Ridiculously Fat (Sumos and DP120)

**Professor** · 03-05-2007, 03:23 PM

First thing I thought when I pulled the 190 Sumos out of the box is, "this is silly". They are downright ridiculous in girth. When leaning up against the wall next to 194 Squads, the Squads look like old race skis. But the real issue is how do they ski? "Ridiculous" still comes to mind, but it is "Ridiculously Fun". The first day I struggled with the shorter length a bit. The sweet spot of the 194 Squads is a bit back and that ski has a ton of tail to set a hard edge when necessary. The 190 Sumo sweetspot is right over the middle and the tail is too short to use the same way you use the tail on the Squad. This took some real getting used to, especially in tele boots. But after three days in a row on them, I am sold. Airing into cut up stuff just seems easy. I will admit I had perfect conditions for them from Thursday through Saturday, but there was no where that they really disappointed me. I still wish they were longer, but I can deal with it. They also rail on groomers and hold a decent edge on hard snow. Again it took a while to stop overpowering them in a turn after skiing my Squads so much, but once I just rolled the ski on edge it would do all the work. It is also still stiff enough that it will handle a decent straightline on cut up junk or hard snow. They are surprisingly stable at speed and just haul through the junk. Again, compared to a Squad the bottom line is easier to ski, floats ridiculously well, holds a good edge, carves a real nice turn, but not as stable when just hauling ass. I think the stability is as much due to the length as anything else though since a few times, I simply almost "looped out". Bottom line, the Sumo is almost exactly what I have been looking for.

Now I also got a number of runs on a Flex 2 DP120, that I think is last years. Again, a really fun ski. In soft snow these things are super fun. On hard snow and groomers, same problems I experienced with the 193 EHPs. They tend to wander a bit when running flat and dont do what I want outside of soft snow. Although LB skied them all weekend and liked them much more than the Sumos. The "skiddiness" of the DP, for want of a better term is one of the things he seemed to like better. The bottom line seemed to be the shape. The Sumo and its "traditional shape" is harder to get on edge, but carves clean when you do. The EHP is easier to dump speed by tossing sideways and a bit more managable in tight spots. I do want to say that I liked the feeling of the construction on the DP. It was light and damp at the same time. If they were more of a traditional shape I would consider buying a pair next year. Maybe if "someone" reads this and builds a 198 Wailer 125, I would have the best of both worlds

**hop** · 03-05-2007, 03:25 PM

You're skiing a 190 noodle? Man, what is the world coming to?

**Professor** · 03-05-2007, 03:28 PM

I dont know where people got the idea that these are so soft. If you flex them flat (as opposed to just flexing the twin tail), they are about the same stiffness as an XXL. Not super stiff, but sure stiffer than people think. As for the 190, guilty as charged until they build it in a bigger size.

**pechelman** · 03-05-2007, 03:35 PM

good reviews!

i would have never guessed 194 squad + prof + sumo would all be in the same sentence, but I am happy for you that you found the right ski to fill that spot in your quiver.

...at least for now

**Joey Joe Joe Junior Shabadoo** · 03-05-2007, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by Professor

Maybe if "someone" reads this and builds a 198 Wailer 125, I would have the best of both worlds

While I do love my Lotus 120's, I like the way you think.

**lemon boy** · 03-05-2007, 05:43 PM

heh, this week revealed the head to head to head to head all time ruling champieeen ski to be.....

02/03 BIG DADDIES! yes indeedily the BDs are better than Squads, Sumos or DP120s at some thing, while not perhaps being better at all things. Better at groomie than the 120s, better at pow than the squads and better at the mank than the sumos (well...and better than them on the groomie too). The BDs still hold position as the finest "everyday" ski IMVHO.

Squads: they're simply way too stiff for me and their pow performance was...shall we say...less than stellar. I did have a couple of glimpses of their potential greatness for certain applications.

Sumos: meh, I couldn't ever really get these to ski how I wanted. If it wasn't perfect they felt too wide and clunky. Obviously in the perfect blower they were...quite nice but had an aura of boring seriousness about them that after the playfulness of BDs and 120s is a bit of a turnoff. Also of note, leather topsheets are the fucking dumbest thing ever.

120s: fuck, I didn't want to like these skis cause I don't have 9 bills sitting around right now. But...I do like them. A Lot. As mentioned the groomed performance isn't like a traditional ski but for me it wasn't the same kind of problem it is for the prof. To avoid gapers I don't mind occasionally skidding and when just turning I was able to cleanly arc turns of varying radii once I got them figured out. Crud, I think that they could maybe use a little more rubber to dampen things out not because they don't hammer it but b/c I think it'd make them a little more confidence inspiring. I found that while they did everything I wanted in less than great conditions the flapping and bouncing was disconcerting. Pow performance though was really outstanding (duh). I even made a couple of full speed pow tele turns. Go figure. I did manage to stuff tips on them but only being a dumbass. I also had a few nicely spectacular ragdolls owing to keeping my throttle pinned the whole time I was on them. I'd probably need more armor if I got these too because they like to go fast in the pow. Marshal had beaten on the bases and I definitely clipped a few submerged rocks but the bases held up remarkably, the topsheets though...that's another story. All in all, I thought they wuz great skis though. THanks marsha for the loaner pair.

**Professor** · 03-05-2007, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by lemon boy

Also of note, leather topsheets are the fucking dumbest thing ever.

Ditto!

**verbier61** · 03-06-2007, 07:00 AM

it's so simple..... squads for hard snow, lotus for soft snow.

I would have NEVER considered to pick a pair of squads (I don't like stiff skis), but could not resist to try an auction on german e-bay, and got a pair of 189 pro squads for 220 euro. wow. After some days on it, I decided they are perfect for days without any soft snow