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K2 Skis (Recoil) 174 cm vs. 181

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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
Has anyone noticed a difference in riding a 174 cm vs. a 181?  I just picked up the Recoil's in a 174 and trying to figure out if I should of went 181 or if made the right choice.  I know that K2's run about 3cm longer than most brands, which is why I picked up the 174.  60% park, 40% all mountain.

Thanks dudes...
Nov 26 2012 2:34PM
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Vincenzo
Posts: 304 - Karma: 445
How tall are you?
Nov 26 2012 3:12PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
5'11'
Nov 26 2012 3:13PM
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Vincenzo
Posts: 304 - Karma: 445
Then it's fine. You wouldn't have had much problem riding the 181's, but I really think you will grow right into the 174cm. I ride 181cm and I'm 6'1, that pretty much equals my height to ski ratio like you. I feel that the 181's are stable and good, so you will have the same feeling riding your 174's. The recoils are excellent skis so congrats and don't worry about the height, its all good.
Nov 26 2012 3:22PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
Word, thanks for that dude.  Ya ive always rode a 178-180cm for park/all mountain and like a 180-185cm for all all mountain/powder.  Was just curious to see if peeps saw a huge difference or not in the 176 vs. the 181 with the 30% rocker.  Definitely good to know that you are 6'1" and riding the 181 and feel like its the perfect ratio.  I like longer skiers for when im bombing, but a tiny bit shoter/equal ratio has always felt better to me hitting rails n just chillin.  Super amped to rid the Recoils, Ive heard nothing but good things.. thanks again.
Nov 26 2012 3:30PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
Anyone else's thoughts too?
Nov 27 2012 12:07PM
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mikemac
Posts: 1297 - Karma: 3,710
yea i bought last years recoils over the summer at 179 i think. I'm just a hair under 6ft and i was on 176 salomon suspects and the k2s are noticably taller but i think it should work out. They're like a little over my head pretty much just as tall as I am. Longer than anything i've had but im super pumped to use em this year
Nov 27 2012 12:13PM
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CheddarJack
Posts: 5203 - Karma: 7,380
I'm 5'11" and ride 179 recoils and have no complaints with the length. I could see myself riding a 174, but I think such a small difference like that really just comes down to preference and getting used to whichever you have
Nov 27 2012 12:24PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
Good shit man, let me know how you like em when you ride em.
Nov 27 2012 2:02PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
Sounds good also man.  Yeah its good to hear there really isn't much of a difference, and like you said - whatever you ride u will get used to.  Shorter his its benefits, and so does longer..

It sounds like I can't lose no matter if its 174 or 179

174 = more control, less nose onto rails
179 = faster and more stable on high speeds, better for bigger jumps


......  its interesting they would make a 174 and and a 179 though with such the short difference in the two?
Nov 27 2012 2:06PM
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AdiibA
Posts: 792 - Karma: 2,276
I'd go for the bigger ones, longer skis just make your skiing look smoother.
I ride the 174 myself and i'm about 5'7''
Nov 27 2012 2:43PM
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ChillTeenDad420
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 5,512
I'm 5'9" and ride 169's, and they are plenty stable. You'd do fine with either, if you hit rails a lot id probably go with the 174, but either will do you good
Nov 27 2012 2:48PM
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_Mack
Posts: 433 - Karma: 116
i have the domains but k2 makes there park skis like 3 or 4 inches taller so my 174s actually measure out to be a 179 and my friends 1792 measure out to a 181 so you'll be perfect with the 174s because i have those and there money so stoked to use them this year
Nov 27 2012 3:39PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
Yeah longer skis definitely look way smoother when you get bust out any trick no matter what the size for sure....
Nov 27 2012 4:37PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
word.. thanks dude.. yeah I hit more rails then anything when it comes to park riding and jumps are more secondary right now....
Nov 27 2012 4:38PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
yeah def, i noticed that too.. ive been riding 176 Armada Ar7's the past couple of years and they measure to about a 179 as well and the 181's seemed to be like a 183.  Soooo, ive had the same dilemma with the ar7's in the past and went with the 176 over the 181's.
Nov 27 2012 4:39PM
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_Mack
Posts: 433 - Karma: 116
im 5'11 the same height as you and there abover my forhead and there absolutely perfect so theyll be perfect for you aswell
Nov 27 2012 6:33PM
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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
holy sh*t 1992 called and said it wanted its "how to size skis rookie handbook" back...

length of skis has NOTHING to do with how tall you are. it has EVERYTHING to do with your WEIGHT and AGGRESSIVENESS. If you are a charger, longer skis will be a lot more stable at higher speeds. yes, k2 extends their skis because of the camber/rocker profiles. but if you talk to an educated professional, not the goons that have commented so far, they'll tell you that if you buy a ski with rocker, especially the recoil with 30% rocker, its not a bad idea to go longer because it will ski a lot shorter than what it measures up to. i hate seeing people get the wrong information on here
Nov 27 2012 11:55PM
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Vincenzo
Posts: 304 - Karma: 445
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Nov 28 2012 3:57AM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
hmmmm......
Nov 28 2012 2:13PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
with the 30% rocker making the ski's feel/ski shorter makes me think... I also weigh around 190 lbs.
Nov 28 2012 4:02PM
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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
Bahahahahaha ok newb. Height has no effect on your ski length options. It's all about weight. Weight compresses camber, not your height. Choosing the correct length has everything to do with put weight and level of aggressiveness. However much weight you put into the ski will determine what you get out of it. So since you seem to know everything Vincenzo, I'd love to hear your guido explanation as to how your height determines length. I've only been working in a shop for 6 years so clearly I have a lot to learn from you! Smh...
Nov 28 2012 4:14PM
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LineBoarder
Posts: 3762 - Karma: 84
Your weight must also have a lot to do with ski length choice I can imagine, the ratio wouldn't be balanced if it didn't.....
Nov 29 2012 9:43AM
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Vincenzo
Posts: 304 - Karma: 445
A midget on 181's is overkill, thus height playing a major factor. You had some good arguments, but in the long run victory seems mine. Yiiiiihaaaaaa!






















































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Nov 30 2012 11:10PM
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PNSkier
Posts: 775 - Karma: 169
Hahahahahaha oh my gay
Dec 1 2012 2:58PM
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LarryPowers
Posts: 332 - Karma: 138
bumping this because I'm wondering the same.

I'm 5'6 and I've been riding armada halo 182s for a while now. I'm getting new skis and 13/14 recoils are -50%. Last season I had k2 recoils 169, but they felt bit short earlier this season, and I'm still gonna grow couple inches, I feel that I'm growing out of 174s, but I could ride the 179 until they break.

I like the feel of longer skis, and I know that halos ski like shorter skis and they are light. Recoils are bit heavier and doesn't have as much rocker in the tips as halos.

I need help ASAP cause we're ordering them tonight.
Jan 30 2014 10:43AM
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