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Icelantic Gypsy: Improved Hellbent?

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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
Hey Newschoolers,
I've been researching a lot about powder ski options this year. Last year I was on a pair of 08/09 179 (184) K2 Hellbents mounted at -1.5cm from true center with a pair of Rossi FKS 155s. I really liked the playfulness of the setup for light, untracked, deep snow, but there were several drawbacks that led me to sell them at the end of the season. The super soft, noodley flex, combined with an ultra-fat tip and super high rocker splay caused these to get bounced around like no other in variable conditions. Also, the above attributes caused the ski to actively push against deep snow to the point where I could feel my self slowing down as the ski flexed against the heavy powder. Lastly, the softness and sidecut and rocker splay made these skis have a noticable speed limit and got squirrley very quickly. Because of these drawbacks, I'm looking for something with:
-a stiffer flex than the hellbents
-a long, but much lower rocker profile than the hellbents
-a longer turning radius than the hellbents

Basically I'm looking for a pow ski that can be almost as playful as the bents in deep untracked powder, but infinitely more stable in variable conditions, with a much higher speed limit. The Icelantic Gypsy (along with several other skis I've found) seem to fill that description fairly well. The only problem I have is that I've never personally fondled a pair of Gypsys, so I don't really know how they flex, how solid the construction is, how torsionally stiff they are, etc. To anybody who has personally fondled and/or skied these beauties, how do they flex? How solid are they? Stability at speed? Are these the skis I'm looking for? If not, what are your suggestions? FWIW I'm 140 lbs, 5'11", still growing, and would be getting the 190 size.
Thanks,
Isak

PS. Other skis I've been looking at include the On3p Caylor 191, On3p Jeffery 186, Atomic Bent Chetler 192, Klint Krypto 192, 4frnt Renegade 186/196, etc. The only skis I'd actually be in a position to buy would be the bent chetlers, gypsys, or possibly caylors (I have a friend who might trade me, but is kind of on the fence, so I'm not sure if he's down to make the trade). The main reason I'm interested in the Gypsys is that I've found them on multiple sites for very reasonable prices, and they have a similar matching rocker/sidecut thing to the renegades which sounds very interesting.
Aug 6 2012 7:27PM
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NoSkillsCrew
Posts: 1203 - Karma: 2,108
I demoed this years gyppos and gotta say they aren't that much like the Hbents. They are reverse camber but they are way stiffer more in line with say the Opus. They are reverse camber so bomber on any days with fresh. They do not have a speed limit when its fresh. They feel super quick in trees when its fresh.

I found that in the tracked / hard pack I had a bit of trouble getting the edges to really set. And in bumps I just got tossed to shit. I will say that some of the bigger / stronger dudes had no trouble so I think my tiny size may have had a bit to do with it.

If you are looking for something that is a bit more all around I would go with something with hybrid camber (which the Hbents were they were still flat underfoot). The chets are crazzzy fun. No speed limit, playful, awesome in the trees, just all around better for my small self. The chets having camber underfoot did way better in the chop, ice, and groomed.

I would personally pick the chets if you are looking for something that will cover more varied conditions than straight fresh. Caylors are dope in that category also. I think the flex is similar between the two also.
Aug 6 2012 8:55PM
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e.will
Posts: 1981 - Karma: 967
This has gotta be the fourth gypsy thread i've responded to.......buuuuuuuuuut


Pull the trigger. Get 'em. They don't ski like a reverse camber ski on hardpack in my opinion, and murder it in deep snow. Hell, i even enjoyed skiing park on them.

(minus the large line at Key and breck. couldn't get the speed, but that was on dry bases).


Ski is absolutely amazing, last years topsheet is UNREAL(walruses? walri?). I'd take it any day over a bentchetler.

i'm 5' 8" 175 and rock the 190 -3 from center.
Aug 6 2012 9:35PM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
What ski would you compare the flex to. Is it about as stiff as a bent chetler? Caylor? I know it's stiffer than the hellbent, but how much?
Aug 6 2012 11:29PM
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ForeverYung
Posts: 8385 - Karma: 2,060
Also looking into the gypsy, but considering waiting to next year because the made it a little softer which I like and a wee bit more rocker, but also might get this years just because there cheaper.
Aug 6 2012 11:57PM
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ForeverYung
Posts: 8385 - Karma: 2,060
Oh and next years graphic are SEXAY AS FUCK
Aug 7 2012 12:07AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
I ride the ON3P Caylor as my everyday ski, the stiffer flex allows the ski to perform in heavier than desired deep snow conditions and bust through crud when needed. Whilst the twin rocker allows the ski to be jibby and playful as well. There is a review of the ON3P Caylor in the blog quoted in my sig, blister also has a good 'multi page' review
Aug 7 2012 4:59AM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
I'm aware that the caylor is a fantastic ski and exactly what I'm looking for. It's just that if my friend decides he doesn't want to trade me, there's no way I'll be able to work up enough money to buy brand new caylors. I've found several very good deals on gypsys brand new, I'm just wondering about the flex and how they compare to a ski like the caylor in the all mountain category.
Aug 7 2012 2:52PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
11/12 Caylors $599 down from $749, would link but can't because I'm on NS mobile http://on3pskis.myshopify.com/collections/2011-2012-skis/products/2011-2012-caylor
Aug 8 2012 5:12AM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
I would do it, but if gypsies are going to be similar and $180 less, I'd rather take the gypsies and save my money for buying lift tickets.
Aug 8 2012 2:31PM
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schmies
Posts: 2032 - Karma: 511
The new Pettitor addresses all your concerns on the ol' HellBent.
Aug 8 2012 9:16PM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
Believe me schmies, I would love to get out on a pair of those 189 pettitors, it's just that there's no way I'll have enough money to pay retail for a pair of brand new pow boards this year. Maybe if I had a pro form.
Aug 8 2012 10:33PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
I've skied the Gypsy and the Caylor back to back at the Freeskier test this year, they're similar shaped but definitely feel different on snow.
Aug 8 2012 10:42PM
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Kreech
Posts: 4178 - Karma: 3,024
Care to elaborate?
Aug 8 2012 10:47PM
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RudyGarmisch
Posts: 25443 - Karma: 13,844
Both cruised on hardpack surprisingly well that day. I noticed some differences in chopped up pow and the stability and liveliness of the skis, if that sorta makes sense. Snow wasnt there for true pow skiing. I'm honestly not a good source for unbiased info though, I've been skiing our bamboo core and carbon for so long that I'm just used to it and the way it skis. The Gypsy was easier to throw around, the Caylor felt more solid and stable, but again, my heavily biased opinion I'm sure.
Aug 9 2012 9:50PM
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