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Some questions about ski length and binds

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CrashMan
Posts: 11 - Karma: 23
Hi to all. I have some questions and think your advices will help me. I want to buy a 2nd couple of skis for powder. I decided to buy Armada JJ's, but i don't sure what length to take: 185 or AK 195? My height is about 188cm, weight - 80kgs. I read that they shorter then they are, is it true? So i should take 195? And the second question is what binds to mount on them? I have Armada AR6 with Salomon 912ti and i like this binds. I read some information about Salomon STH14. What can you say about them? Or maybe STH12? And some note: my father will ski on them sometimes too, but his weight is bigger than my (about 100kgs). Is it enough 12 DIN or better 14? The final question^ where to mount binds? On recommended line or +1-2cm forward? As i understood recommended line for just skiing, move forward for better skiing in switch and tricks? Thankx.
Apr 9 2013 9:33AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
It really depends on your skill level, what your looking to use them for, and what your preferences are. The JJ skis very short, and while that not be the greatest thing for charging open lines, but it's great when your ripping through the trees.

Im 6'3 185lbs , or 190 cm and 84 kg, and If I were buying JJs, it would be for the sole purpose to turn really quickly in the trees. Therefore I would go with the 185s. But if I was skiing more open terrain, you would want to go with the AKJJ in 195cm, but honestly if I was skiing more open terrain I would go with the Armada Norwalk instead of the AKJJ. Like i said it depends on the terrain your going to ski, and how much I'd actually need the tail rocker.

Also if you like to jib, I would go with the 185, if your more of a charger than go with 195. Like i said before, if you're going to be charging open lines, instead of jiibbing of every knoll you see or smearing through the trees, I would go with the 189 Armada Norwalk instead of the 195 AK JJ,

I ride the STH 14 drivers and they're my favorite binding. If you go with either the 12 or 14, make sure you go with the "driver" toe. It would say in the name (STH 12 Driver or 14 DRIVER). There very solid and give a nice confident thunk when your in so you know your really in, and when you need to release, they're right there with you so you dont tear anything up. I am rather close to your size, and if I were you I would go with the STH 14. Aslong as you can place you din somewher in the middle of its range.

Where you want to mount is really up to how you ski, and your personal preference. Like you said, if you ski switch often and like to trick, than you could mount a bit forward more towards center. If you like a more traditional, directional feel, than mount at directional. I like to mount traditional and I still ski switch and jib around alot. It's all preference, but it also depends on the ski. The JJ is fairly symmetrical (correct my if I'm wrong) so I would go with a more center mount, probably like 1-2cm back from the center.

I was going to buy the JJ recently, as a dedicated tree ski, but I ended up going with the 193 TST (thinner, All-MTN version of the Norwalk...) since I have too many skis over 110mm underfoot, and too little all mountain skis...All in all if your looking to jib around or ski in the trees, and just have a ton of fun of every little feature on the mountain, what the JJ is meant for, I would go for the 185. If you wanna charge (relatively speaking) go with the 195 AKJJ.
Apr 9 2013 10:07AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Sorry for the dub post, but wow NS needs a edit option. I've been up all night, so thats why it may be all grammatically incorrect and all F'd up.

All i really care about is "mount at directional" i meant MOUNT AT TRADITIONAL instead.
Apr 9 2013 10:13AM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
I would say that a 195JJ would be a better suit for some one who is 188cm tall themselves. AKJJs are actually a little smaller than 195, I think with a straight tape they measure 193cm. Also due to the rocker they ski a lot shorter, so I think a 195 AKJJ would be a good suit.

With regards to the binding question, either would suit, provided both you and your father ride on your reccomended DIN setting. I just used my DIN chart and if your both level 3 skiers, your reccomened is 8.5 and your father's is 9.5. As far as I am aware both the STH12 and STH14 are identical bindings apart from the spring, (someone do correct me if I'm wrong here). So you would gain anything durabilitywise from going up to an STH14. I would reccomend getting the 14 if either you or your father are going to be progressing on these skis, because with the 14, you've got 2 settings higher to progress onto if you need.

Mounting point is very much personal preference, however that being said, if you're unsure, I'd just go reccomended to start of with. The JJs are designed with 'backcountry freestyle' in mind, so unless you're planning on landing/skiing pow switch a lot of the time, and I mean a lot of the time, then reccomended should be just right.
Apr 9 2013 10:20AM
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pbandj
Posts: 5610 - Karma: 28
he's not heavy enough for the 195 ak's they're going to buck him around so badly. i agree with the above post go for the 189 norwalk
Apr 9 2013 11:36AM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Laugh Out Loud. Are you joking? Hes taller than average and 175 lbs, There are people who are shorter and weigh 20-30 lbs less that overpower the 195 AKJJs,. This is one of the most retarded things I have ever seen on this forum. I love when people act like they know what they're talking about, but dont know.This is just funny.

First off, The 189 Norwalk is burlier than the 195 AKJJ, Moment Bibby Pros are way burlier, and the Moment Governor makes the AK JJ feel lika forgiving noodle. There are so many more burly skis that make the AK JJ seem like a womens ski. Hell the AK JJ is more like a Nordica Patron than a real mans ski.

AKJJs are fucken weak for an expert skier. I Love it how people dont know what the F there talking about and act like they do. You fail. Sorry, but this kind of shit really pisses me off. Darn kids. Atleast I hope your a kid...if not then I feel really bad.

Your lucky I was the first person to do this, there are some other people one here who would ream you a knew butthole for saying what you just said. Be happy I got it out of the way, so those monsters didnt have to. No blood, No foul. Just learn your shit before you give advice.
Apr 9 2013 2:03PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
I take that back, the Nordica Patron is a fair amount burlier than the AK JJ.
Apr 9 2013 2:06PM
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CrashMan
Posts: 11 - Karma: 23
Thank you guys for help. I think i will try on AK JJ 195, because i have one good offer about this, Norwalk will be expensive than JJ. I spent not so many days in powder in a year, i think it will be fine. It will be skis for a long long time). And i think my 8-years experience will help me). The binds will mount on a recommended line or max +1 forward. I try ones JJ 185 with mounted binds +1 forward from line and as i remember i wanted to move my body back not to flip forward because of diving in snow). There will be 10 months yet to think about it). And i think Salomon STH14 will complete this pair so good!). What width of brake set to take? 130mm?
Apr 9 2013 2:14PM
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VD.
Posts: 4054 - Karma: 4,565
What? ... It's not like the JJs are a stiff/punishing ski, also 80kgs is not that light, I think it's 175lbs, off the top of my head. Also he mentioned his dad is going to be riding them, and his dad is 100kgs which again off the top of my head is 220lbs. At 175lbs and 188cm tall, he shouldn't have any problem skiing a 195 JJ, I'm 185cm tall and about 5kgs heavier than OP, and I ski 190+ skis with no problem.

Also suggesting norwalks are more suited to jibbing than a JJ? The Norwalk is designed to be a directional ski, whilst the JJ is Armada's flagship backcountry jib ski. Moreover, Norwalks don't measure 189s, they measure slightly shorter, so there's a good chance they'd be shorter than OP.

OP, below are links to in depth reviews on the Norwalk and the AKJJ, so you can take a look and decide which skis suit your style better.
Apr 9 2013 2:17PM
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BirtDike
Posts: 1258 - Karma: 514
Thank You.
Apr 9 2013 2:51PM
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wagwaman
Posts: 722 - Karma: 98
longer skis help get you better on rails from my experience plus you can press like a motha fucka. shorter skis are good for spins
Apr 9 2013 3:05PM
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CrashMan
Posts: 11 - Karma: 23
I don't spin so much in pow, because there is no possibility just to ski in pow many times. But somethin' like three-six or five-fourty i think i'll do anyway). And this will be enough for me). Thanks a lot ;)
Apr 9 2013 10:45PM
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