Thread: 191 ON3P Wrens?

Having owned both I can tell you with certainty that they are noticeably softer flexing, but still fairly stiff. A little less stiff plus being a bit narrower at the waist, they will be easier/quicker from edge to edge and therefore a bit easier in the trees (as you have specified you're interested in).

Thanks for the input, Shorty. ON3P seems to have some overlap there, don't they?

Different flex, length, waist, rocker profile... doesn't sound like much overlap to me. Especially when those have skied both say they are different beasts.

Originally Posted by Karl May

Thanks for the input, Shorty. ON3P seems to have some overlap there, don't they?

Ok maybe not as much overlap as i thought.
Right now I am torn between the Viciks and the Gotamas. I cant really find much comparing the two skis. Can anyone sort of compare these skis and recomend which one to look at?
Also, thanks everyone for the input, you saved me a lot of trouble by not buying the wrens.

having owned both, i agree with Shorty_J above and would recommend the viciks for you. They are definitely the same style of ski but the wren is a different beast.

Goats and Viciks will have a very different feel on the snow based on some construction differences and rocker profile.

The Vicik is a great ski if you are a little gunshy on the dimensions/stiffness of the Wren, but still like the overall feel of Carbon/Bamboo and want something that can help you step up into "charging" at times.

I am slightly biased, but the craftsmanship of the Vicik and the smooth rocker profile combined with the BEEF in the ski where you need it makes it a hands down choice over the Goat. The Goat having the ELP, full rocker set up is fun in certain conditions, but it just isn't my cup of tea for a quiver of one and a ski that still has the lively feeling of Carbon.

just my two shillings

I'm skiing powtron's old wrens, and they're definitely my favorite ski. Ever. I picked up some Viciks for the 2-ski quiver, and love them too - but the wren's are good enough on the firm that they almost steal the vicik's spot.

I'm 170lbs and have no problem with them in the trees, but I get out a good amount every year. If you're an upper-level intermediate, they'll definitely push you in tight spots - but that's not necessarily a bad thing. They're stiff, yes, but the shorter running length and (comparably) not-too-heavy weight means you can pick em up and put em down when you need to.

If you're not 100% on being able to handle the 191's, grab the 181's. I can't imagine you'd lose too much on the top end, and they'd probably be wicked easy to ski.

Originally Posted by Karl May

ON3P seems to have some overlap there, don't they?

A big difference between them, that nobody has mentioned, is radius. Although, neither are what I would call turny skis, the Vicik is turny-er than the Wren. When you tip the Viciks on edge they turn. When you tip the Wrens, they just go less straight . But if you load either of them up, they will carve trenches. In tight spots they both require some pivoting/skidding to get the tails around.

I'd think about what type of skiing you want to do. I have a friend who makes about 3 turns for every one of mine regardless of terrain/conditions. Neither of these skis would be particularly well suited to his style, whereas I really like both of them.

Nothing against Volkl, they make a great ski, but if cost where the same I know where I'd be spending my money.

Keep in mind the new Goats are full (mild) rocker, where the Viciks have a bit-o-camber for hard condition goodness.

@pistoff: yes, that is the big difference I was thinking as well: the turn radius. I also forgot to add that I will probably be getting the 10/11 version, which is stiffer, right?

Get the Wrens if you like them. Go for it and challenge yourself. If you don't use them to the full potential, you'll improve into them.

I'm still mystified how anyone can think any fully rockered or tip/tail rockered ski is hard to ski.

I haven't skied any ON3Ps but from the looks of it, it looks as if the Viciks would be more up your alley especially for the riding that you're talking about doing. A little smaller under foot would be more manageable and be easier to go edge to edge for someone that's 150lbs.

Originally Posted by Karl May

@pistoff: yes, that is the big difference I was thinking as well: the turn radius. I also forgot to add that I will probably be getting the 10/11 version, which is stiffer, right?

Well, I know the Viciks are slightly softer this year.

Don't know about the Wrens flex from year to year, but that info is probably somewhere in the big ON3P thread.

My take is that neither is really that hard to ski. If you like to ski fast, make big turns, and encounter PNW style crud on a regular basis, you'll probably like either of them. If you like short radius turns, bumps, and see more ice than cement, you probably want something else.

Originally Posted by Karl May

@pistoff: yes, that is the big difference I was thinking as well: the turn radius. I also forgot to add that I will probably be getting the 10/11 version, which is stiffer, right?

10/11 version of the Vicik or Wren? Wren flex is un-changed, Vicik flex for 11/12 is slightly softer than 10/11. I have the 10/11 and that's what my comments are based on.

Having skied the 10/11 Vicik the 10/11 Wrenegade and 11/12 Wrenegade I would say the Vicik is the softest and easiest to turn of the bunch. But softest doesn't really mean that soft. They are a medium stiff ski for sure and at 150lbs I don't think you'll find a point where they fold on you or anything. They are definitely quicker edge-to-edge and would be a bit better in the trees than the older Wrenegade (waaaay better than the new Wrenegades).

I think you would be very happy with the Viciks. They should help you get your skiing to another level for sure, and likely serve as a gateway drug to bigger ON3Ps. They are a good quiver of one, especially if you ski a fair amount of Variable conditions, but don't be surprised if you soon want some 186 Billy Goats or 191 Caylor Lites (in my opinion, the next logical step up).

Originally Posted by XavierD

Compared to a 194 XXL, 198 RC 112, and 193 Supermojo, 191 Wrens are easy to ski. compared to a 186 s3 they are the equivalent of parallel parking a semi truck on ice.

HAHAHAHA.

XavierD - I've been skiing the skis you won't shut up about - the 191 BillyGoats, and I definitely get why you won't shut up about them. But damn, if the 191 Wrens are more ski than the 191 BGs, well, then to the OP: do yourself a serious favor and listen to X's advice here.

The 186s3's for you. End of discussion.

Originally Posted by JFE24

HAHAHAHA.

XavierD - I've been skiing the skis you won't shut up about - the 191 BillyGoats, and I definitely get why you won't shut up about them. But damn, if the 191 Wrens are more ski than the 191 BGs, well, then to the OP: do yourself a serious favor and listen to X's advice here.

Well, I've got the 191 BG and the older 191 Wrens and while the wren is a stiffer board, when it is firm out, I much prefer the skiing the wren around the mountain and when it is soft out, they are both really fun and I don't have a problem getting the wren through tight spaces. I think the wren is great on groomers, while the BG is not very useful on em IMO. My opinion here is that the wren is much more of a one ski quiver than a billy goat for my skiing style. When it soft out (even 3 inches of leftover) I will be taking the BG because I can, but the wren is definitely a blast in soft snow.

Me being overly defensive of the wren as I just think it is an awesome ski.

If I were 150 lbs, money was no thing, and sticking with ON3P, I would likely choose a vicik for my faster skiing days and a 191 Caylor light for pow days

I have heard something similar from a couple people now. I personally love the way the 191 bg rails groomers. Similar to what I hear about the Wrens, they really don't have a speed limit (that i have witnessed so far). I don't love it in hard bumps, which doesn't surprise me, but LOVE them so far in any light/heavy untracked/crud/chop. It is my new every day ski (outside of days skiing 95% moguls). I am extremely impressed by how agile it is given its size, and really do believe that it comes to life with the more speed you carry in any conditions.

I would love the chance to get on a pair of 191 wrens as well to see the difference. Same goes for the C&D regarding float.

ON3P demo day in CO please?

Originally Posted by klauss

I think the wren is great on groomers, while the BG is not very useful on em IMO.

Originally Posted by klauss

Well, I've got the 191 BG and the older 191 Wrens and while the wren is a stiffer board, when it is firm out, I much prefer the skiing the wren around the mountain and when it is soft out, they are both really fun and I don't have a problem getting the wren through tight spaces. I think the wren is great on groomers, while the BG is not very useful on em IMO. My opinion here is that the wren is much more of a one ski quiver than a billy goat for my skiing style. When it soft out (even 3 inches of leftover) I will be taking the BG because I can, but the wren is definitely a blast in soft snow.

Me being overly defensive of the wren as I just think it is an awesome ski.

If I were 150 lbs, money was no thing, and sticking with ON3P, I would likely choose a vicik for my faster skiing days and a 191 Caylor light for pow days

Glad to hear your thoughts on the BG vs. Wren, klauss. But no need to be overly defensive - everybody's just trying to help this particular guy, KM, find a ski that'll work for him.

(Back off topic - looking forward to getting on the 191 Wren...)

I will refer to wren on how the new 191 Wren compares to the older 191 Wren, but from my understanding, the new one makes the previous model feel like an intermediate park ski.

Originally Posted by MJbumper1121

ON3P demo day in CO please?

Good things possibly come to those who wait ...and when you ask about the C&D, it is hard to contain the awesome explosion that ensues when you get on them in anything more than 5 or 6" of pow.

I will cry if I find out you are just teasing me about a potential demo day. I kind of figured the c&d make even the strongest men cry. I need to experience it for myself (same goes for pillow fight, caylor, wren, and the rest of the quiver).

Originally Posted by PowTron

Good things possibly come to those who wait ...and when you ask about the C&D, it is hard to contain the awesome explosion that ensues when you get on them in anything more than 5 or 6" of pow.

whad you get?

here's a day last season on the wrens. Noodles. Plan to get out on the newer version later this year.

http://vimeo.com/18311304

I finally, after 3 months of staring at them unmounted in my garage. Got on my 191 Wrens, mounted with STH at the line. IN LOVE.

Yes they do push you to stay on top of them, that said if you get behind them a little, they are not as unforgiving as say a bsquad, xxl, mothership or rc 112. They have some decent pop in them for such a stiff ski. I actually have no problem moving them in and out of bumps, granted i'm not zippering, but I'm getting through them with some solid fluidity. You have to just stay on your toes and stay strong. Great crud ski, great for maching down big open runs, but really where i was most thrilled was the powder. I skiied some untracked, yet to be open for the year runs, and they just bullet right to the top. They are truly a blast in open powder. Dare I say I might even grab them before my Kuro's if i new that I wasn't going to be skiing in the uber tightest of places. They just plane up like nothing else. Also, I am a flat tail convert. To me it's significantly more stable in finishing a turn, doesn't give you that wesel-y feeling that the heavy rockered tails do.

What a fucking ski! Definitely up there with my favorites next to my karmas (Which although nothing special are just one of my favorite skis ever as well) And even with the big radius, you can still slip your turns a little and manuever through tight spots. That said, the only place I wouldn't want them would be tight trees, and NOT because they're so hard to ski, but simply because the extra tip would just be in your way a bit.

A solidly stiff monster that is also very fun and rewarding.

I'm 5'8 180 ish, and It's just right for me. It might buck you a couple times getting use to it, but hot damn it's nice.