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October, 2024

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Hookfree or extra tip hook? Which one is right?

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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
I've noticed manufacturers playing around with sidecut a lot more lately in the last few years. Discounting tip taper, which is a whole other can of worms, several manufacturers are playing with different sidecuts along the length of the ski.

Atomic seems really proud of their hook free tip design used in the atomic punx: "Stomp Sidecut is straighter in the tip and tail with a tighter radius underfoot for predictable landings"

Meanwhile ON3P seems to be going the complete opposite direction with its elliptical sidecut: "The sidecut consists of an elliptical arc that begins at boot center and gets progressively smaller as it extends towards the tip and tail of the ski, resulting in a ski that carves harder the more it is put on edge, yet remains stable when it is skied flat."

Both of these approaches seem completely at odds with each other, and makes me wonder what the ultimate emerging trend will be, especially since both the Punx and the Filthy Rich seem equally popular in the park. Maybe there is room for both, I don't know, but it does make you wonder about the future of sidecut shapes.

I would love to get opinions from people who have ridden both designs, and how it effects park performance.
Apr 22 2016 10:12PM
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RDem
Posts: 646 - Karma: 183
It seems like a lot people really don't even care or know about their skis sidecut and what it does, they'll just buy whatever is cheap or trendy at the type. But there are definitely people that will buy skis with sidecut that match their style.

I personally like a tapered tip and tail. I like it for smearing and not catching.

I definitely see both sides and their pros and cons. It's just a matter of personal taste and how you want to ski.
Apr 23 2016 5:28PM
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ghosthop
Posts: 631 - Karma: 1,027
Do they not serve different purposes for riders with different needs?

Also, isn't the punx a cambered ski and FR is rockered, which will have an effect on the way sidecut engages as the ski is tipped.
Apr 24 2016 1:51AM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
ghosthopDo they not serve different purposes for riders with different needs?

Also, isn't the punx a cambered ski and FR is rockered, which will have an effect on the way sidecut engages as the ski is tipped.


Punx and FR are both hybrid rocker/camber/rocker. The FR probably has slightly more rocker in the tips. They are both constructed to slay the park, so their purpose is the same, but approach is very different. Rocker will effect your effective edge, but I'm not sure how it would effect sidecut.
Apr 24 2016 9:42AM
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Cyanicenine
Posts: 966 - Karma: 2,294
RDemIt seems like a lot people really don't even care or know about their skis sidecut and what it does


That seems to be the case, considering how little discussion this thread has sparked.

I was really hoping to get more insight on sidecut shapes. J-skis also is using some sort of blended sidecut, but their website doesn't give details on if it's tighter in the tips or longer. Scott Jib TW is completely straight underfoot and then has some sort of blended sidecut in the tips. I'm sure there are couple others, but I find it an interesting and seemingly unnoticed next evolution in ski design.
Apr 26 2016 7:49PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 9267 - Karma: 60,727
im interested in this as well because it's one of the aspects of ski specs that i dont really understand very well at all. i was blown away by how much i hated 5 point sidecut skis....this stuff is way more subtle. im mostly posting so that ill get an alert when more info is posted here haha
Apr 27 2016 10:34AM
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KravtZ
Posts: 6637 - Karma: 2,629
CAn't stand 5 point side cut. I prefer full camber non tapered skis for my all mtn skis and my pow skis are non tapered but pretty heavily rockered which gives them a great surfy feel but can still rail groomers
Apr 27 2016 3:15PM
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TheWeaz
Posts: 803 - Karma: 1,903
my interpretation is that the two companies are trying to accomplish very different things.

Atomic is starting with a ski that will be inherently hooky if the tips were not tapered due to the small sidecut radius. while ON3P is taking a straighter ski and adding more just in the tip so that it can still hook up and have a reasonable turn radius when laid on edge.

basically the two companies are creating a similar end product starting with a different base line.

but thats just my guess
Apr 27 2016 10:42PM
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