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Pipe Cleaner vs T-Hall

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Twig
Posts: 6407 - Karma: 60,033
Well its the time of year again to be looking at skis. I need a new park ski that will ski well on groomers. I had the Reno Jibs last year, but because of detuned edges they weren't great on hard snow. The new pair won't be detuned, but most likely will be center mounted, because I am used to the feeling.

I tried my girlfriends ARWs and they felt great, so I am looking at giving Armada a go. I can get a deal on the T-Hall and Pipe Cleaner so wanted to hear which you think would be better for 75-80% park and 20% groomed. In the park I ski 50% jibs, 20% Jumps, 30% Pipe. But I would like the ski to do well on groomers for when I ski with my parents.


And also would be interested to hear from anyone who has center mounted AR6/PC/Thalls and skied them hard on groomers? How do they do?
Apr 20 2009 3:44PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
well from what i heard the thalls have some weird flex pattern for butters but just flat out rips park. the pipe cleaner is many for pipoe go figure. it has a race bottom so it wouldnt be the best for shredding rails but will be really good for groomers because of the race base and the stiff flex..im getting the armada ar6 for next year and i ski 40% park and 60% groomers, i think im mounting them around -2.5 or -1.5. btw ive only HEARD this stuff because i have never rode any of them, just info iv heard and you cant go wrong with armada
Apr 20 2009 4:19PM
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Beach
Posts: 237 - Karma: 26
I have some centre mounted AR6's and do just fine on groomers, although would be easier to carve properly mounted back a couple centimeters. I mainly use it in the park and are probably the softest skis I have ever used but absolutely love them. The pipe cleaner is essentially the same but stiffer, lighter wood and faster bases; essentially a better version of the AR6. The PC would be better all mountain for sure and better in the pipe, although harder to butter and a bit more expensive. Both should be just as good on rails as each other. The THall has a bit of a weird flex pattern but overall still a good ski depending on what you are looking for.
Apr 20 2009 5:51PM
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Tbrody
Posts: 1597 - Karma: 685
i had the scarface thalls, they are now destroyed but were fun when they were new and i was smaller

at 5"11 and 165 they are way too buttery for me

just picked up the PCs and have yet to ride them but I rode the 08s and loved them. alot stiffer and poppier and race base is great if you can wax. go PC
Apr 20 2009 6:02PM
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MAjibber
Posts: 244 - Karma: 8
thalls. if youre jibbing that much the race base will get fucked up. watch out though, thalls are buttery sombitches.
Apr 20 2009 6:40PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
The race bases are fine, mine look new still.
Apr 20 2009 6:48PM
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MAjibber
Posts: 244 - Karma: 8
alright. ive heard mixed things about the race base. all i know is that you can haul serious ass on them.
Apr 20 2009 6:55PM
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Ski.Ballet
Posts: 2860 - Karma: 200
The race base makes no difference on rails. I loved my PC's on rails.
Apr 20 2009 8:48PM
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AcePerry
Posts: 258 - Karma: 152
PC are prob your best bet race base so fast and fun for groomers
unless you want a more flexy ski i would say PC
Apr 20 2009 8:57PM
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Clarkes
Posts: 153 - Karma: 10
A) i have the tanner hall 08-09 version. It is not a park noodle, I weigh 215 pounds and it can stand up to my weight, they beefed it up for this years model.
B) the race base is actually stronger than the Thall base, the race base is sintered and more dense just a higher quality base, both are great though.
 Personally I am ditching the T Halls for some PC's next season, but I still am going to be using my T Halls for urban

You cant go wrong you will like both but i would go PC's.
Apr 21 2009 12:53AM
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Z_rob
Posts: 3076 - Karma: 152
im in the same boat, except its more between the AR6, Chronic or PC.

but if the pipe cleaner is shit on rails than forget it.

I do about 75% jumps 25% rails. I really want a good jump ski that i can stomp landings on and what not, but will still give me a good rail game.

im just the basic park skier but im looking to improve a lot next season.

suggestions?

sorry for the thread jack
Apr 21 2009 1:17AM
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Clarkes
Posts: 153 - Karma: 10
ar6 sounds like a good match for you, great jump ski but has good durability for all around usage. go for it my bro loves his
Apr 21 2009 1:22AM
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BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
The whole myth that the Race base is bad on rails really isn't true. It's a much higher quality base.

When you think about it anyway, have you ever damaged your base on a rail? I haven't. I've knocked my edges out, but never really harmed the base.


Of the skis you want the Pipe Cleaner is definitely the best. It's a hair stiffer than the AR6 which makes it more snappy and and stable on big landings.

I'm still not impressed by the build quality of the new Chronics.


The AR6's are very similiar to the pipe cleaners. If the price difference between the Pipe Cleaners and AR6 is significant I would get the AR6's.
Apr 21 2009 1:41AM
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Z_rob
Posts: 3076 - Karma: 152
thanks dude possibly one of the most helpful responses ive gotten on this subject
+k
Apr 21 2009 2:28AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
so heres the deal. a race base is actually HARDER than a regular base. now you CAN fuck up a race base, because if you neglect to wax, it will get dried out and brittle. but as long as your good about waxing, your fine
Apr 21 2009 1:57PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
A great post.
Apr 21 2009 4:36PM
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Dustin.
Posts: 13839 - Karma: 7,704
A second great post.  A sintered base is much more dense than an extruded base.
Apr 21 2009 4:37PM
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DBAKE
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 340
what is lighter AR6 or PCs????????i need to know. karma
Apr 21 2009 6:27PM
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MayorWest
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 160
ar6
Apr 21 2009 9:56PM
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Twig
Posts: 6407 - Karma: 60,033
PCs are lighter. I haven't weighed them but PCs have Armada's lighter core.
Apr 22 2009 2:17AM
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Clarkes
Posts: 153 - Karma: 10
def the PC, like previously stated lighter core
Apr 22 2009 4:00AM
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Beach
Posts: 237 - Karma: 26
^this
Apr 22 2009 4:30AM
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DBAKE
Posts: 3031 - Karma: 340
DAMIT then what has less swing weight??
Apr 22 2009 10:00AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
probably the PC
Apr 22 2009 12:57PM
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AJizzle
Posts: 1882 - Karma: 522
I would say THall or AR6.  Skied the THall at a demo, and with a good tune was able to keep up with a dude on 191 ANTs and were super stable at speed for a 176.  extremely suprised.  I did like the AR 6 better on the groomed though, great ski, not that expensive
Apr 22 2009 2:39PM
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Italian.Stallion
Posts: 564 - Karma: 101

I have the same question

I don't like rails as much as jumps but i want to hit both.

Jumps at my mountain don't go over 65feet

i am 5' 3" and 120 pounds

Jul 13 2009 7:56PM
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MayorWest
Posts: 1596 - Karma: 160
ur a small dude you should go t halls
if you got pipe cleaners it be like trying to flex a 2X4
Jul 13 2009 8:54PM
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JaseOfSpades15
Posts: 230 - Karma: 9
ar6s all the way
Jul 13 2009 8:58PM
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TheBeardedOne
Posts: 2286 - Karma: 58
PEOPLE NEED TO STOP FUCKING SAYING THIS IT"S PISSING ME OFF!!!!

Now that I got that out there, I have the OG PC's and they've lasted me two seasons, but they're dieing. Best park skis I have ever been on. If you can get a deal on them then do it, don't hesitate.  

And they do haul serious ass on groomers.
Jul 13 2009 9:19PM
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SHampson
Posts: 2355 - Karma: 1,180
I would say pipecleaners.  The majority of your skiing seems to be not jibbing.  Key word majority, counting groomers.  I have the AR6s centermounted and they hold up good, but once they get worn down by rails it is hard to carve a really nice turn.  They still rip, just don't carve like my other skis do.  I can't say anything about the other two skis because i haven't skied them.
Jul 13 2009 10:45PM
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.peter
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 63
Get the PC's they're an amazing ski. By far one of the fastest skis I've ridden on and I used to race.
Really easy to keep in good shape. Kills it on rails and jumps and of course pipe. All around a super sick ski. Takes a little while to get used to the flex pattern though. they have pretty soft tips and pretty stiff tails. Don't mount them center put them like 1cm or mm im not sure exactly which your shop should know back and you'll be set. You can also look on http://armadaskis.com If you cant figure it out. Mounting them true center fucks with them I guess. So yeah definitely go for the PC's you can't really go wrong with either ski though. T-halls will just be a little softer. And wider I think. And definitely not as fast.
Jul 13 2009 11:02PM
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.peter
Posts: 1222 - Karma: 63
Btw the Race bottoms and edges are way harder than regular bases and edges that every other ski uses. It's a huge misconception that race bases are softer and will scratch and get ruined faster. PC's are incredible on rails.
Jul 13 2009 11:04PM
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iFail
Posts: 2066 - Karma: 65

I did not read the thread much yet but saw people pointed out the difference is mostly moved in flex points on PC

Also note that 07/08 Thalls are much, much softer than 09s(which are stiffer right underfoot if I remember right).  The race base on PCs will do fine on rails.  If you care, I think all Armadas come with a 0 0 degree edge tune(think 90 degrees) but I could be way wrong on that.

Jul 14 2009 10:57AM
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Bodeau.
Posts: 1637 - Karma: 48

Definitely the pipe cleaner for you. Will do awesome in the park but also has a fast base and good cut for the groomers and pipe

Jul 14 2009 12:41PM
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tedmgee
Posts: 1502 - Karma: 111
do you want to sell your jibs?
Jul 14 2009 10:42PM
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iFail
Posts: 2066 - Karma: 65
PCs(because they are laid out the same but with the lighter core), but holding the two side by side last week in the same length not mounted, I could not feel a weight difference.  PCs were noticably stiffer though, will be harder to butter.  My bet is when you get used to your AR6s you will love em more and more
Jul 15 2009 1:51AM
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