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HellBent, EP PRO, Bentchetlers ?

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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
Ok guys, I know there has been a lot of talk and advices on those skis already, but am looking for some feedback from people which ideally have ridden some of the 2011 models ? I am 5ft6, and 137lbs/9stone
and am looking for a relatively soft ski, with a lot of pop, the lighter the better. Only for pow days, but no AK type of charging ? Which one of the above would you recommend, and mostly in what size ? +K for anyone offering consturctive remark :)
Dec 2 2010 5:42AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
The Bentchetler will be the lightest of the three, but the smallest size (185cm) might be a bit big for you... what size ski do you use now?
Dec 2 2010 7:16AM
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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
well between 178 - 185 for my gotamas, I think this year Benchetlers are 183 ?
Dec 2 2010 9:47AM
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TallTom
Posts: 422 - Karma: 71
EP Pro's would probably be best, especially as line measure short :'(

This years Bents are absolutely massive and the heaviest of the three! Look awesome though!!!
Dec 2 2010 9:56AM
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onenerdykid
Posts: 6638 - Karma: 10,532
you referring to the Hellbents or Bentchetlers?
Dec 2 2010 10:58AM
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TallTom
Posts: 422 - Karma: 71
Hellbents. They're big!!!
Dec 2 2010 11:15AM
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Daydreaming
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 48
I'd rule out Hellbents, they're really big and weigh a lot.

I own EP's and I've been on some Bennies. IMHO: Bentchetlers are going to be a better ski for you, they are a bit stiffer and springier. I love my EP's and they excel in deep snow but once things get a little choppy you will start deflecting off of everything and it's hard to stay on your line. Bentchetlers punch through crud really well.

As usual, see if you can demo any of these skis before you make a decision.
Dec 2 2010 11:56AM
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schmies
Posts: 2032 - Karma: 505
Big and weigh alot, ha. Go ride a bike.

Pettit never complained and he isn't a huge dude. They feel big your first few runs if you have never been on a ski like that, but then they feel normal and you will ride over everything.
Dec 2 2010 12:11PM
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Daydreaming
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 48
Yes but he is pretty much the most insanely talented person ever. Not everyone is that awesome. Maybe saying he should "rule them out" was a bit much but IMHO, like I said the first time, Bennies are the most versatile of the three. Again, that is my opinion, it isn't right or wrong, it is an opinion.
Dec 2 2010 12:17PM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
yea i agree. skid them for 1 season now and im really stoked with them. they are my everyday ski. i love skiing park and piste with them. they are so buttery. i agree when carrying them they seem kinda heavy but as soon as you snap them on your feet you dont feel the weight.
didnt ride the EPs yet, and im not going to, since im 6"1
Dec 2 2010 12:49PM
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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
Thanks a lot for all the answer, would you say the stiffness is
bents<EP<Chetlers ?
Which one would you say "surf" the most out of all three ?
Dec 2 2010 2:07PM
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Daydreaming
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 48
I don't know about the latest model but the EPs used to be the softest of the group
Dec 2 2010 2:11PM
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Twig
Posts: 6335 - Karma: 57,048
Chetlers>Hellbents>EPs (stiffness)
Chetlers>EPs>Hellbents (weight)
EP and Hellbent will be surfier because they are bigger and softer.
I had EPs but I've switched to Chetlers to get some more all mountain/charging ability while keeping a jibby ski.
Dec 2 2010 2:21PM
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Mr.Fister
Posts: 526 - Karma: 10
i would bet the hellbents would surf the most. i also would be considering the ARG or jj if youre looking at pow skis like those. . . ( i would love to own ARGs. . . . . . . akjdfshkagfviuegfvyuerauireiuws)
Dec 2 2010 2:22PM
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Newschool_Pope
Posts: 2473 - Karma: 267
id say the ep pro is the surfiest. i find it also a tad softer than the hellbent.
Dec 2 2010 3:39PM
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The_District.
Posts: 157 - Karma: 20
Nordica Radict
Dec 2 2010 5:03PM
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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
dude have you skied them all ?
I would like a ski that can charge a bit as well, so am I better off with the Chetlers ? How jibby would you say it is, easy to butter ?
Dec 2 2010 5:40PM
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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
WHOA, this thread is gone insane !

Thank for the feedback definitely helping, anyone else ?
Dec 2 2010 5:40PM
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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
BUMP
Dec 3 2010 4:36AM
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Twig
Posts: 6335 - Karma: 57,048
I have skied EPs and old Hellbents but I haven't ridden my Chetlers yet.
If you want to charge the Chetlers will definitely be the best at that. Also has plenty of rocker for landing/skiing switch. Buttering will be easy enough too with lots of rocker but not as easy as on the EPs or Bents.
EPs and Bents are pretty similar. Bents were heavier but just as flappy, possibly even flappier at speed. I thought EPs were better on groomed because the early taper gives a more consistent sidecut. Smoother in pow too.
If you basically only want to jib and play, I'd get the EPs because there is no better ski for that.. If you want to be charging and going big you wanna get the Chetlers.. Or you could get Surface New Lifes, which are basically a stiffer symmetrical version of hellbents.. I haven't skied them but I hear they charge pretty well whilst being almost as playful as the EPs.
Dec 3 2010 8:17AM
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Daydreaming
Posts: 1686 - Karma: 48
What the hell happened to the page???

Dec 3 2010 9:47AM
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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
Thanks for taking the time to write all this dude, much help ! I think am gonna go with the Chetlers, any consensus on the binding position or should I just fork out for some schizo to be sure ? 
Dec 3 2010 10:42AM
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brice_SKIIN
Posts: 265 - Karma: 14
Personally i would go withobsetheds over those three, I love mine
Dec 3 2010 11:20AM
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Twig
Posts: 6335 - Karma: 57,048
bentchetler says between -1.5 and -2.5 depending on how much switch.. mine are at -1.5
Dec 3 2010 11:23AM
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schmies
Posts: 2032 - Karma: 505
As you said, only for pow days, get a HellBent, you won't regret it. It can ski more than just pow, but you'll be stoked on it in the deep.
Dec 3 2010 11:53AM
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dangerdad
Posts: 2228 - Karma: 317
I'm going to have to argue that EPs are the surfiest of the three (I haven't ridden either BCs of HBs for 2011 though). They are pretty light, a bit stiffer this year and so damn fun. If you are on the heavier side, I'd go Bentchets and if you are on the lighter side, I'd go EPs
Dec 3 2010 12:46PM
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Drew_ski.
Posts: 1310 - Karma: 1,858
JJ's thats all i have to say
Dec 3 2010 2:16PM
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Lord.Quasimoto
Posts: 958 - Karma: 33

There is no ONE right answer for this, each of those skis will be sick on a pow day.

That being said I love my bents, floating thru pow on them is what i live for.

Dec 3 2010 4:52PM
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theFrenchman
Posts: 238 - Karma: 70
Well, seems like they are gonna perform equally well in powder but that the Chetlers will out perform the rest on other type of snow, any other advice on the mounting?
Dec 4 2010 8:45AM
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Blake.P
Posts: 9894 - Karma: 3,585
Look at the ON3P Caylors. They are similar to the ones you are looking at and they are such good skis
Dec 4 2010 2:34PM
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tall_t
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 15
i would get the the salomon 2012 its a more playful ski
Dec 4 2010 8:30PM
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egg.
Posts: 3231 - Karma: 3,477
ep pros!!!!
Dec 4 2010 9:01PM
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intifada
Posts: 931 - Karma: 263

This, go for Nordica Radicts. way better than hellbents or ep pros and comparable to bentchetlers.

Dec 4 2010 9:33PM
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