Bringing Back The Best: Lotii And Other Assorted Love Songs

[CouloirInTheLines]

After 22 days on 194 FL113s, I much prefer the smoothness and stability at speed as compared to Squads, at least at my 195#. They're the real deal. Early days yet but bases/edges/topsheets have been bomber so far. Cant wait to get FL105s on snow for the firmer days. FR110s aren't my style, but looking forward to hearing the Collective's thoughts; I'm pretty blown away by the on snow product thus far.

Can you compare maneuverability in tight terrain and funky moguls on the FL113 vs the squad? Obviously both big skis but the squad is pretty maneuverable and forgiving for its size. I’m thinking about the 187 FL113 as a shorter replacement but wondering if it will be too stiff for comfort in moguls and tight, steep trees.

[chewski]

Can you compare maneuverability in tight terrain and funky moguls on the FL113 vs the squad? Obviously both big skis but the squad is pretty maneuverable and forgiving for its size. I’m thinking about the 187 FL113 as a shorter replacement but wondering if it will be too stiff for comfort in moguls and tight, steep trees.

The long tails and material length in general of the sender squads gave me trouble in tighter terrain. I felt so awkward with that much tail. The 187 fl113's are stiffer so are a bit more punishing of mistakes, but due to the shorter length, more natural (for me) rearward mount, and full flat/reverse camber i found them overall easier than squads in bumps. I am/was not entirely comfortable on either in really tight terrain

[Buster Highmen]

I am friends with most product managers in the ski industry and have no desire to inadvertently tarnish a long term relationship with anyone.

Does this mean no L/C120s?

[Marshal Olson]

Yessir!
Working on FL121 and FR120 for next season

[lucknau]

Is there a thread in the works for the comp builds? My brain is beginning to churn about the R99s.


:::::@:::::

[meter-man]

Is there any ski brand that has ever brought so many skis to market so quickly?!

ETA: on BC 110, would love to see some measured specs (weight, specifically) and rocker pics. Thx!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[skisurfmirth]

Got em here now!
Just have to wait til next week before I can ski them, as I gave myself a tibial plateau bone bruise over the weekend. sigh.
But any specific questions?

How do they compare to the Sickle?

[Sylvan]

Can you compare maneuverability in tight terrain and funky moguls on the FL113 vs the squad? Obviously both big skis but the squad is pretty maneuverable and forgiving for its size. I’m thinking about the 187 FL113 as a shorter replacement but wondering if it will be too stiff for comfort in moguls and tight, steep trees.

Hey man! I'd go with Chewski's advice as he is on 187s, but IMO, your thoughts are accurate re 194s. Both have softish, forgiving tails considering the class of ski (Squad a bit softer IMO), which makes em both work surprisingly well on low vis storm days (familiar trees and alpine lines with peppers for vis) considering the top end, but the front half of the FL113 is stiffer which gives em an extra gear, but also means the min speed is a little higher. I was more comfortable noodling on Squads, but I try and ski with momentum (would rather scout a line from the bottom I'm unsure about than figure it out on the fly), so FL113s work better for me. The Squad seems to be designed for a smaller human than I who prefers a more progressive mount (I was at -2 on Squads), which for me means they were pretty forgiving at slow speeds, but I ran out of top end and was over flexing em at speed (or not skiing em centered enough). I haven't found the top end of the FL113, but they do have a higher min speed. Best way I can describe the FL113 layup, is that it has a hint of bamboo at slow speeds, but once you get em up to speed, the rubber takes over, and they disappear. The rocker profile on the FL113s means that in anything soft (what they're designed for), I don't think about the length/weight, they're pretty automatic/video game like, but as things get firm in uncomfortable places, the stiff shovel means I'm a little more cognizant of placing the tip precisely at slow speeds, where the Squad kinda just flexes into position (more forgiving), but 4-5 days after the storm I am usually on B97s (and soon to be FL105s). I have DD'd FL113s over the last month, but that's more because I'm addicted to the layup, and think that FL105s will fill the 4-5 days after the storm slot better, with FL113s for storm days plus 3-4. If you have decent technique, can get along with trad mounts, and can work Squads in tight spaces, I'd be surprised if the 187s don't work well for ya to offset the stiffer shovel. Hope that helps. Cheers man.

[Marshal Olson]

The Squad seems to be designed for a smaller human than I who prefers a more progressive mount (I was at -2 on Squads), which for me means they were pretty forgiving at slow speeds, but I ran out of top end and was over flexing em at speed (or not skiing em centered enough).

FWIW the marked midsole line is -6.2, but the ski's waist (setback on Sooth Ski) is at -8.2 (so -2 would feel pretty familiar for most people).

The HL Fall Line skis are all around -11 ski waist and of course folks are moving +/- from there.

[Marshal Olson]

How do they compare to the Sickle?

Will add more notes next week, borrowing a buddies Sickle hopefully on Tuesday!

Here is a quick rocker shot as I head out the door for the weekend (funeral). I will post more details as soon as I get back and after I get all the Comp skis shipped out.

FL113 on the left. FR110 in the middle. FL105 on the right

[Marshal Olson]

Is there a thread in the works for the comp builds? My brain is beginning to churn about the R99s.


:::::@:::::

Going to start one as soon as they arrive (its been a major PITA to get them through customs, first batch is finally arriving today).

[toast2266]

Will add more notes next week, borrowing a buddies Sickle hopefully on Tuesday!

Here is a quick rocker shot as I head out the door for the weekend (funeral). I will post more details as soon as I get back and after I get all the Comp skis shipped out.

FL113 on the left. FR110 in the middle. FL105 on the right

Siiick. The FR110'S have more rocker than I expected. I'm excited about that.

[Marshal Olson]

Welp, box 1 of 7 with Comps just arrived (6 boxes not here yet).
Holy crap did they ever turn out great.

So 7 lucky people with 188 R99s on order are going to ship today.

[Marshal Olson]

Siiick. The FR110'S have more rocker than I expected. I'm excited about that.

It is a 40m reverse camber. Approximately right between the Dev and Sickle. It skied REALLY well for me like this. Can't wait for more folks to give them a rip. Esock has my pair for the weekend, and happy for others to give them a go next week once I get back from the midwest.

[sf]

Will add more notes next week, borrowing a buddies Sickle hopefully on Tuesday!

Here is a quick rocker shot as I head out the door for the weekend (funeral). I will post more details as soon as I get back and after I get all the Comp skis shipped out.

FL113 on the left. FR110 in the middle. FL105 on the right

That FR110 makes me really excited. Could potentially relegate both Rustler 11s and Wren 108s from regular use.

Suddenly realized that my idea of a Volkl One-ish ski is already mostly covered with the FR110

[bw_wp_hedonism]

It is a 40m reverse camber. Approximately right between the Dev and Sickle. It skied REALLY well for me like this. Can't wait for more folks to give them a rip. Esock has my pair for the weekend, and happy for others to give them a go next week once I get back from the midwest.

Wanna come ski in Switz and bring those FR110 along?

[eSock]

Feeling #blessed to try these bad boys out on an afternoon bluebird powder day at Alta, what better welcome to the Wasatch?!

I have limited ski variety experience so hard to make a lot of comparisons... these things manage to charge and be nimble really well, but it's easy to let em run away from me if I'm not paying attention. Super composed in the air, dropped a cliff I had no business dropping and they guided me through safely. Pretty easy to point and shoot in soft chop. I'm feeling pretty worked after a half day on em, much burlier than the saba pro/renegade I tried recently (only other rockered skis I can compare). It actually felt a little like my Billy goats but quicker turns and more playful... So there you go team, that's this jongs thoughts on them so far [emoji28]

[CaliBrit]

Siiick. The FR110'S have more rocker than I expected. I'm excited about that.

Wow yeah!

[lucknau]

Which model?
Edit. Oops. I missed the previous post saying you had the FR110s

:::::@:::::

[arild]

Fr110s! Super cool you like them, esock!

support the raddest project going: http://heritagelabskis.com

[Buster Highmen]

Yessir!

drat.

The C113s are a stomper powmissile. Well done there.

[CaliBrit]

Not your typical application but dramatically improved the fun factor on my ski down from my evening resort skin.

R87 AM 182, ATK Kuluar’s.

1708g and 1706g for each ski, impressive. Skis measure out to 179.5.

Mounted at -11 after much deliberation and comparison to skis I have.

Just one skin up so far but I think they ski great there. I’m much more a traditional mount guy but the -11 feels great. I’ll get out for a resort ski on them when I have an hour or two to get a better feel.



Made me look at the other blossom made skis.

Strong believer in supporting what they are offering. Order in for the FR 110.

Throwing my peanuts from the gallery:

Would be nice if the AM in the R99 wasn’t so much lighter then the Comp. I do however appreciate this in my current application!

R110 blossom build could be an excellent metal build daily driver. Love some metal in resort skis.

R120 AM has me interested, very interested.

[CouloirInTheLines]

eSock - Glad you are getting on the FR110’s. Good write up. Any issues with fore/aft balance, wheelie landings, rocking horse effect, etc.? Really tempted by these but a little nervous about the level of rocker.

[mr_pretzel]

FWIW the marked midsole line is -6.2, but the ski's waist (setback on Sooth Ski) is at -8.2 (so -2 would feel pretty familiar for most people).

The HL Fall Line skis are all around -11 ski waist and of course folks are moving +/- from there.

I think setback on sooth ski is just the mount point(it’s wrong for the squad), but I could be wrong.


So excited for the FR110

[ASmileyFace]

Will add more notes next week, borrowing a buddies Sickle hopefully on Tuesday!

Here is a quick rocker shot as I head out the door for the weekend (funeral). I will post more details as soon as I get back and after I get all the Comp skis shipped out.

FL113 on the left. FR110 in the middle. FL105 on the right

Looks like more rocker than the sickle for sure.

Here is a picture of my sickle’s for comparison.

Excited to hear your take after getting on both next week!