BUCKET CLIPS 3 | A FLINTA Ski Mixtape

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09/10 Salomon Suspects?

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DrStrangelove
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3
Ok, so I used the searchbar and there's a lot of negativity flying around about last year's Suspects, and I was just wondering if anybody has heard whether they managed to address any of their reliability issues? Like, I know a few people probably won some last year, and probably a handful of people have gotten their hands on a pair already, what's the verdict?

Basically, I'm sick of my AR6's. I want a ski that's more like my 05 STL's, which are still my favorite everyday cruiser/park skis of all time. They were light, agile, somewhat soft, and rode great switch. The AR6's are like twice as heavy, and it seems as though this is because they're twice as thick and much more dense. I assume this is to make them more durable, but I don't really care about durability if theyre not very nimble...they're plenty soft and have lots of pop, but they just dont feel the way I want them too.

Anyway, based on descriptions and reviews I feel like the Suspects are the closest thing out there to what I'm looking for, and they got listed as an "Editor's Choice" in this year's Freeskier Buyer's Guide (for whatever that's worth) so I just want to know if they're worth my time.

If not, I guess it's back to the drawing board and maybe I'll try to get into a demo day early season and try some different stuff out.

And before anyone recommends Walls, I just think they're waaaaaay too stiff for what I want to use them for. Line probably makes a ski I would like, but my options are sort've limited to companies I can get pro forms for, and I don't know if I can get one for Line.

My buddy also recommended the K2 Kung Fujas, but they might be too burly as well, plus I don't know if I want a rocker.

Anyway, anybody have an opinion for me??
Sep 27 2009 3:06PM
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shitty
Posts: 242 - Karma: 46
my suspects arent very light
they arent somewhat soft, i think the AR6's and walls are softer...?
reliability issues aside, i think they are pretty nice ski.

i think its funny how the dumont and suspect go to top of the charts in Freeskier buyer guide, and the walls drop spots, while they are essentially both the same ski as last year. I guess tastes change...hmm....maybe, maybe not.
Sep 27 2009 3:18PM
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Aton.Jones
Posts: 350 - Karma: 34
i rode suspects last season and i wasnt a big fan. i thought they were really stiff and not fun. they are also pretty heavy. the edge ended up ripping out at the end of the season. i didnt like them but if you want a stiffer ski than this might be good. also im pretty sure this years are the same as last years so this applies to this years
Sep 27 2009 3:55PM
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DrStrangelove
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3
yah ive played with some walls on store shelves a few times but they just seem soooooo stiff...not to mention that this year's are just haggard haggard ugly, and i know youre not supposed to care what they look like, but i feel like ill just get pissed off if i have to look at them every day

but maybe ill demo some and if i like them ill try to find some from last year or the year before...i think i saw some at Colorado Ski and Golf in Denver, but that was like 4 months ago

but now i guess ill keep my mind open and wait for a demo day and try out like 4 or 5 different skis

Sep 27 2009 3:57PM
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pigglywiggly
Posts: 4482 - Karma: 305
are the ar6's really that bad? everyone that i talked to reccomended them and they all said they were sick for cruising around too?
Sep 27 2009 5:00PM
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DrStrangelove
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3
i mean i guess theyre alright, but they're just not as good as my old STL's, but those got trashed over a year ago so i had to move on

they just feel heavier, more sluggish, and not as easy to spin, plus theyre wider so theyre not as quick from edge to edge. those STLs were like 78 or 80 underfoot i think, so they were agile as fuck edge to edge and i could ride them perfectly parallel all the time, which is an issue with my AR6's because they sometimes catch an inside edge at speed.

anyway, i like my park/cruisers to be skinny, fast, and light...i had AR5's back in the day and they were great, figured they hadnt changed much but they've changed just enough that i find them sortve irritating...i will stick with them if i cant find anything i like better because theyre not THAT bad, im just in a position where i can get cheap skis so i might as well keep my eyes open for something that fits my style better
Sep 27 2009 5:06PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
He said what to problem with them were, and his problem is the weight and thickness, it's these two things that make them durable and will help you butter. Stop second guessing yourself, everyone's telling you its a good ski for you, it's just not a good ski for him.

I've heard they just threw a different topsheet on, but I could be wrong. I you're looking for a light ski that's still buttery you may want to consider Anthems (I know you said you might not be able to Line skis - but if you can) or even better Surface Nine Lives, they seem like they might be perfect for you (But, I'm not sure you can get those either. It's hard to recommend a ski when I don't know what skis you can or can't get with your pro form).
Sep 27 2009 5:15PM
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DrStrangelove
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3
yah youre right, the AR6's are just getting on my nerves, but they might be perfect for someone else...and maybe im exaggerating because i havent ridden them since may, but we'll see

anyway, yeah, im going to be in the ski patrol department at Vail as part of the yellow jacket team this year, so i'll have access to whatever pro forms are available to Vail Ski Patrol, and that list is extensive. unfortunately, my boss said he's not going to be hooking anyone up with anything until training starts in like 5-6 weeks...so until then i wont be able to look at the list of reps and pro forms we have access to.

thanks for the advice though, Line is probably more likely than Surface, but we'll see...there are also some guys running around town who rep for smaller companies who aren't affiliated with Vail, like i think there's a moment rep someplace

so we shall see exactly what i can get, and more importantly what i can demo, but any suggestion is a good suggestion at this point
Sep 27 2009 5:23PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
I replied in the Liberty thread you posted in. The Liberty LTE's (this years version of the Phil Larrose) is sick, they're softer than last year, have a bamboo core for sick rebound energy and pop, and are still very durable. If you can get a proform for Liberty take a look into the LTEs, they are on the top of my personal list (with Anitdogmas, AR6s, Nine Lives, and Alpha 2s...These are the skis I'm looking a getting, but since I usually get a new ski in January/February I've got some time before I have to make a big choice).
Sep 27 2009 5:29PM
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DrStrangelove
Posts: 1948 - Karma: 3
sick, i will definitely look into them...i think Liberty's HQ is in Avon or Edwards or something, which is like 10 minutes away, so im pretty sure i know 3-4 different people i can get proforms from, and i think Vail has someone on staff who can grant them, so ill definitely demo a pair as soon as i can


Sep 27 2009 5:36PM
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Bodeau.
Posts: 1637 - Karma: 48
The suspects this year are softer than last year. And they will be much more durable.
Sep 27 2009 6:00PM
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BWalmer
Posts: 9141 - Karma: 12,885
yeah, that makes sense, they look a little softer in the videos and what not. Good to hear about the durability, hopefully that's true cause last year was a big let down with that ski.
Sep 27 2009 6:23PM
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