Fischer S-Bound 98 or 88?

[Rodbelan]

I would say that you can't make a wrong decision. You will adapt to either skis... Nothing theoretical to it; just a matter of sensations and different ones at that... Unless you are 98 years old, this is not the last pair of skis you will buy... Next year or in a couple of year, you will find something fatter or skinnier to your taste. Do not take what we are saying for granted when we say «this ski is good, this one is so-so...»; you will be disappointed... You need to commit yourself and make your own decision. I know that it is a bit paradoxical... Good luck. Don't worry; you will be fine...

[lilcliffy]

Teleman, how much do you weigh/what's your height? I am looking at the 99's between a 200 and a 205, mostly for lowland stuff.

HOWEVER, there IS this epic video of E99's getting marched right down a nice slope-- and oldie but a goodie

Cool video- what year is that video from? Location?

I am 5'10", 185lbs- would want the E99 or the E109 in at least 205cm as a xcountry ski. Not sure if I would like either of these skis as a xcD ski- at least the current stiff, double-cambered generation of E-series. I am under the impression from other posts that past generation E-series have been single-cambered and more XCD-focused.

Teleman- which generation/year is your E109 from? I am under the impression that the E-series, E109 included, has become stiffer and double-cambered since the S-Bounds have become Fischer's xcD-focused lineup.

[Teleman]

Thinking mine are the older model? 78-60-70...Camber and a half+....Not as cambered as the e99...Both turn well in decent conditions....and you give them time to initiate...Generally there is no instant response unless really powering...They aren't made for that...They like to be ridden....kinda slice angulate them they start to arc...ride the arc...In deep like now would need a minimum of a 190 but a 200 would do better...E99's are great for cross country....meaning cross any country not the ski areas...Rode the e99's down a couple of days ago and they are just about there with the snow changing....Riding an e99 on a long rounded arc is about as good as it gets....And do they cruise....Right now a 210 0r a 215 would probably work beautifully....TM

[lilcliffy]

The current E109 is relatively stiff and double-cambered with an 82-60-70mm profile.

I have only tested it once- behaved like a trad double-cambered xcountry ski- despite the weird parabolic sidecut.

[Teleman]

Double camber rides great in powder and corn....The extra sidecut should make for easier turning....I too would like to try those out....Bet teleking and Telekid would also....In theory they also will cruise anywhere....Theory and reality!!!!!! The 109 is also a heavy ski for a cruiser....Thinking serious construction....old ones feel strong compared to an S Bound....Back to camber they will explode out of dips with energy....Camber is good for crossing streams too...Gonna have to try out the new ones...TM

[MikeK]

Ran into a gentleman this weekend out on St. Regis Pond with a pair of S88 on. His buds looked to be on the new e99s and were slipping and sliding around trying to get up the little hill we passed them on (I could relate, my Eons weren't gripping either).

We had a quick talk - asked if we were on wax... no... neither were they - spotted his skis and told him I had the 98s and really like them. His face lit up and he went on to say how much he liked the 88s. He had NNN binding on them. I pointed at my Eons and told him they were about the same profile as those, but that I wasn't getting much grip. He said he was having no issues. He asked how we liked the downhill runs to get out there - no issues says I... he seemed to be implying he wasn't having any either. I saw where a couple people had went straight off after some of the faster ones... ooops... doubt it was those 88s

[jooleyen]

Ok, some really great discussion and pointers here. I was skiing in da U.P. this weekend and have realized that I want a ski just for tightly wooded rolling terrain with the occasional steep climb/descent and deeep powdery snow. I regretfully bought the Fischer S-bound 88 in 179cm and used them in the UP. There was about 15" of powder. I kind of forgot that it's always snowing up there and it's always powder.

After reading these posts, it's all making sense now. My ski choice was wrong. 1st, I found out that I really hate waxless unless it's in the 30s(F). So whatever ski I get, I'd strongly prefer that it's waxable or has a positive waxless pattern that I could grind away. 2nd, 179cm is way too short. I sunk so badly that my skis disappeared sometimes. It is nice for maneuverability though. I can almost never take three steps without having to turn my skis to go around a tree. In that length, the 88's were too skinny to float me. My foot would just sink. I honestly don't even see how glide is possible in this soft deep snow with a pack on. So my concern is simply flotation.

The only thing I don't regret with this purchase is that I did go to a resort one day and tried telemark turning for the first time. By the end of the day I was linking turns on the blue runs, though my technique was surely off. This felt great.

So it seem that the Madshus Annum/Karhu Guide is really what I'm looking for. The E109s really sound like an awesome ski for touring with some speed, but I don't think I would float enough even in the longest length - not sure. Unfortunately, I don't think we have suitable conditions in the UP for that ski, though I'd love to ski some place where that ski would shine. I remember lots of people in Norway had that ski, but I never got to try it.

Lilcliffy, the video looks just like Norway and the name is Norwegian, too, so that's my guess.

Seems a little late to rush and buy some Annums for this year. Everything is warming up and melting now. Can't wait for next winter.

[MikeK]

What size guide do you want jooleyen?

Are you willing to trade the S Bounds for a 185 cm Annum?

[MikeK]

78-60-70...Camber and a half+

Do you know how to measure this? Height of the camber has nothing to do with double or single.

Put the skis base to base and try to push them together. If you can make the centers touch without a vice, then they are single.

Doubles are nearly impossible to get to stop the last bit of light from shining through no matter how hard you squeeze.

You'll have to sight them to see if they are the weird camber and half. If they are you'll see a second 'bump' under the foot area that you can flatten out fairly easily by putting the tip on the ground, the tail of the ski on your shoulder and pushing over the center while looking down the edge.

A double camber will either never flatten no matter how hard you push, or go flat, but probably never reverse... try sighting your E99s and doing this, you'll see what I mean.

[jooleyen]

Mike, that sounds like a good trade. What's your thought on 185 vs 195cm. I believe you said you like the longest ski you can ski, and I was thinking the annum would be soft enough for me to easily compress the 195, but maybe the loss of glide would be a good trade-off for maneuverability. Do you have bindings on the skis and would you trade those as well or keep them? I have voile 3 pin cables on my skis.