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Line Blend vs. Volkl Bridge

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Crankset
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 497
Hey guys

Looking to buy a new pair of sticks this season. Been leaning towards the Line Blend, but recently thought of throwing the Volkl Bridge into the mix. What would you guys think? Spent a few days on the K2 Public Enemy a few years back and absolutely loved them - comparable to the Bridge?

6'2 male skier. Spend 80% of the time in the trees, 20% of the time in terrain park.

Thanks for the advice Newschoolers!
Dec 4 2011 12:30PM
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Crankset
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 497
and on that note, if anyone is selling any of these, let me know!
Dec 4 2011 12:31PM
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powderhuffer.com
Posts: 162 - Karma: 23
The Line Bend is a really fun ski.  The thing with the Blend, is it is an All-Around ski.  It's not really a pow ski or a park ski; but it does a little bit of everything pretty good. Basically, it is Line's option for a one-ski quiver.

At 100mm underfoot and generous sidecut, the Blend gets some pow float and still rips groomers.  The Blend also has an early rise tip and tail for float, plus a softened flex for a playful feel and easier presses.

I have skied the Blend a bunch and have a ton of fun everytime I take it out.  It is an awesome all-around ski here in Utah; but when it dumps pow I take out a real pow ski, or if I'm just in the park all day I take a solid park ski.  If you only own 1 ski and need something to do everything...go for the Blend.



Dec 4 2011 12:40PM
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ktd619
Posts: 927 - Karma: 96
Bridge. I demoed the bridge in Vail last year it was incredible. So incredible that i bought this years... It is perfect for the trees and some pow. Yet light and versatile enough to ski in the park. True one ski quiver.
Dec 4 2011 12:43PM
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J.M
Posts: 2854 - Karma: 254

im fairly certain the blend is softer than the bridge.  So if you want a stiffer ski, go for the bridges. 

Some others to be thrown out there are on3p jeronimo, armada arv, 4frnt msp, and bluehouse MR for something cheaper

Dec 4 2011 1:45PM
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Crankset
Posts: 1176 - Karma: 497
Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated +K
Dec 4 2011 8:46PM
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donklyker
Posts: 32 - Karma: 10
Hey,

 I have no experience with the volkl bridges so cant really give a comparison. But i do own a pair of Blends. I bought them to ski the whole mountain as i could only afford one pair at the time. And i have to say they havn't let me down! They really do rip everywhere, sure they wont be as good as a specific park ski in the park, or specific powder ski for pow, but for a one ski quiver they do a great job.
Dec 5 2011 6:04AM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
they're pretty different skis. bridges are full low rocker, with no flat spot even, and blends have camber with early rise. blends are incredibly soft, while bridges are pretty stiff. the blend also has taper in the tip and tail, which the bridge does not have. (they have very slight taper in just the tail) if you're looking for a park/pow ski, the blend is it. if youre looking for an all mountain ski, not so much for the park, go with the bridge.
Dec 5 2011 7:12AM
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ya_frizz
Posts: 44 - Karma: 11
I've never tried the bridge. The blend is soo much fun! demoed it for a couple of days. to my surprise they absolutely rip groomers and hardpack! they have soo much energy throughout the turn unlike alot of other skis.
Dec 5 2011 7:31AM
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RyandaGod
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 44
First knowledgeable response yet, just because no one else thus far had brought up the most differentiating part, the camber. While you're at it, might I also suggest the scimitar or the s5. Very similar in camber profile to the bridge, but not as stiff and imo alot more playful
Dec 5 2011 9:07AM
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Hermondo
Posts: 1244 - Karma: 52
i spend about the same amount of time in the park as you and am about your size. the blend is so sick. been riding on it for 3 seasons now and it's a killer all around ski. it's fast, works well for jumps, and handles pow really well.
Dec 6 2011 4:16PM
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LikeALion
Posts: 132 - Karma: 12
I rock the bridges and my best friend has the blend both plow trees feel great cant go wrong with either ive ridden his and they are about even to me i like the early rise on the blend but i love the full rocker on mine, sidecut is pretty much the same throughout i'd buy the blend if ur skiing some pow in those trees but if u like to thread trees and kill crud and like some groomers, Volkl Bridge
Dec 6 2011 10:08PM
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Woodhouse
Posts: 390 - Karma: 160
Both are a great ski, but I find the Bridges a little bit too stiff for their width (all opinion). I felt like they needed something more substancial for the power. The Blends are sick, super versatile, super fun, but really heavy. I havent tried this year's, but last year's were soo heavy and (correct me if I'm wrong) they haven't done any significant weight reduction. I found my Bents easier to spin at 3 back from center than center mounted, shorter Blends that had Griffons. I say go for Moment PB&Js. Stiff, but playful thanks to the profile, and they are feathers.
Dec 6 2011 11:35PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
This.

also, id look at the 4frnt msp, its pretty similar to the pre-rocker bridge which was an absolutely outstanding all mountain ski
Dec 6 2011 11:46PM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
^To be honest, unless you are specifically looking for a full camber ski for some reason, I don't think anybody should look at full camber skis for all mountain anymore.
Dec 6 2011 11:50PM
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charmander
Posts: 10636 - Karma: 373
id have to disagree, to be honest if you cant tell the difference it doesnt matter what you get, cambered skis are more versatile
Dec 7 2011 12:55AM
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84891jnf92048
Posts: 11552 - Karma: 2,550
camber makes skis more versatile, but there are so many effective camber/rocker combinations to chose from, that you can chose and find one that will fit what you are doing best. even just a little early rise in the tip and tail makes a ski more versatile outside the park, but doesn't really suffer any consequences. I ski fully cambered park skis, but my all mountain skis are full rocker.
Dec 7 2011 6:28AM
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LikeALion
Posts: 132 - Karma: 12
cant go wrong with either all over the mountain, bridge,
mostly pow and some park, blend
Dec 7 2011 1:05PM
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Hughes
Posts: 1023 - Karma: 941
Bridges look epic
Dec 7 2011 2:11PM
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aj_everly
Posts: 563 - Karma: 213
i love my bridges. gets the job done in the park suprisingly although theyre not my go to ski for park. they rips trees better than most skis ive been on personally
Mar 1 2012 2:18AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
You might want to look at  the ON3P Jeronimo if I were you, they`re being stepped up to 101 underfoot I believe, moment pb&j, rossignol scimitar,
Mar 1 2012 2:49PM
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