One Ski Quiver?

[Hicks]

Like to consult the community's wisdom again.

Just passed on my 188 Bros - which I loved for 80% of the stuff I usually ski - to a buddy begging for them and are in the market for a replacement now. Favorably in a 183/184 lenght as maneuverable mountaineering but also all purpose one quiver tool.
With the Bros not opting in that length and my 179s set up for AT skiing too short I'm looking for other options with comparable features (stiff, light, about 100 underfoot, without too much sidecut). Bomber edgehold is a must for the icy steeps. Plan right now is to set them up with an AT binder. Since purchase's probably made for next season suggestions can include 07/08 models.
Me stoneold fart, 5'9'', about 170 lbs, crippled with crump in back, athritis on knees but still going somehow.
Thanks for advice.

[Rascal King]

Your're Gay!

[Hicks]

Your're Gay!

Won't go anal with you, sorry. Thanks for stopping in.

[Superstar Punani]

Hicks

I highly recommend the 183 06/07/08 Gotama as a one-ski quiver. Despite the shitty season here I had fun on these sticks regardless of the conditions. The bombinate through icy groomers with almost race-ski like edgehold and stiffness, surprisingly quick edge to edge and they are insane in pow.

You did mention you didn't want too much sidecut. At 133-105-124 it's radius is at 25.9

Demo a pair if you have the chance and you too will be going "OOORORRRGGGRRGGHHHHHH"

[sar13]

180 BD Verdict? Running length is about 5-6cm longer than 179 Bros.
Similar dimensions. Moderately stiff and light too.

[irul&ublo]

Ditto on what Punani said, though mine are the 04-05 (a little straighter and softer).

[Hicks]

SuPu and Irul,

Thanks for the heads up on the Gots. I test rode the 183s a couple of days ago upon Skier666's recommendation - very nice ski but they are a tad too short. Measured STRAIGHT (which I admit not having clarified in my first post) they only come out at 179. Couldn't try the 190s yet, maybe need to in case they come out shorter too.

Sar13, thanks, will look at those too.

[pechelman]

4frnt makes a very similar ski to the gotama called the VCT\EHP

either a 182 VCT or a 190 EHP
last year it was called the 190 VCT
its a little confusing

[jfost]

Your're Gay!

Nutcracker loves The King... Does The King love Nutcracker???

[Hicks]

4frnt makes a very similar ski to the gotama called the VCT\EHP

either a 182 VCT or a 190 EHP
last year it was called the 190 VCT
its a little confusing

How stiff? Like lets say Explosives? If so that'd be fine.

[leroy jenkins]

For me, I'd say a one ski quiver would be:

ak rocket swallowtails
ants
possibly 189 squads, though i haven't skied them yet
maybe some mojo 105s or 103s

[pechelman]

How stiff? Like lets say Explosives? If so that'd be fine.

I was on the 182s, which I found too short, but just about the right stiffness for what I wanted. I might relate them to a 5-6ish on Marshals scale maybe?

The 190, which Id probably reccomend for you given the size ski you want and the large twin, supposedly flexes stiffer than the 182. I cant comment on it for sure, but I would speculate it would be a solid 6, or possibly even a 7, on marshal's scale.

The VCT i was on, had a much more even flex than compared to the 180 buddahs I had for a season. If I had to guestimate, since I have neither ski anymore, Id say the 182 VCT flex is somewhere between the explosiv softer tip and stiffer mid section.

Also worth mentioning, is that Im pretty sure the VCT\EHP is lighter than the equivalent gotama.


another ski to consider is a 183 mojo103. If youre interested in one, pm me as I have a pair Im considering selling, although shipping costs might be prohibitive to Eurozone.

[GBB]

I don't know too much about the VCTs, but they sound like they would be a good fit.

I'm not sure how much you are looking to spend, but a 185 Wailer 95 might be the perfect fit. It is "only" 95 in the waist, but it should do everything well. If you choose to go longer, then the 188 Wailer 105 would be the ski. Depending on how stiff you want them you could get them flexed at either 2 or 3.

Another option on the softer side would be the 185 Rossi Scratch BC/Sickbird. I would probably put the flex somewhere between a 4-5 on marshal's scale.

[hemas]

The 190 VCT I flexed (sadly didn't have a change to ski it), felt quite a bit like old Goats. Similar flex and even widenss, though the twintip tail wasn't as square.

[Tye 1on]

Actually, i don't know shit about 98% of these boards, but do know that my 05/06 Rossi B3's, about 94-95 underfoot, is one light, stable, fun mo-fckn ski in the 185. Flex felt soft by hand, but on the snow they seem to hold great. Just 2cents, ask some of the smart mags if you end up considering them...

[HitMe]

I also have not skied enough of these skis to do a fair comparasion, but I know I would EASILY choose my Explosive 190 as my only ski. If I were a bit more "casual" in my style or were to ski mostly smaller stuff or slower I could imagine my Mantra 184 as my only ski too. The Mantra is a less exciting ski, but actually a great easy going all round ski which still offers performance when you ask it to and has a nice floaty feeling considering the dimensions.

[coolstine]

I second the 180 verdicts. I've been riding on these for almost 2 seasons now. Solid and secure in high consequence lines in the high country and just about as fun as any other ski I've skied in the powder at high speeds.

[BLOOD SWEAT STEEL]

189 Seths w/ NX21.

[Superstar Punani]

SuPu and Irul,

Thanks for the heads up on the Gots. I test rode the 183s a couple of days ago upon Skier666's recommendation - very nice ski but they are a tad too short. Measured STRAIGHT (which I admit not having clarified in my first post) they only come out at 179. Couldn't try the 190s yet, maybe need to in case they come out shorter too.

Sar13, thanks, will look at those too.

That's the prob- the 183s are exactly the same length as my 181 1080s. I tried the 190s recently and I probably would have bought them instead. They bomb even harder and faster and they rode more like my 185 Iggy FGS in terms of running length.

[ECbum]

Hitme, finally hit the answer on the head. The Mantra is a GREAT one ski quiver option. Hicks said he wants something with a longer running length then the 183 Goats, well, the 184 Mantra is certainly that. I know there are some gripes about how turny or hooky they can be sometimes, but in my eyes, that makes them even better AT ski; You'll be able to ski a wide variety of terrain on them, they are still stiff enough to get mach-looney, and they'll float well too.

I have set up a pair of 184 Mantras (05-06) with some freerides and have absolutely loved the decision.

I second that option.

[bircheater]

186 legend pro is better 1-ski quiver than the mantras IMO. MUCH better on harder snow, also great in soft stuff obviously.

[Deep Days]

For me, I'd say a one ski quiver would be:

ak rocket swallowtails
ants
possibly 189 squads, though i haven't skied them yet
maybe some mojo 105s or 103s

Aren't all those skis' tails a little stiff to be tailgunning all the time?

188 m103? Do those come in a 183?

I skied Summit's 183 04/05 (?) Goats on Naxos yesterday in some pretty heavy 8" deep stuff. It was weird switching directly from my Lotuses to those, so I didn't really have time to get used to them, but what I did notice is that they felt really damp, which I liked. No chance to try them on hard pack so take this FWIW to you.

[GBB]

188 m103? Do those come in a 183?

they do indeed.

another ski to consider is a 183 mojo103.

[WWCD]

How about the DP Wailer 105? I don't know how they ski, but they are going to be stiff and light.

[seldon]

i'd suggest a pair, actually.