Adding Third Ski to Quiver - Falketind Xplore 62 or Fischer 98

[lowangle al]

Yooper, I assume you want this to be a turn oriented ski. If so, I don't think the 180 Ft will be too short. There will be a big difference in it and the 188 in ease of turning.

[lilcliffy]

Based on all the info on TT I will likely end up gettng the FTX for both downhill as well as xc in rolling hills. So now the question is 180 cm, 188 cm or 196 cm. The 180 seems like they will be short. The 188 cm will probably be a very good fit for me, but 196 cm will provide better float but may lose grip and control on the downhill.

You won't lose grip on hills- the FTX is not a highly-cambred ski-
the new model may be stiffer than the 1st/2nd-gen FT62, but it is not a highly cambered ski.
You won't "lose control" with the longer FTX- it will simply have a wider turning radius than the shorter one.

If you want the FTX as a turny XC ski- than I would get the longest one.

If you want the FTX as a downhill-focused ski- I would get a short one- and if that is the case, I would get the Rabb 68 or Fischer 98 instead of the FTX.

[YooperXC]

I think that represents a broad use quiver.
Don’t discount the FT X downhill

The downhill portion is one of the reasons why I am looking the FTX. but not solely for downhill as the local topo is somewhat vertically challenged...500 ft of gradient would be the max drop in topo

I don't think the 180 Ft will be too short. There will be a big difference in it and the 188 in ease of turning.

Will I sacrifice K&G on for touring in the BC with the 180 cm?

You won't lose grip on hills- the FTX is not a highly-cambred ski-
the new model may be stiffer than the 1st/2nd-gen FT62, but it is not a highly cambered ski.
You won't "lose control" with the longer FTX- it will simply have a wider turning radius than the shorter one.

If you want the FTX as a turny XC ski- than I would get the longest one.

If you want the FTX as a downhill-focused ski- I would get a short one- and if that is the case, I would get the Rabb 68 or Fischer 98 instead of the FTX.

I think the key here is to have a ski that is better than the E88 for downhill, tele turns, and xc in dense forests with rolling hills. Based on the above response I should get the FTX 196 cm.

hmmm....

[lowangle al]

That second quote above is Lilcliffys. While I agree with what he said about it still getting grip because of its' flat camber I think that unless you are an expert you will have a hard time on the downhill. Throw in the light boot/binding and tight trees it could take years, if ever, to master them.

[Stephen]

I think the key here is to have a ski that is better than the E88 for downhill, tele turns, and xc in dense forests with rolling hills. Based on the above response I should get the FTX 196 cm.

Maybe it depends on how dense the forest is and how much / often you need to change course moving through it.
If you can keep a fairly straight path, a longer ski is more efficient.
If you often have to make changes in direction to avoid obstacles, a shorter ski will probably be easier to handle.
The incremental change in length for say 188 to 196 is 8cm, or a bit more than 3”, or 1.5” more on the tip and tail.
1.5” isn’t that much, but I know I have had times in dense growth where that would make a difference.

In one way or another it comes down to considering each factor:
- Ease of turn
- Float
- Maneuverability
- K&G efficiency
- etc

Give each one a weight, and see how the scales tip.

EDIT:
What @lowangle al posted while I was typing is worth considering.

… I think that unless you are an expert you will have a hard time on the downhill. Throw in the light boot/binding and tight trees it could take years, if ever, to master them.

Not hopeless to try, but worth considering…

[fisheater]

@YooperXC In regards to being vertically challenged, I’m a troll, I live under the bridge in the LP. I’m more vertically challenged than you.
I’m 190 lbs, you’re 170 lbs. You should have decent k&g with the 188 cm. However you still weigh enough to compress the wax pocket and bend a 196 cm into a turn.
I skied 205 cm alpine skis for years. For me at 5’ 9” a 196 cm just isn’t overly long to turn. I am not skiing super tight lines in the conifers.

[lilcliffy]

That second quote above is Lilcliffys. While I agree with what he said about it still getting grip because of its' flat camber I think that unless you are an expert you will have a hard time on the downhill. Throw in the light boot/binding and tight trees it could take years, if ever, to master them.

Agree-
but if one is getting a shorter ski for turns-
why not get a ski that is more purely downhill focused?

My point-
I agree- with my personal skiing context- I would not get a 196 FTX for downhill-focused skiing-
but I would not get a short FTX for downhill-focused skiing- I would get a more donwhill-focused ski.

[lowangle al]

The Rabb might be a better choice, just a little wider and heavier I presume. What else would you suggest?

[YooperXC]

Well.... I did decide to go with the wax base & FTX vs the Rabb. I think the Rabb is more downhill focused that I desire.

What made me decide on the wax base......The E99 205 cm tour that I have absolutely rocks! Waxed with white polar heel to tip and green and blue in the pocket worked great. Glide is fantastic, grip uphill was good with some slippage. A more focused kick is needed compared to the waxeless. The TN 66 crown definitely has better grip uphill, but the K&G on the E99 tour is much better than the TN 66. I would say smoother. The Excursion 88 seems to turn better than the E99 and T66 which will serve me well in the BC.

Back to the Falketind Xplore 62...I will be looking for the 188 cm, seems like a a good compromise between the controlled turns that I would gain from the 180 cm and the glide that will get from the 196 cm. Saying this, I did select the Excursion 88 in 199 cm based on the recommendations on TT and the 199 cm is perfect for me, so far.

I may not have too much choice as there are no 188 cm available right now....I have spied the 196 cm's ready to ship.

[lilcliffy]

Saying this, I did select the Excursion 88 in 199 cm based on the recommendations on TT and the 199 cm is perfect for me, so far.

I may not have too much choice as there are no 188 cm available right now....I have spied the 196 cm's ready to ship.

If you are pleased with the 199 Fischer 88-
I cannot see how the 196 FTX would not be ideal-
the Fischer 88 is nore cambered than the FTX-
the FTX has more shovel-rocker-
the FTX has a rockered and tapered tail.