4FRNT Renegade ~ Hand built in SLC.

**gramboh** · 11-23-2012, 03:36 PM

Just mounted up my new everyday skis, 185cm Blizzard Cochise, with Salomon STH916. My Renegades have Dukes now (first year version) which are getting a decent amount of slop. Contemplating switching the Renegades to STH916 next year and putting new bindings on the Cochise (Salomon Guardians), since the Cochise are lighter and more versatile they would be better for touring anyway.

Anyone gone from Dukes to an Alpine binding on the Renegade? Did handling improve?

**gaijin** · 11-23-2012, 06:44 PM

Just ordered a 186 Ren for Japan. My knees are kind of shaking like an overly excited teenager.

**Bird Blaster** · 11-24-2012, 01:06 PM

First day of the season. Have been dying to try the Rens out since late last year. Been blasting around Whistler/Blackcomb this AM. Ski legs are definitely not up to shape but these skis are spot on. I am very impressed with them!! Still have to spend more time on them later today to keep feeling them out but they are pretty much as people describe. They are super pivoty and slarvy! The 186 is a great tree ski. I think I will be happier when I get the 196's

**whyturn** · 11-24-2012, 01:42 PM

Glad to hear you like em birdblaster

**Bird Blaster** · 11-24-2012, 03:07 PM

Thanks whyturn - all your reviews and thoughts on the ski are spot on!

**Eastchris** · 11-24-2012, 08:09 PM

Just took my 196's out for the first time today. My favorite powder ski I have ever been on hands down. These skis can go as fast and as straight as you want, and then dump speed super easy with a quick slarve. Such a fun ski.

**bestskieratsnowbird** · 11-25-2012, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by Eastchris

Just took my 196's out for the first time today. My favorite powder ski I have ever been on hands down. These skis can go as fast and as straight as you want, and then dump speed super easy with a quick slarve. Such a fun ski.

yup. they fucking rock.

**azzure** · 11-25-2012, 03:19 PM

Checked out the 12/13s at the local shop today, they definitely have a more pronounced tip and tail rocker as compared to the 11/12s. Initial thoughts are powder performance should be slightly better.

**auvgeek** · 11-25-2012, 04:12 PM

^^Good to know. A little more rocker sounds perfect.

Skied the Rens in the afternoon at Stevens today after skiing old park skis this morning. Blown away by how much better the edge hold was, and just how much easier they were to ski.

**superdigg** · 11-26-2012, 01:59 AM

How does the added rocker match up with the sidecut? Is the sidecut changed as well?

**JRainey** · 11-26-2012, 05:37 AM

I don't know if the tip splay was ever part of that equation. I tip obviously splays on a smaller radius at a certain point compared to the body of the ski. Even on the original rens. Haven't seen the new ones, so I'm just speculating.

**Bird Blaster** · 11-26-2012, 08:08 AM

I saw some 12/13's in the store today too. They do have more rocker. I had them side-by-side with some 11/12's. The shop guy said that 4frnt was trying to get the same profile, but somehow they got more (?). Not sure if 4FRNT can confirm this.

As a side note - after spending another day on the 186's it is clear to me that the 196's will be my go to ski. If anybody is looking to get a used pair of 186's drilled for Tracker/Guardian they will be for sale in a few weeks.

**auvgeek** · 11-26-2012, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by Bird Blaster

As a side note - after spending another day on the 186's it is clear to me that the 196's will be my go to ski. If anybody is looking to get a used pair of 186's drilled for Tracker/Guardian they will be for sale in a few weeks.

Care to explain this a bit more? I'm really curious about it. Have you spent much time on the 186?

**Bird Blaster** · 11-26-2012, 09:36 AM

After spending more time on them I think the added length is needed. I am 6'2" 190lbs. There were a few instances where I just felt like I needed more ski. All-in-all if I was stuck with the 186's I think I could learn to be fine with that. But since I have 196's coming...

I should've taken Whyturn's advice from day one.

**Supermoon** · 11-26-2012, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by Bird Blaster

I saw some 12/13's in the store today too. They do have more rocker. I had them side-by-side with some 11/12's. The shop guy said that 4frnt was trying to get the same profile, but somehow they got more (?). Not sure if 4FRNT can confirm this.

Over the summer 4FRNT upgraded the press pretty significantly which allowed them to get better heat distribution. This made the skis hold their rocker better, and more to spec. Before they were really close, but just a hair shy.

**gramboh** · 11-26-2012, 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by Bird Blaster

After spending more time on them I think the added length is needed. I am 6'2" 190lbs. There were a few instances where I just felt like I needed more ski. All-in-all if I was stuck with the 186's I think I could learn to be fine with that. But since I have 196's coming...

I should've taken Whyturn's advice from day one.

For what it's worth (for other readers) I am 5'10 200lbs and am fine with the 186's for an overall pow ski. Once they are up to speed they float well, and are very pivoty in the trees. I'm not the fastest skier at WB so those that shred harder and take big airs would probably enjoy the 196 more.

**Bird Blaster** · 12-06-2012, 08:44 PM

196'ers have arrived - pumped - they look perfect.
the 186's have found a new home - shipping friday/sat

now to review where ppl have mounted the 196's....

**ASmileyFace** · 12-07-2012, 06:25 PM

Just picked these up. So fucking stoked. Just waiting for snow now.

Click image for larger version.

Name: ImageUploadedByTGR Forums1354926195.839351.jpg
Views: 384
Size: 172.8 KB
ID: 127397

**auvgeek** · 12-07-2012, 06:32 PM

Originally Posted by Bird Blaster

now to review where ppl have mounted the 196's....

-6 I believe is the place. After researching, that's where I mounted the pair I bought for my brother.

**Bird Blaster** · 12-07-2012, 07:19 PM

That's what I was thinking too. Sounds like 92 from the tail is the most popular

**ASmileyFace** · 12-09-2012, 04:07 PM

Got on my rens for the first time ever today. Shame it was on rock hard manmade at purgatory but I was pleasantly surprised by the hardpack performance. Having to wait for a real pow day is going to kill me these next few weeks.

Got a lot of funny comments about them on the lift.

"You're a fucking fool for using skis that big"
"I like those K2s."
"With skis that wide you are going to go so much slower. Just look at how much surface area there is!"

Gapers galore...

**allTandA** · 12-09-2012, 04:59 PM

^^ha! i was laughing like a fucking fool all weekend slaying 2' of well aged idaho cream out back while everyone at the resort was rolling on AM sticks and skiing hardpack

**Tupp-** · 12-10-2012, 12:08 AM

These skis rule! First day out on friday, just a few quick laps around WB to test out my new 186's (88 mount).

I was expecting a bit of a learning curve, but coming off of GS skis the ren's felt fast and super responsive. They really are a combination of stable and nimble, believe the hype, the ren's do it all.