K2 Mindbender Skis

[mn_teleswede]

I’ve been looking at the 108t since it came out. The K2 shop here doesn’t mount longer lengths for demos because they don’t think people should be one longer skis. I usually ask them why the manufacturers make them then.

I had to laugh at this ^ … simple, polite, and to the point response. [emoji23]



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[skibrd]

Can anyone else compare the Mindbender 116c to other skis they’ve had and liked or not liked?

I’m looking for a new PNW resort powder ski to replace my very well loved 2013 186 Atomic Automatics that I think I bought from Bandit Man like 6 years ago.(Thanks!) I have and love the 2020 QST 106 so I tried 185 2020 QST 118 but did not get along with the forward mount. (I’m super finicky about mount and binding delta and all that crap - just could not feel balanced on the ski.) A friend recommended the MB 116 and Head 117 as more rear mounted pow skis. I briefly tried the Heads two seasons ago and thought they felt a little too stiff and chargey for me so the MB seems interesting.

One thing I wonder about is that they don’t look very rockered in photos. I’ve gotten pretty used to the fairly generous rocker/camber combo in the automatics for slithering around tight spots. How loose and comfortable feeling in trees and tight terrain is the MB 116? Everyone says it’s light and easy to ski but it’s hard to translate that into how they feel in anything steep/tight/awkward.

The MB116 skis loose, it’s fairly soft, and light, so both make it very easy to ski in tight and steep spots. I detuned mine a LOT, and really like them as long as I’m in soft snow. If I hit something hard, ice, I’m really not happy, they don’t like it. But they are ok other then that. Mine are now my touring ski, and they work great for that. They handle all sorts of variable conditions when touring just fine.


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[jacob_dbu]

The MB116 skis loose, it’s fairly soft, and light, so both make it very easy to ski in tight and steep spots. I detuned mine a LOT, and really like them as long as I’m in soft snow. If I hit something hard, ice, I’m really not happy, they don’t like it. But they are ok other then that. Mine are now my touring ski, and they work great for that. They handle all sorts of variable conditions when touring just fine.


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What bindings did you put on them?

[2ski2fish4ever]

Bandit man,i have a pair of the MB99's,the blue proto type,got them the season before the MB series came out.i am 65 years old 6ft 2 inchs and 215 lbs and ski the east coast. With close to 200 days on them i haven't found a snow condition that i felt uncomfortable on them i ski a 184.i coach a group of 10 to 13 year old boys who rip.the 99's held on terra defirm, turned as quick as needed in tight EC trees.i had them on several times in 2 feet of fresh snow and they held their own.i usually ski the pinnacle 118 in deeper snow ,they are a little quicker than the 99's but only in steeper tight trees did i see a noticable differance.i will say that after close to 200 days on the 99's that they have lost there holing power on the firmer surfaces

[CaliBrit]

Got my 99’s mounted up with some new old stock OG Jesters. Demo version so I can play with mount point and report back.

#mountyourownfuckingskis

[Conundrum]

Was sitting on the tailgate enjoying a beer and lady C asked if there were any skis I wanted to check out this year. Told her I’ve been intrigued by the Mindbender 108s. At that moment, some gaper came ripping through the parking lot on the new white MB108s and hit a patch of asphalt and in true gaper steeze blew a ski. I laughed and said those. Then homeboy’s buddy a little behind pulled the same move on another pair of 108s. Killer.

[muted]

I have found my Mindbenders to ski absolutely horrible on asphalt, fwiw.

[jacob_dbu]

I’ve got a few days on mine now and overall I’m liking them. They’re very poppy off lips but also damp when you need it. I personally wish there was a bit more tip rise, but perhaps not. On the groomers I’ve been unimpressed, but they’re sufficient and predictable.

My only qualm is I wished they made a 184. That’s my perfect size.

[CHAIR_97]

I have found my Mindbenders to ski absolutely horrible on asphalt, fwiw.

Seriously though haven't heard your thoughts on the 99s. Do tell.
I spent all weekend on mine because I didn't follow the forecast close enough and it snowed much more then I anticipated but was over a firm bed of ice.
After a little detuning I found them to be just what the Dr. Ordered. Trees, 10 - 15 footers with sketchy run outs , chopped up pow with the occasional bare bulletproof and my personal favorite end of the day not so well groomed groomers at extremely high speeds.

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[CHAIR_97]

Care to expand? I have a pair of 184 99’s that I have yet to mount up. Kicking around handing them to my 16-yo to see if they are the upgrade to his Enforcer 100’s he is looking for. Since we both ski in the Cascades, your experience is very applicable.


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Just saw this sorry. Do it . He'll start scaring the shit out of you with how fast he goes

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[muted]

Seriously though haven't heard your thoughts on the 99s. Do tell.
I spent all weekend on mine because I didn't follow the forecast close enough and it snowed much more then I anticipated but was over a firm bed of ice.
After a little detuning I found them to be just what the Dr. Ordered. Trees, 10 - 15 footers with sketchy run outs , chopped up pow with the occasional bare bulletproof and my personal favorite end of the day not so well groomed groomers at extremely high speeds.

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Odds are very good if you like them, I'll like them too.

There are no cliffs or steeps that are skiable where I ski in UT right now, so I have no review on how they will do in 'normal' conditions. But so far, so very good.

[CHAIR_97]

Odds are very good if you like them, I'll like them too.

There are no cliffs or steeps that are skiable where I ski in UT right now, so I have no review on how they will do in 'normal' conditions. But so far, so very good.

We'll send some snow your way

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[2ski2fish4ever]

can't tell you how they will do dropping cliffs from my own expierience,but right before covid shut things down my son had 2 really good finishes at the FSIA comps at Crestted butte onthe 99MB.he opted for the 99's over the 108 and 116 due to some skechy conditions similar to what Sir vic just skied

[thefortrees]

The 99s rip. Bought them on sirvic’s recommendation. Definitely are super stable and one of the best crud busters I’ve skied. They need speed to come alive... this is not a ski for super tight terrain, at least for me. Detuning tips and tails helped loosen them up, as expected.

[CaliBrit]

The 99s rip. Bought them on sirvic’s recommendation. Definitely are super stable and one of the best crud busters I’ve skied. They need speed to come alive... this is not a ski for super tight terrain, at least for me. Detuning tips and tails helped loosen them up, as expected.

Good to hear. I’m looking to replace my enforcers (110’s) which just lack a little backbone.

[pyromaniacman129]

The 99s rip. Bought them on sirvic’s recommendation. Definitely are super stable and one of the best crud busters I’ve skied. They need speed to come alive... this is not a ski for super tight terrain, at least for me. Detuning tips and tails helped loosen them up, as expected.

man, i have a pair of the 99ti's and feel like they're noodles. Maybe i'm just too big for em. Need to give them another shot. Didn't like em too much at crystal the few days i skied em last season.

[thefortrees]

man, i have a pair of the 99ti's and feel like they're noodles. Maybe i'm just too big for em. Need to give them another shot. Didn't like em too much at crystal the few days i skied em last season.

What length? I’m on the 191cm

[2ski2fish4ever]

if you get out of the back seat the 99's will ski much better on asplaht.i would sauy that if you can get a mindbender on edge they arte not the ski for you,they are not a ski you want to smear on

[pyromaniacman129]

What length? I’m on the 191cm

Also on the 191s. Coming from skiing Line Motherships as a DD, and Down CD114s as my fresh day skis i was looking for something a bit narrower for general resort boppin and hoppin around. I should probably give them another shot this season and offload em if I just can't get along with them. I'm rather large and drive into my skis pretty hard though. Need to sell a few pairs and find some supergoats.

[CHAIR_97]

What length? I’m on the 191cm

Lol Pyro is like 6'12" 270 size 18.5


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[CaliBrit]

On the lift with the 99’s right now. First thoughts is ummm. Light is a bit flat right now so having to hold back. But I’m not instantly comfortable on them. Normally ski an Enforcer 110 in 191 with 20.5 radius. These 184’s have 18.5 radius but ski at a longer radius than the Enforcers. I’ll have to try them back to back. The K2’s are certainly not that playful. Coming out of one carve to the next takes a little work or that they just hang in the fall line a long time before coming around. I almost feel like I should ski them at +1 and I never feel like going forward. I have demo bindings on so will try it.

[jacob_dbu]

On the lift with the 99’s right now. First thoughts is ummm. Light is a bit flat right now so having to hold back. But I’m not instantly comfortable on them. Normally ski an Enforcer 110 in 191 with 20.5 radius. These 184’s have 18.5 radius but ski at a longer radius than the Enforcers. I’ll have to try them back to back. The K2’s are certainly not that playful. Coming out of one carve to the next takes a little work or that they just hang in the fall line a long time before coming around. I almost feel like I should ski them at +1 and I never feel like going forward. I have demo bindings on so will try it.

I feel this way about the 108s. Almost like the tail is a bit much to bring around. Also, don’t love them on groomers, they seem to zoom around from behind you. They’re like 75% intuitive to me, 25% I don’t click with. They are fun though. I want to try them at +1 too.

[CaliBrit]

I feel this way about the 108s. Almost like the tail is a bit much to bring around. Also, don’t love them on groomers, they seem to zoom around from behind you. They’re like 75% intuitive to me, 25% I don’t click with. They are fun though. I want to try them at +1 too.

Weird way to describe it but YES!

[thefortrees]

Lol Pyro is like 6'12" 270 size 18.5

Well, that explains a lot!

[Bandit Man]

Broke out my MB108’s (186) for the first time in a while today. I forgot how solid this ski is for how easy it is to ski. I don’t understand why people think this is a challenging ski unless they are really lightweight or are on the wrong size. The 186 feels perfect to me and makes me want to try the 193 on a bigger mountain than Stevens.


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