did some w108 (184) vs k108 (181) back to back testing yesterday.
Surprise surprise - k108s are a lot easier to ski in tracked, bumpy, rotten spring corn than 9cm longer ee w108s. Kartels are super easy to release, and while you cannot just hammer through everything like with w108s, they are just so perfectly suited for bump to bump playfulness. I am really, really wanting to try some k116s...

And, man oh man the top sheet finish of the "limited release" k108s is just stunning.
My W108s just wanted to go full throttle all the time - an ambitous endeavour given the somewhat varying, tracked out and bumpy conditions, as well as my hung over low energy self. Simply put - they wanted to go faster than i did

But man oh man i am looking forward to trying my Big Boiii Quiver (TM) skis (my 184 w108/BGs with pivots, as opposed to my 179/tecton pairs) in good snow. I mounted these w108s 1cm forward due to past mounts (BGs are on the line though), and being newly waxed they accelerated like crazy in the springy sun baked fresh. If w114s are even faster... mymymy. And no, the black dot underneath the ski where i drilled through the ski held up just fine and was not noticable at all

a kartel 108 or 98 variation as a spring tourer seem like a really good idea, though i would prob want em to be lighter and stiffer - two potentially opposing design goals - though a (near) stock w98 might just be what i am looking for as well

Bookmarks