2014 Line Sir Francis Bacon || Experience and Input

Kartels are dope as fuck, but you should give the SFB's more of a chance. They're a really good ski.

They are a softer ski so there is definitely a speed limit. They need to be constantly on edge at speed to not chatter.

As for the conditions you were skiing (1 foot fresh to chopped) i usually find the Bacon's to perform really nicely. The only time I find the Bacon's performance to be lacking is in heavy/cement type snow. Since its lighter these skis have difficulty pushing through heavy snow. You have to maneuver around it instead.

One question... Where do you have them mounted? Mine are on Eric's choice (-2) and this seems to work really well

TreewellMagnetThey are a softer ski so there is definitely a speed limit. They need to be constantly on edge at speed to not chatter.

As for the conditions you were skiing (1 foot fresh to chopped) i usually find the Bacon's to perform really nicely. The only time I find the Bacon's performance to be lacking is in heavy/cement type snow. Since its lighter these skis have difficulty pushing through heavy snow. You have to maneuver around it instead.

One question... Where do you have them mounted? Mine are on Eric's choice (-2) and this seems to work really well

Erics choice, which I thought was -2.5 but maybe not. And I completely agree with, “They need to be constantly on edge at speed to not chatter.” When they were on edge they worked well in the conditions but once I straight lined them, they would get pretty swirly. I’ll keep skiing them because they are damn fun.

Also, I hit a rock with the SFB’s and it made a small gouge in the base of the ski right near the edge, so it looks like the edge isn’t attached to the base. I have P-Tex, am I able to drop the P-tex on the edge and fill the hole and then just scrap the excess p-tex off the edge?

Whether is 2.5 or 2 i guess won't make much difference. I do enjoy skiing them there. Perhaps if you want a bit more tail heavy (to make the nose plane up a bit more) you could consider moving them back? But i would keep trying them at 2.5 and see if you get used to them as I think they are a lot more fun at this position.

As for the ptex.. try it, but if its not a deep gouge or large enough the ptex may not stick.I usually just leave any shallow gouges alone but i guess since it's near the edge it might be worth a try.

I'm sure you've read blister's review on the ski.. but if not it might give you some more insight...

http://blistergearreview.com/gear-reviews/2012-2013-line-sir-francis-bacon

About your height maybe a hair shorter and I have 10 or so lbs on you skiing the 178 and I love them. The thing I notice was you have to stay very centred on them otherwise they squirrel out. You can't quite drive them like a classic race ski or a typical charger. As far as skiing powder I noticed the lack of float aswell until you actually get moving a bit on them, once they get up on top of the snow they are a ton of fun (really maneuverable and slashy). The best way I found them to ski soft crud, moguls and variable conditions is to pop off basically everything you can ie: those crud piles and moguls use them as a pump track that's when I find them to come alive and be a ton of fun. To summarize fun playful ski very trick-able and its goal is to make the mountain your park/play ground. Not made to charge crap conditions at Mach 7 with your hair on fire.

soupcanAbout your height maybe a hair shorter and I have 10 or so lbs on you skiing the 178 and I love them. The thing I notice was you have to stay very centred on them otherwise they squirrel out. You can't quite drive them like a classic race ski or a typical charger. As far as skiing powder I noticed the lack of float aswell until you actually get moving a bit on them, once they get up on top of the snow they are a ton of fun (really maneuverable and slashy). The best way I found them to ski soft crud, moguls and variable conditions is to pop off basically everything you can ie: those crud piles and moguls use them as a pump track that's when I find them to come alive and be a ton of fun. To summarize fun playful ski very trick-able and its goal is to make the mountain your park/play ground. Not made to charge crap conditions at Mach 7 with your hair on fire.

^ This, I couldn't agree more! I'm definitely taller but I still ride the 178s just cause I like having a quicker response. I have mine mounted true center cause yeah theyre my all mtn park ski weather I'm riding switch off park jumps to jumping off this, jibbing that, to riding pow and sending smaller cliffs they're my go to ski. I'd definitely say give them a few more times cause they are a super fun ski.

Kbob94^ This, I couldn't agree more! I'm definitely taller but I still ride the 178s just cause I like having a quicker response. I have mine mounted true center cause yeah theyre my all mtn park ski weather I'm riding switch off park jumps to jumping off this, jibbing that, to riding pow and sending smaller cliffs they're my go to ski. I'd definitely say give them a few more times cause they are a super fun ski.

Yeah, I’m going to, have yet to try them during a serious pow day. I did notice that they float pretty good if you are going fast.

soupcanAbout your height maybe a hair shorter and I have 10 or so lbs on you skiing the 178 and I love them. The thing I notice was you have to stay very centred on them otherwise they squirrel out. You can't quite drive them like a classic race ski or a typical charger. As far as skiing powder I noticed the lack of float aswell until you actually get moving a bit on them, once they get up on top of the snow they are a ton of fun (really maneuverable and slashy). The best way I found them to ski soft crud, moguls and variable conditions is to pop off basically everything you can ie: those crud piles and moguls use them as a pump track that's when I find them to come alive and be a ton of fun. To summarize fun playful ski very trick-able and its goal is to make the mountain your park/play ground. Not made to charge crap conditions at Mach 7 with your hair on fire.

Making me think of stuff Candide does lol

I highly recommend the kartel 106 if you're looking into getting new skis. There's no way in hell you'll overpower them. I'm 5'7" 150 and ski the 176.

Thank god someone has the same view on the ski as me. I am 5''8 165 lbs I am rocking the 172 bacons because I am just coming off 161 skis. The bacons are light and playful but have some stability issues while bombing down the slopes. This being said, that is not their intended use. I found that just floating through the trees or hitting some natural jumps or back country booters put the skis to better use than I thought. I find that on West Coast conditions they do very well (idk about the East) because of their fatter waist (108) and their all around maneuverability. My only problem with them is that I wish they were a bit softer.

As for durability, there is alot to be wished for. Within maybe 17 days up this season, my tip and tail topsheets are chipped AF and there are some spots that make me worry about the edge coming out. As for the bases, they seem to be easily scratchable (More-so than that of other skis) but at least I don't have any core shots yet. I might just consider selling them at the end of this year and going for a pair of park/all mtn skis and a pair of pow skis instead of the one ski quiver because the bacons, as fun and wicked as they are, are only really useful when there is light snow on the ground.

Admittedly, I am a little disappointing in the ski. Reading reviews and stuff about them made me super hyped to pick up a pair but after skiing on them, I realize that so many other skis could've done a better job.

Overall Review: Stay off the groomers and have fun in the pow with these skis. Their overall performance goes up by 100% in fresh snow because you don't have to worry about the skis carrying out from under you or chattering super hard.

As an owner of the SFB with a 108 waist I'm a big fan of it. I'm 6ft tall and around 230lbs and 21, type 3 skier with the 184cm version of the ski.

I've noticed with any ski with a waist wider than approx 102, you have to use weight to get full control of the ski. The SFBs are really fun for me since they are like noodles.

The issue you mentioned about overpowering the ski to me sounds like you are just using your old(er) technique/strength on a ski that doesn't require that much effort, try being a little "looser" with your controlling of the ski if you feel that you are over exerting yourself. I too found that there is a speed limit before the chatter begins and where it becomes uncontrollable, my solution was to ride the edges and use my weight more with this ski in comparison to other skis I have tried.

Try them out a bit more and just try to go a smidge easier on the ski and see how you like it. Cheers.

ZypherThank god someone has the same view on the ski as me. I am 5''8 165 lbs I am rocking the 172 bacons because I am just coming off 161 skis. The bacons are light and playful but have some stability issues while bombing down the slopes. This being said, that is not their intended use. I found that just floating through the trees or hitting some natural jumps or back country booters put the skis to better use than I thought. I find that on West Coast conditions they do very well (idk about the East) because of their fatter waist (108) and their all around maneuverability. My only problem with them is that I wish they were a bit softer.

As for durability, there is alot to be wished for. Within maybe 17 days up this season, my tip and tail topsheets are chipped AF and there are some spots that make me worry about the edge coming out. As for the bases, they seem to be easily scratchable (More-so than that of other skis) but at least I don't have any core shots yet. I might just consider selling them at the end of this year and going for a pair of park/all mtn skis and a pair of pow skis instead of the one ski quiver because the bacons, as fun and wicked as they are, are only really useful when there is light snow on the ground.

Admittedly, I am a little disappointing in the ski. Reading reviews and stuff about them made me super hyped to pick up a pair but after skiing on them, I realize that so many other skis could've done a better job.

Overall Review: Stay off the groomers and have fun in the pow with these skis. Their overall performance goes up by 100% in fresh snow because you don't have to worry about the skis carrying out from under you or chattering super hard.

Wow I have a feeling you are still using too short of a ski. I am 5ft 5 (165cm) and I ski the 178. It actually measures about 174. For you I wouldn't hesitate to run 184.

TreewellMagnetWow I have a feeling you are still using too short of a ski. I am 5ft 5 (165cm) and I ski the 178. It actually measures about 174. For you I wouldn't hesitate to run 184.

Haha yeah problems with being 15 haha

I am also a SFB owner (2014-2015 model). I am 5'10" 190lbs and ride the 184cm length with them mounted at -1 from center. I ride mine at 7springs in PA and the conditions I have ridden them in this year have been mostly ice, some slush, and alittle pow today. I haven't really had the chance to get them over about 40mph and up to that speed, I still feel completely in control.

I feel as though they carve incredibly well on groomers, ice and slush. Also, in the maybe 6 inches of powder at the most we had today, they were suppperrr fun. The skis are also tons of fun skiing switch.

In the park, I feel very comfortable in the air. I'm not a rail guy so I can't comment on that.

Durability wise, I don't have any problems with the bases but the topsheets are chipping some. Nothing terrible tho. I have only put 6 days on them so far but I got them from someone who used them for a season and they look great!

Finally, the skis are pretty soft. I'm trying to learn more and more butters, and these skis help! They are very fun to mess around on and make the whole hill your playground.

Overall, I love the ski, they're super playful, fairly durable, so much fun to put on edge, and just an awesome ski in general!

5'7 125lbs. rode a 13/14 178cm for 2 seasons and enjoyed them. at my size they were relatively stable at speed and kept my tips up in powder. biggest complaint was the weight made them annoying in the trees/bumps. i also mounted at rec (against my better judgement) only to find out this wasn't the same mounting point as previous years and was changed back to -2cm the following year.

Get the Kartel. They just absolutely rip and they are truly as durable as everybody claims