OK - like Gary said, I've ordered a pair of '09 Head Supershape Speeds from my local shop. I'm picking them up today, if they can get them prepped in time. Yeehaw...can't wait! Will lean them up against the wall of my office and stare at them all day until the snow falls again.
Over past models, the '09s have grown in the tip by 4mm, and in the waist and tail by 2mm. This now gives them a sidecut of 116/68/100, and a 15 m radius at 170. Some of you may know that my wife skis the '07 model of these in a 163, and absolutely loves them. They have a wonderful springy flex that isn't brutally stiff, and while they have awesome performance, she finds them very easy to manage in pretty much all conditions - crud, bumps, soft snow, ice...you name it.
The decision to buy these was made from both my wife's experience on hers, and from reading through online reviews in forums and magazines, both here and in Europe (FYI, I read German) re. the '09 and earlier models. They all say what a versatile ski it is. Not too stiff, light underfoot, great edge grip, and reasonably forgiving (which is in contrast to what Realskiers says), good for finesse or power skiing, and definitely not punishing like a full-out race ski. Basically, they rave about it, and say it is one of the best groomer skis out there. And when I heard about the new dimensions on this ski, and then heard the price from my shop guy, it was a no-brainer. "That's it, I'm gettin' 'em!" It is bang-on the side cut that I was looking for -- ie. Chip XRC, Progressor, Mach2, and the like. And I think the build quality of the Supershape line is one of the best out there now - they are darn-near bulletproof.
As Gary said, this is a real ski, and one I will be able to grow into nicely and not make redundant in a couple of seasons. At least for the first season, I will keep my iM70s for easy-going days with the kids, but I really look forward to growing into the Speeds as I get better and better. That is also why I didn't go longer (I'm getting them in 170), I didn't want a ski that was going to be a handful, but was a manageable length like my iM70s and yet was leagues better in performance. Were I an expert skier, I would have gone with a 177, no question. That day will come...when I'm ready. But for the moment, I wanted the best possible frontside ski in a length that I could handle.
Having said all that, many thanks to all on the forum here for your advice and recommendations, and to Da Godfather, Gary, devil's advocate that he was, for patiently putting up with my agonizing and hand-wringing over what ski to buy. Once I get 'em out on the slopes and give 'em a real workout, I'll post a review back here and let you know what I think.
Cheers, and here's a pic:
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