Praxis on snow -- finally

[kidwoo]

Trigger pulled. So do I mount the 997s or the FKS 150s? Decisions, decisions...

Throw the fks on there so we can be twins.

It'll be cute.

[jfost]

so are you gonna bend the brake arms, or rout out channels through the ski for the brake to engage?!?

[Andy_B]

Titties

Understatement.

[smolakian]

so are you gonna bend the brake arms, or rout out channels through the ski for the brake to engage?!?

That would look really cool! I wonder how that would affect the flex and drag.

I'm gonna bend my brakes and mount up my pair next week. The new graphics are really sweet. But, I'm glad I got the black ones for $100 cheaper. They'll be easier to find in the snow after I beater anyway.

[BLOOD SWEAT STEEL]

First day - initial impressions:

Although I've skied Spats in the past, I'm not a "core" Spat convert, so I wasn't expecting to really get 100% comfortable on these things the first day. Pfft. They were very manageable from the second I stepped off the chair. Since it was pretty windy today, I tried to stay mostly in the trees with around 8" of fresh and occasional deposits up to 14" or so, and on the hardpacked runouts back to the chairs. Tree performance was nothing short of spectacular. They pivot quickly, have a low swing weight, and really allow you to rack up speed in the tight stuff where you wouldn't be able to do on a sidecut ski. They ski very short, but they also seem a little stiffer than I thought they would be after hand flexing, which kind of helped out. Ususally, I prefer a big heavy ski, so the light swing weight is just something I'll have to get used to. Chop and crud was a no-brainer, and I found myself not really having to slow down at all to avoid the usual death cookies, ruts, and boarduroy. Kinda like being on a big pogo stick just bouncing happily and straightlining the chop. So far, this is probably pretty much my favorite attribute of these skis. While I'm still dialing in the "schmear" turn, stability and hardpack/packed pow performance far exceeded my expectations. Traversing is miserable (not that it's really much of a secret) but they get by alright. While I am anxious, I didn't really get to open these up full throttle in any big bowls - so stay tuned for a more complete review as the days go on.

They do ride high in the pow (vs. a traditional sidecut fat ski) which takes a little getting used to, but very fun nonetheless. Not necessarily better or worse, just a very "different" feeling. I guess the Spat skiers know exactly what I'm talking about. One thing I did have trouble with was really getting out in front of them like on a normal ski. Is this characteristic of a rockered ski? While I didn't feel like I was in the toilet or anything, it really took some effort to power the tips. I dunno, maybe I sould've mounted them a little more forward? I guess after a few more days I'll be able to better judge this factor.

Since this was pretty much my first semi-real powder day this year, coupled with the fact that he base in Tahoe is still almost nil, I guess you could say I was pretty "enthusiastic." I pretty much ground these all over granite slabs, stumps, logs, and boulders all morning, and while I did manage to get one small core shot (smaller than a dime) in the tail of one of the skis, the bases and edges are pretty much bulletproof. Like - Snow Ranger or better strength. ANY ski I've ever owned including all the rest in my quiver would have looked like swiss cheese with edge metal flapping and dragging alongside me. Couple small normal scratches and the small core, that's it. The ptex is unbelieveably thick (like 4mm+) and the edges are like angle iron. I was VERY impressed with how well they faired.

I guess I should add that it took me a good ten minutes to cut less than 1/2 square inch of base material out and peel and pick it away from the core. The fiberglass and epoxy that guy uses are like Herculean strength.

I'm impressed.

[El Chupacabra]

They do ride high in the pow (vs. a traditional sidecut fat ski) which takes a little getting used to, but very fun nonetheless. Not necessarily better or worse, just a very "different" feeling. I guess the Spat skiers know exactly what I'm talking about. One thing I did have trouble with was really getting out in front of them like on a normal ski. Is this characteristic of a rockered ski? While I didn't feel like I was in the toilet or anything, it really took some effort to power the tips. I dunno, maybe I sould've mounted them a little more forward? I guess after a few more days I'll be able to better judge this factor.

^^^ That's my impressions of the Spatulas too. Ride high, surfy/smeary, and the reverse camber makes it feel a bit funny trying to pressure the tips. When skiing the Spats, I don't really try to drive the tips, I just stand as centered as I can and pivot.

[flip]

Throw the fks on there so we can be twins.

It'll be cute.

It won't be cute when you dust me and I can't blame my equipment.

My fks are the old-school neon ones with the GEZE toe anyway...

I have officially keeeeeled my winter toy budget. I guess little Mbudu will have to get by without his sponsorship this month.

[kidwoo]

My fks are the old-school neon ones with the GEZE toe anyway....

Oh nevermind.......mine won't look that gay.

I guess little Mbudu will have to get by without his sponsorship this month.

Sally Strothers warned me about you.

[Boomer28]

BSS: Great prelim review, having never skied the spats it was very helpful as to what to expect.

I have heard similar stories about Keith's construciton quality, bomber seems to be the word across the board. Very psyched for what he's on to here and best of luck to him.

[JeffreyJim]

The third "big" storm of the last three weeks kept my skis at some shipping hub (UPS isn't even sure) in Denver. This means I wont have em for a week as I'm leaving tomorrow. ARghh...I guess that means I wont be jinxing the trip though...

[sfotex]

So I got some more time on the praxis yesterday. Headed down to big sky yesterday hopeing that 8" = thigh deep up top...I was wrong, it was more like 8" of cold smoke on refrozen crud where it hadn't been wind scoured, but fun none the less. I was pretty happy with how they skied in these conditions though. The overall conditions were ok, but not great, There were alot of hideen rocks and 1/2 turn in the pow, 1/2 in the refrozen, so I didn't get to open it up as much as I wanted to, but I found a nice thing about reverse camber/reverse sidecut skis in the steep and firm is that your edge is pretty much underfoot all the time, and it's easy to make quick tight turns if you need too. This worked out great because I was able to get thru the rocks and what not pretty easily, and then ski the goods. There were a few places that were blown in and deep, and oh man, the praxis rocked. I could feel a point where the tail started to hang up in the heavier wind transported snow, and then presto, the tails popped free and I all was good. I can also say they're pretty damn tough skis, I nailed enough jagged sharp rocks to test out the construction, I came away with a few scrapes and what not, but nothing a file n' wax didn't take care of.

[lax]

***jibber question alert***

where exactly are you guys mounting these, or where is teh mounting mark, in relation to core/true (the actual center of the ski) center?

and, gulp, anyone tried any small 180s/skiing switch?

[smolakian]

***jibber question alert***

where exactly are you guys mounting these, or where is teh mounting mark, in relation to core/true (the actual center of the ski) center?

and, gulp, anyone tried any small 180s/skiing switch?

Yes I have. I'm not great at skiing switch. But they were effortless because you really don't have to worry about catching an edge. That also means that you can throw em around and butter like crazy while you are hauling ass. It's fun!

I mounted mine right on Kieth's line on the topsheet.

[thommy21]

The new lake topsheet doesn't have a line. Keith recommended tip to boot center distance of 97.5-98 cm with the tape pulled tight.

[corn dog]

When skiing the Spats, I don't really try to drive the tips, I just stand as centered as I can and pivot.

Hmm, so if I have a tendency to try and ski like that, I should just get the skis that suit my style?

[jerr]

Hmm, so if I have a tendency to try and ski like that, I should just get the skis that suit my style?

That's how I choose my religion.

Has anyone mounted off the recommended line?

[buildakicker]

I've ridden the praxis as they have evolve, from the super soft to the current versions. They're super fun to ski. The spatula was my boards of choice for about 3 years, then they all broke... but compared to the spat, the praxis boards ski real nice in more conditions. Faster too.

I think on the steeps, I got spoiled on the spats, since that center edge stuck out like buck teeth. You could stop on the edge of anything steep, but granite. However, I like how praxis traverse compared to the spats. You can really get moving comparably.

Super Solid built by the praxis team, better than most "factory" skis i'd say. You can land on rocks and not see the binding screws through the base afterwards.

Get Some!

[JeffreyJim]

so the 195 should be at 102.5 from tip to boot center?

[thommy21]

102-104 is the range given to me by Keith. I went 103. They are being mounted up at Edgeworks right now.

[JeffreyJim]

Sweet.

I can't wait to ski the 195s.

[Core Shot]

So [praxis] copied a ski with outdated technology and made it light? Everybody would still be better off on Pontoons...

DPPS 5678

[Lexi-Bell]

102-104 is the range given to me by Keith. I went 103. They are being mounted up at Edgeworks right now.

Where are the rest of you guys mounting yours, eh?

[lax]

Where are the rest of you guys mounting yours, eh?

already said it, but the dude at the pdogg has been mounting spats for many a year, and had no problem bending my brakes for my 115 waisted (i know tiny right?) pow pluses last year.

[Lexi-Bell]

Thanks Lax, but I meant where on the ski. My 195's have no line and I thought I'd try for some mag wisdom.