Rossignol Black Ops?

[forumskier]

I was all in on this ski until Heritage Labs sucked me onto the ST 120 FR. They're still on my radar.

I have 193 FR110s and they rip. I only skied them for about an hour last season, but I had to have them after trying, they were that good. The FR120s are on my radar for 2025.

I put a lot more time on BO118s and they truly blew me away. I bought a backup pair I was so impressed. I consider them more “specialized” than Moment Wildcat 118s, but the Blackops shot right up to the top of my hall of fame for specialized skis, right up there with Dynastar Pro Riders.

Both of these skis are “hero skis” for me. Like you click into them and automatically are skiing better than you would on other skis. I haven’t put enough time on FR110s to induct them into my hall of fame yet, but they were one of the most intuitive skis I’ve ever tried.

[noslow]

“That swingweight effect is more or less gone for the new 118 thanks to less material in the tips/tails, making it much easier to ski on lower-angle slopes and in tight terrain like glades. It floats like a dream, and it’s still more of a fall line charger than a ‘surfy’ ski but it’s much improved for ease of use in soft conditions. For that, it does give up some crud-bashing performance, but it’s still one of the most capable skis we’ve tried in choppy snow.”


From Newschoolers

Think that’s just copy and pasted blurb from Blister or it sounds very similar. The only difference is the slightly shorter rubber sheets tip/tail on the SF 118 vs the BO 118. Still can be a huge variation between sets of SF 118 pairs as I’ve seen some at 2550gr plus each which would be increased “crud bashing performance” vs a lighter set of BO 118. Remember Blisters pair of BO 118 were 2460gr average which is on the light side for those skis. Wouldn’t doubt their SF 118 pair is actually heavier than that.

[SnowMachine]

I have 193 FR110s and they rip. I only skied them for about an hour last season, but I had to have them after trying, they were that good. The FR120s are on my radar for 2025.

I put a lot more time on BO118s and they truly blew me away. I bought a backup pair I was so impressed. I consider them more “specialized” than Moment Wildcat 118s, but the Blackops shot right up to the top of my hall of fame for specialized skis, right up there with Dynastar Pro Riders.

Both of these skis are “hero skis” for me. Like you click into them and automatically are skiing better than you would on other skis. I haven’t put enough time on FR110s to induct them into my hall of fame yet, but they were one of the most intuitive skis I’ve ever tried.

I hope the FR120's are like that. I feel that way about the Deathwish, it's a cheater ski. I still want to get on the BO118.

[forumskier]

Think that’s just copy and pasted blurb from Blister or it sounds very similar. The only difference is the slightly shorter rubber sheets tip/tail on the SF 118 vs the BO 118. Still can be a huge variation between sets of SF 118 pairs as I’ve seen some at 2550gr plus each which would be increased “crud bashing performance” vs a lighter set of BO 118. Remember Blisters pair of BO 118 were 2460gr average which is on the light side for those skis. Wouldn’t doubt their SF 118 pair is actually heavier than that.

SkiEssentials got 2400g on their SF118 video, but Bob sounded like he was rounding down a little. I actually want a pair thats very close to 2400g. Since I have two pairs of Swamps, I’d like a pair that trades a little beef for lighter swingweight. These skis make me want to jib more than most skis, but the swingweight on my pair is beefy. Definitely interested in the other side of the spectrum. Splitting hairs here lol.

I hope the FR120's are like that. I feel that way about the Deathwish, it's a cheater ski. I still want to get on the BO118.

I really need to try the Deathwish this season. I have no excuse not to. I’m a big fan of Wildcat 108s/118s

[scumpup]

I love my blackops 118's so much more than my Blade optic 96's than Im even considering selling the lines and picking up a pair of blackops 98s... I love the rubber tips, I don't think I can ever enjoy a ski as much without rubber.

[kid-kapow]

SkiEssentials got 2400g on their SF118 video, but Bob sounded like he was rounding down a little.

I would take the construction bits in SkiEssentials videos with a grain of salt. They are not always the most accurate, does not always even match the marketing blurb and seems to be a basic best guess at times. For instance, the MF112 does not have the hybrid core 2.0.

I really enjoy their videos and watch most of them, but I do wish that they would prepare some material ahead of time where they sumarize the constructions AND double check that the marketing is actually accurate (it is not always).

[noslow]

SkiEssentials got 2400g on their SF118 video, but Bob sounded like he was rounding down a little. I actually want a pair thats very close to 2400g. Since I have two pairs of Swamps, I’d like a pair that trades a little beef for lighter swingweight. These skis make me want to jib more than most skis, but the swingweight on my pair is beefy. Definitely interested in the other side of the spectrum. Splitting hairs here lol.



I really need to try the Deathwish this season. I have no excuse not to. I’m a big fan of Wildcat 108s/118s

As I thought, there’s still going to be variations in weight between pairs of the SF 118 like there was is the Swamps and the previous BO 118/Gamer.
Saw lots of the original and Gamers close to that 2400gr range with the swamps seemed to be heavier on average. Of the 6 pairs I had of the swamps after that Sport Chek sale,, they varied from 2440gr average to your set around 90gr more. I kept the 2 lightest pairs and felt a difference in swing weight between those and my previous swamps that were just a bit lighter than your set. Also moved my mount back from -2.25cm from rec to -2.5cm which also seemed to make a difference in float for my 175lbs.

[pembyguy]

For the wank bank


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[gaijin]

“The Wank Bank” = post of the day. [emoji23]

Also— beautiful setup.


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[twat]

Haha I bought the same ski again! I was hyped about what I red here. Did not expect to be identical.

[noslow]

Haha I bought the same ski again! I was hyped about what I red here. Did not expect to be identical.

Have the same 21 CT 2.0 skis and they are fantastic playful chargers. Got the same BO 98 too and it’s definitely a similar shape and profile but much lighter(250gr plus) with softer tips/tails. Got my BO 98 to be more forgiving in bumps and trees but keeping the Faction for crud busting.

What are the older Tyrolia bindings on the BO 98?

[twat]

Have the same 21 CT 2.0 skis and they are fantastic playful chargers. Got the same BO 98 too and it’s definitely a similar shape and profile but much lighter(250gr plus) with softer tips/tails. Got my BO 98 to be more forgiving in bumps and trees but keeping the Faction for crud busting.

What are the older Tyrolia bindings on the BO 98?

I retired an older armada freeride ski and had those binders. they are peak 16 race all metal and metal rails very direct power transfer.

I have three glacier days on the bo98 so far. I ski them very intuitiv. They behave 100% as what they are. I think the flex pattern is more dialed in then the cts with the extra titanal plate underfoot. But after three seasons of onpiste DD it is not a fair comparison anymore.

The bo98 is very smooth on wide gs speed turns and drives on the edge till the end of the turn with no interruption.
Shorter hippy turns r lovely forgiving but still needs quads to drive them powerful. (May be later in the season this might change)
The cts had some design error in the rear taper. in the last 1/4 of the turn in steep terrain I had to release the tails to give them space to finish the turn on a different radius. Super noticeable ofpiste. Onpiste it always felt a bit weird at the end of the turn.
Always manageable. I liked the cts and I am happy with the bo98.
Need more days to have a proper opinion. But as a firn connoisseur I see them shine in the future!

[noslow]

I retired an older armada freeride ski and had those binders. they are peak 16 race all metal and metal rails very direct power transfer.

I have three glacier days on the bo98 so far. I ski them very intuitiv. They behave 100% as what they are. I think the flex pattern is more dialed in then the cts with the extra titanal plate underfoot. But after three seasons of onpiste DD it is not a fair comparison anymore.

The bo98 is very smooth on wide gs speed turns and drives on the edge till the end of the turn with no interruption.
Shorter hippy turns r lovely forgiving but still needs quads to drive them powerful. (May be later in the season this might change)
The cts had some design error in the rear taper. in the last 1/4 of the turn in steep terrain I had to release the tails to give them space to finish the turn on a different radius. Super noticeable ofpiste. Onpiste it always felt a bit weird at the end of the turn.
Always manageable. I liked the cts and I am happy with the bo98.
Need more days to have a proper opinion. But as a firn connoisseur I see them shine in the future!

Sounds like something is up with the Tune on those CT 2.0 as they have a similar multi radius sidecut to the Blackops 98/118 and Sender Free 110. Should initiate turns easier when tipped but allow lots of stability when flat.
Problems releasing/being stuck in a turn is usually an edge high and/or non uniform base edge angle.

Your CT 2.0 are probably due for a full grind and tune by now anyway and bet that should change the way they ski. My first set was railed and transformed after a grind and tune.

The 21 CT 2.0(and CT 1.0) have a metal binding retention sheet like the BO 98/SF 110 but also have a 2nd metal sheet underfoot above the base to protect for rail damage.
The longer turn radius and stiffer tips/tails of the CT 2.0 makes them even more stable than the BO 98 but need more speed and skier input to come alive. The 21 CT series hits a second gear when you REALLY push them I find.

[twat]

Sounds like something is up with the Tune on those CT 2.0 as they have a similar multi radius sidecut to the Blackops 98/118 and Sender Free 110. Should initiate turns easier when tipped but allow lots of stability when flat.
Problems releasing/being stuck in a turn is usually an edge high and/or non uniform base edge angle.

Your CT 2.0 are probably due for a full grind and tune by now anyway and bet that should change the way they ski. My first set was railed and transformed after a grind and tune.

The 21 CT 2.0(and CT 1.0) have a metal binding retention sheet like the BO 98/SF 110 but also have a 2nd metal sheet underfoot above the base to protect for rail damage.
The longer turn radius and stiffer tips/tails of the CT 2.0 makes them even more stable than the BO 98 but need more speed and skier input to come alive. The 21 CT series hits a second gear when you REALLY push them I find.

I had the ct2 at least annual base grind.
I tune the rest myself. 1base/2side
I will check with a truebar when I am in the garage if I see something. The cts have a lot of days on them and I buttered them a lot maybe the tails are worn out.
Was hoping you say something similar about their multiradius so it is not only me. I will give them a proper Montana shop service before I ride them again.

[forumskier]

Has anyone skied both Revolt 121 and BO118, and can compare? I've read some about them, mostly how the BOs are more of a tank and that Revolts are floatier. But how much floatier??

[noslow]

I had the ct2 at least annual base grind.
I tune the rest myself. 1base/2side
I will check with a truebar when I am in the garage if I see something. The cts have a lot of days on them and I buttered them a lot maybe the tails are worn out.
Was hoping you say something similar about their multiradius so it is not only me. I will give them a proper Montana shop service before I ride them again.

Good to hear you’re keeping them tuned properly!
The issue with stone grinds is that the preset number of passes they do on skis at some shops might or not be enough to fix issues unless they are checking results with true bars.
If you go to a place with a full auto machine, tell them that they may not be totally flat and to program in more flattening passes than normal or even get a “blanking/race grind “ which will for sure flatten the base and reset the base edges. Then you can set the edges by hand after.

The multi radius/eliptical sidecuts are on so many skis now that manufacturers barely mention it-see Rossignol on the Blackops skis.
Still think you’re feeling a tune issue, binding delta preference(Peak bindings larger delta heel to toe vs the Attacks) or maybe mount point difference?

Where do you have the CT 2.0 and BO 98 mounted? Know early 21 CT 2.0 had confusing sidewall mounting options before they went to the single triangle at -3.5cm. Rec Bump on the more directional BO 98 is -4.7cm.

[Crystal Skier]

Has anyone skied both Revolt 121 and BO118, and can compare? I've read some about them, mostly how the BOs are more of a tank and that Revolts are floatier. But how much floatier??

Revolts are floatier have taper and softer. The Revolts surprisingly can charge out through the tracked out runouts really well.
Op’s are Monster Trucks that are ridiculous
at carving because of their symmetrical dimensions and bad ass build. They float amazing as well but just wear my ass out. Such an addictive chargey ski the way it seduces you into constantly reaching for it.
If it’s 15 plus I would reach for the Revolts cuz you can manipulate turn shapes and check up or change lines in pow quicker.


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[Wes Mantooth]

First day on my 192 98’s today and those things are fucking missiles. I was fully folding a 130 flex boot while carving. It’s an interesting ski that isn’t as easy and intuitive as I was expecting. Unbelievable edge hold and great dampness but you have to really lay them over to get them to shine and they don’t have as much energy coming out of a turn as you’d expect for a ski that you can load up so much. Don’t feel particularly playful or maneuverable but I need more time in bumps and varied terrain. They also don’t feel at all smeary or loose but I haven’t been on a ski with fresh edges in a while so that could be part of it. I may detune the tails a little

I think this is gonna be a fun low tide ski but I have to figure them out a little more to unlock their potential outside of just destroying groomers. Right now they feel more like a forward mounted carving ski vs playful all mtn

[forumskier]

I also got my first runs today on 192 Blackops 98s (Holyshreds), and really enjoyed them, but had the opposite experience. I found them extremely easy going, very maneuverable and poppy, and now the most easy going cambered ski in my quiver. Not as surfy as I expected, coming off other Blackops skis, they prefer a more edge-to-edge style. However they are so poppy it makes up for any lack of surf. Very light feeling on my feet, but without getting bucked around too much. But then you see something that you want to buck off of, and man do these things send! They go far with barely any speed. I thought they would be too much ski for messing around at slow speeds in the park or picking through flatter trees at Northstar, but they are PERFECT for that.

The softer flex absorbs vibez and harsh hits nicely. They definitely ski softer and more playful than Wildcat 108s/PB&Js, without giving up too much stability. BO98s might be more damp too. Which is exactly what I wanted. I will say I did not enjoy the 98s on soft or refrozen mashed potatoes. A place where I love Wildcats/PB&Js, the BO98s felt terrible. These will be low tide/firm/fully packed down snow skis for me, and that was as expected. The 98s are perfect easygoing, 2D snow, freestyle sticks for me. They probably felt super easy going for me because I started the day on Sender Squads..

Squads feel amazing! Less dense tip/tail feeling than BO118s, but longer, more directional and a more versatile width. So good. They feel more like the BO118s than the BO98s. That uber rubber feel is there for sure, whereas I barely felt that in the 98s (still really liked 98s tho, just as much). Squads are surfy, maneuverable and great in 3D snow and mashed potatoes firm or soft, and also perform well for their width on packed snow. I could daily drive these no problem.

Squads are less hooky and more surfy than Katana 108s, but longer feeling and less stable in the tips/tails. Idk if these will replace the Katanas as my daily drivers, but they are definitely keepers for sure.

I hated the 98s in any funky 3D snow, but I think they might actually take the cake for me today. Squads are probably the better ski, but the 98s are the ski I need. Basically a jibbier, slightly more precise Moment PB&J.

[forumskier]

Revolts are floatier have taper and softer. The Revolts surprisingly can charge out through the tracked out runouts really well.
Op’s are Monster Trucks that are ridiculous
at carving because of their symmetrical dimensions and bad ass build. They float amazing as well but just wear my ass out. Such an addictive chargey ski the way it seduces you into constantly reaching for it.
If it’s 15 plus I would reach for the Revolts cuz you can manipulate turn shapes and check up or change lines in pow quicker.


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I didnt see your reply to this. Thanks for the info, very helpful. I think I want something more directional, even though the price of Revolts right now is super tempting.

Reckoner 124s are slightly more directional and seem more floaty. But at retail price I’d rather buy an HL FR120 or HB122 and just wait for them to come back in stock. Corbetts is out of the 189 Reckoner

[Wes Mantooth]

Basically a jibbier, slightly more precise Moment PB&J.

Funny our different experiences. I was skiing PB&Js yesterday and BO 98 today and the BO felt way less jibby and maneuverable. Far superior edge hold though and I agree with the precise comment

I think I need more time on them especially with a jib focus. I’m also gonna check the tune. It’s possible my pair is a little edge high and grabby which makes them less forgiving. It definitely doesn’t feel like too much ski and I’m glad I went 192, they just feel like they might develop a mind of their own if you stop paying attention

[Wes Mantooth]

Also to caveat I’m not saying I didn’t enjoy them, in fact I had a ton of fun today, just was a little different from what I was expecting

[noslow]

Funny our different experiences. I was skiing PB&Js yesterday and BO 98 today and the BO felt way less jibby and maneuverable. Far superior edge hold though and I agree with the precise comment

I think I need more time on them especially with a jib focus. I’m also gonna check the tune. It’s possible my pair is a little edge high and grabby which makes them less forgiving. It definitely doesn’t feel like too much ski and I’m glad I went 192, they just feel like they might develop a mind of their own if you stop paying attention

First thing I thought with your description is edge high/not uniform base bevel angle or possibly a burr. Didn’t sound too off but could be improved I’m sure.
Check if the bases are flat and then go tip to tail on the base at 1 degree to make sure it’s uniform. Then go over the edges with diamond stones to perfect and eliminate any possible burrs.

[Dantheman]

Last week I was checking ebay for some bindings for my kid and happened to see a pair of 2024 Squads with SPX 12 demos in great condition with a $200 reserve and no bids. On a lark I put in a max bid of $250 and walked away. Got an email this morning that I got them for $200+ship. Figure I can sell the bindings for at least a hundred.

Pretty solid score. Nice peace of mind having a backup pair.

That brings my current Blackops quiver to Sender Squads x2, BO 118, and Sender 94 Ti. Largest quiver I've had in years, should be pretty well covered now. Haven't even skied the BO 118s and Sender 94s yet as both were end of season/summer scores.

[Wes Mantooth]

First thing I thought with your description is edge high/not uniform base bevel angle or possibly a burr. Didn’t sound too off but could be improved I’m sure.
Check if the bases are flat and then go tip to tail on the base at 1 degree to make sure it’s uniform. Then go over the edges with diamond stones to perfect and eliminate any possible burrs.

I checked them out and the bases seem pretty flat to my eye. If they are edge high it's very minor, certainly not glaring enough yet to justify $70 for a stone grind. I don't have a base bevel tool since I honestly never mess with edges on any of my skis but I'll borrow one and do a couple passes at 1 degree. Beyond that I'm gonna keep skiing them more before making any adjustments