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Salomon Rocker 2 vs. K2 Hellbent

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shiftyparty
Posts: 284 - Karma: 291

Gonna get either of these pow skis but not sure which one. i know that the k2 hell bent is alot softer but not sure of exactly what the advantages are of a soft vs. stiffer ski in pow. I am a pretty competant skier.

Apr 1 2012 8:13PM
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tomPietrowski
Posts: 7101 - Karma: 17,057
There very different skis. What size were you planning on getting the rocker 2. If it was the 170 or 180 then those skis are 115mm underfoot. The hell bent is 132mm underfoot so much much bigger. So if you want a soft, pure powder ski, then you may prefer the Hellbent. If you want a ski you can also carve hard on groomers the Rocker 2 may be better. It stiffer underfoot and has camber. Its much more all round ski in my opinion, but if you just want a ski for the really deep days get the hell bent and have fun.
Apr 1 2012 8:29PM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
where are you riding? What other skis do you have?
Apr 1 2012 8:49PM
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Kolaczki
Posts: 153 - Karma: 61
hellbent's are fun everywhere, but are preferable in pow, the rocker 2's are more of an all mountain skis,my friend likes his hellbent's though and he even takes them to the park where they are super playful for butters and super high ollies. Hope this helps you pick :D
Apr 1 2012 9:37PM
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shiftyparty
Posts: 284 - Karma: 291

Thnks Guys K+

Also it is purely for pow

Apr 2 2012 3:13AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,564

Take a look at my review of next year's r2s it's also linked in my sig.

Personally I found them a little to soft for me at 170lbs

Apr 2 2012 8:00AM
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FUUUCK
Posts: 18426 - Karma: 4,888
Hellbents are better when it's stupid deep. But if you're in the ski area and going over other peoples tracks the rocker2s are just so much more versatile.
Apr 4 2012 1:09PM
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Session
Posts: 5325 - Karma: 21,469
The reality is that the Hellbent is a completely out dated design. There are so many more pow ski's out there that aren't as bloated, and floppy, and perform way better.
Apr 4 2012 1:17PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,098
as is most of k2. I feel like k2 strives to make a durable ski, which they have for years, but nowadays so many companies are making a durable product but also purely innovative shapes/designs that k2 has just fallen behind. The only people I talk to who seem to even like their skis anymore are the athletes. I mean shit, it really took them until this coming season to add taper into a ski...
Apr 4 2012 1:23PM
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rozboon
Posts: 1642 - Karma: 868

I dunno... they were among the first to bring rocker to plain old carving/all mountain skis, the Hellbent has had early tip/tail taper since it went to the 132mm waist... they're tweaking their designs pretty regularly.

I just wish they hadn't canned the old Obsethed shape, that was a killer 1-ski quiver.

Apr 4 2012 6:47PM
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.nasty
Posts: 10581 - Karma: 11,098
I don't consider the "taper" on the hellbent to even be useful. it's so minimal you wouldn't even know it's there unless someone told you.
Apr 4 2012 6:58PM
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schmies
Posts: 2032 - Karma: 505
My HellBent tips don't really ever go under the snow:)

As for being 'outdated', try telling that to Pep, Andy, Seth, Ager and Collins. They like it just fine when we ask them what they want tweaked or changed on it every year.

Is the HellBent an everyday ski? For many people, hell no. But some people love it in conditions other than pure deep pow. People are now making skis that have more versatile usage but that really isn't what we made the HellBent for.

The fact it works in other conditions is all a happy accident and the team is smiling.


Apr 4 2012 7:27PM
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Casey
Posts: 7793 - Karma: 23,607
Really? I must be missing out big time then I'm having a blast on mine.
Apr 4 2012 11:03PM
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KillaSteeze
Posts: 3329 - Karma: 351
deep pow = Hellbents
charging lines/more versatile ski = rocker 2

my hellbents are soo much fun tho, they are soo buttery and u can lean forward in deeeeep pow and the tips are still above the surface
Apr 4 2012 11:08PM
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ikindalikeskiing
Posts: 1381 - Karma: 142
Pow over 3 feet = hell bents Anything else = rocker 2
May 9 2012 1:36AM
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ripcity
Posts: 85 - Karma: 36
is this for real? fallen behind?

r2's and the bents really aren't all that different. construction and flex are about the only differences, similar size and purpose.

But your claims of k2 being behind the curve is all wrong, I don't think they would have by far the best team shredding their sticks if they sucked.

next year's pettitors (sp?) are hawter than your sister
May 10 2012 4:49PM
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ikindalikeskiing
Posts: 1381 - Karma: 142
Get jj's
May 11 2012 1:37PM
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nagelthebagel
Posts: 205 - Karma: 36
love my hellbents, even on non pow days they do really well on groomers, it takes bait getting used to it, cause it can be scary as hell bombing groomers with these but they are tons of fun!!!!
May 11 2012 4:03PM
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Rhys.Peice
Posts: 485 - Karma: 40
no.
May 11 2012 11:10PM
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GPO
Posts: 654 - Karma: 311
bump same dilemma
Sep 18 2012 7:28PM
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Chaunceyskis
Posts: 2197 - Karma: 346
K2 outdated? I say no. Heavily. Im really stoked on the petitor and I've loved my hellbents every single year. They are a powerful machine when out into the right hands. Once again I say this in every hellbent thread. If you are a lazy skier who sits back and goes along for the ride the hellbents wlill take charge and give you a run for your money. But if you get over your skis and be the boss then the hellbents can turn into a very charge worthy and powerful piece of equipment. In essence don't be a bitch if you ski hellbents
Sep 20 2012 10:46AM
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