Is there anyone who actually owns a pair of B2s who doesn't like them?

A snowHead

They get a bit of a hard time on here, and various other forums, so what I would ask, is there anyone who actually owns a pair of B2s who doesn't like them?

I really like mine, I really enjoy skiing in them, and think that they'll do pretty much anything, now I know that I'm biased, but surely if they're that bad, there will be someone out there who has actually owned a pair and hated them.

A snowHead

Kramer

You like them and that is all that matters. Have confidence in your own opinions. Don't worry about others.

How many glowing reviews do you need ?

If it really worries you, I am sure some kind Snowhead could oblige by slagging off B2s - even if it is just a wind up. Laughing

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Kramer, surely owners of B2s are a self selecting group and so are much more likely to like them than those who don't? wink

Anyway, I'd agree with Latchigo - if you like them, enjoy them and you're certainly not alone. I can't see the point of them for what I want to do, but everyone has different aspirations, skiing styles etc etc

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Kramer, Latchigo, I rented a pair and they were very slow at the start of a turn, had real problems holding an edge at Grand Montets, and felt decidedly "wooden" after the Rossi XX. Happy to oblige, glad you enjoy yours wink

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

[quote=Kramer]Is there anyone thick enough to have paid that much without a demo and who also wound up getting lucky, and who wouldn't mind admitting to it?[/quote]

Umm. No.

Not a real quote, a real quote would have "" marks

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I love my B2's, and you're right, nobody else out there is better qualified to tell me what will work for me. They've allowed me to take my skiing to places I never thought i'd be ... Very Happy

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I find that although demos are ok in theory, the problem is that a ski shop rarely has the type of ski that you want in exactly the right size for you unless they also hire them out.

I demo'ed my B2s back to back with a pair of apache recons, however the only size that the shop had were 160s of the recons, so it made a comparison almost useless with the 186 B2s.

I'm quite happy with my B2s, and everyone else that I've met who actually owns a pair really likes them, I was just wondering if there was anyone who had bought them and then decided that they didn't like them after all?

After all it is free

Kramer,

If it is a small comfort I test drove a pair and decided to buy them but they had sold out in my size and I bought a pair of x screams instead, now sadly defunct. But I thought the B2's were pretty good.

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I reckon skis are very personal. I find the B2 very quick to turn, reasonably stable at speed, holds an icy edge pretty well, soft enough for bumps, give me enough support in slush and powder, heavy enough for crud, light enough to jump or lift on occasion, maybe not quite as lively as I'd like but fun enough and something's gotta give. That's why I'm now looking for a stiffer pair to complement it for days with harder conditions. However the B2 are as good an all-rounder as I hoped for.

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spyderjon, Here i am mate eager to oblige Laughing

I bought my B2's without demoing them with the intention of using them as a tool to improve my technique compared to my little Metron M9's which were making life far too easy for me.
First few runs out I hated them. Felt slow edge to edge and not brilliant for hardpack. Also struggled to initiate slow turns.
This was a few months ago. Last week they were ressurected as all my other skis were in at repair Sad

Before using them I gave them a thorough detune tip and tail to make turn initiation easier and ran the gummy stone full length a couple of passes to take the edge off them ever so slightly and make them less grabby.
Upon trying them they were fine for skidding though low speed carves were a no go just skidding and skarving with only large radius turns getting any jind of carving treatment just riding the sidecut.
This was as far as I got with my mate Spyderjon.
Couple of hours later I went back on to play further and the slope was really busy now so ended up cranking the speed up and this is where I found the B2's shine. Once speed is gained I could happily drop my knees into initiating a carve and hey presto I could load them up and pop from one carved turn to another. This is more like it! Smile

I think the problem I had with them is riding short radius skis for so long has left my technique ability needing some dusting off to get to grips with how to get the best out of the B2.
Going from 11 meter radius metrons that turn on autopilot to 17 meter B2's was my problem and no bad reflection on the B2's in hindsight.
I'm now thinking that riding them like a GS ski will be a blast and can get to grips with other types of turns once my technique adapts some muscle memory Laughing

Looks like i'll have to take back all I once said about my B2's. FWIW - I'm now taking such a liking to them i'm treating them to a pair of Fritschi Freeride bindings for the upcoming season. Cool

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The general trend with people's opinions that i have read seems to be that the B2's are pretty good at almost everything, and are a great all rounder, but perhaps lack a bit of liveliness and stiffness as a result of this, and are therefore not the most exciting of skis...

I have just ordered a new pair of '05/'06 B2's ready for an instructor course which i am doing this coming season in Zermatt-i have read a couple of reviews on this season's B2's, and it seems that they have managed to make them a bit stiffer and more lively, which to me sounds like a good thing. They also both said that the ski had improved and overall were very positive. I demoed a pair of last season's B2's and quite enjoyed them-they did what they are meant to do, which is pretty much everything, and were enjoyable at the same time. However, whilst out there, i also demoed a pair of Atomic Metron M:11's....a very different type of ski! I must say, i did enjoy them, but they were quite hard work at times-more lively than the B2's, but in my opinion not as good an all-rounder.

I really do think that if you are looking to buy a ski that you can go out on and ski anywhere on the mountain, the B2 is right up there.

Out of interest, has anybody skied/heard reviews on the new B2. I would love to hear any feedback on them and how they differ from last year's model, and see whether they agree with the reviews i've already heard. Personally, i can't wait to get out and ski on my first ever pair of skis! snowHead

You know it makes sense.

I skied the B2 for a week with the UCPA in Chamonix. Didn't like them, but they were a bit short and beaten up (second year of being skied hard every week). I found them wobbly at speed, hard to carve clean lines (really hard to carve without skidding a bit) and not powerful enough to bust crud easily. That being said , they were not limited to one turn radius and skidded easily (good in tight spots)

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

spyderjon, You took the words right out of my mouth Laughing

I totally agree with you, hence my B2's now being relegated to touring only and a pair of M11's currently on order.
A friend of mine skis a pair of B2's all the time and I feel sorry for him when i'm hyper carving it up on my Metron's or ST11's. Anyone who is limiting themselves to a pair of B2's as a one ski quiver is missing out on a lot of fun that can be had on these more shapely skis.
If people trying the M11's are just riding the sidecut they're missing out on what the M11's/B5's are capable of. Get some decent edge set angulation going bouncing from turn to turn, bouncing from one short radius carved turn to another keeping the upper body quiet with skis crossing under. Then go back to a slower turning less lively ski will make you feel short changed IMO.
Also one thing I did notice the other day is how unstable the B2's are compard to the M11's going through chopped up snow at the side of the piste. The B2's have to be nursed through compared to the M11's just charging through whatever angle of turn you choose. As for braquage - I feel the M11's or B5's are way easier with shorter length and edge control was easier too.
I have the choice of either the B2's or the M11's as my staple ski for my coming season so have no bias to either due to ownership of only one. It's the M11 that will be coming with me every time. If they ever do a Telemark version of the M11 with no plate I can see me getting a pair and whacking some Fritschis on them and punting the B2's.

Please don't feel i'm bashing the B2's. They still have a place in my quiver Smile

A snowHead

Maybe it's just me but there's something of the "If you really are a good skier you can't like the B2 wink

" about all this. A bit like a 3 series beemer. Common as muck and regarded by many as driven by such. But a truly fine car consequently under-regarded and over-looked by those who feel themselves to be above it. I'm sure all your opinions are honest and accurate appraisals for yourselves and your skiing, but I consider its very versatility and suitability for many to be a strength and not a weakness. Of course I don't think it's a master of all trades but if one has to be very technically attentive all day in order to feel another ski betters its all round ability, frankly I suspect most couldn't be bothered. Little Angel

A snowHead

Slikedges,

I totally agree with you, the versitility, user-friendliness and forgiving nature of the B2 is exactly what makes it a great ski. Yes, there are probably a few better performing skis around now, but many of them require a better skier to get the most out of them. The B2 is disregarded by those who feel they are better than us mere mortals on the snow.

How many British skiers really are that good and need the top end performance orientated skis? How many get to ski more than 2-3 weeks a season max? or can afford to have more than one pair of skis in their quiver? For most people, most of the time, the B2 is the best all round ski on the market.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

A mate of mine has a promo video of Bode hossing it down a course on B2's and apparently he does all right with them!!

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The Rossignol B2 scores right up there at the top of the 2004/5 Freeride Ski Tests in Falline Skiing and Daily Mail Ski magazines, along with the K2 Apache Recons, both scoring well above the Atomic Metron range in all but short turns and edge hold (not surprising due to the metron's sidecut and construction). Although it has been suggested the case might be otherwise in this forum, the B2's finished in first place with testers for high speed, low speed, and groomed piste, their only weaknesses highlighted as being a slight lack of width (76mm) for powder / off piste compared with other wider skis in the group (although stil scoring higher than the Metron B5 which got the lowest score for powder / off-piste.)

Surely this suggests the B2 is a great ski??

Yes, they may be replaced as "the industry standard" by another manufacturer this season, but a good ski doesn't suddenly become a bad ski when a new model comes out.

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To be honest, i agree with slikedges- i think it is almost like people think they can't be a good skier if they like the B2.....however this is not the case.

I know a couple of ski instructors who ski on B2's and say they are the best skis they have ever had....and they are certainly not average "punter" skiers.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

After all it is free

Thing is, Rossi are changing the B2 significantly. I liked a bit better the stiffer Bandit XX and it seems that Rossi are going wider and stiffer. In fact they seem to be replicating the Dynastar Legend 8000, a ski I enjoyed much more than the B2. Like i said before they are not a bad ski, just not very exciting, especially if you are seeking a ski that blasts out of a turn.
Chris_5000, diffrent strokes for diffrent folks. None is arguing that the B2 is rubbish but rathe that they found something that is more fun for them.
BrightonSki, don't put too much faith in those tests, as they closely reflect advertising ties.

I haven't spent much time on Atomics but asking around the higher level skiers I know, they only seem to be favoured by a relatively limited number of people, but these people really swear by them and the ski revolutionises their skiing and I guess must just really suit their skiing style. Others think they're heavy, not great in bumps and powder and not particularly easy to turn. The only way I'm going to know is if I make the effort to get on some B5/M11 (and I'm also curious about the Recons) this season.

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Anyone reading these last few posts would think that the Rossi B2 and the Atomic Metron series were the only skis available rolling eyes

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Arno, no, the only skis available are actually Salomons, except for a couple of B2s that slip through! wink

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Arno,

The topic of this thread is the likeability of the Rossi B2 !

I've tried the Metron B5 on a day's demo in the three valleys and found them hard work and demanding to ski. Great for short radius turns, not bad in the limited off-piste available, but oh so tough on the legs if you like to cover some mileage, and very unforgiving in the moguls. Yes, they are probably a great ski for a technically good expert, or anyone who likes to ski fast and aggressively all over the mountain, but for me they were just too hard work which takes some of the fun away. Maybe will address this with the new season's Metron range - a little more compliancy and weight would go a long way to making this ski more accessible to mere mortals.

The B2's may be lacking the top end performance that the B5 Metrons would no doubt have, but they allow me to ski anywhere I want, with a massive grin all day long. Very Happy

Isn't this what your typical British skier (i.e. 1-2 weeks a year) wants?? Most of us never have the opportunity to put in the time needed to get above advanced level??

Not tried the K2 Recon's, Stormriders, Dynastars or new Nordica's etc but really interested to compare them with my B2's, as well as Rossi's new bandit range.

oh roll on December,serious withdrawal symptoms now Crying or Very sad

BrightonSki, From what you say of your experience with the b5 I'd recommend trying the M11.

Please excuse the personal question but how heavy are you?

I'm not tall at 5'9" but I'm pretty heavy at 200lbs. I plan to be 185lbs by Xmas when my season start proper & when you add my backpack etc the b5 is fine for me all day. But if I was 30lbs lighter I'd certainly be on the M11's. I could handle the b5's at 170lbs but I wouldn't fancy it all day every day for a week - well not at my level of expertise anyway.

Apparently the 172cm b5's are too much ski for all but the heaviest truly expert skiers.

Come to think of it I'm probably just too damned fat for the B2's Laughing

You know it makes sense.

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

stuarth, This years Neox bindings and rail setup are a LOT lighter than last years. Comparing my ST11's to the B5 of similar length theres not much in it.
This is why my B2's felt like they needed nursing through the chopped up stuff at the side of the piste as they are quite light and flexy. The stiffer and heavier B5's were a lot more reassuring in these conditions.
Perhaps if this years B2 is stiffer and heavier it will be a more versatile ski than last years?

A snowHead

I'm with snowbunny on this, the B2 is the new Xcream to me....
Now if they are stiffer this year that might be because they are trying to match the XL or b5, 8000 or trying to get back to the XX which I preferred as it happens.
But what does it matter? we aren't on them, you are, and if they do what you want, how you want, then stick with them. Picking a so-called uber ski that gives you cred in the lift queue doesn't help if you can't rely on them/turn them in those tight spots.

As I have said before my ski buddy skis xcreams - which I wouldn't - and he is hard to keep up with on tricky pitches. What works with what you have got, works IMO

A snowHead

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

snowbunny,

I'm sure Ise can look after himself, I think he knows what he wants from a ski so if the B2 fits the usage they get used.
And I actually didn't think the Xcreams were too bad...well not the ones I used to ski on. Haven't been back on them in a few years tho'

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Everyone is different, everyone skis differently, everyone wants different things from a ski, so therefore different skis fit different people. We can't earmark any ski as the best ski out there for everybody, just for us.
I think B2's strengh and weakness is exactly this, they do everything very well but nothing great. Reminds me a bit of Gloria Arroyo...(sorry)

Kind off ironic then, the first time i used B2's i didn't like them, but now own a pair. But I get pretty frustrated with them, because they've improved my skiing in many conditions, but at the same time have limeted further progress, which is why ive been using other skis with them... I have complete confidence in these skis though... But all great things get critics, because everyone wants perfection, but as someone much wiser than all of us once said, 'we must look inside for perfection', which tranlates into go back to ski school!

P.S. Selling a pair of 176 B2's with bindings, poles, bag etc. PM me.

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First time I tried them - in 182 or something - I hated them, went straight back to XX's.
Second time I tried them in 177 - ish, they were better but I then knew they weren't for me - something missing!!
Swapped next day for M75's which I had a spendid day in the deep stuff.

Swapped M75's for XL's and will stick with them. Might try the new B2 if I can't get XL's.
If that doesn't work I wil be buying..and no surprises what I wil buy, even though I really don't want to lug skis around again.

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Spyderjon,

I'm just under 170lbs at 5'10" so you might be right. Will try to give some M11's a go this season.

The B2's still do it for me though, confidence inspiring, no worries fun skis, suits me!

After all it is free

I'm not a brilliant skier, but I've been told that I've got nice technique. I weigh 220lbs and I'm 6' (ish). I've not tried the Metrons, but I have tried the recons, but only in a short size. The B2s are by far my favourite ski that I've used. People tell me that they're too soft, but I can get them to pop me out of short radius turns no problem (and I'm not a small bloke), I also find them really good for largeish radius pure carved turns. The only place that I find them to be less than ideal is when it's icy and hard pack, when unless they're really sharp, I can find it difficult to get them to hold an edge.

I do agree that there is a bit of snobbery about B2s, but there are many instructors, hosts, guides who've I've seen using them, so they can't be all bad.

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Nice one, Martin. When I used to test skis for Ski Survey magazine we similarly had a major advertiser cancel advertising because they didn't like our test results.

It's almost a 'test' in itself of editorial impartiality!

Help!!

Is there anyone who actually owns a pair of B2s who doesn't like them?

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