 Poster: A snowHead
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I have a pair of Volkl Supersport 6*s and I adore them. Most of my skiing is in Europe and they are exceptional for me as I am 6'2 and my weight varies between 85kg and 100kg. They are stiff and grip forever and carve like they are in rails.
I want to start going off piste more when the opportunity presents and am looking for an all mountain ski to take out with the Volkl skis.
I tested some Bonafides, Mantras and SFBs at Milton Keynes and have fallen in love with the SFBs. The other two skis were obviously excellent but felt as if I was skiing on longer versions of my 6*s. "That's not a bad thing" I imagine most people are thinking as they read. However in my mind I do want something different. The SFBs were immensely playful and light and just plain fun. They made me want to fool around and out a huge smile on my face.
My only concern is that the only experience I have of the ski. Is on the little indoorr slope at MK. I have no idea what these skis would be like when the conditions were more challenging.
So I would really appreciate input as to whether the SFBs areand aappropriate choice for Europe or will the shady ice runs and cut up mogul fields be horrifically uncomfortable on them?
I would say I am an advanced on piste skier but have not done any off piste because of my usual skis (last year in Saalbach I just kept sinking in the powder). If there is powder I want to go and play but if there is nothing I will be playing around on pistes. Ideally I would be using the new pair most of the time (which is why the Bonafides or mantras feel lik. A safe cchoice).
Advice and comments appreciated
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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snax001,
I don't think MK is any sort of indication as to what a pair of skis will feel like out in the field.
As a committed Mantra skier, I would find it difficult to look much further than them for typical European o.p. Bottomless BC powder just isn't found that often, particularly when you may not be in the mountains so frequently. You have to ski what you get.
The Bacons sound quite fun if you live in Alta, or Revelstoke, or even Verbier (although you probably would use your 6*s as well).
YMMV.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| snax001 wrote: |
| will the shady ice runs and cut up mogul fields be horrifically uncomfortable on them? |
Unless that's all you're expecting to be skiing, I wouldn't worry too much. None of the three models you listed are ankle-torquingly fat or otherwise specialist powder skis, and they'll be perfectly capable of skiing on unfriendly snow, assuming the person mounted on the top is up to the task 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Mogul fields will be no problem at all, crud/cut up stuff they'll be significantly better than you're piste skis, anything soft or 3D they'll be better than your piste skis, ice will be manageable but not fun.
FWIW the narrowest skis I use with any regularity are 97mm underfoot, and I use my 118mm skis the most out of my quiver. Doesn't need to be 'bottomless BC style' for them to be better than narrower skis, though so far this season I've already had 10 upper-thigh/waist deep days, and at least another 10/15 knee deep days (and we're not even halfway through). The extra float also makes passable amounts of fresh feel deeper than they are, as you touch bottom less.
So yeah, they're fine for Europe
under_a_new_name has a point though if you plan these to be your only ski, something like the mantra will handle firm pistes (and hard-set crud) much better. Less playful, but a better allrounder - though of course you can easily fit two sets in many ski bags, so easy to take your piste skis still for hardpack days.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| under a new name wrote: |
| As a committed Mantra skier....... |
The nice men in the white van finally caught up with you eh?
I told you to stop using SL's in every condition!
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks for the responses guys. I am wary of stepping into the unknown and your input is much appreciated.
What I didnt like about the Mantras was the fact that they felt heavy and stiff (obviously very capable of slicing ice because that is what my current Volkl's are like). The SFBs were flexy and light and basically encouraged me to jump and try to ski backwards.
It is good to know that the SFBs will not turn into cheese string planks on piste at speed and I presume that I would still be able to shove my edges into hardpack to get carving? The other worry with the SFBs was the fact that there was an obvious delay going from edge to edge (unlike the Mantras and Bonafides).
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| Quote: |
an obvious delay going from edge to edge
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That'll be the extra 20mm in action, won't it?!
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Usually use my Missions for general skiing (Alpe D'Huez area) but one of the bindings fell to bits last week so took out my SFBs previously used mostly OP. Once I got used to the extra width and 'playfulness' on piste I really enjoyed them. They do ski short and nobody will want to ski behind you ("like the opening credits of Star Wars" was one mates description) but can really be used all over the mountain with no problems. Mine are last years 183's, I'm 6'2" & .....ahem......95kg.....think they've only changed the top sheets this season, shame they don't go slightly longer.
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I would just add,if you do buy these skis, you can dramatically increase their lifespan buy never using them, or drilling any holes in them, as doing either will destroy the pretty little planks of dust.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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CH2O, Do go on?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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One of our techs drilled some once, diappeared in a cloud of dust, i think he's still inside the ski somewhere, massivly increasing the skis core quality.
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CH2O, Oh, ok.
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks for your input guys- Off the back of the feedback, I have ordered a pair of 184cms with some Griffons. Cant wait!
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I skied SFB's pretty much exclusively last season (although BC rather than Europe). They are great fun and pretty versatile. As you are pairing them with a piste ski anyway, you won't need to use them on the icy days. It's not a ski for rapid carving on a steep icy slope, but anything else is manageable and they are awesome when it gets soft or powdery. In summary they are a fun ski to be on in most conditions.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Have any of you bought the new Bacons in 190? I had the 184s and although they were great fun, there just wasnt enough ski up front. I bought the 190s and am a bit torn now. I do like the centred stance, and agree that the -6cm 'recommended' line is ridiculous, but I'm not sure if i want to mount at pollards point vs. 1cm or so back. Im just not sure ill benefit from the extra length of ski if I mount on pollards line and am conscious that I will have a massive tail. Any thoughts?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Buy some Marker Jester Schizo bindings for them. Have them on my skis, excellent devices.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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True they are quite handy - I have them on another setup. The only thing is they are quite heavy and raise you further up on the ski - and I feel I am cheating somewhat 1cm back from the pollard probably won't make a difference anyway..
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