Thread: Review: 10/11 ON3P Vicik

Updated with some pics, and final review.

So fedex lost (stole) my Dynastar LPs which I was using as a daily driver. I already own BGs which I love but mostly with new snow. Anyone able to compare the Viciks to the 176 LP. I realize that LPs are unrockered but I was more interested in other characteristics like stiffness, crudbusting, etc.

Originally Posted by PhiberAwptik

Updated with some pics, and final review.

If you haven't already you should cross post that picture of the BGs and Viciks in the QUIVER Game thread.

What a sweet 1-2 punch

Locked and loaded my Viciks today, Wed. its off to rip some groom for the first time. QK inserts were pretty easy to do in spite of my first one that got a little off it was easily fixed. The FT12 looks pretty sexy on top.

So, first day at the lift area on the new Viciks and new boots, Dynafit Zzero4c. Took me several runs to get the boots dialed in, yes they were heat molded. After that it was a short but steep learning curve on the boards. "Dang those tips are big" and "those are nice looking skis" were heard many times. I was a bit hesitant at first and the Viciks did not like the slow speed. It was not until I let them run that they shined big time. Short turns, GS turns and big carvers were all stable when speed was added to the mix.

I did not find the top end and indeed they seem to just want more speed. As the air temps warmed into the high 30's low 40's the snow was getting a bit crudy in places. I ventured into these spots on purpose to see how they would handle it and they crushed the crud. Back to the shady areas for more speed, insert dragster burn out noise. These things ROCK! I find myself hoping for another powder dump so I can put them in the element I know they will shine in.

Will add more after better conditions arrive, now to beer.


Edit to add; 186 Vicik + Dynafit FT12 and inserts = 6 lbs 9oz

Vicik ski porn

Very nice setup!

6 lbs 9 oz / ski, I assume?

Originally Posted by Shorty_J

Very nice setup!

6 lbs 9 oz / ski, I assume?

Oh yeah, per ski. Sorry bout any confusion.

very nice setup scottyb....and by that I mean the skis AND THE TAPS...how many of those are currently pouring?

BTW, can you get a shot of the Viciks on a flat surface so I can see the rocker and camber?

As for flex, how would you rate them or compare them to? (you've probably already answered that somewhere)

Originally Posted by mtnjam

very nice setup scottyb....and by that I mean the skis AND THE TAPS...how many of those are currently pouring?

BTW, can you get a shot of the Viciks on a flat surface so I can see the rocker and camber?

As for flex, how would you rate them or compare them to? (you've probably already answered that somewhere)

I have on tap now

Ginger Ale
Root Beer
Pugsley Ale
Veterans IPA
Imperial Stout

I think in the ON3P Gear swap thread there are pictures of the Vicik's base to base.

As for flex it would be hard for me to compare it to another ski and having only used them only 1 day on PP/hardpack but they do seem to have a nice progressive flex.

I will say this for my experience yesterday that you need to stay centered and aggressive on these skis. I had some trouble initially if I got in the backseat at all. Later I put my boots in to "walk" mode which forced me to pressure the fronts of the boots. It felt much better that way and I gained better performance for it so it may have been more boot than ski issue.

Something else I will be trying is swapping out the Dynafit liners for some Scarpa Intuition wrap style liners.

there is actually a base to base profile shot on the first page of this thread.

Got two days in on my Viciks. First was 18" new at Solitude. Snow was a bit heavy and it took me a while to figure out that they worked better for me with my boots set up softer flexing. I am 6'5" and 215" and the 186s ski a little short. They turn so easily that I was overskiing them. A light touch was all they needed. The more cut up and funkier the snow, the better I liked them. Moguls and crud they skied like butter. I started out agressive, which was a total waste of effort, these things are deceptively smooth and easy to ski. I have Look Pivot 12s on them, but they still feel light.

Today I hit Snowbird, no new snow, so the entire mountain was left over crud, except for opening of Bookends. Hit some deep untracked and the Viciks were everything I expected. The only time I did not love them was on hardpack. I left them with the factory edge tune (sharp tip to tail) and they were very snakey. I do not have expericence tuning tip rockered skis. They weren't really hooking, so I think the tails were the problem.

Anybody have some advice on detuning these? I did not want to just start dulling without some instructions.

I lightly detuned the tips for 6" and the tails 4" on mine. There was some hookyness as you described but I was on hardpack the whole time. I also left the remaining edges untouched. A couple passes with the gummi stone would polish them out a bit.

Are you talking about 6" back on the running surface, or 6" back from the tip (i.e. where the rocker ends)? If I underderstand you correctly, you detuned the rocker, but none of the flat running surface.

Mudfoot,


post a pic of yours with the Looks, especially if they're silver.



totally fucking gay, but i'm trying to decide which color of FKS to put on. black, silver, or orange?

Originally Posted by Mudfoot

Are you talking about 6" back from the tip (i.e. where the rocker ends)? If I underderstand you correctly, you detuned the rocker, but none of the flat running surface.

That is correct.

Originally Posted by capulin overdrive

Mudfoot,


post a pic of yours with the Looks, especially if they're silver.



totally fucking gay, but i'm trying to decide which color of FKS to put on. black, silver, or orange?

I'm afraid I will not be much help. I couldn't decide between the Wrenegades and the Viciks, so I got Viciks with Wren topsheets and bases, but I have to admit, they do look rather sexy with the silver Look Pivots.

Originally Posted by scottyb

That is correct.

Thanks Scotty. If I can get my Viciks dialed in for carving, there will not be much they can't do. I had no clue how to deal with detuning the rocker. The flex is very sweet, and it was pissing me off that I could not enjoy a long carve.

Originally Posted by Mudfoot

I'm afraid I will not be much help. I couldn't decide between the Wrenegades and the Viciks, so I got Viciks with Wren topsheets and bases, but I have to admit, they do look rather sexy with the silver Look Pivots.




Thanks Scotty. If I can get my Viciks dialed in for carving, there will not be much they can't do. I had no clue how to deal with detuning the rocker. The flex is very sweet, and it was pissing me off that I could not enjoy a long carve.

cool! i was thinking black, but read that the Looks are coming with templates, and that would get me on them quicker if i had the balls to do the mount.

Lots of great feedback for the bigger skiers, can anyone comment on the Wrens and Viciks for the lighter guys... I'm about 150-155 nekkid depending on what I had for dinner before weigh in. I am sadly planning for the day when I need to replace my 05/06 vintage 183 gotamas (all black massive twin vintage) which I know are a lot softer than the Wren's and Viciks, but... I think for a quiver of one ski I could use a little more stiffness. Also wondering how the shorter lengths of these ski, like the 181 Wren, I've searched and haven't found much info as most folks go longer due to the rocker I imagine. The dimensions and characteristics of the Wrens and Viciks coming thru in the reviews seem spot on for what I would look for in a replacement, assuming they aren't just too stiff for me. thanks.

Thought I'd add my thoughts in here. Got a half day on them last Friday at Stevens Pass, met up with Rowen in the parking lot and he hooked me up with 186 viciks. I'm 6'0", 200lbs, decent skier I guess, probably more of a finesse skier than a charger. Skiing on Watea 94's and Huge Troubles right now.

The Vicik's were definitely stiffer than what I currently ski on, which I really noticed in the bumps. Specifically the tails felt noticeably stiffer than either my current skis. So, bumps took a little while to get comfortable. They weren't firm icy bumps, just sorta normal, skied out bumps. Other than that, the skis were great. I agree with the poster that said they come alive when you pick up the speed a little. On both groomers and in crud, they shined when I turned up the speed. Very stable, very easy to either lock in to a carve or release and skid. Very nice in some of the crud we found too, just plowed right through whatever I pointed them at.

So, I had a lot of of fun on them. But I'm not 100% I'd buy a pair. These would be my every day ski (as opposed to my new snow ski), and my every day ski has to be able to ski bumps. I think the tails were a little too stiff for the way I like to (or am able to) ski bumps. All in all, a very fun ski, and I could totally see why someone would love them. Just not sure if they're on my shopping list.

Originally Posted by Chaka

Lots of great feedback for the bigger skiers, can anyone comment on the Wrens and Viciks for the lighter guys... I'm about 150-155 nekkid depending on what I had for dinner before weigh in. I am sadly planning for the day when I need to replace my 05/06 vintage 183 gotamas (all black massive twin vintage) which I know are a lot softer than the Wren's and Viciks, but... I think for a quiver of one ski I could use a little more stiffness. Also wondering how the shorter lengths of these ski, like the 181 Wren, I've searched and haven't found much info as most folks go longer due to the rocker I imagine. The dimensions and characteristics of the Wrens and Viciks coming thru in the reviews seem spot on for what I would look for in a replacement, assuming they aren't just too stiff for me. thanks.

Wrote a review way way back ago on the early protos of the Viciks (then called the JBS), which I don't know if is the exact same stiffness as the current model, but I am 5'9" 145 lbs (now 137 due to India) but I love mine for everything, and don't necessarily charge as much as others who are on them are. So yeah, you'll be good. Ditto on the playfulness noted by other testers, love skiing them.

What's the consensus on the mount point on these? I will probably drill tomorrow, and am looking at a 0 mount for Axl teles.

I mounted mine BSL center mark on the side wall line and they ski great there, granted I am on Dynafits.

Got a full day touring for turns at our "Piste Off Creek Hollow" ski mountain, slapped on the G3 skins at the cabin and climbed to the top( roughly 1100'). The skis climb and tour well, even the stupid steep pitches that someone setting skin track decided to take us on.

The turns were buttery smooth in a foot of day old powder over base in the woods, the mountain is a gigantic north facing bowl with a few hand cut ski runs and vast gladed areas that are just superb. I had no problems cutting turns where and when I needed them. The lower angle glades I let them run and they gobbled the powder like a fat man at a free pancake dinner.

They even handled the occasional unplanned tree slide or the creek jump with aplomb. The stability of these boards is great, I tend to ski in a medium wide stance and they seem to go well with that.

I did swap out my Zzero4 C liners for some Intuition overlap liners I had and enjoyed them very much despite having been molded in another boot. I feel the boots are pretty well dialed in now, have been using walk mode for everything.

All in all I am very happy with the Vicik, it will do everything I need it to do and then some. They complement the Billy Goats I already have very well and there may be some quiver sell off as a result.

Finally got a couple days on my 186's with ST 10's. I think I like them even more than my wrens. I was a little worried the new maestrales wouldn't be stiff enough to drive them but haven't had any problems. I haven't noticed any hookiness. Perfect flex, plenty of float in the thicker NW powder, awesome ski so far. Hopefully I'll get them out on a tour this weekend.

Originally Posted by bouguer

Finally got a couple days on my 186's with ST 10's. I think I like them even more than my wrens. I was a little worried the new maestrales wouldn't be stiff enough to drive them but haven't had any problems. I haven't noticed any hookiness. Perfect flex, plenty of float in the thicker NW powder, awesome ski so far. Hopefully I'll get them out on a tour this weekend.

That is exactly what I want to hear...! I have last years Wren and it is by far the best ski I have been on... I just got my 186 Grizzlycorn Viciks mounted and ready to go and am sure I will be just as stoked to ride them as my Wrens...! I had Scott add some extra carbon to stiffen the ski up a bit and could not be happier with the flex and of course the finish and build quality is top notch...! Some will see these two skis as overlap, but I see them as a perfect 2 ski quiver for out West...!