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Armada JJ, Rossignol S7 or Atomic Bent Chetler

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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Looking for a ski to take to the northern hemisphere this summer(winter in the north).
Want a ski that is amazing in deep, deep powder, but won't wash out on the steep.

Cheers
Aug 30 2010 1:58AM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Which is best, what is your opinion?
Aug 30 2010 2:09AM
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j_hamborg
Posts: 560 - Karma: 731
The Armada JJ and Rossi S7 are going to do well on the steep stuff because they are a little stiffer which will obviously help. However the BentChetler is going to be a better ski in the deep deep snow because of the extra width and flex. All three are tremendous skis. 5 dimensional with rocker tip and tail and camber underfoot.

Choose the JJ if you want a hard charging ski that you can still ride switch with, the S7 if you want a hard charger and don't expect to ski a whole tonne of switch, and choose the BentChetler if you want something suited more for BC jibbing and having a general good time on. Its what I ski. And I have skied some steep stuff with them and they did not bad but I know there are skis better suited for that type of skiing.

Cheers,
Aug 30 2010 3:03AM
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bikerocker
Posts: 1427 - Karma: 461
Atomic Blog. It costs less, chargers harder, and floats just fine. It's closer to what you were looking for compared to the rossi and the jj. I'm switching from bentchetlers to blogs this year strictly because of their versatility over the bentchetler.

spend the at least hundred or so bucks you save on hookers.
Aug 30 2010 11:54AM
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j_hamborg
Posts: 560 - Karma: 731
^^^ There is your answer right there!
Aug 30 2010 12:50PM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Bump
Aug 31 2010 12:29AM
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Ducky.
Posts: 5811 - Karma: 1,420
I've only skied the JJ and the S7, but IMO you can't go wrong with either. I think the S7 is better for more variable conditions, JJ for more pow. My brother has the Bent's, and I think those are best for bigger pow days.

So...

S7-most variable condition
JJ- more pow days
Bent's- even more pow days
Aug 31 2010 1:03AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
186 on3p Billy goats are pretty comparable to S7s, but a bit more versatile I found. How ever, If you want an even bigger ski, can't go wrong with 191 on3p C&D, similar pin tail shape to the BG/s7, but fatter, more rocker, and stiffer.
Aug 31 2010 1:16AM
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MRoden
Posts: 753 - Karma: 211
This years JJ and Bentchetler are made from the same exact press. Just saying because Atomic presses Armada. Basically the same exact ski.
Aug 31 2010 1:21AM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Really keen on the Bent Chetler.
Was really keen on the s7 two weeks ago and the JJ so unsure still.
Anyone have the Bent Chetler?
Aug 31 2010 1:40AM
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Balto
Posts: 25985 - Karma: 4,398
bents ski really really short, that was my main issue with them
Aug 31 2010 1:49AM
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j_hamborg
Posts: 560 - Karma: 731
I ski them, and have skied both the JJ and the S7. I personally love the Bentchetler but that could very well just be what I ski and how I ski it.
Aug 31 2010 1:59AM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Yeah if I was going to get the Bent Chetler I'd probably get the 192cm
Aug 31 2010 3:33AM
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bikerocker
Posts: 1427 - Karma: 461
Have you ever skied either of these or even held them up side by side? The bent has another layer of sidewall under foot, the side cuts are totally different, and the jj has more rocker.

That being said I've been on every ski in this thread. How heavy are you, how do you ski? are you straight lining cutes? throwing rodeos off cliffs? park rat who wants some bigger sticks? spend more time chopping wood than the average lumberjack?

Details. A lot of people spitting out what skis haven't even tried them all head to head.
Aug 31 2010 11:30AM
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greyninja
Posts: 2399 - Karma: 648
they're all amazing
Aug 31 2010 2:13PM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
I'm 5'10, like a slightly longer ski.
Will be sending cliffs and skiing steeps. But mostly want to take the ski over to Utah this December.  Advanced too expert skier. In New Zealand we don't get a huge amount of powder days probably about 10 a winter, and it's a about a foot deep max. Don't know what the conditions are in Utah but I've heard when it snows, it pukes down, so want a fat 5 dimensional  powder ski it ski in Utah.

Cheers

Aug 31 2010 3:32PM
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brice_SKIIN
Posts: 265 - Karma: 14
they are not even close, the only thing is the get widest right before the toe. but the bentchetler barely does at all, atomic doesnt even give specs for that area and armada does, JJ is 8mm narrower underfoot. i would recomend the benchetlers over JJ's. i've skied both on pow days and down the groomers and the bentchetlers are better on both. they carve great for a fat ski and the JJ's dont.
Aug 31 2010 4:07PM
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LMPJibbin
Posts: 1607 - Karma: 17
the bent chetlers are more playful and would be best if you do a lot of tricks in the backcountry or build booters but i think if your more concerned with charging steeps id go with the JJ.   Also maybe check out the moment night train (more playful) or moment bibby pro (charger) but make sure to get the 190cm bibby
Aug 31 2010 5:42PM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Bump
Sep 1 2010 1:01AM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
Charging steeps on JJ's?!? They have a 15m radius = a lot of bending in the ski before whole edge is engaged = really bad for steeps.

I would say that a ski with a radius over 20m (how much more depends on how jibby you would like the ski to be) is prefferable. Skis with too much sidecut sucks donkeyballs on firm steeps imho. If you only ski steeps on powdays, it's a different story...

I skied the NT's all winter, every single day, from icy park to bottomless pow, straightlining chutes to butters in pow... Worked ok for everything. But there are a lot of skis for what you're skiing. What have you skied before and what did you like about those skis?
Sep 1 2010 5:14AM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Skied the S7 before at a demo day. Thought it was a great ski even though the conditions were poor. Skied crud, powder with a centimeter thick ice on top. Was great in these conditions and charged had off  a 20 footer drop. Loved them but want something similar or the S7. The five dimensional was a great enhancement and so am looking for something that is that.

Cheers
Sep 1 2010 6:25AM
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DHogg
Posts: 3462 - Karma: 235
What didn't you like about the S7?
Sep 1 2010 7:32AM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
No I loved it, just looking at all options.
Sep 2 2010 3:29AM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Dude, then do it. Dont get me wrong, i'd love it if you threw a Billy Goat or Caylor into your consideration, but if you try a ski and love it, go for it. Better that and demo next years than pick blindy and badly and spend half the season riding something that doesnt work for ya.
Sep 2 2010 4:25AM
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Jarle
Posts: 278 - Karma: 321
Quoted for truth

Go buy S7's


























Now!
Sep 2 2010 5:51AM
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Chasing-Storms
Posts: 390 - Karma: 174
Bump
Sep 2 2010 6:20AM
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Mr_pretzel
Posts: 4616 - Karma: 1,289
stop bumping and go buy s7´s.
Sep 2 2010 12:42PM
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Skierrobby
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
Has anyone tried touring with the Bent Chetler's? I'm trying to get a touring backcountry ski.

I was skiing the Surface New life's in a 174cm. I love them in the powder, but no camber underfoot makes them super squirrely on the flats. Also the no pin tip causes problems if you have to carve something. Finally, I don't spend nearly enough time backwards to like the center mount, and just end up on my head when I drop into powder (not much tip to lean on).

I demoed the S7 178cm, and they were fun and seemed versatile, but it was spring skiing, i.e. not ideal conditions to test. I'm concerned they are not going to be fat enough to get solid float in the powder. Also I held them up to my scratch Brigades and even though the scratches are 171cm and the S7 were 178cm they were basically the same hight (are they measured differently because of the rocker?).

Basically I'm looking for a ski that rips in the powder, is light enough to tour, can still carve on the flats, and isn't center mounted. How does the Bent Chetler compare to the S7 in those categories?

About me:
I'm 5'8 about 160 lbs. I like skiing powder and steeps. I don't do much park. I'm just getting into touring.

Thanks for your help everybody!
Apr 26 2012 3:59PM
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CFSGabe
Posts: 354 - Karma: 11

Armada JJ, our best selling ski of all time!

Atomic Bent Chetler, great ski, little fatter, float more in POW, both of them will turn great on chop and groomers.  I like them both better than the S7, becuase of the skinny tail of the S7 it washes out on turns where the Bent and JJ have a fatter tail and finish a turn better.

Bent Chetler for $375 at www.coloradofreeskier.com

http://www.coloradofreeskier.com/product_detail.cfm?CatID=98&PID=3472

Apr 27 2012 10:38AM
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Skierrobby
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
How are the Bent Chetlers at touring? At crud? At Flats? I'm looking for a fat all round ski, but not sure where the "too fat" cut off is?

Thanks!
May 1 2012 8:33PM
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minihef
Posts: 811 - Karma: 763
This season I skied on 183 Chetlers with touring bindings (Dukes). Last season I was on 188 S7s with alpine bindings. For reference i'm 5'6 and about 170 lbs, ski pow, cliffs, steeps, pillows.

How much touring are you planning to do in terms of distance and regularity? Long tours? Slackcountry? Mostly touring or resort as well?

I mostly ski resort and slack so short touring and the Chetlers have been perfect - rip on everything from groomers to crud to traverses although they are obviously most at home in the deep. They're absolutely fine skinning shorter distances. I have been on long tours with them and whilst manageable they are not ideal - they are a big ski for long days especially with a heavier binding like the Duke. It's doable but I spent hours hating my some of my companions who had lighter skis with dynas.

So if you're looking at longer tours or a higher percentage of BC to resort days i'd maybe recommend something smaller and lighter than the Chetlers even though they're an amazing ski.

I'm intrigued by the new Atomic Automatics (Sage's new ski) which is a bit smaller than the Chetler and more directional but have also heard amazing things about the Blog and the S6 which would both be narrower but still crush all conditions inc deep pow apparently. If money is no concern then the DPS RP112s or Lotus 120s in pure would be the best touring options or the hybrids if you don't want to drop so much cash.

One thing about the Chetlers that's worth noting is how far forward the recommended mount is. I had them mounted back from the team line but still find I have less nose than i'd like compared to the S7s. The only time I really notice this is on bigger drops and flat landings - if i'm not careful I go over the handlebars way more than I did on the S7s which makes me crave either a longer ski or a different mount (although at 5'6 stepping up to the 193 Chetlers isn't ideal for trees/chutes even though I like longer skis).

Either way I think you'll be stoked on pretty much any of the 5-dim skis you've mentioned - really comes down to your touring plans and therefore weight considerations.




May 1 2012 9:25PM
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