05-06 K2 Public Enemy Review

[laseranimal]

The Stats

Ski: 179 PE
Bindings: Tyrolia Mojo 15's
Mounted +1.75

Got a couple days on them so I thought I'd throw up a review

I got PE’s to replace my 178 G4's as my everyday ski and I'm pleasantly surprised at the job they've done filling that slot in the quiver. First things first, the factory tune on them sucks donkey balls, the tips and tails aren't detuned and the edges are WAY to sharp. First time out I thought the ski sucked, it hooked up constantly and wouldn't release out of a turn to save its life. So after de-tuning the edges along the entire length of the ski, I re-tuned them with a rounded tip and tail edge about 2.5-3" back, a slightly de-tuned edge both directions until you hit about 5" fore and aft of underfoot where they're tuned to scalpel like sharpness. They ski worlds better, still a solid hold on hardpack with the ability to turn on a dime when you need to make a high speed smear to avoid a gaper or tree

Hardpack Performance

Not a GS ski by any stretch but one look at them would have told you that. Pretty solid for a park ski, a floppy noodle it ain't. I'm 5'11" 230# and couldn't find a speed limit on them. So in that way they stack up pretty favorably to my G4. However, they are not damp at all, so you feel every little bump in the terrain underfoot. The PE's will charge over it, and they stay stable, but they just don't stick to the snow as well as a G4 would. They do want to be driven hard and fast though. They can make really nice smear turns at slow speeds but when skied with any amount of speed they demand big long arcs. Hardpack bite is pretty solid and they hook up and release well in medium radius turns.

Crud and Chopped Up snow

Solid performer here, not damp enough to be world champion but still a contender. The huge tip and tail on these suckers is kind of a drag they do have a tendency to wander if you aren’t careful. I found taking a wider stance in the chopped up snow helped a bunch. The ski is stiff enough to plow through stuff but it’s just not damp enough to be in the elite when it comes to crud busting. Still it holds its own here.

Park/Air

No surprise here but this is where they excel. I’m not a park rat by any stretch but I might see more time there with these bad boys. They’re super easy to land on and I found myself boosting off of tiny airs and throwing in grabs just cause it was so much fun. They also are really easy to shut down after the air so they make the small LZ’s that the east coast is famous for look much bigger which is a big confidence booster.

Durability/Intangibles

Well we have found a flaw, the P-Tex top sheet gets chewed up by the edges (use a lighter and melt the plastic shards. The red bases aren’t the fastest and I’ve gotten several gouges in the bases that I’ve just chalked up to early season EC skiing. Otherwise I’m pretty satisfied.

Overall Impressions

Solid all around ski, it definitely is an All-Mountain twin tip with a bias towards park. Its slimy enough to slip through all but the tightest of EC trees, and it maintains the ability to hold an edge and charge on hardpack and when it comes to the park it shines

[300hp]

Nice review. I always like it when someone takes the time to break down all facets of a ski when they talk about it instead of saying "the ski is sweet, buy it." You made the right choice getting the PE instead of the Fujas, if you were considering between the two.
Thanks for all the info, I'm sure others will appreciate it
Hunter