Thread: Volkl Mantra length debate.

I looking to buy the set of mantras, and from the start was figuring on the 191s. At the shop he only has the 184, and can't get the 191. The salesmen tells me I don't weigh (5'10", 180 lbs) enough to control the ski and that I should just get the 184. Does this sound like a lie, just to sell the set he has? I'm more concerned with whether or not the salesguy is just feeding me bull or not. I've heard good things about the shorter mantras, what do the people who have 191s think?

Ski's can never be too fast, but i do need control.

first of all have you tried searching?

I've looked online. The shop is cheaper than ebay, and the same as websites. I'd rather buy locally for warranty issues.

i meant on this forum for info. JONG!!!!

if you type MANTRA in the search funtion, you get all this. now start digging

http://tetongravity.com/forums/searc...archid=2734582


wow, that was tough

sorry, logically i did search the forum first. Found nothing too particular. Just hoping to catch someone similar, that knows more about these volkls, or has ridden them.

I ski 191 Mantras and I am 6' 2" and 185. They are fine. Mine are the 05/06 which is just a little softer flex and the 2mm slimmer dimensions than this year. I convinced a friend of mine, albeit a heavier guy, who doesn't ski as well as me to go with this year's 191 and he loves them. I find the ski quite easy to ski and have it mounted with Naxos for resort back country options. I skied the 184's last year and they were OK as well, but prefer my 191's. They have so much side cut for a big ski that they are very easy to turn. They would not be my choice for really hard charging in any length though.

It's not like the Mantra is a B Squad...it's a fairly soft flex IMO (I ski the 184) and very light, so even if you went with the 191 and it wasn't your ideal length it won't abuse you. Though I haven't skied the 191 except a couple of demo day runs, I can say that 184 has a speed limit so I'd agree with Wetdog. FYI - I'm the same height and 15 lbs heavier.

I'm big (6-2, 245) and ski 184 07-08 Mantras with AT boots (Spirit 3's) and it's plenty of ski, albeit with a speed limit, for my sorry aging ass. I demoed and loved the 191's too, but I went with the 184's cuz I'm in softer than average boots (and cuz I'm an old man, as mentioned above, and recent tele-to-AT convert still getting accustomed to that fixed-heel thing). I'm sure that a strong and skilled 180 lb. skier would have plenty o' control and lots o' fun on 191's cuz, as CF notes, the Mantra has a moderate to moderately soft tail. I think you'll find it to be a fun and very versatile ski in either length.

It depends on what type of skiing you want them for and how you ski them. Even at your weight (and heavier), the 184 can be a fun and rather versatile ski. I'm 150 and have the 184 as my kind of all round "easy" ski. But in bounds on small hills and when skiing with my kid I often use my wifes 170 Mantra. It handles speed and cut up rather well if you stay centered. The point is that its a ski that is tolerant to different lengths choices. Just choose for the type of skiing you will do. It's not like the 184 will totally fold on you, but it might still be the case the extra float and damping from the longer ski is what you need. SO, it depends.

Oh and did say that it depends?

Originally Posted by naedward81

if you type MANTRA in the search funtion, you get all this. now start digging

http://tetongravity.com/forums/searc...archid=2734582


wow, that was tough

Hmm... this link didn't work for me. It appears that nads, or naedwad, or whatever his handle... is the JONG!

Originally Posted by Big Steve

I'm big (6-2, 245) and ski 184 07-08 Mantras with AT boots (Spirit 3's) and it's plenty of ski, albeit with a speed limit, for my sorry aging ass. I demoed and loved the 191's too, but I went with the 184's cuz I'm in softer than average boots (and cuz I'm an old man, as mentioned above, and recent tele-to-AT convert still getting accustomed to that fixed-heel thing). I'm sure that a strong and skilled 180 lb. skier would have plenty o' control and lots o' fun on 191's cuz, as CF notes, the Mantra has a moderate to moderately soft tail. I think you'll find it to be a fun and very versatile ski in either length.

Hello,
I'm living in France. I'm 6,10 tall and weight 250 lb.
I want to buy Mantra for ski montaineering.
But I cannot find the weight of a pair of Mantra in 184, without bindings.
By any chance, do you have this information ? Best regards. Merak.

I'm 6'1 and ski the Mantra in a 184. It does ski a little short, I could've have easily gotten the 191. I mounted mine 2 cm behind the line which gives a longer feel. But a 5'10, I think you should be happy with the 184.

Originally Posted by HitMe

It depends on what type of skiing you want them for and how you ski them. Even at your weight (and heavier), the 184 can be a fun and rather versatile ski. I'm 150 and have the 184 as my kind of all round "easy" ski. But in bounds on small hills and when skiing with my kid I often use my wifes 170 Mantra. It handles speed and cut up rather well if you stay centered. The point is that its a ski that is tolerant to different lengths choices.

^^^^^^^^^^^^

To add to the data... I'm 6' and 200 lbs, and have had lots of fun on 05-06 184 Mantras. Enough length to charge reasonably, but still nimble for the trees (when I got them, I was spending a lot of time in tight trees at WP/Mary Jane and these were perfect). I imagine 191's would lose some of that nimbleness, but would be more stable at high speeds. Different strokes. Both fun.

I'm now awaiting 186 Lhasas to be my soft-day skis, and the 184 Mantras will become my no-new-snow skis.

Originally Posted by merak

Hello,
I'm living in France. I'm 6,10 tall and weight 250 lb.
I want to buy Mantra for ski montaineering.
But I cannot find the weight of a pair of Mantra in 184, without bindings.
By any chance, do you have this information ? Best regards. Merak.

Just weighed my newly purchased Mantra 08/09 184 2150 g pr ski.

not to bad considering the two layers of metal in the ski..

Will be using them for the same purpose as you Merak. I have used some Pocket Rockets for ski touring until now, but they totally suck on anything but soft snow.

5'11" and 170lbs here, but when i had the first gen (black/orange) Mantras I was over 190lbs. i had them in a 177, which was ultimately too short.

i seriously think at your height (an inch shorter than me) and weight that the 184 will be plenty enough.

the real question is have you skied them? best thing would be to demo the 184 next to the 191...i mean you can't really get a bead on a ski by asking for input on the Interwebs. it's not the same as taking 'em for a test ride.

Heh you guys, this thread is over a year and a half old.

but did you notice that bjeffy, the OP, never had the courtesy to post back up and tell the forum what skis he ended up with?

what happened to his follow-through? dude comes on here, asks for assistance, and then not even a "thanks, i went with the ______"?

bad form.