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

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lilcliffy
Posts: 4164
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!
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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.

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