperments. The G4 is a burly strong ski that likes to be pushed, whatever you put into it it'll deal back in spades. The REX is a lot more of a finesse ski, not a whole lot of rebound energy.

Both of these skis are "stable" but in a different sort of way, where the G4 simply blasts though and over everything in its way, the REX is like a sponge that sucks up any of the imperfections in the snow

Bumps: the Volkl needs to have hard edge sets around the bumps where the Atomic wants to slide in between them.

Float: I think the REX is a little better due to the fact its lighter and skis on top of the snow where the G4 is more comfortable IN the snow.

Crudbusting: the G4 wins hands down, on the REX you have to be more aware of the terrain and adjust accordingly whereas the G4 just blows through everything.

Hardpack: I'd say there even depending on your skiing style. If you want to go REALLY fast and stable get the G4 if you want to go really fast and be really damp get the REX. Neither of these skis is going to lose an edge at speed

Trees: Pick your poison both of these skis are great here, personally I prefer the stiffness of the G4 because I know that if I have to throw a check turn in I can get the ski to respond immediately, where the REX is softer and lighter so you can make 3 turns where the G4 can only make 1

Overall Impressions: Like I said above these are two really good skis it just matters what kind of person you are. If you want a scalpel that will make lots of precise turns get the G4 if you want a butter knife thats going to make your skiing smooth and flawless get the REX

Some other random thoughts: I'm a bigger guy so the G4 would respond better to me, I bet if I was 5'6" and 175 I'd like the REX better. I skied the REX with the atomic demo binder in the furthest forward possition and thought that it had a lot of tail, I bet if it was moved back to all around it would have been better but I didn't notice it til the end of the day. The G4 is a wider GS ski where the Atomic skis much more like a fat ski ie it feels a little dead and planky on the hardpack. The REX is WAAAAAAAAY lighter then the G4. Atomic bindings suck I can't even belive how easy it is to get them to release, just tap the heelpeice with your pole and you're out. The REX makes short turns MUCH easier then the G4