Unapologetic love note to the Fischer E99 (now Transnordic 66)

[riel]

e99.jpg
Was looking at this pair of mountain crown e99 for $75. Don't know what year they were? Is this a good version of the legendary e99? Thanks for any advice.

I know I'm a year late with this reply, but I picked up a pair of those exact E99 skis this summer, and they are fantastic.

Stable, fast, stiff underfoot, and still decent to turn.

[Woodserson]

I am not sure that is true. I picked up a pair of the 66's for my trip to Nome in a few months and while the dimensions are the same, they are maybe 15% lighter than my e99s. I haven't skied with them yet, so I am not sure what other differences there might be, but they are not exactly the same as the skis they replaced.

Super interesting, Lars. Could you do a side-by-side apples-to-apples weight-up for us? Doesn't have to go super nitty-gritty just basics. I'm surprised they are getting lighter than they already are, with the anecdotal reports of breakage at the EZSkin attachment from previous models.

[Lars_Danner]

I am not sure that is true. I picked up a pair of the 66's for my trip to Nome in a few months and while the dimensions are the same, they are maybe 15% lighter than my e99s. I haven't skied with them yet, so I am not sure what other differences there might be, but they are not exactly the same as the skis they replaced.

Super interesting, Lars. Could you do a side-by-side apples-to-apples weight-up for us? Doesn't have to go super nitty-gritty just basics. I'm surprised they are getting lighter than they already are, with the anecdotal reports of breakage at the EZSkin attachment from previous models.

Both are set up with kick skins and NIS Auto touring bindings. The e99s weigh 3.0 lbs each and the Transnordic 66s weigh 2.7 lbs each. Both sets are 210mm long and identical widths.

[lilcliffy]

What about the flex-rocker-camber stiffness and geometry between the E99-XL vs the TN66-XL?

[fisheater]

While falling in love requires will and acceptance, being human things can just grab your heart. I took out the new to me E-99’s that I’m hiding from the Smithsonian. First impression is a 1985 Subaru wagon versus the Gamme being an Audi Quattro whatever the top shelf is. I had wet snow so it was slow, but that 210 E99 just doesn’t have much juice in the kick. The old bases aren’t lightning either, but I’m not the lightning I was 30 years ago either.
It is a nice ski. I hit plenty of rocks, one that sent me over the bars going downhill and that’s why I bought that ski. However when I get some coverage the Green Man is coming out of the garage and the speed limit is going up!

[Woodserson]

Both are set up with kick skins and NIS Auto touring bindings. The e99s weigh 3.0 lbs each and the Transnordic 66s weigh 2.7 lbs each. Both sets are 210mm long and identical widths.

Thanks for this-- Thread drift-- what are your thoughts between the NIS Auto vs the Xcelerator, which is slightly lighter? Do you feel the NIS Auto is more robust?

[Lars_Danner]

Both are set up with kick skins and NIS Auto touring bindings. The e99s weigh 3.0 lbs each and the Transnordic 66s weigh 2.7 lbs each. Both sets are 210mm long and identical widths.

Thanks for this-- Thread drift-- what are your thoughts between the NIS Auto vs the Xcelerator, which is slightly lighter? Do you feel the NIS Auto is more robust?

I don't like manual bindings like the xceletator at all; they're too hard for me to get on and off when I'm on inconsistent terrain with a back pack. The supposed freeze difference isn't real--all bindings freeze in the wrong conditions. I don't like the extra weight of the nis auto bindings but they're worth it overall. I use kick skins with my skis so being able to adjust grip by moving the NIS bindings really helps. With 17.5 inch pure mohair skins and the bindings in the rear position, I get good glide on the flats and with the bindings moved to the front I get adequate grip on the hills.

[lilcliffy]

This is a really cool approach Lars-

I don't use kicker skins very much for my day-to-day touring, but have thought many times that I would like to be able to shift the bunding fore/aft on the fly.

What boot are you using with this bindnign and the E99-XL/TN66-XL.

Have you teied the TN66 yet?
Gareth

[Lars_Danner]

This is a really cool approach Lars-

I don't use kicker skins very much for my day-to-day touring, but have thought many times that I would like to be able to shift the bunding fore/aft on the fly.

What boot are you using with this bindnign and the E99-XL/TN66-XL.

Have you teied the TN66 yet?
Gareth

I haven't used the tn66 yet. Probably won't until a week or so before my Nome trip. I want them new and undamaged. As far as boots, I use the Fischer Comfort Pro.

[Nitram Tocrut]

While falling in love requires will and acceptance, being human things can just grab your heart. I took out the new to me E-99’s that I’m hiding from the Smithsonian. First impression is a 1985 Subaru wagon versus the Gamme being an Audi Quattro whatever the top shelf is. I had wet snow so it was slow, but that 210 E99 just doesn’t have much juice in the kick. The old bases aren’t lightning either, but I’m not the lightning I was 30 years ago either.
It is a nice ski. I hit plenty of rocks, one that sent me over the bars going downhill and that’s why I bought that ski. However when I get some coverage the Green Man is coming out of the garage and the speed limit is going up!

Hi @fisheater

I have the very same version and used it for many decades and still use them. They feel unbreakable and they are reliable skis… but they are SLOW. Yes they got older but as far as I can recall they never were fast even when I was way younger myself When I got the AGAS I thought those skis, the Europa, could retire but somehow I go back to them especially when the snow cover is thin which frequently represent a major part of my ski season. I don’t know what they made the base with at that time but they are pretty resistant to scratching. It is also the ski I turn to when I have to break trail in the crust or ski in refrozen snow.

Did you have the chance to take them for a few turns? I have skied them with 75 before this year and with the Alaska BC I have really discovered the satisfaction and pleasure of turning them on gentle slope. They are easy to put on edges and the Alaska can easily handle them. I plan to take them on a steeper hill when we finally get more snow. I am sure you would have fun taking them to your local resort when the conditions are right. As you said they are slow and that is due, i think, in good part to the low camber that makes the easy to weight them.

Please take them out for some turn and share your experience!