Telemark Talk / Telemark Tips Forum

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! 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.) 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… 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.