HO CX SuperLite / partial review

[Horton]

I thought the CX SuperLite was going to take 3 rides to assess. I do not and cannot do a full ski review in February. This is a partial review. The ski is FAR better than I expected for a ski in this price range.

 

The HO CX SuperLite sells for $899 at Performance. For $899 I do not expect to find a carbon/PVC ski that has performance characteristics on par with skis costing $1,200 to $2,000. For this price I expect to find a ski that is a little over stable and easy to ride but that never really gets from the wakes to the ball line very fast. I expect to find a ski that either over turns because it is too soft or does not get very good angle because it is too wide.

 

Contrary to what I expected,the CX SuperLite is roughly as fast as any ski on the market. What does fast mean? To me “fast” means it gets wide and early without much physical work. This ski makes a lot of space.

 

The CX SuperLite turns awesome. To be fair, it took me a few rides to find where to stand on the ski for consistent turns. If you carry a lot if speed into the turn on your back foot and then try to make it all happen at once, the CX SuperLite wheelies pretty badly. Once I came to grips with the fact that I needed to get my weight forward I found that the ski turns extremely well on both sides.

 

For a skier who is not rounding balls and may not be trying to crank off big “38 off” high speed turns the CX SuperLite is forgiving back foot pressure. I ran some 22 off passes where I made a point to stay way back on the tail and everything was calm and easy.

 

The really striking thing for me about the CX SuperLite is how beautifully it goes through the wakes and transitions out to the ball line. I found that I was staying more connected than normal on this ski because the edge change was so effortless. I suspect that the speed of the ski means less load on the rope and that equates to a more controlled outbound experience.

 

So the question has to be asked, “is this a high end short line ski?” Maybe.

 

One of the goals at HO was to make a ski that someone could take to a big public lake and carve a lot of turns on. I did not free ski on the CX SuperLite but it is so darn low effort and so fun to ride that I am sure they hit the ball out of the park on that.

 

There are some things the ski does at the apex of the turn that might not be on par with the very best skis in the sport. I am going to say maybe. I honestly cannot assess a high end ski this time of year. What I can say is for a skier looking for a ski that is ½ a step down from the most advanced skis the CX SuperLite is a slam dunk. If you think you will run 38 off or shorter this season, this ski is not the first thing I would suggest. If you are dreaming of running 28 or of simply carving up the open lake the CX Superlite is top of the list.

 

[Horton]

One more thing about this ski. This is a matter of taste but I think it is one of the best looking skis on the market today. The contours on the tip, the bottom graphics, everything.

 

The early skis with the speed skin bottom had bald spots on the sides for the ski. The speed skin on the CX I have is perfect. I would not change anything about aesthetic of this ski.

[DooSPX]

So, how does it compare to the CoX SL when actually riding it? Thanks for the review update btw!

[Horton]

@DooSPx it has been a long time since I have ridden the original COX.

[DooSPX]

Understood. Thank you for the mini review!

[Horton]

I took another ride on the CX today. Still not sure this ski should be a price point ski. I just ran 32s on it today but darn if it feels awesome. Guess the ski might or might not really work when I am stressed at 38 but I do not know. For $900 it is crazy good

[Than_Bogan]

I'm proud that I've lived long enough to see $900 be considered an inexpensive ski.

[Phil2360]

Out of curiosity,

Does it feel like sometime very different is happening with

the tail of the ski, given it's radical change from conventional design.

 

[kstateskier]

Since when is $900 an inexpensive ski?

[Horton]

@Phil2360 the tail shape makes the ski fast by creating lift at the tail. Before you are used to the feel of the ski there can be a bit of slide at apex and or tip rise at exit. Honestly I was not sure about the ski for the first few rides but the more I ride it the better I like it.

[Horton]

I took what I assume is my last ride in a while on the CX yesterday. I think HO has done a killer job on this ski. It makes a crap load of space, it is hella fast, and it makes a lot of angle at the ball. As I have said before I am unsure if the balance of the ski would be right beyond 35 off but is super fun at 32.

 

Once I get to the point in my year where I am spending more time at 35 and 38 I will get this ski out again.

[Jaypro]

@Horton is there a difference between the 2015 and 2016 HO CX?

[Horton]

@Jaypro No idea

 

@savaiusini ?

[savaiusini]

2015 and 2016 CX are the same mold and same layup... new paint job is all.

Same goes for the 2015 vs. 2016 Superlite CX. Both are amazing skis! Let me know if there are any other questions.