Quick G4 sizing question!

[300hp]

hey guys. I'm going to pick up a set of g4/g41s. It is up in the air as to who I will end up with skis from. I can choose between a 178 and 188. The ski is filling a fun mess around on groomers/spring/everyday MI sort of role. Currently the quiver consists of 181 armada pipecleaners/180 tankers/185 kingswood stiff/188 dobermann GSR for race. I like the way my 180+ skis ride, but don't know if I want to feel worked at the end of the day like you do when lugging 916 and fat skis around. Who has skied on both sizes, what were your thoughts. Is the stiffness enough to make up for the shorter size, or will I regret it? do they ski long or short? I need to make this decision kinda quick.
stats: 6'1, 160lbs, race like.
Danka
Hunter

[davep]

Haven't skied both so I can't be of much help, but:

Personally I like my skinny skis to be a bit shorter than my fat skis. I'm the same size as you, but no race background, and like my 178s. They're definately stiff under foot&tail (a bit too stiff for my taste) but softer in the tip so they're not very hard to ski - kinda like an explosive. Judging from your reviews liking of stiff/big skis ie 189 squads, you could probably handle the 188s no problem (I could not).

Like I said - not much help. I think you'd be fine with either honestly - just figure out whether you want this to be an easy ski and use your GSRs for charging, or you want to charge on the G4s.

[pechelman]

for reference the 188s arent that hard to handle (infact not hard at all)
im 5'10 170 and in my second season of skiing

just stay on top, point them, and put them on edge occasionally
Id say they ski pretty true to their size for similar skis.
About the same feeling as my 186LPs with just a tad more length.
The tune on my pair is pretty crappy so take my comments with that in regard.

the question you need to be asking yourself is do you want more stability or more manuverability?

[DJSapp]

I actually have ran both lengths now (178cm 724AX4 and 188cm G41).

Myself = 6'3" 225 lbs.
Ski mostly Mammoth & Tahoe, wet sierra snow.

Likes: going fast, pow, trees, long walks on the beach, and gin

There's really nothing the 178's can't do that the 188's did. They have just as much stability at speed as the 188, however, the 178's are easier to swing in tight spots and easier to get through bumps. I still haven't found a speed limit on the 178. The 188's tend to hang up more in tight spots.

The 188 demands that you are in control of it all day. The 178 is a little more forgiving, but not much. Both are great skis, but imho the 178 is more versitile.

[300hp]

alrighty then. I know what the 188s ski like, and I was wondering if the flex changed alot for the shorter pair...I guess not. All that means is I might have to get two sets

I have not made a little turn in a while, so its time to let em runnnnn

its kind of sad to me that most of the skis from 2000-2002 that i ski on still beat the crap out of the new system bullshit cap anti vibration dildo strapped to the top kind of stuff.

Give me wood layered between metal and I'm a happy man.
tank's guys
Hunter

[m1e448]

I know a 130 lb chick that skis the 178 tele. she was a former bump skier, but I'd say 188. Disclaimer: I've never skied these myself, but from what I've heard you'd probably like the longer ones.

[HitMe]

300hp,

I've actually skied all lengths of the G4/G41 quite extensively, 168-198, including the 178 and 188. Of course there is a vast difference between what kind of sking I do on the 168 compared to the 198. I would say that while the longer lengths gradually get a tad stiffer, they in a sense feel softer and less springy but more damped. The gradually loose pop but gain stability through crud and stuff. If you're gonna be doing long turns on hardpack you can benefit on going long since then you can angle the ski up more without over turning.

It was a while since the G4s where a "top of the line ski" and I think they feel a bit dated nowadays. Interestingly, I don't think that applies as much to the shorter lengths. The 168 G4 (which is my wifes ski) still feels sweet as a kind of widened carver ski.

So, from your description I would suggest the 178. Its definitely not that the 188 get too much ski or anything and its still an easy ski. If you at all will do and off piste skiing, I hold the 188 as better and same thing goes for in bounds big turns in either very messy terrain or on very hard snow. But for general kind of semi-relaxed piste skiing, I would say you get more pop and carve out of the 178. This particularly holds when its not that steep. I would also classify the 178 as "beefy enough". Ifs not lack of stiffness that will make it reach its limit at high speed faster than the 188, its simply the tighter turning radius that would take its toll.

Also, looking at your other skiis, I think the 178 complements them better. I would for example rather use the 180 tanker than the 188 G4 pretty much regardless of conditions and my own state of mind, but the 178 offers a true complement.

[300hp]

thank you, hit me. that was along the lines of my thought process.

[natty dread]

All I know is the 198 G4s I had for a few weeks kicked my ass. Sold those green monsters as quick as I could.