PM Gear 184 Carbon Bya prototypes (A Tech Talk TR)

[Vets]

Today I found out that the Byas are ideal for changing conditions. I skied them at Timberline. Great edge hold on the firm salted icy groomers early, easy fun turns on the smooth corn we hiked to, and then the rockered tip helped maneuver through the afternoon mank down low.

[Vets]

The Byas on the smooth corn available after a hike above the Palmer Lift:

[splat]

We've dropped that tip rocker down a bit for this year. Here's the specs on what it looks like:

[Spyderjon]

We've dropped that tip rocker down a bit for this year......

Looks good.

[Vets]

On November 1st I brought the latest Byas out to Carson Pass.

They made the day more fun. I'm looking forward to getting them out on some longer, steeper and deeper runs soon.
Here is a link to more from that day on the Patchskiing Spring, Summer and Autumn 2014 thread

[Vets]

Today (12/21) was a day of drizzle at KIrkwood...

However, I was happy with new PM Gear Hybrid Byas. They slarved through the manked potatoes like a serving spoon. The Lhasa-like tip really helps. Looking forward to trying them on winter snow when that season returns.

[Vets]

Well I didn't get any winter snow the last couple of days. However, I did get to ski some melt/freeze firm groomers at Heavenly and more melt/freeze/melt/freeze firm groomers at Northstar. The Hybrid Byas still possess that really like to rail quality combined with a short turning radius to quickly maneuver around gaggles of gapers. Still wishing for some Christmas snow.

[jcoccagna]

I have about five days on my hybrid Byas at Bachelor since I got them. Like all of Pats skis, I am in love, but these are definitely the most versatile ski in my quiver. So far I have skied them in the following conditions: cliffs in pow and other fun conditions on the first day out, dust on crust, good powdery groomers, pure ice, 6 inches of powder and the resulting afternoon of manky crud. Never once have I felt like I have had the wrong ski on my feet. Super stable at speed and all conditions. So fast edge to edge and spins like a dream when I have that urge. These are shaping up to be my favorite all mountain ski of all time. If I needed to reduce my over excessive quiver down to one pair of skis, this would be it.

[Vets]

Today at Alpine Meadows the Byas were a pleasure to ski in the wintery chalky goodness near the early season exposed volcanic rocky badness:
Photo by Gone2Alpine

P.S. The Byas also worked great in tight trees.

[Vets]

(L to R) A radiant Bya tip, my shadow, my tracks in the previously untouched, low-angle, leftover pow. From today at Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort.

[Vets]

The Bya is an ideal ski for "dust on crust"/"fluff on scruff"/"pow on ow"! The combination of the floaty tip and great edgehold works so well. Out for more fun @Sierra@Tahoe today.

[Vets]

On Sunday, January 11th I skied 8 Tahoe Resorts in One Day. They were:
1. Sierra at Tahoe, 8:20-8:40. Skied from the upper lot past the new lodge to catch the first chair on Grandview. Smooth, edge-able groomers with frozen chicken heads off of the groomed.
2. Kirkwood, 9:30-9:50. Timber Creek to Cornice to Sentinal Bowl. Semi-icy groomers with thawing chicken heads off of the groomed.
3. Heavenly, 10:55-11:10. Stagecoach to Olympic Downhill. Gaper-scraped groomer.
4. Diamond Peak, 12:10-12:30, Lodgepole to Crystal to Crystal Ridge. Corny snow with thin coverage in places.
5. Northstar, 1:10-1:50. Highlands Gondola to Tahoe Zephyr to Pioneer to Big Easy to Highlands Gondola. Corny snow.
6. Squaw Valley, 2:40-3:00. KT-22 Icy moguls with obstacles.
7. Alpine Meadows, 3:30-4:00. Summit to Scott. Sugary fine crystals in Alpine Bowl and nearly pre-setup corn.
8. Boreal, 4:50-5:40. Accelerator Quad, 5 runs. Edge able pre-setup corn.
I used the PM Gear Hybrid Byas all day long. They easily handled all of the changing conditions.
(P.S. I hoped to ski 9 resorts, but I ran out of time.)
(P.P.S. We really need more snow)

[Jimi_Lee]

Just wanted to throw some more info out there (other than the endless trip reports of Vet that rave about the Bya).

Me: 30-something, 155 lb, advanced gaper
Ski: 183 PM gear Bya Hybrids mounted with (2007) Dynafit Verticals
(other skis: Ski Logik Howitzer w/ Dynafit FT Radicals)
Boot: Dynafit Mercury (no tongue insert, + Booster Strap)

Review: Bought these off of Pat about 2 months ago but didn't have a chance to mount them up until two weekends ago. They are a pair of last years demos which have been ridden HARD.

With the tech bindings, the combined weight of the ski is 10lbs 2 oz.

Skied Tumalo Mountain (I believe it is actually call it a mountain) Saturday and Sunday. The conditions heading up were variable between supportable and not-supporting rain crust (yumm) and with the bowl having consistent and smooth soft slush. The weather had been warm for a couple days (highs of 52 & 58 when I was there) following up a light drizzle.

For skinning, a little more camber would add some more grip, but I was not slipping any more than anyone else on the rain crust.

Most people care about the down though... First impressions: In the relatively easy conditions that we skied, the Byas were well balanced all around skis. They require a fairly forward/aggressive stance but were telepathic with good form. Able to ski between medium and fast. Honestly, I didn't really notice how fast I would get going because these skis were so easy to control that I never thought I had to perform a speed check. They were nimble down a "tighter" chute, capable of making little tight turns. I didn't continue any tight turns at higher speeds, so can't really comment on that.

After I can get some more days on more conditions I will post a follow. May try to get a side by side comparison with the Howitzers, which are also a very capable all around ski but at 110 width.

[SB]

Do any of youse Cume Bya guys wish these wuz a tad longer?

[jvskinn]

Do any of youse Cume Bya guys wish these wuz a tad longer?

I wouldn't necessarily want a longer ski, but I think mounting back of the recommended line would improve the feel of the ski. Right now I feel like there's just a ton of tail to whip around and not much support out front. Maybe I just need more days on them, though.

Overall this ski is super versatile in different conditions, making it an optimal touring ski IMO. I've got the CAST system on these right now, and inbounds I just like something a little beefier for dealing with chop/crap/crud. I think I'll probably remove the CAST system and put on tech binders, maybe moving the mount back a CM or two and make this strictly a touring ski.

[Vets]

^
I have demo bindings on my hybrid Byas so I have been able to ski them on the recommended line (99-100cm back from the tip I believe) as well as one click back. I feel comfortable on the recommended line - the ski makes easy short radius turns and can also do longer arcs. It can be put on edge to carve or feathered to skid or slarve. When put a click back the ski feels longer and prefers making longer turns. Mounting back might solve a desire for a longer ski or to match a bigger skier or different technique.

[jvskinn]

^
I have demo bindings on my hybrid Byas so I have been able to ski them on the recommended line (99-100cm back from the tip I believe) as well as one click back. I feel comfortable on the recommended line - the ski makes easy short radius turns and can also do longer arcs. It can be put on edge to carve or feathered to skid or slarve. When put a click back the ski feels longer and prefers making longer turns. Mounting back might solve a desire for a longer ski or to match a bigger skier or different technique.

Thanks Vets, that helps. I think I'll probably keep them on the line, because I feel like for touring the versatility is more important than the big long turns that I like.

[Jimi_Lee]

Scottyb,
Desired length depends on your purpose. I plan to use these climbing Cascade Volcanoes and appreciate that they are a little shorter, lighter, less swing weight, and easier to negotiate in tight places.

Compared to my other skis, the running length is greatly reduced but they were very capable at speed and in some different sized turns. Will need more time on them and time back-to-back with my other setup to really tell.

[splat]

I wouldn't necessarily want a longer ski, but I think mounting back of the recommended line would improve the feel of the ski. Right now I feel like there's just a ton of tail to whip around and not much support out front. Maybe I just need more days on them, though.

Overall this ski is super versatile in different conditions, making it an optimal touring ski IMO. I've got the CAST system on these right now, and inbounds I just like something a little beefier for dealing with chop/crap/crud. I think I'll probably remove the CAST system and put on tech binders, maybe moving the mount back a CM or two and make this strictly a touring ski.

jvskinn - Don't hesitate to mount back. I felt the same way. I know my take differs with Vets but, when we had the tip really rockered up last year, the 99.5 cm from the tip worked fine. We used that line this year and, Vets, who was the first guy to ski this year's ski, said it was fine. I just got to ski it for the first time last week and skied it at 99.5, then went to 101 and liked it more.

I felt like there was too much tail. A buddy who I was skiing with, a race coach who also does killer tunes and has a pair of pure carbon Byas, has his at 102. We both put demo bindings on our pairs (I was on hybrids) to suss this out. We did some carve analysis and they trench best behind the line from 101 to 102. He actually put his bindings on them and ended up moving those back twice and finally put the demos on. Four sets of holes and the skis are handling the swiss cheese just fine. This guy can pressure and flex a ski, he's a slalom specialist, so moving back, the holes have had no ill effect. We were at northstar and it was refreeze shave ice and the Byas killed it for edge grip.

[jvskinn]

jvskinn - Don't hesitate to mount back. I felt the same way. I know my take differs with Vets but, when we had the tip really rockered up last year, the 99.5 cm from the tip worked fine. We used that line this year and, Vets, who was the first guy to ski this year's ski, said it was fine. I just got to ski it for the first time last week and skied it at 99.5, then went to 101 and liked it more.

I felt like there was too much tail. A buddy who I was skiing with, a race coach who also does killer tunes and has a pair of pure carbon Byas, has his at 102. We both put demo bindings on our pairs (I was on hybrids) to suss this out. We did some carve analysis and they trench best behind the line from 101.5 to 102.5. He actually put his bindings on them and ended up moving those back twice and finally put the demos on. Four sets of holes and the skis are handling the swiss cheese just fine. This guy can pressure and flex a ski, he's a slalom specialist, so moving back, the holes have had no ill effect. We were at northstar and it was refreeze shave ice and the Byas killed it for edge grip.

Great news Splat. I'm going to shoot for 101 cm back from tip. I really appreciate the customer service!

[jvskinn]

Just got off the Bya's mounted at 101cm from the tip, and really loved the way they ski at this mount point.

Skinned up Keystone in a little bit of snow to try them out. About 1" of fresh on that old crappy refreeze that is so common in Summit County lately. The ski felt longer, and responded better to a more aggressive style of skiing. Still felt like I can get a lot of turn shapes out of them, but they are more stable at speed and love making big long high speed turns. Can't wait to get them in some tight spots to see if they still maneuver really easily, I think they will.

Basically, I really recommend mounting these at 101cm back from tip.

EDIT: And for the Record, mine are the Hybrid layup w/ camber.

[splat]

jvskinn - cool. Just told someone mounting theirs to do the same. Skied with vets sunday at northstar and we put them through the paces, from refreeze crapola with a dusting to a perfectly groomed natural snow race course that is closed to the public and preserved for running gates. Vets is still running at 99.5 and I'm still at 101 and we varied turn sizes from huge arcs at speed to short tighties on the course. Bya's have been great for the endless piste season we're having out here.

[1000-oaks]

Received the Bya's Pat, they're beautiful - thanks!

For the full-carbon, full-reverse version, do you still recommend mounting 101-102cm from the tip?

[grinch]

Received the Bya's Pat, they're beautiful - thanks!

For the full-carbon full-reverse version, do you also recommend 101-102 from the tip? I'd like to install inserts for both Ions & STH, but those patterns can only get as close as about 4.5mm (Ion in front). Think I should put the Ions at 100mm and the STH at -104.5mm from tip? I hesitate to skew them forward more (say 98mm & 102.5mm), don't want to load up the softer tips too much when on the Ions. Wish the Ion/STH mounts were a little closer...maybe I should look at the Warden/Lord.

Not sure but wouldn't the difference be 100 and 100.45 rather than 100 vs 104.5.
Fwiw must have looked at that ad 10x. A bit jelly. Bet they'll b fun

[TAFKALVS]

Not sure on the byas, but I mounted my reverse camber bros 3cm forward of the line. much better.