Karhu Catamount

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sparker1987
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Karhu Catamount

Post by sparker1987 » Tue Aug 20, 2019 5:44 pm

I caught a gear head bug from reading this forum and looking for random stuff on craigslist and facebook marketplace...

I have a chance to pick up a pair of Karhu Catamounts with Rossignol branded cartridge tele bindings (didn't know Rossi made tele bindings...) for $30 this weekend (my fiance will not be impressed haha).
Can't find much online about these, anyone familiar with these? Don't know if they are waxless or not yet (seller can't even tell me the length so I'm planning to go look at them Friday)
Should I grab and find a hiding spot in the basement or is my $30 better spent elsewhere?

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Andy M
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Re: Karhu Catamount

Post by Andy M » Tue Aug 20, 2019 9:10 pm

Hi Sparker,
Yes, IMO, they are worth $30, assuming the length is one you can use.
The Catamount was a decent ski when it came out. It has dimensions of 85-70-80, and it has a waxless base.

The bindings are Rottefella Chilis (not Rossi). I have a pair that used to be my main tele binding years ago, and I did not have any problems with them. I do know that some folks broke the cables on them, so you might want to check how the cables look (any noticeable wear or fraying) -- it may be hard to find spares.

But if the skis are in good shape and a suitable length, they are worth $30 by themselves.



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Woodserson
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Re: Karhu Catamount

Post by Woodserson » Tue Aug 20, 2019 9:14 pm

Those are Rottefella bindings, not Rossignol and yes, you should get them because this is what you're supposed to do, accumulate as many skis as possible, try them out, see how they feeeeeeel, learn things, keep learning, keep getting more skis. Do you have DA FEVAH?!

Catamount, classic older ski that pretty much named the whole "Catamount Class" category of skis. One of the first to go shorter with waxless pattern.


***oops Andy beat me to it



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sparker1987
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Re: Karhu Catamount

Post by sparker1987 » Tue Aug 20, 2019 10:03 pm

Awesome, definitely have da fevah and excited to potentially grow the quiver this weekend
Thanks for the information and the correction on the bindings!



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bgregoire
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Re: Karhu Catamount

Post by bgregoire » Tue Aug 20, 2019 10:17 pm

Yeah, get them, especially if they have any decent length to them (185cm+). Those Rottefella Chili bindings are great basic telemark bindings, but I see the Catamount more as a bushwack/basic XCD ski. I'd recommend swapping the bindings for a basic 3pin or 3in cable just to make the kit lighter (and perhaps more leather-friendly?)...but that is me..or use it as is to develop your tele turn on stiffer less sidecutty skis.

The bindings themselves are probably still worth 30$ if you don't like em.
I live for the Telemark arc....The feeeeeeel.....I ski miles to get to a place where there is guaranteed snow to do the deal....TM



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sparker1987
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Re: Karhu Catamount

Post by sparker1987 » Mon Aug 26, 2019 11:22 am

Wicked short so they won't work for me
Here's a link if anyone near Albany wants to check them out




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