Wildly speculative talk about Asnes 21-22 lineup: Otto/FT62

[lilcliffy]

Sorry, I was being sparse with my words. I meant to ask if it was stiff like a Gamme. I think @lilcliffy said it was.

The Sverdrup is as stiff as the Gamme/Amundsen underfoot-
The Sverdrup has a more flexible shovel and tail compared to the Gamme.

[CwmRaider]

@lilcliffy I'm glad that your ski squeezing expertise gives a positive impression. I've never been able to squeeze a pair of Gammes together. In the shop here the skis stand packed in plastic per pair, the base of one ski hugging the top of the other...
And obviously even when squeezing together two pairs I do have I am not able to compare them accurately without tools
In any case I am above the weight range for the longest ski, and any fjellskis I have tried feel somewhat soft compared to my XC track skis regardless.
We had 15cm of snow and now we have clear skies and -10C. It is not enough snow yet in the rocky hills around here unfortunately. I hope this will change soon.
Cheers

[Stephen]

Now that a few people have the Otto Sverdup BC in hand, this moves beyond wild speculation.
I posted the same question over on the Traverse 78 review topic, but will bring it up here, also.

I’m wondering how the Otto compares to the Traverse 78?
They have the same dimensions. Only visual difference is T78 traction pattern.
I’m sure they are different skis, and am wondering how they compare?
More specifically, how the difference in flex characteristics translates to snow feel / skiing experience.

[lilcliffy]

I’m wondering how the Otto compares to the Traverse 78?
They have the same dimensions. Only visual difference is T78 traction pattern.
I’m sure they are different skis, and am wondering how they compare?
More specifically, how the difference in flex characteristics translates to snow feel / skiing experience.

This is still speculation IMO- I have not strode on the Sverdrup yet-

I also do not know if the current 78 is different from the 2018 model that we own.

So flex-geometry comparisons between the 2018 T78 and the 2021 Otto Sverdrup BC:

- the Sverdrup has a traditional, stiff, raised tip- the 78's tip is lower profile
- the Sverdrup tip is wrapped in steel
- the Sverdrup has significantly more rocker (especially in height) compared to the 78
- the shovel stability is similar between the two- the Sverdrup shovel might be a tad more flexible, but this could be the rocker
- the Sverdrup has similar intital camber height- but is much stiffer and more resistant underfoot than the 78
- the Sverdrup has a more flexible tail than the 78
- the Sverdrup's tail is noticeably more tapered than the 78
- the Sverdrup tail has a slight bit of rise- especially when the camber is compressed/flexed

As far as sidecut- not sure they are really that close

78→ 78-61-69
Sverdrup→ 78-55-69

The geometry of these skis is so different that I would not expect them to perform similar at all.

The 78 has a longer effective edge.

But the effective sidecut might be pretty close- especially on hardpack- due to all of the rocker on the Sverdrup...

I would expect the XC K&G to be more efficient on the Sverdrup.
The Sverdrup should offer easier turn initiation and release than the 78...

The sidecut measurements might seem similar, but the flex and geometry is very different...

In terms of overall geometry and camber profile underfoot- the Sverdrup most reminds me of my E99 Tour Xtralite (66-54-61)- though the Sverdrup has a stiffer more stable flex overall- the Sverdrup and the E99 are almost exactly the same width underfoot.

To add to this- the Sverdrup flex-geometry is waaay more complex than the T78.

Predictions- I would expect my Sverdrup to be:
- just as stable as the 78
- a faster, more efficient XC ski than the 78
- easier to initiate and releases turns than the 78 (so is the E99)
- breaks trail more effectively than the 78 (due to the traditional stiff, raised tip)

The 78 will definitely deal with breakable crust more effectively, due to having much less shovel-rocker.

Hope this helps!
Get one Stephen!
Your friend,
Gareth

[lilcliffy]

I definitely would predict the Sverdrup to have a siginificantly tighter turn radius than the 78.

[lilcliffy]

@Woodserson
Holy Fjellski batman! Are you ever going to love the Sverdup, Master E-99 enthusiast!

[Woodserson]

@Woodserson
Holy Fjellski batman! Are you ever going to love the Sverdup, Master E-99 enthusiast!

Oh boy!!! This is encouraging!

[Stephen]

@lilcliffy, thanks for the detailed write-up.
No idea on how I thought they have the same sidecut dimensions!

[lilcliffy]

(I am unable to quote a post that has my username mentioned in it- for some reason...)

Stephen-

Easily done- considering that the widest point of the tip is the same between the 78 and the Sverdrup!

(I have no idea why Fischer insists on naming their Nordic BC skis after their tip width- makes it super confusing- what matters more is their width underfoot )

Regardless- in terms of geometry- the 78mm tip is the only thing that the Fischer 78 and the Asnes Sverdrup ski have in common.

The moniker "Off-Track Cruising" really does describe the 78.
Asnes is obviously trying to deliver both XC performance and downhill performance with the Sverdrup.

[Nitram Tocrut]

Regardless- in terms of geometry- the 78mm tip is the only thing that the Fischer 78 and the Asnes Sverdrup ski have in common.

The moniker "Off-Track Crusiing" really does describe the 78.
Asnes is obviously trying to deliver both XC performance and downhill performance with the Sverdrup.

The more I look at the Sverdrup the more I see them as super fast BC XC ski. They might not have the longest gliding surface (is that a thing?) but the spring in the camber reminds me of my fastest track skis. I think it’s a ski that will need a pretty good technique and waxing to get the most out of it. As for DH, it feels like if someone can properly bend them, the stiffness should procure a pretty solid base despite the narrow waist and that combined with the rocker and the sidecut they should be « easy » to turn. On my good day, with the proper snow conditions and enough space, I can turn my 210 Europa so I look forward skiing the Sverdrup in those conditions. I also see them as proper ski for multi-days trip. Will know more in a couple of weeks/months but I don’t see how those won’t be the ski I most use… So… there might be less speculation now but the expectations level has sky rocketed