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4FRNT YLE or CRJ, or Atomic Bent Chetlers / Automatics

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tylerjd3
Posts: 5 - Karma: 19
Hey NS, I'm looking for a new pow/touring ski for this season and I've got it narrowed down. I'm looking for a ski that rips it when the snow is deep and is pretty playful and jibby. But I want to tour on them as well, so they need to be able to handle fairly big drops and be stable at speed. Also will probably ski them at the resorts a bit, so I'm not sure how I feel about 4FRNT's "Reflect Tech". I'm 5'10" and 150 lbs. Before recommending any other brands I have pro forms for 4FRNT and Atomic and want to stay in their lineups, for $$$ reasons. I ski in CO mostly, anywhere in Summit County and I tour East Vail and Berthoud Pass. I've never had a ski that can handle switch in pow, but I definitely want to get into it, so I'm wanting rocker in the tails.
Sep 12 2013 7:57PM
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bieberhole69.
Posts: 654 - Karma: 1,387
You can't go wrong with either of the atomics, however if you're planning on skiing switch more i wouldn't recommend the automatics, the tails too narrow.
Here's an in depth review of each ski (no YLE, sorry)
4frnt CRJ- http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2011-2012-4frnt-crj-180cm
Atomic Automatic - http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2012-2013-atomic-automatic
Atomic Bent Chetler- http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2012-2013-atomic-bent-chetler
Sep 12 2013 8:08PM
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tylerjd3
Posts: 5 - Karma: 19
i know I'm really looking for opinions on the YLE, i was bummed that Blister hadn't done one
Sep 12 2013 8:09PM
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Bozite
Posts: 981 - Karma: 561
Yles are a great ski and I would recommend that
Sep 12 2013 10:29PM
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bieberhole69.
Posts: 654 - Karma: 1,387
http://www.evo.com/outlet/skis/4frnt-yle.aspx
The skis out of stock but theres like 6 user reviews
Sep 13 2013 12:38AM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
YLE and CRJ do not have reflectech. Only renegade/hoji/devastator. I think reflectech is the shit for everyday skiing, dont know why anyone would be worried about it. but anyways, both of these skis have camber underfoot, rocker in the tip and tail. the YLE has been my everyday ski for the past 2 seasons. stiffer underfoot, most versatile big playful ski out there. stiffer underfoot than the other options listed, but soft enough in the tip and tail to jib/butter anything in sight. PM or reply here if you have more questions.
Sep 13 2013 6:02PM
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MartianMan
Posts: 1101 - Karma: 2,099
Bent Chetlers seem like your best bet. They can handle steeps and big mtn features but still are super playful/fun forwards or backwards in the deep. I would have doubts with the YLE due to it being fully symmetric but if switch skiing is really that important to you then fine.
Sep 14 2013 12:12AM
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tylerjd3
Posts: 5 - Karma: 19
Think I'm going with the Chets, thanks everyone.
Sep 16 2013 2:06AM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
its not fully symmetric, and having a close to centered big ski allows you to have a larger tail to land with. YLEs are built to charge, and can handle jumping as well, rather than the other way around.
Sep 16 2013 11:45AM
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tylerjd3
Posts: 5 - Karma: 19
well shit, now i'm second guessing myself. will the YLE get through crud better? I know its stiffer and has a longer turn radius than the bents, so will it be better suited for touring? mounting them with dukes, mostly touring in CO at berthoud pass or east vail pass. May make it out to the PNW once or twice as well this winter.

Also, if I were to grab a pair of YLE's, should I go with the 177 or 187? 5'10" ~150 lbs. Longest ski i've ever skied is a 173, which is why I'm finally upsizing this season.
Sep 18 2013 12:58PM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
a stiffer ski will handle crud better, so yea I would definitely say so. I would say 187, I'm 5 11 170, and thats what I ride. The camber underfoot makes it easy to ride on hardpack and skis much shorter in that scenario, when the length kicks in in pow and crud.
Sep 18 2013 3:47PM
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SSchepkowski
Posts: 168 - Karma: 182
reflect tech is really good, volkl uses it too but they just call it elongated low profile rocker..
Benefits: Still has full edge contact as soon as you put it on edge just like a cambered ski
Way better in powder!
No catchiness when flat meaning itll transition in between turns better and very unlikely to catch an edge while flat
More playful than a cambered ski but drives like a racer once on edge.. soon all ski industries will notice this and start participating im sure of it!

Downs: Not as poppy (still will pop depending on how much you flex the ski)

Give this a thought. check out the volkl shiros. Im a huge 4frnt fan.. I like the YLE quite a bit, feels like a park ski for deep snow.
Sep 18 2013 9:16PM
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BskiP
Posts: 1369 - Karma: 223
Thats a pretty good run down, the new devastator is poppy, while the hoji and renegade werent due to the nature of the ski. Just to be clear though, the YLE does not have reflect tech.
Sep 19 2013 11:31AM
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SSchepkowski
Posts: 168 - Karma: 182
ya devastator is a rad ski!! im using it this year for comps, renegade for touring and switchblade for urban n park big fan of reflect tech
Sep 20 2013 5:04AM
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