realskiers
Skis and Gear Discussion => The Neutral Zone -- Open Discussion on anything => Topic started by: jbotti on January 02, 2010, 09:46:30 pm
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Kastle FX 84 176cm length:
I mounted this ski with a railflex binding mainly because I wantt to the versatility of being able to move the mount forward and back 1.5cm. I have only skied this ski in the neutral poistion with the boot right on the center line. This skis is very similar in dimensions to the Watea 84 (which I also own although they are reasonably beat up and are now rock skis). Both skis will edge lock carve nicely on hard snow and we had some very hard snow for a few days. Edge hold is better on the Kastle. Both skis are quite quick edge to edge and I am able to do edge locked slalom flushes with both skis. Quickness edge to edge is really a toss up between the two. On hard snow both will do tight brushed carved short radius turns without too much work. Also a toss up on which ski is better or easier at this. Off piste, the FX 84 is more solid without it being less forgiving. Both skis tip easily into off piste SRT's, both skis ski bumps pretty well. I was just able to be more agressive with the Kastle. They are both very friendly skis to ski. The Kastle just has more structural integrity and it can be pushed harder. Usually there is a forgivess give up when this occurs in a ski. I have not found it if it exists. That is the real key and appeal of this ski. Lastly, the thing I have always hated the most about the Watea 84 is that on hard snow at the end of that day when it is not very uniform, at speed, the Watea's tips just flap like carzy even on edge in edge locked carves. It always drives me crazy and it is far from confidence inspiring at speed (even though they actually ski more solid than they look, sound and feel). This is totally absent in the Fx 84 as they railed on this stuff with no deflection. The Kastle is a great ski. Based upon how easy it is to ski, I could actually have gone stiffer and less forgiving. For me the MX series may have been a slightly better choice as I think they are a bit stiffer, but I do love this ski.
For an mid 80mm waited ski that should do everything, this skis lives up to its billing.
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I am glad you like them, Kastle truly makes a special ski. If you get a chance, get on a MX series ski too, they are all that and a bag of nuts.
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Hey J...the FX84 sounds like a perfect play all day do almost everything well ski.
COngrats....
I'ts amazing to me coming from a narrow waist backaground (not narrow minded) the versatility and turnability of this new breed of skis. My wife has Kastle MX78 in a 152 length and I've never seen her ski better. This is her powder, crud, groom, bump ski...she weighs in at 110lbs so no problem there.
Im guessing that that FX 84 would even rail on hardpack....
Do you find the ski more damp than other skis in that catagory? I ask because I read or heard that Kastle uses rubber in their layering of materials. Best,
Gary
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from my experience, I didn't find the Kaslte's damp at all! Quite lively and responsive but with a suppleness to them. like they sucked up the major vibrations well but still had good feedback to them
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Yes indeed Smithers.....supple ...yes... >:D
Damp, sucking up terrain vibration, and lively....now there's a winner combination.
G
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release the hounds........ Supple is a good word for them. I know Alice loves here 78' and I always thought they were these stiff burly skis but I don't know how they do it, but they are truly are unique. I would love to see Lynn on a pair. I think she would love them. (not to mention anyone else)
I have not skied my 176's. I got them with the Kastle plate so I am really interested to see how they compare to thr 168's mounted with Griff's. I hope to get out on them this week
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Ah yes....Lynn would be a ripn on that ski and give her such a broad coverage of conditinos and terrain with 78 underfoot. Lynn will be Aspen and have a chance to see Alice's skis.
It's amazing for a ski that is that solid and heavy feeling....Alice loves the "supple' feel, do anything quality.
Be curious to hear how your MX78 176's work with that plate....ooooweeee. ...gonna be quick edge to edge 4sure!
G
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Lola is also on the MX78 is a 152 and said it is the best ski she has been on and has yet to ski better than she has on them. I skied the MX88 in a 176 today at Kton...what a ski, from crud, to bumps to high speed groomers, it did it all
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Are Kastle's the new Obama???o :o :o
To expand a little. The hype about this ski brand appears everywhere. Can it produce "change we can believe in"? I hope to demo a pair sometime with Phil and see firsthand.
The one aspect of the Kastle's that John brought out, and also mentioned by Epic's Sierra Jim, is that they are more of a GS ski meaning they want to go hard and fast. Phil skis that way and he has the body angles to get them onto high edge, therefore, I would fully expect him to like this ski.
Phil expressed on Epic that less skilled skiers seem to express this ski is very good. But I think that a skier needs to bend skis and carve to use them at their design point. Last year, I used Hart's of a similar GS design. While I liked many things about them, I do not ski with the energy needed to bring it to life and that was seen in the tracks I left.
One viewpoint, fire away!
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In response to Gary's question, I often hear words like "overly damp" and lifless to describe Austrian made skis (very often directed at Head skis). My presonal feeling is that most making those comments don't bend the ski in a carved turn. If you truly bend a Head or Kastle sandwich ski in a tight arc on hard snow you will get so much rebouund that the ski will buck you off the snow. This is the opposite of "lifeless"!! Having said that if you lay them flat or just ride the sisdecut (with little or no pressure to the tip of the ski) the ski will absorb much or all of the vibration and to me this feels super solid. I personally like a ski that does not deflect and where the tips stay engaged through undulations in the snow. So to answer the question about the Kastle FX 84, to me they could actually be damper. The ski gets super rebound when the tips are engaged and pressured and the ski is bent. It is very solid on edge through crud and chop. Again considering how easy it is to ski, I could actually go for more stiffness and a more damp feeling.
I draw the line on skis where when I pressure the tips hard and the ski won't bend or worse when I pressure the tips hard and the ski is so stiff that it bucks me off the tips into the back seat (Volkl AC50 and most burly Nordica skis!!). I presonally think this is absurd because I have a pair of Dynastar Race stock GS skis that are 192cm long (they don't come much more burly) and while it takes everything I have to bend this ski, it does not buck me off the tips. IMO when a sksi does that, it is just a poor design.
The Head IM 88 is a ski that is on the edge IMO. I can barely bend the ski. It is nearly impossible for me to tighten the arc on edge locked carved turns. I consider the IM 88 a an excellent ski becsue it is one of the great crud busters of all time. But being that solid it still doesn't buck me of the tips.
Back to the FX 84, for those that like the Watea 84, the FX is a vastly imporved version. Just as easy to ski, actually more lively if bent, and has way more high end, and most importantly, the tips don't flap on hard snow!!!
Now I will wrtie a brief review on my favorite big mountain ski that I have been on in the last 5 years!!
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Are Kastle's the new Obama???o :o :o
To expand a little. The hype about this ski brand appears everywhere. Can it produce "change we can believe in"?
LP:
Oooooh, you wordsmith you. ?::) ;D ?Regarding the rest of that post. ?I would not disagree. ?I read JBotti's review of the Kastle vs. the Watea 84 as very positive (for my Watea 84's) because I'm not the skier that JB is and the softer Watea 84 probably suits me better thatn the Kastle (and I only paid $399 for my '09 Watea 84's new). ?I will say that I haven't noticed the Watea 84 tip-flap that JB referred to, but maybe I only think that I sometimes ski fast. ? ;D
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Nice J.....I fully understand what you mean...I too believe ya gotta be able to arc a ski otherwise you're missing out on the beauty of the carve or feel like you're on balbarings on the hardback.
Having owned in years past the Head IM75 and 77...they were damp skis in the sense of not a lot of livliness...but not true with the Head SS I owned...they sucked up all terrain and provided a good kick in the pants when I asked for it.
Good get on your Kastle....enjoy,
G
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I don't think the kastles are or feel heavy at all. i think they feel lite and very lively. It's a matter of preference but please don't make the Kastle more damp, i think they are perfect. ,The over-dampness of the head is what I don't like. A ski can have plenty of rebound and kick and still be damp. The Kastle's have found that perfect blend of dampness, energy, liveliness and quckness. I would like to get on a pair of the new 94's when they come out as well as the 88's. ?
Mike, they are very happy skiing at any speed. No need to ramp them up
Jim- the 84 has a definite speed limit! It's not the worlds most stable ski; I like it, but it is easily deflected in crud and broken.
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Tester: 43 year old Female, 130 lbs 5'6", Advanced skier.
Equipment Tester usually skis: Hart Beat(77w) 162cm, Volkl Kiku (105w) 168cm, Blizzard Mag SL 155cm(64w),
Boots: Dalbello Krypton Kryzma
Skis Primarily on Michigan mole hills but has taken to some teensy weensy trips to some Mountains with many more to come!
Comfort zone of tester: Confident with speed, varied terrain & steeps, improving in Bumps and trees.
Manufacturer: K?stle Skis
Model: FX84
Length: 168
Category & Dimensions AM CARV POW:
All Mountain Midfat
Sidecut: 122-84-110
Radius: 16m (@168cm) 18m (@ 176cm) 20m (@ 184cm)
Construction: Sandwich construction
Core: Ash/Poplar
Binding: Marker Griffon
1=Poor 2= Fair 3=Average 4=Very Good 5=Excellent
1 2 3 4 5
Short Turns 3
Medium Turns 4
Long Turns 5
Rebound 5
Stability 5
Forgiveness 4
Grip 5
Steeps 5
Crud 5
Powder 4
Ice 4
Overall Impression 5
Tested Length Felt:
Just Right
Ski Sidecut Felt:
Just Right
Ski Flex Felt:
Surprisingly, just right
Best Described As:
Light weight and powerful
Notes: I?ve been hearing a lot about the new found love for an old friend in the Kastle ski world, and thought I may demo some day when I had the chance, but since there is no one in the Michigan with the brand I figured I?d have to wait to try them out when on a trip.? Surprisingly enough I didn?t plan a road trip around the possibility of demoing these skis. :rolleyes:
First impressions:? This ski is light weight which makes you think it won?t stand up to the aggressive skier, or rugged terrain, ??until you click in and take ?em for a drive.? This lightweight nimble ski has the power to bark like a big dog!
Maiden voyage: My first turns of the season happened a few weeks ago at Stowe, which is when I seized the opportunity to demo these skis.
I had beat myself up pretty good for three days of skiing and was a bit fatigued, adding to the fact that we had some significant apres? ski that left me with a bit of sleep deprivation.
Woke up on Monday morning to see fresh snow, YAY, but wait!? It was several inches of heavy sticky snow that would prove to be a challenge.
The friend I was skiing with generously allowed me to do a warm up run on some blues before taking the second run down Lift Line, fully expecting my lack of sleep and fatigued legs to let me down, but the FX84 didn?t let me down!? ?Granted, the snow was challenging, but the Kastle FX 84 handled it better than I expected and put a? big fat grin on my silly face!
Trip to my Home Mountain??..errrrrrr, Hill: With new boots dialed in and my very own Kastle FX84?s in the quiver, I headed to my home mountain with a whopping 375 ft of vertical and 8 inches of fresh snow,? I headed for the steeps and trees.? The FX 84 made turn initiation a cinch in the trees and set up a platform for dropping into the gorge with confidence.
The Kastle FX84 is in a prime position to be my ?go to? ski!
(http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs121.snc3/16848_400913085017_830505017_10232665_7719650_n.jpg)
(http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs141.snc3/16848_401298160017_830505017_10236168_5044471_n.jpg)
Trip to the mountains
Heading to Snowmass in three days, will report back!
In the mean time, I'll be over here fondling my skis.
Edit: correct TR
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Nice Review! Well done! Can't wait to make some turn with you next week ;D
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Nice Review!? Well done!? ?Can't wait to make some turn with you next week ;D
I just hope we don't get into trouble :D
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Define trouble.... ;D
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Are Kastle's the new Obama???o :o :o
To expand a little. The hype about this ski brand appears everywhere. Can it produce "change we can believe in"? I hope to demo a pair sometime with Phil and see firsthand.
The one aspect of the Kastle's that John brought out, and also mentioned by Epic's Sierra Jim, is that they are more of a GS ski meaning they want to go hard and fast. Phil skis that way and he has the body angles to get them onto high edge, therefore, I would fully expect him to like this ski.
Phil expressed on Epic that less skilled skiers seem to express this ski is very good. But I think that a skier needs to bend skis and carve to use them at their design point. Last year, I used Hart's of a similar GS design. While I liked many things about them, I do not ski with the energy needed to bring it to life and that was seen in the tracks I left.
One viewpoint, fire away!
Jane, you ignorant ****.
As I have said many times, I liken the MX series to a 911 and a FX to a Cayman. Lets talk 911's. If you have had the pleasure of driving a newer 996 (current Porsche 911), you will understand this, it is a car that you can drive to the store, church and to the track at 190MPH and will react the same in every capacity. Thats what this ski is like, Lola and Alice can ski it on groomer and dance while Ron and I can turn the ski up to mach speed and be able to see God before the ski maxes out. Where I find the FX appealing is the playfulness of the ski vs. the MX, the MX is a Doberman, all business, while the FX is more of a playful Wiemeraner (not one of those Wiemeraner that has been inbreed 12 times over), very quiet and regal of a ski yet a level of mischief under its skin.
On a clarification....Th e word "damp" was being tossed around, I think a more applicable word would be "refined". These are about the most refined skis I have ever skied.
As far as comparing these to the Harts, the Hart you had was a 16M 124/77/110 beautiful ski with a 16M TR but no means a GS ski. I will also say that while a Luciano Panotti ski is truly a work of art, the Kastles have a refinement a la comparing a (cars again) Porsche to a Maserati.
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Define trouble.... ;D
What......
someone forget to get you a dictionary for Christmas? ;D
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well said and just to also add, they are not heavy! I don't know where this comes from???? They are quite lite even with my Plate system.
my line: I don't know what they did to make this ski but they do and that's all that matters. Ski it to believe it.
Are Kastle's the new Obama???o :o :o
To expand a little. The hype about this ski brand appears everywhere. Can it produce "change we can believe in"? I hope to demo a pair sometime with Phil and see firsthand.
The one aspect of the Kastle's that John brought out, and also mentioned by Epic's Sierra Jim, is that they are more of a GS ski meaning they want to go hard and fast. Phil skis that way and he has the body angles to get them onto high edge, therefore, I would fully expect him to like this ski.
Phil expressed on Epic that less skilled skiers seem to express this ski is very good. But I think that a skier needs to bend skis and carve to use them at their design point. Last year, I used Hart's of a similar GS design. While I liked many things about them, I do not ski with the energy needed to bring it to life and that was seen in the tracks I left.
One viewpoint, fire away!
Jane, you ignorant ****.
As I have said many times, I liken the MX series to a 911 and a FX to a Cayman. Lets talk 911's. If you have had the pleasure of driving a newer 996 (current Porsche 911), you will understand this, it is a car that you can drive to the store, church and to the track at 190MPH and will react the same in every capacity. Thats what this ski is like, Lola and Alice can ski it on groomer and dance while Ron and I can turn the ski up to mach speed and be able to see God before the ski maxes out. Where I find the FX appealing is the playfulness of the ski vs. the MX, the MX is a Doberman, all business, while the FX is more of a playful Wiemeraner (not one of those Wiemeraner that has been inbreed 12 times over), very quiet and regal of a ski yet a level of mischief under its skin.
On a clarification....Th e word "damp" was being tossed around, I think a more applicable word would be "refined". These are about the most refined skis I have ever skied.
As far as comparing these to the Harts, the Hart you had was a 16M 124/77/110 beautiful ski with a 16M TR but no means a GS ski. I will also say that while a Luciano Panotti ski is truly a work of art, the Kastles have a refinement a la comparing a (cars again) Porsche to a Maserati.
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Hmmm....when I heft my wifes Kastles MX78's in the 152 length...they ARE heavier and as heavy as my 165 Head SS were.....but...they don't ski heavy.
Kastle found the optimal use of pixie dust to charge their skis with mixed perceptions and outstanding performance....what a combo!
Good on them!
G
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HMM, not sure what to say but maybe it's the RF?
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Hmmm....when I heft my wifes Kastles MX78's in the 152 length...they ARE heavier and as heavy as my 165 Head SS were.....but...they don't ski heavy.
Kastle found the optimal use of pixie dust to charge their skis with mixed perceptions and outstanding performance....what a combo!
Good on them!
G
Could be the choice of bindings...I just weighed Lola's MX78s and her Pilgrams (a light ski right?), with the same binding on both the Kastle's are 11.4 lb and the Icelantcs are 11.2 lbs. Also, i will add that her Kastle has the rental heel Griffon which is a solid 1.3oz heavier making both skis almost the same exact weight.
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Hmmm....when I heft my wifes Kastles MX78's in the 152 length...they ARE heavier and as heavy as my 165 Head SS were.....but...they don't ski heavy.
Kastle found the optimal use of pixie dust to charge their skis with mixed perceptions and outstanding performance....what a combo!
Good on them!
G
I also read that Kastle took special efforts to cutout or eliminate mass at the tip (and maybe tail) of the ski to hold down overall weight but more importantly to minimize swing weight/mass (inertia to an engineer like Mike??). Weight concentrated in the certer of the ski doesn't feel as heavy as the same amount of weight distributed across the length of the ski.
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Hmmm....when I heft my wifes Kastles MX78's in the 152 length...they ARE heavier and as heavy as my 165 Head SS were.....but...they don't ski heavy.
Kastle found the optimal use of pixie dust to charge their skis with mixed perceptions and outstanding performance....what a combo!
Good on them!
G
both heavier and as heavy? Interesting scale you have!
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Hmmm....when I heft my wifes Kastles MX78's in the 152 length...they ARE heavier and as heavy as my 165 Head SS were.....but...they don't ski heavy.
Kastle found the optimal use of pixie dust to charge their skis with mixed perceptions and outstanding performance....what a combo!
Good on them!
G
both heavier and as heavy?? Interesting scale you have!
It is a progressive scale.
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Shall we try for best of 3 weigh-ins?
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Actually after speaking with Phil...I think it really is the bindings.
ALice has a railflex binding on her Kastles...as do I on my Progessors.
The skis weigh in at 13lbs...the same.
Thinking it's the binding that camaflouges the true weight of the boards.
Never the less....Alices said it's the bestis and most versatile ski she's ever skied....period!
Thanks Phil for helping me see the light! ;D
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I am so glad I didn't post that about the RF bindings before..... ???
"HMM, not sure what to say but maybe it's the RF? "
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I am so glad I didn't post that about the RF bindings before..... ???
"HMM, not sure what to say but maybe it's the RF? "
You know Phil has forgotten more about ski gear than you and I know put together.
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for sure. that's how come I know the RF's are so heavy! ;D
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^^^ was thinking the same thing.
Imagine that. Two of us who listen to him. What are we thinking? ::)
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we've been hypnotized........ ::)
Hey I will give you a call to touch base on next week.
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I am so glad I didn't post that about the RF bindings before..... ???
"HMM, not sure what to say but maybe it's the RF? "
You know Phil has forgotten more about ski gear than you and I know put together.
[after a well fed ego boost] ...Considering that I haven't forgotten much... >:D [/after a well fed ego boost]
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Are Kastle's the new Obama???o :o :o
To expand a little. The hype about this ski brand appears everywhere. Can it produce "change we can believe in"? I hope to demo a pair sometime with Phil and see firsthand.
The one aspect of the Kastle's that John brought out, and also mentioned by Epic's Sierra Jim, is that they are more of a GS ski meaning they want to go hard and fast. Phil skis that way and he has the body angles to get them onto high edge, therefore, I would fully expect him to like this ski.
Phil expressed on Epic that less skilled skiers seem to express this ski is very good. But I think that a skier needs to bend skis and carve to use them at their design point. Last year, I used Hart's of a similar GS design. While I liked many things about them, I do not ski with the energy needed to bring it to life and that was seen in the tracks I left.
One viewpoint, fire away!
Jane, you ignorant ****.
As I have said many times, I liken the MX series to a 911 and a FX to a Cayman. Lets talk 911's. If you have had the pleasure of driving a newer 996 (current Porsche 911), you will understand this, it is a car that you can drive to the store, church and to the track at 190MPH and will react the same in every capacity. Thats what this ski is like, Lola and Alice can ski it on groomer and dance while Ron and I can turn the ski up to mach speed and be able to see God before the ski maxes out. Where I find the FX appealing is the playfulness of the ski vs. the MX, the MX is a Doberman, all business, while the FX is more of a playful Wiemeraner (not one of those Wiemeraner that has been inbreed 12 times over), very quiet and regal of a ski yet a level of mischief under its skin.
On a clarification....Th e word "damp" was being tossed around, I think a more applicable word would be "refined". These are about the most refined skis I have ever skied.
As far as comparing these to the Harts, the Hart you had was a 16M 124/77/110 beautiful ski with a 16M TR but no means a GS ski. I will also say that while a Luciano Panotti ski is truly a work of art, the Kastles have a refinement a la comparing a (cars again) Porsche to a Maserati.
Phil,
It's bad enough to have a quiver 1/16 the size of Ron's. Now I have to go and buy 2 Porche's and a Maseratti and then 2 dogs just to know what your talking about.
I give up, can't compete, willing to be led by the Ski Wizzards from now on. Instruction to self: stop thinking, stop thinking, stop thinking.
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Are Kastle's the new Obama???o :o :o
To expand a little. The hype about this ski brand appears everywhere. Can it produce "change we can believe in"? I hope to demo a pair sometime with Phil and see firsthand.
The one aspect of the Kastle's that John brought out, and also mentioned by Epic's Sierra Jim, is that they are more of a GS ski meaning they want to go hard and fast. Phil skis that way and he has the body angles to get them onto high edge, therefore, I would fully expect him to like this ski.
Phil expressed on Epic that less skilled skiers seem to express this ski is very good. But I think that a skier needs to bend skis and carve to use them at their design point. Last year, I used Hart's of a similar GS design. While I liked many things about them, I do not ski with the energy needed to bring it to life and that was seen in the tracks I left.
One viewpoint, fire away!
Jane, you ignorant ****.
As I have said many times, I liken the MX series to a 911 and a FX to a Cayman. Lets talk 911's. If you have had the pleasure of driving a newer 996 (current Porsche 911), you will understand this, it is a car that you can drive to the store, church and to the track at 190MPH and will react the same in every capacity. Thats what this ski is like, Lola and Alice can ski it on groomer and dance while Ron and I can turn the ski up to mach speed and be able to see God before the ski maxes out. Where I find the FX appealing is the playfulness of the ski vs. the MX, the MX is a Doberman, all business, while the FX is more of a playful Wiemeraner (not one of those Wiemeraner that has been inbreed 12 times over), very quiet and regal of a ski yet a level of mischief under its skin.
On a clarification....Th e word "damp" was being tossed around, I think a more applicable word would be "refined". These are about the most refined skis I have ever skied.
As far as comparing these to the Harts, the Hart you had was a 16M 124/77/110 beautiful ski with a 16M TR but no means a GS ski. I will also say that while a Luciano Panotti ski is truly a work of art, the Kastles have a refinement a la comparing a (cars again) Porsche to a Maserati.
Phil,
It's bad enough to have a quiver 1/16 the size of Ron's. Now I have to go and buy 2 Porche's and a Maseratti and then 2 dogs just to know what your talking about.
I give up, can't compete, willing to be led by the Ski Wizzards from now on. Instruction to self: stop thinking, stop thinking, stop thinking.
Wow your fuel bill and dog food expense will put a huge dent in your ski budget. That's not even considering the dog training you'll need for the Weimeraner! Good luck with that. :)
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Jane, you ignorant ****.
Thats what this ski is like, Lola and Alice can ski it on groomer and dance while Ron and I can turn the ski up to mach speed and be able to see God before the ski maxes out.
Phil, You male chauvinist pig!
There is one absolute truth to ski reviews and testing. If your wife likes a ski and it makes her happy.......buy it. ;D ;D ;D
And GG,
How does it feel when Alice brings her Kastle's to bed?
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Phil,
It's bad enough to have a quiver 1/16 the size of Ron's. Now I have to go and buy 2 Porche's and a Maseratti and then 2 dogs just to know what your talking about.
I give up, can't compete, willing to be led by the Ski Wizzards from now on. Instruction to self: stop thinking, stop thinking, stop thinking.
Mike, I have 4 pairs of skis..... if you have 1/16, they are even small by HH standards ?;D
However, I am glad to see you finally taking my advice (see stop thinking...) ?There's hope afterall. Now, to see you just cruising easy (re: not thinking, just being, enjoying the moment) on a pair of fatties would just make my season....
GG- WOW! I am so thrilled to see this sticking!
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Jane, you ignorant ****.
Thats what this ski is like, Lola and Alice can ski it on groomer and dance while Ron and I can turn the ski up to mach speed and be able to see God before the ski maxes out.
Phil, You male chauvinist pig!
There is one absolute truth to ski reviews and testing. If your wife likes a ski and it makes her happy.......buy it. ;D ;D ;D
And GG,
How does it feel when Alice brings her Kastle's to bed?
Lola is skiing Kastles
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Obviously Ron's knowledge ego was set on tilt when I missed his Rail Flex comment....now there my good friend....take no assault from my irreverence for you have set me on the straight and narrow for many a things, ...why I should not describe the taste of a great red wine as "sparkling"...or made me watch ski **** until I bent to their will and purchase some rockers, you are a divine one in your on right, a.....
right beneath The Almighty Phil....now live with it...you shall continue to garner my respect and willingness to learn new things. ::)
Mike oh Mike,...If Alice were indeed to take her Kastles to bed and I my JJ's...I do indeed wonder what off spring the mating pair would inspire? hmmm....?
G
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Jane, you ignorant ****.
Phil, You male chauvinist pig!
The proper reply is:
Dan you pompous a$$
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Obviously Ron's knowledge ego was set on tilt when I missed his Rail Flex comment....now there my good friend....take no assault from my irreverence for you have set me on the straight and narrow for many a things, ...why I should not describe the taste of a great red wine as "sparkling"...or made me watch ski **** until I bent to their will and purchase some rockers, you are a divine one in your on right, a.....
right beneath The Almighty Phil....now live with it...you shall continue to garner my respect and willingness to learn new things.? ::)
Mike oh Mike,...If Alice were indeed to take her Kastles to bed and I my JJ's...I do indeed wonder what off spring the mating pair would inspire? hmmm....?
G
Gary, it appears that I may be meeting you in a week. Unless you do your best to avoid me, which is completely understandable. So, tell me, what kind of influence do you think Alice and I will have on each others affection toward our Kastles?
I find myself fondling my regularly. :)
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Clearly not as movie buffish as some here Snowhot...I was a bit taken back by the harshness of those comments until I learned you indeed were not a **** and that you were in fact a very good skier.
Now if someone could please include an explanation next time when movie phrases are used.
Gesh....I almost wanted to send her flowers...criminy.. my JJ's would have been so jealous!
Best,
G
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Actually, I do most of the fondling of ALices Kastles....they seem to respond well when they adorn her feet....I must be doing something right. tops, bottoms and edges....get the full treantment!
Which pair to you have?
Lookiing forward to meeting you and slicing a dicing in Aspen!
Does Ron have to play?? >:D
G
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Clearly not as movie buffish as some here Snowhot...I was a bit taken back by the harshness of those comments until I learned you indeed were not a **** and that you were in fact a very good skier.
Now if someone could please include an explanation next time when movie phrases are used.
Gesh....I almost wanted to send her flowers...criminy.. my JJ's would have been so jealous!
Best,
G
Just another thing I had to walk you through...... ;D it was Saturday night live.......
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Gary Gary Gary.......you must get it right.
I'm a gear **** and a jacket ****. :)
I would be disappointed terribly if Ron doesn't play along, after all, he's a fellow jacket ****!
And.....Ron has it right, it was SNL.
See you in a week!!!
As to this question:
Which pair to you have?
As noted earlier in this thread, with my own review, I have the FX84 in a 168.
C'mon keep up!!!
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Anybody remember the refrain from an early Detroit sound song:
"But will you love me tomorrow?"
I reserve the right to to bring back this Kastle love-in when the next wonder ski comes along.
The first pair of all mountain, any speed, any conditions, any skier skis have finally been produced. ::) ::) ::) hip hip hooray!
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Clearly not as movie buffish as some here Snowhot...I was a bit taken back by the harshness of those comments until I learned you indeed were not a **** and that you were in fact a very good skier.
Now if someone could please include an explanation next time when movie phrases are used.
Gesh....I almost wanted to send her flowers...criminy.. my JJ's would have been so jealous!
Best,
G
;D Ditto.?I just assumed that Phil associated SnowHot with HH and was transferring the love.
Lynn had to explain the SNL reference for me.
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Clearly not as movie buffish as some here Snowhot...I was a bit taken back by the harshness of those comments until I learned you indeed were not a **** and that you were in fact a very good skier.
Now if someone could please include an explanation next time when movie phrases are used.
Best,
G
I was wondering if everyone else caught the SNL reference!!!
Jim did not know where it was from either......he wasn't watching tv on saturday nights in the 70's at 11:30, I guess!!
Kinda sad that Ron, Phil and I were!! Instead of being teens/young 20 somethings out partying!.
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Yes, I am a liitle disapointed that this gem of SNL wasn't known..
So here's an example for you to watch and enjoy. It's Dan ackroyd and Jane Curtain
http://www.hulu.com/watch/2306/saturday-night-live-point-counterpoint-lee-marvin-and-michelle-triola
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Mike, that's the fun thing about humans, we are always looking for what's next, it's in our gene's. If we weren't we would have been satisfied hanging out in trees, picking lice off of each other... ;D
But yes, these are a different ski, a new flavor so to speak like some rockers. Next year I hope you can quote this as an example when (and now a word from our sponsor....) icelantic comes out with thier new rocker....... >:D
Anybody remember the refrain from an early Detroit sound song:
"But will you love me tomorrow?"
I reserve the right to to bring back this Kastle love-in when the next wonder ski comes along.
The first pair of all mountain, any speed, any conditions, any skier skis have finally been produced. ::) ::) ::) hip hip hooray!?
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Clearly not as movie buffish as some here Snowhot...I was a bit taken back by the harshness of those comments until I learned you indeed were not a **** and that you were in fact a very good skier.
Now if someone could please include an explanation next time when movie phrases are used.
Gesh....I almost wanted to send her flowers...criminy.. my JJ's would have been so jealous!
Best,
G
Can't she be a (jacket) **** AND a good skier?
;D Ditto.?I just assumed that Phil associated SnowHot with HH and was transferring the love.? ?
Lynn had to explain the SNL reference for me.
Hmmm, I have never seen Snowhot and HHH in hte same place at the same time... could they be the same person????
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Now you are getting somewhere, I think you are onto something here....... lets explore the similarities....... .
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Now you are getting somewhere, I think you are onto something here.......? lets explore the similarities....... .
This is truly a scary thought..on so many levels.
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Are they both pretty? They have teeth, attitude, skin, hair, ....yup....they're are one in the same!
You guys are brilliant!
Hmmmm FX84 in the 168.....sole size SnowHot please?
G
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BLS 176
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That's your boot sole size...eek...any decimal point in there...
What are you 18 feet tall?
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BLS 176
What are you, 3'8" tall? a 176mm shell is pretty small.
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BLS 176
Doh, brainfart,.....I have those from time to time.
My BSL is 276 Mondo 23
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BLS 176
Doh, brainfart,.....I have those from time to time.
My BSL is 276 Mondo 23
remind me no to "pull your finger"
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I just heard from Mike and Phil, Mike demoed the 70 and the 78. I will let him review in his own words but he told me to post that he is truly impressed and agreed his impression was "WOW with Fireworks" (A real quote) He is demoing the 84 now.
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Ya don't say ::)
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whodathunkit??????????????????
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I just heard from Mike and Phil, Mike demoed the 70 and the 78. I will let him review in his own words but he told me to post that he is truly impressed and agreed his impression was "WOW with Fireworks" (A real quote)? He is demoing the 84 now.?
Wait till you hear his response on the MX88.
I skied the RX70 KTi in a 176..it was the first time I skied a ski that actually slowed down time. Effin amazing, if you haven't skied a world class *70mm ski, I suggest you try these.
*SuperShapes do not apply, I said "world class".
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hmmm 88 huh, Our little mikey is growing up! ;D
I must now have one........ ;D
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I just heard from Mike and Phil, Mike demoed the 70 and the 78. I will let him review in his own words but he told me to post that he is truly impressed and agreed his impression was "WOW with Fireworks" (A real quote)? He is demoing the 84 now.?
Wait till you hear his response on the MX88.
I skied the RX70 KTi in a 176..it was the first time I skied a ski that actually slowed down time. Effin amazing, if you haven't skied a world class *70mm ski, I suggest you try these.
*SuperShapes do not apply, I said "world class".
Nobody, but, nobody will ever believe Phil skied 70's all afternoon, while Mike was on 88's.
It just can't be true, impossible. A world turned upside down.
PS - If you think he can turn quick on 88's, try following him in a bump run when he's on the RX-70.
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Kastle FX 84 176cm length:
I mounted this ski with a railflex binding mainly because I wantt to the versatility of being able to move the mount forward and back 1.5cm. I have only skied this ski in the neutral poistion with the boot right on the center line. This skis is very similar in dimensions to the Watea 84 (which I also own although they are reasonably beat up and are now rock skis). Both skis will edge lock carve nicely on hard snow and we had some very hard snow for a few days. Edge hold is better on the Kastle. Both skis are quite quick edge to edge and I am able to do edge locked slalom flushes with both skis. Quickness edge to edge is really a toss up between the two. On hard snow both will do tight brushed carved short radius turns without too much work. Also a toss up on which ski is better or easier at this. Off piste, the FX 84 is more solid without it being less forgiving. Both skis tip easily into off piste SRT's, both skis ski bumps pretty well. I was just able to be more agressive with the Kastle. They are both very friendly skis to ski. The Kastle just has more structural integrity and it can be pushed harder. Usually there is a forgivess give up when this occurs in a ski. I have not found it if it exists. That is the real key and appeal of this ski. Lastly, the thing I have always hated the most about the Watea 84 is that on hard snow at the end of that day when it is not very uniform, at speed, the Watea's tips just flap like carzy even on edge in edge locked carves. It always drives me crazy and it is far from confidence inspiring at speed (even though they actually ski more solid than they look, sound and feel). This is totally absent in the Fx 84 as they railed on this stuff with no deflection. The Kastle is a great ski. Based upon how easy it is to ski, I could actually have gone stiffer and less forgiving. For me the MX series may have been a slightly better choice as I think they are a bit stiffer, but I do love this ski.
For an mid 80mm waited ski that should do everything, this skis lives up to its billing.
JB,
Turning full serious, I and others, have hijacked your review of the FX 84. It really deserves to stand on it's own.
I demo'd the FX 84 yesterday, and, also the Fischer Watea 84 which you used as your "control" ski for comparison purposes. The following is based on 2 runs on each ski. The conditions were not the big mountain, back country terrain that the Kastle website describes as ideal for the FX 84 (the one that wears the black topskin).
I possess neither the skier nor the ski reviewer skills that you have, and, I hope no one ever buys a ski on my reviews.
First, the XF 84 has an entirely different feel than the RX & MX series siblings. I skied this following demo runs on the RX 70 and MX 78, and, in the very first turns I knew this was a different ski from the RX/MX's (that have white topskins) which feel extremely similar through 70 ,78 and 88 waists. In conversations with Phil, he expressed others have felt this difference. From a review standpoint, I was so smitten with the MX's, that it's hard to be objective to the FX 84. But the RX/MX's fit my eastern style and needs.
Your review is so much more insightful. My very lightweight analysis: it did all I asked it to do in medium radius turns on some deteriorating eastern hardpack at the low end of the speed spectrum. Easily goes edge to edge, nice carve feeling. 2000 vertical feet of eastern skiing can't judge this ski. I'd love to have em for a full day of mixed skiing in Big Sky.
The FX 84 is a little more damp, perhaps closer to my Head 78's. I, too, thought it skied very close to the Watea 84. It goes from edge to edge very well. I would encourage anyone to get on a pair, especially if you are in the big mountains for which it was designed.
To touch on the Watea 84. From the second the rep was fitting them, the bases felt "grabby", no glide. In the liftline with Phil, I'd be poleing, he'd be gliding. This sensation carried over onto the hill. It ruined any objective analysis of what this ski can do. I discussed this with the Fischer rep and, without saying so directly, indicated it had been a while since they were waxed or that maybe they were waxed for higher temps (Which in the East is about 2 weeks ago as it's been cold). But Fischers Eastern business is in the Progressor series, so, no surprise here....
Again, John, sorry for the hijack. Try the MX series and let us know.
Mike?
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JB,
Turning full serious, I and others, have hijacked your review of the FX 84. It really deserves to stand on it's own.
I demo'd the FX 84 yesterday, and, also the Fischer Watea 84 which you used as your "control" ski for comparison purposes. The following is based on 2 runs on each ski. The conditions were not the big mountain, back country terrain that the Kastle website describes as ideal for the FX 84 (the one that wears the black topskin).
I possess neither the skier nor the ski reviewer skills that you have, and, I hope no one ever buys a ski on my reviews.
First, the FX 84 has an entirely different feel than the MX series siblings. I skied this following demo runs on the MX 70 and 78, and, in the very first turns I knew this was a different ski from the MX's (that have white topskins) which feel extremely similar through 70,78 and 88. In conversations with Phil, he expressed others have felt this difference. From a review standpoint, I was so smitten with the MX's, that it's hard to be objective to the FX 84. But the MX's fit my eastern style and needs.
Your review is so much more insightful. My very lightweight analysis: it did all I asked it to do in medium radius turns on some deteriorating eastern hardpack at the low end of the speed spectrum. Easily goes edge to edge, nice carve feeling. 2000 vertical feet of eastern skiing can't judge this ski. I'd love to have em for a full day of mixed skiing in Big Sky.
The FX 84 is a little more damp, perhaps closer to my Head 78's. I, too, thought it skied very close to the Watea 84. It goes from edge to edge very well. I would encourage anyone to get on a pair, especially if you are in the big mountains for which it was designed.
To touch on the Watea 84. From the second the rep was fitting them, the bases felt "grabby", no glide. In the liftline with Phil, I'd be poleing, he'd be gliding. This sensation carried over onto the hill. It ruined any objective analysis of what this ski can do. I discussed this with the Fischer rep and, without saying so directly, indicated it had been a while since they were waxed or that maybe they were waxed for higher temps (Which in the East is about 2 weeks ago as it's been cold). But Fischers Eastern business is in the Progressor series, so, no surprise here....
Again, John, sorry for the hijack. Try the MX series and let us know.
Mike?
Mike,
It looked like you had FX and MX mixed up, I fixed it for you.
When can you get me the Heads? I want to get them to the perspective buyer while he is still hot for them.
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looking forward to getting on the 88. I skied the 78 yesterday in the 176 at Blue yesterday. The conditions were pretty good. The 78 in the 176 is an amazing ski. I have the plate system. I would really have to ski the griff' back to back to really compare but it is very responsive, quck, smoooooth, and just fun to ski. I played around on a green run that was in really nice conditon in skiing very slow ( a fun drill JC taught us) the objective is to ski as slow as possible but keeping the movement smooth and fluent. Then started on some slow easy turns- varying radius, There wasn't enought pitch to really crank it up for big GS turns but skiing short radius turns along the edge were a blast, the ski really engages well: it has HUGE sweetspot. You could easily go from very tight zipper-line like turns to medium turns, the tail doesn't lock you in but you could really feel the entire ski underfoot. One of the race runs opened and it has a hard pack base with the typical blue granular surface onthe steep section. I took it in there to play around and looked for sections where the snow varied. I skied it over scraped off hard-packed into soft, loose granular piles, again, the ski really handled it well, did not get deflected and really had incredible edgehold. It inspired confidence and since I am not a good hardpack skier, I had a lot of confidence in the ski and skied much more agressively than I normally do. I loved it. i look forward to getting this in a few inches of fresh to see how it handles it. I am curious to see if the tail hookup in the snow or if you can slide them when needed. My guess it will do just fine. Very impressed with this ski. VERY.