lilcliffy wrote: ↑Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:51 am
Hi Christian,
Personally, I find Fischer's weight-length recommendations to be extremely conservative- perhaps to accomodate beginner skiers and ensure that they have adequate grip?
For my use of the Fischer 88/78 I would not want it shorter than "199cm" (my measurements indicate that this ski is closer to 195cm than it is 200cm- I have never understood why Fischer uses that length measurement...) (in fact, I would take a 205-215 Fischer 88/78 if I would get one!) For reference- even without a heavy pack- @84kg on a 199cm, I have no trouble with grip, even when climbing.
However, if one really wants to use the 88/78 in truly steep terrain, then I can understand picking a shorter length in order to make smoother turns...But, this is where the 98 needs to be considered...If one wants a short 88/78 for turning- then the only reason to choose the 88/78 over the 98 is if one is also on a long-distance tour...A short 88/78 is still a more efficient XC ski than the 98, but only marginally so- to truly benefit from the Nordic camber of the 78/88, one needs a longer length.
I have both the current Rabb 68 and the current Fischer "98"-
while they appear near identical in terms of overall dimensions-
- the Rabb has more rocker- at both ends- and has a tapered tail- it has a much shorter glide zone and effective edge;
- the 98 has less rocker- at both ends- and has a straight, tracking tail- it has a much longer glide zone and effective edge
- the 98 is noticably more cambered than the Rabb (though less than the 88)
- they both turn smoothly, but the Rabb has a much shorter turn radius and offers early-tip rise and a buttery, surfy performance on soft snow.
I bought the Rabb- purely for downhill-focused touring in hardwood forest glades- which is really only fun (and safe) when the snow conditions are ideal (deep, soft, cold snow- which they are out there right now!!!)
I have considered the Fischer 98 many times over the years- and have tried many generations of it- I never thought I would use it much...Bought the 98 last winter, and early on- as I predicted- I didn't use it much...BUT, we ended up with an unusual late winter that brought months of what is normally spring skiing here- cold nights; lots of wet mixed precipitation; warm days. The Fischer 98 was an absolute blast "spring" touring in steep terrain. I used my 88 and 98 more last winter than I ever have. I am now glad that I have both.
While not an efficient XC ski- the 98 tracks along just fine, and I can still cover significant distances comfortably on it- even on consolidated snow- it just smoothly shuffles along (but doesn't offer the Nordic "kick" of the 88).
The Rabb tracks fine in soft snow- but it is all over the place on consolidated snow.
While the Rabb is definitely more torsionally stable than the wood-air core Fischer 98- it has a much shorter effective edge...Downhill on ice, the Rabb certainly holds, but it becomes unstable at high speed- due to the short edge (completely the opposite in deep soft snow). One option would be to choose a long Rabb for downhill skiing on hardpack/ice...But, it doesn't change the fact that the Rabb has the geometry of a modern "powder" ski at any length...
And then finally, the Fischer 98 has Fischer's superb Off-Track Crown scale insert that offer superb traction on warm wet snow (still need a skin to climb on ice). I can still get better climbing performance with grip wax on cold snow- but grip waxing in spring conditions is difficult- especially if the early cold morning requires skins to climb, and the warm afternoon requires ultra-soft warm grip wax/klister...
The Fischer 98 is clearly the more versatile design for Nordic touring in steep terrain- especially if one wants to use it in widely variable weather and snow conditions.
Although the Rabb is the stuff of dreams when the conditions are ideal- if I had to have just one- now that I have seen the advantages and versatility of the 98- I would probably have to choose the 98!
Phew- sorry for the long-winded response!
So- to try and summarize:
- the 88 will be a more efficient XC ski than the 98- even at a short length;
- the 98 will be a smoother downhill ski than the 88- period;
- the 98 tracks well- even on consolidated snow- and shuffles along just fine- this might become tedious if one is trying to cover significant distance at speed
- I use the 88 for a distance-oriented trail ski in high-variable late winter/spring conditions.
- I use the 98 for steep-terrain touring (moderate distance- up 20k on a day tour) in high-variable late winter/spring conditions.
- I use the Rabb to charge and surf sublime turns in steep forest glades when the snow is deep, soft and cold!
Choosing a short 88 would make it smoother downhill (than a XC-length), and still be a bit more efficient in XC mode than the 98.
One would need to test them back-to-back to experience the trade-offs...
Gareth
