Discussion
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rev70-pr11-mens-downhil...
As an intermediate skier who goes once a year 6 days for family skiing.
Don't do off piste.
For the money seems like a great price and v rental will pay off within a few years
As an intermediate skier who goes once a year 6 days for family skiing.
Don't do off piste.
For the money seems like a great price and v rental will pay off within a few years
Probably better than the standard ski's you would get from a hire shop. However if you factor in the extra cost of putting them on a plane and then getting them serviced I suspect not that much of a saving over hiring a pair for your one week a year.
It is nice however to have your own, I had 3 pairs at one point, you will get to know how they preform and may help your skiing improve.
It is nice however to have your own, I had 3 pairs at one point, you will get to know how they preform and may help your skiing improve.
If you're a standard sized male, they'll ski a bit short (even with 170cm, but there's a 20% rocker), they also have a wooden core, so a bit lightweight when the conditions are less than perfect / slushy.
There's a reason why they are discounted throughout Europe; Try these guys for discounted skis
There's a reason why they are discounted throughout Europe; Try these guys for discounted skis
Welshbeef said:
Decided to go for them - might not be much in it £ wise but hassle free and really getting to know them how they perform so will not have to learn the slight differences in different skis every ski trip.
Make sure you take them to a ski shop (assuming you have your own boots) to get the forward pressure and DIN settings on the bindings correctly set.Lotus Notes said:
If you're a standard sized male, they'll ski a bit short (even with 170cm, but there's a 20% rocker), they also have a wooden core, so a bit lightweight when the conditions are less than perfect / slushy.
There's a reason why they are discounted throughout Europe; Try these guys for discounted skis
Almost all decent skis have a wood core, it depends what kind of wood and how the core is constructed that makes a difference. Saying it's wood, on it's own, is pretty useless without more info.There's a reason why they are discounted throughout Europe; Try these guys for discounted skis
feef said:
Almost all decent skis have a wood core, it depends what kind of wood and how the core is constructed that makes a difference. Saying it's wood, on it's own, is pretty useless without more info.
You could always look up the spec. on the internet and post it here...But maybe that means you have to contribute positively to this thread? I stated wooden core as this infers the lack of a substantial metal sandwich layer and therefore the ski being a bit lightweight. They also put a PowerRail on the ski to make up for (disguise) the lack of rigidity.Specification
Head/Tyrolia PowerRail 11 Included:The PR 11 has a din range of 3-11 which makes it a great binding for most all types of skiers. It is featured on our Head Skis for its easy adjustment features designed to fit a wide range of boot sizes (257-380mm).
Carbon Jacket: A superb combination of durability and performance in a ski topsheet available. A carbon jacket will still allow top speeds but also not weigh your ski down.
Wood Core: The standard core which has throughout time provided the best performance and durability. Each model may have it's own density level to help define flex and maximum speed but every wood core ski will be solid.
Cap Construction: The topsheet of this ski drapes over the edge to form a clean and rounded finish to the side of the ski. This style of construction adds some torsional rigidity, and helps reduce topsheet chipping when the skis hit each other.
UHM C Base: The most durable, quickest base material on the market. It requires very little maintenance and allows your skis to do what they are made to do until you decide you've hit so many rocks that it needs a tune.
Era 3.0 Rocker/Camber: Head combines Rocker for flotation in soft snow, a progressive radius for better edge contact and grip, and shock absorption to dampen vibrations.
There not bad skis Welsh but you get what you pay for, really depends on your weight and how you like to ski, some say get a ski length to eye level etc but ultimately skis only know how heavy you are not how tall you are. Do you have your own boots? Obvious ones as boots come before skis when deciding to buy your own kit. These are reasonably entry level-the kind of thing you'd expect to get as entry level rental type skis.
I like having my own kit, and have far too many pairs of skis. I think at a week a year you're probably better off renting IMO as someone else mentioned there are other costs in having your own gear such as carriage and servicing. Carriage there are still a few airlines that it's included but most charge anywhere from £50-£60 upwards return these days, a service per use/year-it's easy to do yourself but the files etcs aren't cheap, but once you've made the initial outlay it's just buying the wax.
Ebay is a bit of a minefield, there are good bargains to be had if you know what you're looking for (and a lot of tat) but there's always a risk. You could buy something and not get to use them for weeks/months when if there are any issues it will probably be too late to have any come back-it would be quite easy to hide a multitude of sins with a liberal coating of wax so to that end if I couldn't inspect in the flesh I'd insist they were sent un-waxed.
On piste, I like GS skis, essentially de-tuned versions of the same skis the downhill racers use. I'm big and fairly heavy and like to ski aggressively when the mood takes. Good for long sweeping turns and really stable, however if you like to make short radius turns make sure you consider the turn radius. Some of the best all rounders I've skied are the Head Supershapes, Magnums for a more on piste bias Titan for a bit more versatility.
ETA Eko sport are very keen on price too for new gear-particularly for the French makes (they're a French outfit).
Just my 2p-head over to Snowheads there are plenty over there that know their stuff including shop owners etc.
I like having my own kit, and have far too many pairs of skis. I think at a week a year you're probably better off renting IMO as someone else mentioned there are other costs in having your own gear such as carriage and servicing. Carriage there are still a few airlines that it's included but most charge anywhere from £50-£60 upwards return these days, a service per use/year-it's easy to do yourself but the files etcs aren't cheap, but once you've made the initial outlay it's just buying the wax.
Ebay is a bit of a minefield, there are good bargains to be had if you know what you're looking for (and a lot of tat) but there's always a risk. You could buy something and not get to use them for weeks/months when if there are any issues it will probably be too late to have any come back-it would be quite easy to hide a multitude of sins with a liberal coating of wax so to that end if I couldn't inspect in the flesh I'd insist they were sent un-waxed.
On piste, I like GS skis, essentially de-tuned versions of the same skis the downhill racers use. I'm big and fairly heavy and like to ski aggressively when the mood takes. Good for long sweeping turns and really stable, however if you like to make short radius turns make sure you consider the turn radius. Some of the best all rounders I've skied are the Head Supershapes, Magnums for a more on piste bias Titan for a bit more versatility.
ETA Eko sport are very keen on price too for new gear-particularly for the French makes (they're a French outfit).
Just my 2p-head over to Snowheads there are plenty over there that know their stuff including shop owners etc.
Yes have my own boots - I rented twice then bought a used pair cheap good brand but they didn't fit properly so we're agony... Anyway sold them and bought a brand new par which I've used for 5 years now (they still look and feel like new - and I've no intention on changing them many more years use to come from them)
We have a place out in Bansko so will leave this set out there - probably - and my thoughts are that they will pay for themselves in 3years use.
Next thing is ski poles... No idea which ones to get but if like a good set of these /cannot imagine there is a big difference in price between budget and top of the range? Any recommendations?
We have a place out in Bansko so will leave this set out there - probably - and my thoughts are that they will pay for themselves in 3years use.
Next thing is ski poles... No idea which ones to get but if like a good set of these /cannot imagine there is a big difference in price between budget and top of the range? Any recommendations?
desolate said:
Are you sure it wouldn't be cheaper to buy out there?
I looked in March this year they were MUCH MUCH more + some of the North Face clothing didn't have the brand label on the shoulder.... ie clear fake kit - as such given I cannot be sure and couldn't tell I'll buy known genuine item in the UKLotus Notes said:
feef said:
Almost all decent skis have a wood core, it depends what kind of wood and how the core is constructed that makes a difference. Saying it's wood, on it's own, is pretty useless without more info.
You could always look up the spec. on the internet and post it here...But maybe that means you have to contribute positively to this thread? I stated wooden core as this infers the lack of a substantial metal sandwich layer and therefore the ski being a bit lightweight. They also put a PowerRail on the ski to make up for (disguise) the lack of rigidity.Reading a construction spec from a website doesn't tell you HOW stiff a ski is, nor it's flex characteristics nor how heavy or light it is. I don't know the skis in question, so I can't comment from personal experience, but I'd do some reading of reviews online and see what people say about how they 'feel' and perform, rather than just reading a spec.
Welshbeef said:
Next thing is ski poles... No idea which ones to get but if like a good set of these /cannot imagine there is a big difference in price between budget and top of the range? Any recommendations?
There is a huge difference, the manufacturers have recently cottoned onto this moneymaking scheme..Either go for a fixed length carbon from €60 or a fixed length aluminium from €30 - Black Diamond seem OK at the moment.
I have a pair of fixed length carbon Dynastar and they have lasted 15 years of abuse with the odd basket or point being changed. Make sure the height is correct for you.
Lotus Notes said:
There is a huge difference, the manufacturers have recently cottoned onto this moneymaking scheme..
Either go for a fixed length carbon from €60 or a fixed length aluminium from €30 - Black Diamond seem OK at the moment.
I have a pair of fixed length carbon Dynastar and they have lasted 15 years of abuse with the odd basket or point being changed. Make sure the height is correct for you.
What height should I go for? Normally it's what rental shop provide over me selectingEither go for a fixed length carbon from €60 or a fixed length aluminium from €30 - Black Diamond seem OK at the moment.
I have a pair of fixed length carbon Dynastar and they have lasted 15 years of abuse with the odd basket or point being changed. Make sure the height is correct for you.
Welshbeef said:
Yes have my own boots - I rented twice then bought a used pair cheap good brand but they didn't fit properly so we're agony... Anyway sold them and bought a brand new par which I've used for 5 years now (they still look and feel like new - and I've no intention on changing them many more years use to come from them)
We have a place out in Bansko so will leave this set out there - probably - and my thoughts are that they will pay for themselves in 3years use.
Next thing is ski poles... No idea which ones to get but if like a good set of these /cannot imagine there is a big difference in price between budget and top of the range? Any recommendations?
Fair enough I'd still maybe get something a bit higher end that you can grow into if you've not pulled the trigger yet. I always bought slightly used, think I'd cry when someone invetiably went over my top sheets and scratched them in lift queue....We have a place out in Bansko so will leave this set out there - probably - and my thoughts are that they will pay for themselves in 3years use.
Next thing is ski poles... No idea which ones to get but if like a good set of these /cannot imagine there is a big difference in price between budget and top of the range? Any recommendations?
Poles, really something that you don't have to spend much on <£20 (but can if you want). Susceptible to snap, easy to nick etc, carbon fiber are light but not so much you'd ever really notice the difference, or into ski touring the hardcore obsesses about saving 1000th of a gram. The only tangible difference is the basket, bigger for off piste, small for on, these are a couple of quid though and easy to interchange.
Leki have their trigger system poles but you'd need their gloves too-essentially they do away with the traditional strap and attach the the glove itself.
feef said:
You don't need a metal sandwich layer. None of my skis have a metal layer, but they are wood-core with composite layers and none of them are lightweight nor soft, nor do they have power rails, they are good-old flat skis with bindings screwed into them. The stiffness comes from the different vertical laminates in the wood, and the choice of wood (for example paulownia for lightness, poplar or ash for strength and spring).
Reading a construction spec from a website doesn't tell you HOW stiff a ski is, nor it's flex characteristics nor how heavy or light it is. I don't know the skis in question, so I can't comment from personal experience, but I'd do some reading of reviews online and see what people say about how they 'feel' and perform, rather than just reading a spec.
I understand where you are coming from, but I spend half my time in the Chamonix valley / Southern Alps and test skis most weeks (Not having worked for the past two years). I've lost count of the number of skis I've tried this year...Maybe I can comment from experience.Reading a construction spec from a website doesn't tell you HOW stiff a ski is, nor it's flex characteristics nor how heavy or light it is. I don't know the skis in question, so I can't comment from personal experience, but I'd do some reading of reviews online and see what people say about how they 'feel' and perform, rather than just reading a spec.
Let's not detract from this tread and if you're planning a trip out here drop me a line
Welshbeef said:
What height should I go for? Normally it's what rental shop provide over me selecting
I'm 185cm (or 6'1" in old money) and use 130cm poles, any shorter and I'd be using 125cm.Basically hold the pole upside down and grip below the basket, your arm should be at a right-angle (or 90°)
http://www.snowleader.com/Batonski
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