Thread: Review: PMGear SuperBro 195

Howdy! With a few older SuperBro reviews floating around, I decided to chime in, given the sweet deal that is still available from Splat.

195 SuperBro: 121-91-111 29.4m radius. Flex is listed as stiff, this is misleading in my humble opinion (for those that may be reading about this ski for the first time), its really not that stiff, its perfect. Finish quality is top shelf. You can set these on the showroom floor, next to anything on the market, they look as good or better.

Mount: NIB Salomon DR9 Suspension Race 11-17 (yes, I have been hoarding them), full metal goodness at +1.9cm from the line for a 308 BSL.

Tuning: After 10 days on the snow, I altered the factory 1*/1* to a progressive base bevel. 1* underfoot changing to 1.5*, 12 inches in front of the toepiece to the tip. Same with the tails, starting the 1.5*, 6 inches behind the heelpiece to the tail. Side bevel is now 1.5* full length. This slight change did wonders for the manuverability, while maintaining the tenacious grip underfoot this ski is known for. It now rolls into turns much smoother, while improving the ability to release the tips and tails when needed. I have even considered going to a 2* base bevel, just in the first 2-4 inches of the running surface at the tip, but I don't want them to wander. Time will tell if this change is added.

Me: 44yo, 5'11", 185lb, ex-snowlerblader, have 40+ years under my bootshells. Typically ski in the fall line, altering trajectory with linked recoveries only when absolutely neccesssary.

Current PNW quiver: 195 SuperBro's (daily driver), 192 Brohemoth's, 191 Mantra's (Super's replaced these, now collecting dust), 185 Salomon Xtra-Hot (rock/teaching), various other sticks that are too long and narrow, too many snowboards and tele skis to list.....

Impressions:

After 30 days on the snow with these in the PNW, as a daily driver, I will focus on the SuperBro's attributes. I have skied them in every snow condition we see on the 'wet coast', including 14" of fresh with some pockets blown in that were over 2 feet deep. I really can't see skiing them in anything deeper, my 192's are for that.

Groomers- From the first turn, I knew I was on a very special ski. Medium to long radius turns are effortless. Death cookies do not exist, I swear I saw some, but I never felt any. On the early morning 'roy', there is no hum, no chatter or protest, just a quiet solitude. It's as if the SuperBro is yawning at you, taunting you to open up the throttle. Once you decide to let them run, the only discernable change is the blur of your surroundings in your peripheral vision. The ride is quiet, damp and solid, this ski still yawns at you at 60mph. The wood core provides perfect feedback, the ski never feels too damp or dead. Rebound can be immense, launching you into the next turn if properly directed. At speed, the SuperBro can be tipped over into incredible edge angles, just drop your hip down to the deck and hang on. The only limitation this ski has on the groomed is the pilot that made the bindings go 'click'. Yes, the skis are that good.

Bumps- For a 195 with a 91 waist, the SuperBro skis bumps very well. After the bevel change mentioned above, they only got better. Fall-line technique, as with any GS type ski, can be very rewarding. The SuperBro will destroy powder bumps, just stay out of the troughs. The same is true with slush bumps, just point em right at the crest of the next bump and smash it. The explosion of pow/slush is insane, as the SuperBro just looks downhill for its next victim. Granted, these are not Pro-Comp sized bumps we are talking about here, but they manage small and medium sized bumps rather well.

Crud/Chop/Wind-blown/Mank- This is where the SuperBro really shines. Just point em where you want to go and sooner than later, you will find yourself at your destination. The tips are not hooky, they just plow through anything in the way. This ski has so much mass, nothing phases it, nor do you feel any 'shudder' or deflection. If you are comfortable skiing with your tips under the snow, steering with both feet, the SuperBro will amaze you in tracked out conditions. The 91 waist is enough to smear around in tight spots, it has enough float to maneuver at slow speeds with short skidded turns. Wind-blown performance is stellar, just stomp and go, arc 'em from turn to turn. Thicker snow/mank is an advantage, the tips stay up with more resistance from the heavier layers. Speed is your friend in these conditions on the SuperBro.

Powder/Trees- As stated above, you need to be comfortable skiing with your tips under the snow. If not, the SuperBro isn't your best choice for the pow. They do however ski pow as expected, the faster the better. There is a point that speed will make up for the 91 waist, holy shit, they're floating! It basically comes down to what you like, making a bunch of little turns or just a few big ones. "I like Big Uns" (in my best Al Bundy voice). In the trees, the 195's can be a bit of a chore, depending on how tight the trees are. This is another area that the bevel change helped. I find them fun and managable now, a longer ski always takes more planning, if you will. I also stay out of really tight trees on them. Dust on Crust? What dust? What crust? Ultimately, I will default to my 192's in the future when the snow gets deeper than a foot, but skiing boot-top/knee-deep snow is fun on the 195's.

Short Radius Turns- The 195's won't carve a clean short radius turn. There, I said it. That said, who wants to waste the energy making all those little turns, anyway? Point em, its more fun!

Summary: After 30 days on them, all I can say is I can't wait for the next 30. The SuperBro slays it, bottom line. I'm not a big fan of pin-tails, they don't suit 'my steeze'. I like skis that can be 'worked' and the SuperBro, with its more traditional sidecut, works for me. Anyone looking for a ski that will lay down clean arcs in any snow conditions, these are the tool you have been seeking. I'm not a shill, I paid for these skis and would buy another pair in a heartbeat.

GET SOME!

Excellent review! I'm on the Hart version (Fulie Boss) and your review summaries my experience perfectly.

I haven't altered the factory bevel, and never heard of a variable bevel. Is that a standard racer technique to alter between angles down the length of the ski?

I can see my self skiing all Blizzard of AHHHHs style with these skis...

Day 2 on them today, basically what the Poacher said without the custom tune and I can't write that well.

Holy fucking shit is all I can say. Never skied many race skis in my past but this thing is a thoroughbred beast. Zipper turns not so much, very few turns, oh so much.

I told my buddy on the chair today these things are as exciting to me on our hardpack where's the fucking snow conditions as I was the first time I skied a rockered fatty in pow. Would I rather ski pow? Of course. But in the meantime, big locomotive right on time. This monkey's got the mainline sewn up tight.

Total quiver ski and maybe the one I am least likely to ever sell. All you dudes filling your quiver with something that fits every width slot imaginable for skiing pow and that doesn't have a ski like this are cheating yourselves.

IMHO there isn't another brand new ski of any style you can buy for what Splat is pimping these for right now that is this impressive. If there is let me know what it is, I'll take a pair.

Extra Smoov, confidence inspiring kitten killers, don't relax and you will be rewarded.

I was imagining today how nice they would be in the expert chutes at Jackson with some of that nice chalky snow.

Originally Posted by greatjones

I haven't altered the factory bevel, and never heard of a variable bevel. Is that a standard racer technique to alter between angles down the length of the ski?

Standard may be taking it a bit far, but all kinds of shit goes on when shaving 1/100's of a second is the goal. The technique works for some, others hate it.

I like the way it softens the 'hook-up', from a free-ski perspective. Different skis will react differently to a change like this, some for the better, some not. Torsional rigidity has a lot to do with this. My Brohemoth's are tuned the same way, but I never did it to my Mantra's, to give you an idea.

I've heard that called a 'progressive tune', teh poacher.

Originally Posted by ticketchecker

Would I rather ski pow? Of course. But in the meantime, big locomotive right on time. This monkey's got the mainline sewn up tight.

FKNA, best ski review line ever.

^^^Jesse Fuller skis?

Excellent review. I totally concur. Have 4 days on mine and love 'em. Read the earlier debate by Teh Poacher, StroupSkier, Nick > Jesus et al on mount points, did a shit load of measuring, consulted Splat and ended up at +1.5 for a 314 BSL (which, funnily enough, is what the good doctor prescribed).

Given the quality of manufacture and huge amount of fun they deliver, these things have to be the deal of the year. I can't understand why Splat has any left at the current price ...

They need to be mounted anywhere from +1.5 to +3 depending on the size of the person. But yeah, these are indeed freight trains.

Originally Posted by Flexon Phil

They need to be mounted anywhere from +1.5 to +3 depending on the size of the person. But yeah, these are indeed freight trains.

what's your thinking with the +?


far as i know i'm dead center and happy, but i'm a big fatass. sometimes it seems like i'm surfy on really steep groomers, which may be me, other than that the mount seems fine.

^^I went forward cuz I'm a small guy and was trying to reel them in a bit. Pretty happy with my +3, as I get more used to them I might feel like +2 would've been fine too. Either way I'm not going to overthink it, they ski bueno for me as is.

Skied them again today and they still made me smile.

Originally Posted by ticketchecker

^^Skied them again today and they still made me smile.

Think I saw you, even got a picture of it!

Originally Posted by Flexon Phil

They need to be mounted anywhere from +1.5 to +3 depending on the size of the person. But yeah, these are indeed freight trains.

i disagree. i had mine on the line and they were money. I guess mounting forward would be good if you cant drive the ski.

Great reviews. Both Teh Poacher and ticketchecker nailed it.

I may play with the tuning of my superbro's after reading what teh poacher did with his.

Mounted mine +2 last night and can't wait to get them on snow. Starting with a 1/2 tune cause there's no way I'm as tune-phistocated teh poacher.

Originally Posted by nick > jesus

i disagree. i had mine on the line and they were money. I guess mounting forward would be good if you cant drive the ski.

Or perhaps, after mounting literally 100's of skis, and keeping notes on what various fore/aft changes did to a particular ski, (keeping detailed notes on the relationship of the CRS/BOF vs. Chord vs. Waist of the ski location, either via remounts or the use of demo clamps to move the boot) one based the mount location on said notes and placed the clamps where they would make the ski the most versatile, not just a SG arc'er but an all mountain destroyer. But you are probably right, I most likely can't drive them. I should probably sell them.

Best part is, based on the above quote, TGR will never need another 'Where do I mount my 'XYZ's' thread, as the factory line is always correct and if you can't ski them on the line, you are a pussy. Your comment did make me laugh, however!

Originally Posted by ACHTUNG

I may play with the tuning of my superbro's after reading what teh poacher did with his.

Achtung, I strongly suggest you play around with a 'disposable' pair of skis first, to determine if you even like the way a progressive bevel skis. Obviously, you can always drop em on a belt/stonegrinder to get back to 'zero', but it would be best to start with a ski you don't mind changing a few times to determine what you like.

This space reserved for future development

Originally Posted by Teh Poacher

Or perhaps, after mounting literally 100's of skis, and keeping notes on what various fore/aft changes did to a particular ski, (keeping detailed notes on the relationship of the CRS/BOF vs. Chord vs. Waist of the ski location, either via remounts or the use of demo clamps to move the boot) one based the mount location on said notes and placed the clamps where they would make the ski the most versatile, not just a SG arc'er but an all mountain destroyer. But you are probably right, I most likely can't drive them. I should probably sell them.

Best part is, based on the above quote, TGR will never need another 'Where do I mount my 'XYZ's' thread, as the factory line is always correct and if you can't ski them on the line, you are a pussy. Your comment did make me laugh, however!

perhaps poor phrasing on my part. But, I do think they ski amazingly well on the line. I suppose in this case it would have a lot to do with the terrain being skied. Myself, skiing mostly open stuff or just going straight down things rather quickly, would not want to move the mount forward as they skied well and even on the line i felt like they had too much tail to be versatile, which is why i traded them out. Moving the mount forward would probably give them the feeling of greater maneuverability but regardless of mount point i do not see this ski as being truly versatile and i dont think they would ski as well with more tail. As i think about it, i seem to be partial to skis with out much tail (lotus 120s, 188 bros, 192 bros to a lesser extent), so that may have quite a bit to do with it. I guess i dont really like pivoty skis either, and that also has to do with liking a lot tip i imagine. they are great skis, and as such i imagine they will ski pretty well regardless of where exactly you mount them

To each his own I suppose. Try not to get so butt-hurt about comments that are not directly about you on the internet.

No worries, Nick.

Like I said, the comment made me laugh, primarily due to the irony given all the 'mount your XXX's at +2, mount your ZZZ's at -2.5 for the best results' threads.

Very little focus is given to BSL when factoring in a given mounting point, I personally feel this is a mistake. As an example, Ratboy and I are within 1mm of each other comparing boot toe location, when you factor in the difference in our BSL's, yet our mounts are 4mm apart, via a midsole measurement.

I also factored this difference in when I mounted my DR9's, as I too was concerned with the tails feeling 'too long'. Being on a plate/riser, I was able to drill the front holes with a jig. I then opened up the plate to a maximum (still allowing for maximum forward pressure @ 308 BSL, screwed almost all the way forward, gap in the connector bar was set at 55mm), then I freehanded the 5 holes in the rear of the plate. This puts my rear binding screws IN the ski behind where a normal 9-series Salomon heelpiece would be located, even mounted at the line for a 308 BSL. In this configuration, the tails don't feel long at all, even with the slightly forward mount. With the DR9's free floating design, it works great, no flat spot underfoot.

Crazy you say? Don't knock it til you try it..........

Fuck conventional wisdom, I never liked conventions anyway, too many posers looking for free schwag.

Hmmm ... clearly Teh Poacher applied way more grey matter to this than I did.

I measured BOF / CRS which looked way further forward than I was used to on similar skis. On the line looked like a whole lot of tip - so went with a slightly forward mount which skis really nicely and put me where the Splat had suggested (+1.5). I haven't noticed any instability at speed, turn initiation is crisp, and if you hold the edge they accelerate out like you wouldn't believe (okay, so you guys would). I'm 6'2" and 180 BTW (or in Kiwi / Euro terms 1.89m and 85kg) .

However, let's be clear on one thing although I cannot walk on water, I could definitely drive these fuckers on the line :-)

All good fun ...

Originally Posted by Teh Poacher

The explosion of pow/slush is insane

Great line....

I use a fairly stiff AT boot (crispi diablos) for backcountry and in-bounds. Will be putting 916's on my 195s and not sure if the diablos are the right choice for such a setup. Thing is I hate downhill boots with a passion.

What's a good boot match for this ski?

Originally Posted by santaclaus

I use a fairly stiff AT boot (crispi diablos) for backcountry and in-bounds. Will be putting 916's on my 195s and not sure if the diablos are the right choice for such a setup. Thing is I hate downhill boots with a passion.

What's a good boot match for this ski?

anything Lange with a stiffness of at least 120

got about 10 days on my 195s...i'm 6'1, 205lbs and these things are rock solid speed demons! nothing slows them down...ok maybe bumps and deep pow..but these are for the other 90% of days you'll ski.....not uber stiff and unmanageable either...this coming from a guy who only gets 15-20 days a year...
for the new price of $229....best deal ever!!!