ski flex pattern comparison- Ingstad/FTX/Rabb/S98/Nansen

Real reviews by real skiers. What a concept! Add your own today. Reviews only please, questions can be posted as replies but new threads looking for opinions should be posted to the main Telemark Talk Forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
lilcliffy
Posts: 4114
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2015 6:20 pm
Location: Stanley, New Brunswick, Canada
Ski style: backcountry Nordic ski touring
Favorite Skis: Asnes Ingstad, Combat Nato, Amundsen, Rabb 68; Altai Kom
Favorite boots: Alpina Alaska BC; Lundhags Expedition; Alfa Skaget XP; Scarpa T4
Occupation: Forestry Professional
Instructor at Maritime College of Forest Technology
Husband, father, farmer and logger

ski flex pattern comparison- Ingstad/FTX/Rabb/S98/Nansen

Post by lilcliffy » Sat Mar 02, 2024 4:05 pm

Very early spring snow conditions here this first weekend of March in Central New Brunswick-
(I am still expecting weeks of winter snow and associated weather)

First ski on my new S-Bound 98-
Spent a few hours doing laps on hills on beautiful warm corn snow-
Sublime!
PXL_20240302_170821374.jpg
Some notes regarding camber-flex comparisons between:
Asnes Ingstad BC
Asnes Nansen BC
Asnes Falketind 62 Xplore
Asnes Rabb 68
Fischer S-Bound 98

(These are all current models.)
PXL_20240302_174525580_exported_309_1709401557292.jpg
The S98 is noticeably higher-cambered than the Asnes skis- it’s initial camber is as high as the Asnes Amundsen.

With respect to camber-height- from highest to lowest profile:
S-Bound 98
Ingstad BC
Rabb 68/Nansen BC
Falketind 62 Xplore

The S98 has a smooth flex- similar to the Rabb 68 and the Nansen.

With respect to underfoot resistance- from stiffest:
Ingstad BC
Falketind 62 Xplore
Rabb 68/S-Bound 98/Nansen BC

Both the Ingstad and the FTX have noticeable resistance underfoot- more pronounced on the Ingstad.

With respect to longitudinal stiffness- from stiffest:
Ingstad BC
Falketind 62 Xplore/Nansen BC/Rabb 68/S-Bound 98

With respect to shovel rocker- from most to nill:
Ingstad BC
Rabb 68/Falketind 62 Xplore
S-Bound 98
Nansen (nill)

The Ingstad and the Nansen both have a traditional, raised and triangular Nordic tip.
Interestingly- the Rabb actually has a higher profile tip than the narrower, more XC-oriented Falketind 62 Xplore…
PXL_20240302_175408552.MP.jpg
With respect to tip profile- from highest to lowest-profile:
Ingstad BC/Nansen BC
Rabb 68/S-Bound 98
Falketind 62 Xplore

Compared to the S-Bound 98- the FTX and Rabb have open, rockered and tapered tails.
The S98 has a much longer effective edge than the FTX/Rabb.
PXL_20240302_175421215.jpg
Cross-country AND down-hill skiing in the backcountry.
Unashamed to be a "cross-country type" and love skiing down-hill.

Post Reply