Administrators Horton Posted June 15, 2011 Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2011 I left the test A2 in Louisiana for some Original Ballers to try. While I was waiting for the ski to get back to me, I rode some old favorite skis. 2 sets on MPD, 3 sets on Prophecy and 2 sets on Elite. This basically cleared my head of what to expect from the A2. Ride 16 was funky. So much so that I sent some text messages asking if the guys had moved the fin. I did not think so but had to ask. (setting notes were at home) The ski felt ok but not the way I remembered it. I found myself pushing at the apex to get the ski to turn and being un-stacked as a result. Ride 17 (Dark:30) I made a point to move forward on the ski between the wakes and the ball. This is the A2 that I know. With my further weight forward of center than Ride 16, the ski came alive. The ski initiates the arc back to the wakes early and draws and smooth line back to the wakes. The result is more angle and less effort to be wide and early. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I rode the A2 at dawgs place (old oaks) and loved it. Horton wrote, The ski initiates the arc back to the wakes early and draws and smooth line back to the wakes. The result is more angle and less effort to be wide and early. I would agree with that and add that it is a very stable feeling ski. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 15, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2011 agree 100% (that will never happen again) Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller scoke Posted June 15, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 15, 2011 Maybe 16 sets was all you got out of that core? Maybe you have to be perfect on it now? Maybe it was bad from the beginning? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller scoke Posted June 15, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 15, 2011 maybe they put the wrong core in it as they knew it was going to be a freebie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 15, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2011 Shut up Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 This is an HO not a NANHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 15, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2011 I may ban you both. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 15, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2011 Sorry about the lack of fin numbers. Seems my notebook and keyboard are not together much lately. I am close to but not exactly at. Think I am shallower and need to be deeper. .78 DFT 2.503 Deep 6.835 tips 29 1/2 I looked at the fin slot of my A2 last night. True it is not a super tight fit but that is typical of many skis. I have trouble believing it impacts performance. The older HOs have a molded in fin box that looks better but actually allows for more fin flex. @Bruce55 If you are really unhappy with the ski I say move on. There is no perfect ski for everyone. I do know I like the A2 a lot when I move forward as I approach the ball. If I am static or a little back I am not so happy and you have to be aggressive - can not ski ball to ball Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 I have the HO A2 numbers at home and will post tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Not_The_Pug Posted June 15, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 15, 2011 Greg Badal re-set the fin on my Wife's A2 over the weekend. He moved the fin up a little more then before. Said they are finding they don't have to be that deep. Might be something to try. I can measure it tonight and post. She skied it last night and ran her first 34 of the year like it was her opener. She said the ski is turning a lot better on her off side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 15, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2011 If you were on fire without VW, take it off for 3-5 sets and see of everything comes back together. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted June 15, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 15, 2011 I ski 8 or so buoys better in southern water than here in S. Canada on the same fin settings. Water is warmer and different base composition. Try some new settings and take off that drag induction unit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted June 15, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 15, 2011 Everyone skis better at Chet's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted June 15, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 15, 2011 Yeah, but you have to ask yourself why. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted June 15, 2011 Share Posted June 15, 2011 67.5 A2 stock 29 3/8 from the tail .780 2.502 6.845 tips Chad Baker was riding his at 29.25 from tail .765 dft 2.502 6.835 tips 8 on the wing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MrJones Posted June 15, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 15, 2011 Horton, How 'bout one or two sentences on you thoughts when you hoped on each of the old faithful skis? I know it's off topic, but I'm interested. I still think the Prophecy is one of the most fun skis I ever rode. If I come across one for cheap I might buy it just for a giggles ride now and again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 15, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 15, 2011 MPD was quirky as I remembered. One ride I was “En Fuego” and the next I felt like Jerry Lewis. It is unreal fast and when I am in the right spot. Super suckeee when I was not in exactly the right spot. Makes the balls feel narrow. The summer I skied on it, I skied the best of my life and the most inconsistent of my life. Prophecy is a ton of work but is always turning. Forces you to control your shoulders at the ball and control the handle more than any other ski. It is way different than any other ski out there. I still think that if I trained on it for a month and then went to more forgiving ski, I would kick some balls. It is on my fav list. Elite. Smok’n fast across and smooth but fast turning. Turns are a little radical. I was really stoked with it. I had forgotten how really good it is. Of the three it is the one I would be happy to ride long term. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Dirt Posted June 16, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 16, 2011 What about your Strada? Did you ride it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 16, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 16, 2011 No.... It did not have enough dust on it. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rq0013 Posted June 16, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 16, 2011 you should ride the strada after the A2 review is done. Im interested in you comparison. Horton, can you put the strada review in the gear review section? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 16, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 16, 2011 I plan to do a Vice review Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted June 17, 2011 Baller_ Share Posted June 17, 2011 Vice review next??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 17, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 17, 2011 @Bruce Wow was that a Typo. No 2.503 Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 19, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 19, 2011 Binding back a hole is the next tweak... try it. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Dirt Posted June 20, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 20, 2011 I rode Horton's A2 yesterday. I have been riding a Radar Vice and the A2 was an easy transition. I was surprised how easy it is to get wide and yet it felt very stable. The off-side turns may need to be toned down with a fin adjustment. I tried to get him to leave it here for a few more rides and of course he refused. I told him 25 rides for a ski test was excessive but he was not buying it. He rode the Vice and my wife said I looked better on his ski and he looked better on mine. She suggested we trade (nice try) but again, no luck. Anyone else liking the A2? What numbers are you running on the fin? Wing or no wing? Horton told me take the wing off my Vice but is putting it back on his A2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stone88 Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 I'm still struggling with mine. When I ski well it's good and when not... My opening pass is 55 at 15 off then 58 at 15 off that is normally my 1st 2 passes and I should run them 1 after the other easily. Then I shorten and get stuck immediately when I get to 28 off. On the A2 I have only got to 28 off a couple of times but the strange thing is that 1 day I ski well and then for example last Friday I missed my opening pass 3 times in a row!! If I am slightly on the back foot coming out of the turn it's all over! I know a guy on it who runs into 38 off and he loves it. I know a few skiers around my level with it who are all struggling. I'm on a 66.5 and quite often feel like I'm about to come OTF and have had 2 impressive crashes. Gonna try some different numbers this weekend (currently running ho's stock) but if things don't go better soon I think I'll be going back to my sixam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller scoke Posted June 20, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 20, 2011 i've got some new numbers for A2 .7359'er 6.919'er 2.469'er. no wing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 Put the wing on. Do not listen to Horton or anyone else that tells you to ski without it. Bob put lots of R&D into design and the wing was on the ski the whole time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck_Dickey Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 All factory settings, wing, fin and boots. just ride it for a while and you'll like it better with each ride. I think our body's muscle memory gets confused when we don't spend enough time on a ski and tries to move in the way it was use to on our old ski. Stop tweaking on the ski and just ride it! BTW - Once you get your hands on one of John's test skis and you love it, don't give it back and just send him a check! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Dirt Posted June 21, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 21, 2011 Chuck, that's why I wanted him to leave it. His is not for sale. If I like it, I would buy him one to replace it. I usually don't mess with the fin/bindings much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Skihack Posted June 21, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 21, 2011 I've been trying to sell a 65.5" A2 on ski-it-again for 3 weeks with no luck. Going to put it on ebay, maybe have better luck there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller TWB Posted June 22, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 22, 2011 MS, After riding the Strada for some time, are you thinking about getting an A2, or was that just a one time thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted June 22, 2011 Share Posted June 22, 2011 If the Strada did not exist, I would make the A2 my ski of choice. I tried the A2 a few weeks ago and I could easily get on it and ride it to my PB. After a week of testing other skis, I got back on the Strada and have skied better then ever on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 23, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 23, 2011 Sorry for not posting much. I have moved bindings back a tiny bit and am trying the 2012 fin. (thinner) Final review next week maybe. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted June 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2011 would a "tiny bit" be a technical term? I am getting an A2 (67.5") to demo. I noticed that everyone seems to be at 29.375" to 29.50" which is .5" or better back from stock. That is a significant amount. A lot of times the fin numbers might differ greatly; but, binding position is relative to the rocker and designed to be in the sweet spot based on that design. Anyone have any reasoning as to why this seems to be where a lot of people are landing? Also, Scoke's numbers are a bit different than the rest of the sets of numbers I have seen; has anyone tried those? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted June 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2011 got my A2...here is a pic of the fin. Read about this earlier and wodering if this matches others out there and if it was an issue. About a 0.020" gap on the left side between fin and ski slot./vanilla2/uploads/FileUpload/4/904.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stone88 Posted June 24, 2011 Share Posted June 24, 2011 Mines the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller scuppers Posted June 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2011 Mine is the exact same way - The ski still works fine but this is disconcerting. BTW I have played with the fin and wing a lot and my numbers are way off what everyone else are running. DFT. .720, D. 2.505, L. 6.740 with the jaws. I ran the "stock" numbers but this is much better for me. Also I'm 3/16 (one hole)forward with stradas. I'm a 32 off skier on most days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 24, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 24, 2011 Everyone is freaked out about this..... It is more of a visual & psychological issue than a skiing issue. I have talked to more than one HO factory person and it is simply not an issue for your skiing. I also talked to someone from another factory and they agreed. the 2012 fin is roughly .01 thinner and everyone says it skis better .... so the gap is even bigger. Maybe the gap is helpful (ok that is b.s.) I will ride the 2012 fin tonight. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted June 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2011 I will probably make a shim and stick it in the fin block and see if there is any difference. From my measurements; it does seem offset to the tight side. It is the anal engineer coming out again....It just puts into question the "quality" aspect; especially when it is so glaringly obvious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Dirt Posted June 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2011 Trust me when I tell you to ignore Scokes fin numbers unless it is on a Goode. He almost injured me on the Vice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted June 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2011 Thanks for the warning...going with Horton's numbers to start with as they are very close to stock and a handful of others as well as moving the FB to 29.5" instead of the stock 30". I did hear that one of the LaPointe's were running a little longer and a little shallower; somewhere around 6.865, 2.495, .770, 8°. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted June 24, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 24, 2011 Mine is symmetrical too...the picture just has a bit of a skew angle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stone88 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Try horton's numbers!! I'm on the 66 and the ski holds an edge better and turns like a rocket but stable. Came out of the turn on the back foot a couple of times and the ski just kept going! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stone88 Posted June 25, 2011 Share Posted June 25, 2011 Just had a look at fin slot on a bunch of different skis and the A2's just looks badly machined. The S1 and A1 slots are much cleaner and almost no gap. In fact my A2 is the only ski on the dock with an off looking slot. Having said that I'm skiing well on it today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jordan Posted June 25, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 25, 2011 HO just has to step up their marketing...if they called that gap, "the offside turn, pressure relief vent" or something we would all be drooling for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 27, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 27, 2011 I will hopefully get the review out this week. Maybe the best HO ever.... Yea that good Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Horton, 07 Monza. Dont even try to sell us the best ski ever out of HO story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 28, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 28, 2011 so wrong. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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