disclaimer: this is not a review of the skis I own, theyre just the material I have to talk about.
So Ive had a pair of Reno Rockers for a few months, and have had a chance to put them in pretty much every situation I can think of... with the exception of maybe a big long exposed line reserved for a long hike or a heli trip. Tree's. Jumps, pipe, Pow, crud, slush, bulletproof, steep to flat groomers, rails, boxes, tire jibs, tree bonks, urban, walls, ummm, tracked out, rollers, and anything else you can think of. Ive seen a few pairs of hellbnts out there and have heard a few different reactions to those and to my skis.
People seem to have a pretty sick reaction to my moments mostly cause of the square tips and super gnarly out there top sheet. Once they hear about the rocker side of the ski, they sure seem pretty stoked. But when they see the hellbent, its kind of a mixed reaction. I think they both are very similar since the rocker makes the ski ride so much shorter you can really move them quick in tight trees, so a longer ski can still be ideal. The rockers only come in 181 (or is it 180?) and I think they feel more like a 174... or even shorter maybe?
Nimble, snappy, poppy, sick!
Most people think the rocker would fuck up your pop skills, but I find they work fine, and I can ollie just as high as I can on my ar5's, Probably higher since they are so light, So I would imagine the hellbents to be similar. Same reaction for putting down a big ass gs turn. "I doubt you can really put an edge down" is what most people are saying going up the chair. They couldnt be more wrong though. This isnt a ski that naturally wants to turn you, as most symmetrical skis wont, but Ive been able to lay down a strong arc when Im feeling all gay inside and want to turn. lol One thing I will say though, is that because a large part of your ski isnt touching the ground untill you do decide to turn, its chattering away like crazy, and you get some serious wobbles while traveling mach chicken... Its a liitle scary, not gonna lie. So I have been putting as little edge down as possible to keep the chattering at bay. (im not a big fan of turning, if you havnt been able to tell.)
The one real problem with rockered skis Ive found so far is that in landings that dont have a solid base to land in ie: powder on a strong packed base, or soft packed powder. you will almost always go ass over teakettle when you land. (I dont know where exactly my teakettle is, but my ass seems to always be going over it.) Basically, when you land, your weight isn't distributed over the length of your ski, but rather right under your feet. Being center mounted doesnt help either. (where is the mount on the hellbents? do you with them find this to be the case as well?) thus resulting in you leading with your beak right into the snow. So think of dropping a small cliff or popping off a roller early season when nothing is quite set, and your heels dig in. Its not the greatest thing ever... one the other hand;
Landing switch is sick, you have more control in deep snow having your tail be above the snow at your landing helps a lot. SO in the same soft snow, you will already more than likely land on your toes, push your tips into the gnar, and your tails will be ready to lead you.
Jumps are sick, landings are great, and takeoffs feel the same. I havnt hit any big big tables yet, so I supposed I will comment on that later this week when I can get at some bigger sized bigger speed jumps, but I dont foresee a problem. I dont claim to be good at buttering, but obviously the rocker makes it easier to initiate and hold one out. tip stands are a breeze... and I am slowly learning tip blocks which is neet, but they are challenging and I wouldnt want to try them on a regular non rockered ski.
I think some of the sickest skis will be introduced as this segment grows, and I dont see why it wouldnt, I would love a rockered ski with magna traction one day. (rossi Im looking at you, or lib tech more specifically) Every now and then I will feel a little akward just randomly off a drop or in the air or something because I wasnt centered when I took off, but I suppose that is nt the skis fault right?
All in all, I would have to say to you, newschoolers of the weberverse, go try out some skis with tips that curl up... youll be stoked, I guarantee it.
oh, lastly, I almost forgot rails and boxes, urban, etc... no difference, less hang up coming in because your tips, or tails, depending.. will be above said jib quicker. Go kill it!
