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Bent Chetler length conundrum

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Jaybrtn
Posts: 375 - Karma: 643
Help me decide on a length, NS. Never ridden them before so I’m buying blind, but I’m picking up the new BC this year, although I can’t decide on length.

I’m 5’9”, 170lbs. Depending on the occasion I like to ski hard, fast, and drop cliffs, or slow it down (only a little 😉) and get playful while spinning off anything I can. With the new lightweight model, the 192 sounds like a length that would be optimal for the former riding style, yet allow me to still have fun on the slower days. While the 184 would definitely be more playful, I’m worried about not having the size for the steep, deep, and cliffy. Also trying to keep in mind the two weeks of japanuary coming up.

Any advice? Anyone had a chance to ride either length? Current skis I use often are the 184 sfb, and 186 backland 117 (which I love, but looking for something more playful)
Nov 2 2018 12:27AM
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Mattgeraghty3
Posts: 122 - Karma: 373
JaybrtnHelp me decide on a length, NS. Never ridden them before so I’m buying blind, but I’m picking up the new BC this year, although I can’t decide on length.

I’m 5’9”, 170lbs. Depending on the occasion I like to ski hard, fast, and drop cliffs, or slow it down (only a little 😉) and get playful while spinning off anything I can. With the new lightweight model, the 192 sounds like a length that would be optimal for the former riding style, yet allow me to still have fun on the slower days. While the 184 would definitely be more playful, I’m worried about not having the size for the steep, deep, and cliffy. Also trying to keep in mind the two weeks of japanuary coming up.

Any advice? Anyone had a chance to ride either length? Current skis I use often are the 184 sfb, and 186 backland 117 (which I love, but looking for something more playful)


Hey I'm 5'9" and I ride the 184 and absolutely love them. I do a lot of freeride comps and ski hard and have never felt like I need more ski
Nov 2 2018 1:47AM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
I feel like the 184s would be a good option if you want to do both but the 192s would be more oriented to speed.

*whispering* (Or you could just get a 184 bibby/wildcat)
Nov 2 2018 3:37AM
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Greg_K
Posts: 952 - Karma: 2,747
The 2019 Bent Chetler 120 has dropped 1.5 lbs/700 grams each ski vs last year’s model so it is definitely not as chargy as it used to be. Still a fun, playful ski but not as good as it used to be in rough terrain or crud.

What year are your SFB skis? They too went way lighter in 2016 but went to a beefier core in 2017 as many complained how they weren’t great in crud etc.
I’m thinking the Line Mordecai might be an option instead-similar weight to your current Atomic’s but more playful and still decent in crud or at speed.

Or just get the Moment Wildcat in 184cm to add to the SFB 184cm like all the cool people...lol (have 2018 Bibby’s and 2018 SFB myself)

**This post was edited on Nov 2nd 2018 at 8:30:30am
Nov 2 2018 8:28AM
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johnblaze
Posts: 1488 - Karma: 2,620
I'm about your size and ride the 184 and it's plenty of ski. 192 is a lot of ski even though they ski short.
Nov 2 2018 10:25AM
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Jaybrtn
Posts: 375 - Karma: 643
Rum_HamI feel like the 184s would be a good option if you want to do both but the 192s would be more oriented to speed.

*whispering* (Or you could just get a 184 bibby/wildcat)


I HAVE heard good things about the Bibby..

Greg_KWhat year are your SFB skis?
Or just get the Moment Wildcat in 184cm to add to the SFB 184cm like all the cool people...lol (have 2018 Bibby’s and 2018 SFB myself)
**This post was edited on Nov 2nd 2018 at 8:30:30am


I’ve got the 2015s, before they changed the design to the lighter model. Loooove those skis. I’ll have to look into the Bibby/wildcat but I’ve really wanted to buy into the BC hype, especially with the new model lol.
Nov 2 2018 12:18PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
Wildcat/bibby is basically just a stiffer bent chetler. Bibby will be way better at speed and in chopped up snow while the BC will be a good amount floatier and more playful. Can’t go wrong with either one just depends what you want to prioritize.

I haven’t skied the 2019 BC but I’ve ridden some of the older ones and that was my impression. I’d assume the new ones with the weight cut would be worse in chopped up snow as weight was what really helped the old one with that.
Nov 2 2018 12:58PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,049
184 for sure. New Chet is surprisingly stiff and stable, punches far above its weight in inconsistent snow. I'm 6' 170 and love the 184.

The Bibby isn't really a fair comparision, a better one would be the Bibby Tour, weight wise. Personally, I can't imagine buying either length Bentchetler and putting only inbounds bindings on it. It's so light, it's a great touring ski, and it skis super well inbounds—for a light ski, but if you're only getting an inbounds ski, get something heavier and damper. Bibby and Kartel 116 come to mind.
Nov 2 2018 2:43PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
^listen to Cy not me
Nov 2 2018 3:57PM
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Jaybrtn
Posts: 375 - Karma: 643
cydwhit184 for sure. New Chet is surprisingly stiff and stable, punches far above its weight in inconsistent snow. I'm 6' 170 and love the 184.

The Bibby isn't really a fair comparision, a better one would be the Bibby Tour, weight wise. Personally, I can't imagine buying either length Bentchetler and putting only inbounds bindings on it. It's so light, it's a great touring ski, and it skis super well inbounds—for a light ski, but if you're only getting an inbounds ski, get something heavier and damper. Bibby and Kartel 116 come to mind.


Thanks for the info! Have you had any issues with the length on super deep days or with tip/tail support when you start pushing the speed? And don’t worry, the plan is tossing my CAST system on it. I live in washington, and have plenty of backcountry at my fingertips.
Nov 2 2018 4:05PM
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Greg_K
Posts: 952 - Karma: 2,747
JaybrtnThanks for the info! Have you had any issues with the length on super deep days or with tip/tail support when you start pushing the speed? And don’t worry, the plan is tossing my CAST system on it. I live in washington, and have plenty of backcountry at my fingertips.


You didn’t mention using the BC 120 as a touring ski in the original post and only mentioned that you like charging hard so that’s why you got the regular Bibby and other skis recommend.

The 2019 BC 120 would be great as a touring or 50/50 ski as long as you don’t expect it to ski exactly the same as the old one. It would for sure be lighter and more forgiving than the Backlands 117.

The Wildcat Tour would be another 50/50 or touring option that is similar in weight to the new BC 120 but with a beefier flex. Would charge more than the BC 120 but still be more playful than the Backland 117.

Either one would be great with the Shift Bindings or Cast system. 184cm would be perfect for your size.
Nov 3 2018 12:22AM
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Jaybrtn
Posts: 375 - Karma: 643
Greg_KYou didn’t mention using the BC 120 as a touring ski in the original post and only mentioned that you like charging hard so that’s why you got the regular Bibby and other skis recommend.

The 2019 BC 120 would be great as a touring or 50/50 ski as long as you don’t expect it to ski exactly the same as the old one. It would for sure be lighter and more forgiving than the Backlands 117.

The Wildcat Tour would be another 50/50 or touring option that is similar in weight to the new BC 120 but with a beefier flex. Would charge more than the BC 120 but still be more playful than the Backland 117.

Either one would be great with the Shift Bindings or Cast system. 184cm would be perfect for your size.


Great, thanks! I’ll take a gander at the wildcat as well
Nov 3 2018 5:25PM
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Bmxyy
Posts: 279 - Karma: 685
Rum_HamI feel like the 184s would be a good option if you want to do both but the 192s would be more oriented to speed.

*whispering* (Or you could just get a 184 bibby/wildcat)


this guy has the biggest penis on NS ^^^^ listen to this guy :P
Nov 3 2018 5:29PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
Bmxyythis guy has the biggest penis on NS ^^^^ listen to this guy :P


Thanks bruther that really reafirming to hear

**This post was edited on Nov 3rd 2018 at 11:12:28pm
Nov 3 2018 11:11PM
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Rum_Ham
Posts: 1449 - Karma: 4,482
The referenced post has been removed.


^^^
Nov 3 2018 11:13PM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5075 - Karma: 43,049
Greg_KYou didn’t mention using the BC 120 as a touring ski in the original post and only mentioned that you like charging hard so that’s why you got the regular Bibby and other skis recommend.

The 2019 BC 120 would be great as a touring or 50/50 ski as long as you don’t expect it to ski exactly the same as the old one. It would for sure be lighter and more forgiving than the Backlands 117.

The Wildcat Tour would be another 50/50 or touring option that is similar in weight to the new BC 120 but with a beefier flex. Would charge more than the BC 120 but still be more playful than the Backland 117.

Either one would be great with the Shift Bindings or Cast system. 184cm would be perfect for your size.


Yeah, this.

You don't need a stupid long ski to have fun. Either of these options will be great. If you're really that worried about the BC 120's stability, go wildcat tour. Otherwise, BC 120 is by far my favorite ski in this class.
Nov 5 2018 10:32AM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21093 - Karma: 8,490
I'm going to buck the trend here and say go for the 192. I'm 5'2 (157cm tall) and ski my Bibby's at 174 and absolutely love them. The 164 feels a bit small for me because of the short effective edge. If you are 5'9 (175cm tall), we'd both be skiing skis with short effective edges at 17cm taller than we are. The Benchetler is a softish, light, playful ski. If you like to charge, I think you'd appreciate the extra length. And it's short effective edge and light/playful style still allows you to cut some speed down and have some fun.
Nov 5 2018 9:07PM
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ThaLorax
Posts: 21093 - Karma: 8,490
If anything, the effect of the height difference diminishes as you get taller, so that 17cm height difference for you would mean less than it does for me
Nov 5 2018 9:08PM
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