Author Topic: Expertskier Reviews  (Read 1475 times)

jbotti

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Expertskier Reviews
« on: August 16, 2012, 09:32:28 pm »
Peter has the first batch of reviews up for the 2012-2013 season. Of the big brands only Atomic, Blizzard, Dynastar K2 and Head are posted. A few skis to highlight. It appears that most really like the Head Rev 85. Max has skied it and essentially agrees with the Review. The other ski that looks like it will get traction is the Rev 105. This is what we have been calling a marketing rocker ski, with limited amounts of early rise in the tip (can't remember if this has any tail rise or not). Head produced a similar ski last year with again what I would call marketing rocker and that is the Rock N Roll. This is a great ski that carves with skis that are much thinner than it's 95mm waist and it's a great off piste ski. Peter's review on this ski is way off base and the review says that essentially this ski can't be laid over. Max and I watched Harald arc some of the nicest tight GS turns at speed on very steep hard snow last year. Max and I have also skied the Rock N Roll and again the review is just not even close to reality.

Nice to see the first reviews. It's an annual reminder that skis season is coming and it's times to start thinking about skiing again (in case anyone stopped thinking about it!!).


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Liam

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2012, 07:56:50 am »
How did the Rev 85 stack up with the peak 84 it replaces?  Any reason to go to the 90??

Quite a few of last year's peak series are floating around the local shops, at good prices...

jbotti

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2012, 09:05:24 am »
I have not skied any of the Revs. I know that Max has and I think he would say save your money and buy the Peak 84 or 90 at a discount. Both are wonderful skis.

ToddW

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #3 on: August 17, 2012, 11:47:13 am »
A year or two back, they added a new category "builds confidence."  What surprised me the other day when I looked through the first reviews was that almost every ski reviewed got a thumbs up on builds confidence.  Only a low single digit number of skis got the neither inspires nor inhibits confidence mark. 

Grade inflation or every improving ski design?

edit: fix typo
« Last Edit: August 17, 2012, 11:53:21 am by ToddW »

Liam

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #4 on: August 17, 2012, 12:05:41 pm »
You know, that's a good observation Todd.

I suspect it has to do with the unique experiences of Peter K, himself.  He has been a 'gear guy' since the early 1960's and he retains a pretty good memory of equipment from then to now.  I'm fairly certain that just about any ski (or ski product) 'builds confidence' when compared to the pre-plastic boots and long, long skinny skis Peter first reviewed.

 

jbotti

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #5 on: August 17, 2012, 02:06:44 pm »
Update: the review on the Rock N Roll has been modified and it is now much more indicative of how Max and I view this ski. It's a great ski. Put it on your demo list.

jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #6 on: August 17, 2012, 02:13:48 pm »



You know, it feels pretty good to be reading about skis instead of bicycles.


John, I will move this to the Ski Review forum at some point, but OK to be here for now.
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Philpug

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #7 on: August 24, 2012, 03:26:47 pm »
If anyone wants a NEW pair of Peak 84 in a 177 with bindings for 300 plus shipping, call me at 530-582-5781

jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #8 on: August 24, 2012, 03:41:44 pm »
Phil:
That's very tempting. I demoed these at Sugar Bush last year and really liked them -- MUCH better than my Watea 84's.  Hmmm.  You may hear from me after the weekend, even though I've sworn not to buy skis this year.


What kind of bindings? Head Power Rail?
Jim

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Philpug

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #9 on: August 24, 2012, 04:27:56 pm »
They have the power rails. Shipping will be about $30.00. If you want a Start Haus tune, that will be $60.00 so for less than $400.00 you are getting one of the best skis from this past seasoned tuned and ready to go.

dan.boisvert

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #10 on: August 24, 2012, 06:38:54 pm »
... even though I've sworn not to buy skis this year.

I did the same, and have already bought a pair.  That's a great deal--I think you should go for it!

jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2012, 10:18:26 pm »
Phil:


OK, since everyone is pushing me along, I'm going to get the skis.  I'll give you a call on Monday when I'm back from the wilds of New York's Delaware River Valley.
 
Precision Tune in Frisco has been our go-to place for the past few years, but since StartHaus has the John Botti seal of approval, I will go for the tune as well.  I like 1 degree base and 3 degree side bevels, but someone told me that .5 degree base and 2.5 degree side bevel works better with wider skis (not that I can tell the difference). No detuning of the tip or tail, please.  And thanks for such a great price. Will talk to you Monday.
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LivingProof

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #12 on: August 25, 2012, 06:22:05 am »
Way to go Jimbo! If memory serves me correctly, this will be the first purchase for the 12-13 season by a forum member (excluding late season purchases from last year). It gets the juices flowing. I was close to pulling a deal for a Kastle LX92 in a 170, but,

I admit to being tempted by Phil's deal, and, the Start Haus tune on my Kastle's was first class. Given the spotty reputation of off-the-rack Head skis, I say money well spent. Phil and Start Haus are a great resource for anyone looking for new skis.

I've had some conversations with Phil about replacing my 184 Sultan 94's, just a little to long and cumbersome for me. I'll  exchange the high speed performance for increased quickness. The Start Haus consignment ski sale starts this week, so, there may be something of interest that Phil may surface in a softer snow, mid-80 waist, high 170's length ski.


midwif

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #13 on: August 25, 2012, 09:54:52 am »
Jim called expecting to hear me say "no Jim, that's too much over lap and you have really been happy with the Watea's. " Instead he got encouragement to go ahead at that price! Especially since they are a dying breed of ski. I he did demo them last year at the February meet up and liked them.

Now I am getting the bargain bug.

Phil, any Peak 84's in a 155 size for a 120 lb woman -- or something else you know works well with tip to turn type skiing?

Yes, it IS wonderful to be talking skis/skiing again.

Thanks, Lynn
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jbotti

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #14 on: August 25, 2012, 11:13:23 am »
Peak 84 is a great ski. I own the 177 with a power rail binding. Phil's price is tough to beat. I would be careful with .5 degree base. That will get very grabby on any snow that has much moisture content.

jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #15 on: August 25, 2012, 08:51:46 pm »
I would be careful with .5 degree base. That will get very grabby on any snow that has much moisture content.
John: Noted, and I probably misspoke.  I think it was .7 and 2.0 instead of .5 and 2.5.

This was the recommendation of Precision Ski in Frisco (highly recommended if you ever need a tune or base work while in Summit County).  They said that their experience was that wider skis exerted so much force to come back to flat that the lesser base edge wasn't grabby and it helped get the skis on edge a bit quicker.  My Ullr's Chariots are tuned that way, and I still really like them (I know, doesn't match your experience, and that's OK).

Background.  Precision Ski was recommended by Harald to Lynn several years ago, and we've used them frequently.  On one visit we noticed a lot of SkiLogik skis there, and found out that they always did the ski prep for SkiLogik for the Denver SIA shows, and all of the 90mm+ skis were tuned at .7 and 2.0.

They don't recommend that base angle for narrower skis unless specifically requested by racer's.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2012, 12:14:24 pm by midwif »
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dan.boisvert

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #16 on: August 26, 2012, 07:55:45 am »
I wouldn't worry about the edge angles, Jim.  I bought a pair of real SL's a few weeks ago, which should ensure we have bottomless snow all winter.  You might actually need to get something wider..  ;D

jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #17 on: August 26, 2012, 08:22:31 am »



Dan: If your "sacrifice" results in bottomless powder all winter then everyone on the forum will be deeply indebted to you.


As far a a wider ski, I'm set (for my skill ability).  I've got 72mm, 84mm, and 101mm.  Somewhere in there is a ski that will get me down most green slopes.  :D
« Last Edit: August 26, 2012, 08:29:19 am by jim-ratliff »
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jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #18 on: August 26, 2012, 05:46:46 pm »
If you want to make your skis more responsive to tipping movements (both intentional and unintentional) you decrease the base bevel. Its really that simple. There is no perfect base bevel for all skiers in all conditions.

In most conditions I prefer a 1 degree base bevel on an 84.
Max:  When you tried base bevels less than 1 degree, was it day and night different from 1 degree or was the difference pretty subtle?
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jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #19 on: August 27, 2012, 06:42:11 pm »
Compensating for my limited tipping ability.


Besides, I would probably be on 72mm waisted skis in those conditions.
« Last Edit: August 27, 2012, 07:34:05 pm by jim-ratliff »
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Liam

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #20 on: August 28, 2012, 05:06:15 am »
Do you really want to make your all mountain ride twitchy?

Good point.

jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #21 on: August 28, 2012, 08:28:39 am »
Do you really want to make your all mountain ride twitchy?
IF it makes the ski's twitchy, then I won't stay with that tune.But I'm often willing to experiment or try something new.

And as I mentioned, I have my Ullr's Chariots tuned that way and they and I get along very well on groomed snow.  And that includes a couple of days where it was frozen hard enough that they were the wrong ski, my ankles hurt by mid afternoon. But the skis weren't twitchy, just sore ankles from pressing the boot with the force required for tipping on a frozen surface.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2012, 10:08:51 am by jim-ratliff »
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jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #22 on: August 28, 2012, 10:58:48 pm »
There is zero tipping benefit in soft snow with a reduced base bevel.
Agreed. But the Peak 84's aren't my soft snow ski, they are my 'tweener' ski, probably 60%+ on soft groomed slopes or skied up light powder days.  Maybe more like I asume you use your iM78's. So I expect to ski them more on the edges than not.
But I would be pretty hesitant to go less than 1 degree base bevel on my Progressors (as you can) because I don't think my technique is clean enough.
« Last Edit: August 28, 2012, 11:03:32 pm by jim-ratliff »
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Philpug

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #23 on: August 29, 2012, 08:23:59 am »
Jim, I agree with most here, a 1* and a 2* (2.5* at most) side is fine for these skis. We haven't tuned them yet so if you want to think about it, let me know this weekend. The .7* WILL make the ski twitchy.

jim-ratliff

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #24 on: August 29, 2012, 09:49:55 am »
Phil:
OK, I capitulate. I will stick with 1* base and 2* side, and then try a different base edge whenever I need the bases worked on.
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jbotti

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #25 on: August 29, 2012, 10:03:37 am »
You have chosen wisely grasshopper!

Svend

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #26 on: August 29, 2012, 12:08:26 pm »
If anyone wants a NEW pair of Peak 84 in a 177 with bindings for 300 plus shipping, call me at 530-582-5781

Phil, that is an excellent price.  Do you happen to have a pair in a 184 length?

I demoed these last year at Lake Louise, and loved them.  I never thought I would go back to a Head ski, but I was totally impressed by these.


Philpug

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #27 on: August 29, 2012, 12:57:20 pm »
Sorry Sved. There is a pair of 78's in a 178 that have been mounted for the same price and a pair of Maya#6's 165's for $249.00

Svend

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #28 on: August 29, 2012, 01:11:48 pm »
No worries -- thanks for checking Phil.


jbotti

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #29 on: September 03, 2012, 06:54:14 pm »
I was looking through the inventory on Ebay yesterday. There are a shocking number of Head Peak series skis available for sale. All the asking prices are unrealistic at the present time but we all know that this will likley change. Pure supply and demand says that one will be able to buy any of the Peak series skis for a price close to what Phil was offering.

Now Phil and Start Haus usually do some big excess inventory purchases and blow them out at great prices. Usually it's with Nordica but maybe Phil could call the Head rep and see if rounding up this excess inventory and blowing it out makes sense. My guess is that Head is no longer involved and these are skis in the retail system and not manufacturer inventory. Still rounding them up and getting them sold is good for everyone! My guess is that there would be a lot of takers for the Head Peak series at blowout prices.

Either way Svend, have some patience and you will own the Peak 84's in the 184 at a very nice price!!

Svend

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #30 on: September 04, 2012, 12:51:07 pm »
Hey John,

Patience is something I have a lot of.  I am in no hurry.  But as for shocking numbers, Phil's price on these qualifies for that descriptor.  I have paid more for each of the used skis that I have bought.  Very nice price -- well done Phil.

I will keep my eyes open for online deals.  And the Toronto ski show is coming up in October, and there are always great deals to be had there on previous year's gear.  It is supposedly the largest ski show in N. America (?). 

Philpug

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Re: Expertskier Reviews
« Reply #31 on: September 04, 2012, 04:12:04 pm »
Those skis were a one off fanatastic deal. We will be getting some Nordica's in soon and will let you know what will be arriving. I know there will be some 2012 Firearrow 80's.