Squash a little camber out of S-Bound 125?

[Woodserson]

This bends me back to the KOM

[MikeK]

On paper, KOM makes way more sense.

[rongon]

Thanks guys, I just found your comments.

I guess I like a soft ski, in general.

I figured out pretty quickly that the Annum has a really hard time holding an edge on hardpack. I consider it a BC-only ski. Do not bring it to the ski resort unless it's a full on powder day. (Incidentally, I like skiing them at a little ski hill on a pow day. It makes a little bit of vert feel like more. I rate that as a good thing.)

I did not expect the S-125 to be equally bad at holding an edge as the Annum. Maybe that was silly of me. It may even be worse.

My favorite BC touring ski is the old negative-patterned Fischer Outtabounds (88-68-78). I bought a pair of those in 169 cm back when I was learning to telemark. It was my 'bridge' ski from straight up XC to BC-tele. It worked. It's surprisingly good on hardpack. I used to ski at night on the truly ghastly piste at Thunder Ridge (downstate NY) on those Outtabounds, 3-Pin bindings, and Crispi CXT boots (2 buckle plastic, low). I think I can get those Outtabounds to hold an edge because of their short length. Of course that means they tour very slow. I can't get much glide out of them. But they do climb like a billy goat.

Extrapolating from that, I think I'd be able muscle out an edge on the S-125s if they were 165 cm length. But my 175 pair are just too much for me. I think they'll be going on the auction block soon.

It's a good thing I love my Vector BCs. Great for ski touring Camel's Hump or Wright Peak. Not so great for XC skiing the 12 miles from Upper Works to the Adirondak Loj as quickly as you can.

The KOM skis look great. I didn't know that some of the Altai people are ex-Karhu employees. That rates as a very good thing in my book.
--

[Woodserson]

What length are your Vectors?

I have the wax Outtabounds in a 189-- I agree, lots of fun, great ski.

[rongon]

My Vectors are 170.

I would very much like a pair of Outtabounds with smooth bases in 179 length. But no way could I justify buying another pair of skis.

It looks like the Excursion 88 is the closest thing to the Outtabounds Fischer still makes.

https://www.fischersports.com/us_en/skin-5803

[lilcliffy]

My understanding is that the Outtabounds, the S-Bound 88, and the Excursion 88 are the exact same ski.

Awesome dimensions- one of the best soft snow Nordic touring dimensions- it is just too short for a XCd ski. Not too short if you are light enough I suppose.

My old friend has both the waxless and the waxable Outtabounds- have tried to talk him out of the the waxable for years- no luck.

I would buy the the Excursion 88 in a second if it came in 205-210cm length.

[fisheater]

Rongon, I admit I am baffled by your experience with the s-125. My s-112's are a 189, and while they are not an ice ski, my problems came more from overpowering rather than underpowering the ski. Usually over-weighting the downhill ski. When I caught myself and pressure the uphill foot, the results were immediate improvement. I think if I were on anything shorter I would overpower both skis. I have to guess at my weight being about 180 lbs. (my wife will not have a scale in the house)
I guess it does not matter as the ski does not work for you. I do not think I would look into the s-125 myself. I am happy with the way the 112 comes out of powder. I think if I wanted a fatter ski, it would need to be straighter as well. I enjoyed your New York Powder Day post, look forward to more skiing posts.

[Woodserson]

My understanding is that the Outtabounds, the S-Bound 88, and the Excursion 88 are the exact same ski.

Awesome dimensions- one of the best soft snow Nordic touring dimensions- it is just too short for a XCd ski. Not too short if you are light enough I suppose.

My old friend has both the waxless and the waxable Outtabounds- have tried to talk him out of the the waxable for years- no luck.

I would buy the the Excursion 88 in a second if it came in 205-210cm length.

The WAX Outtabounds has more camber than the 88. Love them. Much fun. I too, have found no difference between the SBound/Excursion.

[Woodserson]

My Vectors are 170.

I would very much like a pair of Outtabounds with smooth bases in 179 length. But no way could I justify buying another pair of skis.

BALONEY quit attempting to take the high road, you're safe here.

They show up once in a while on the Ebay... and cheap! Save the search and get an alert.

[MikeK]

Rongon,

You will find if you stay around here, you will never be safe from buying skis... you'll think... oh, I have exactly what I need and will never need anything else, until someone goes and buys something you hadn't even thought about, posts about it and entices you to get the same thing! OR you learn about some cool skis from Europe... whatever.

People here are sick. Very sick... and we all perpetuate each others' illness.