4FRNT Renegade ~ Hand built in SLC.

[NWSkier]

I'm 5' 8" 160 and coming off 174 czars as my all around soft snow ski and have 186 renegades mounted at 86 from tail. I thought they'd be a lot of ski for me to get used to at first especially with that mount point and they're really not.
Still super stable and like to go fast but very manageable and maneuverable. At your size you'll probably be good with the 196 especially if you want them mostly for steep, open terrain.
Take this with a grain of salt though, it's only my second day on them and there are guys here who have skied both that will be of more use.

[Supermoon]

I'm wondering what size I want, I've read a lot on here and I THINK i want the 196.

I'm 5 10 190, pretty athletic not too fat, strong skier in the inland NW. I like to drive tips, i know the ren isnt the best for that and im fine with a centered stance, but i think the 196 would let me sit in the front seat a little better

I have a 195 praxis pow and my daily driver is a 184 h2o tazlina so to me the 186 renegade doesnt seem like its gonna give the unlimite speed limit in soft snow i'm after, the only thing thats concerning is that the 196 is just a big friggin board... do ya think im gonna find it to be too much in the woods?

for days when im just lappin stashes or skiing real tight trees i obviously have options for that stuff, I'm mostly looking to ski bigger terrain, open bowls, steeper glades, cliffs etc. soo... thoughts for this JONG?

At your size you could probably ski either length. If you want to go faster at the expense of some (emphasis on some) of the nimbleness than get the 196 for sure. I wouldn't worry about it too much.

That being said, lots of people go way too fast on the 186's as well.

[whyturn]

Skied both. 191 is ideal. 186 is fine but 196 will truck. Stiff as fuck and will turn but you need to be strong in trees
Had 186, then 196 now back to 186

[undertow2]

Skied both. 191 is ideal. 186 is fine but 196 will truck. Stiff as fuck and will turn but you need to be strong in trees
Had 186, then 196 now back to 186

Why, need some clarification here... Thanks to your hookup I ended up with a pair of 196s and am still waiting to get them out... I have and still do love big chargy/demanding skis and love this type of ski until I get them in the trees... Once I get this type of ski in the trees I usually get worked... Dont laugh, but to date my fav tree ski is my 192 Line Opus... I will stay in the trees all day with new snow when I am on theses...

With that said what drew me to the Ren was the ski was pitched as a killer POW ski that crushes it, but due to the design it killed it in the trees even in the 196 length... I would expect it to be a bit less maneuverable compared to the 186, but if it is a huge handful in the trees than it may be time to reconsider... Now I am not into really tight trees, but def enjoy skiing wide open spaces and than jumping into the trees when I want to...

Thoughts...?

And oh yeah, don't know about the 186, but the 196 is one stiff fucking board... They make my 191 Billy's and 192 GPOs look like toys...

[whyturn]

Don't get me wrong. Up until lunch they rock. After lunch my slightly past prime office legs make me slightly weak. They are super quick just require strength and ability. It a big boy ski for rippers. It's intuitive and easy and even freindly. Buts it's a 196 stiff as fuck board regardless. I am 6-2 175 and 45 yo. Can ski most anything and love speed. Just got my ass kicked after lunch and 186 worked 90 percent of time so I went back to those

Also I have megawatt, squads, protests and GPO as well as 186 renegade and 191 karencito.

[gramboh]

I'm wondering what size I want, I've read a lot on here and I THINK i want the 196.

I'm 5 10 190, pretty athletic not too fat, strong skier in the inland NW. I like to drive tips, i know the ren isnt the best for that and im fine with a centered stance, but i think the 196 would let me sit in the front seat a little better

I have a 195 praxis pow and my daily driver is a 184 h2o tazlina so to me the 186 renegade doesnt seem like its gonna give the unlimite speed limit in soft snow i'm after, the only thing thats concerning is that the 196 is just a big friggin board... do ya think im gonna find it to be too much in the woods?

for days when im just lappin stashes or skiing real tight trees i obviously have options for that stuff, I'm mostly looking to ski bigger terrain, open bowls, steeper glades, cliffs etc. soo... thoughts for this JONG?

For the skiing you describe, probably the 196cm (although I have not been on it). That said, I ski the 186cm and I'm 5'10 200lbs (athletic and strong legs). This is my do everything powder/slackcountry touring rig (Guardians) and I find myself in trees quite often. I would definitely love to have a pair of 196cm for bigger alpine lines as I sometimes feel like I have to sit back and pay attention (slightly) on the 186cm at high speed. But for my situation the 186cm made the most sense for versatility. Season 4 on my OG Renegades now and still loving it every time I get em in soft snow.

Also really impressed with the durability on these. With the shitty start we've had in Whistler, I've clipped a lot of rocks this year and only have one small core shot and some burred edges to show for it. I have about 100-120 days on mine, and each year they get one full tune from Crystal Glide in North Van plus one or two coreshot repairs and regular waxing (I never touch the edges myself).

Thought about getting another pair of 186cm but my OG's still ski great so no reason to! Next setup might be Ravens + G3 ION + real AT boots.

[undertow2]

Don't get me wrong. Up until lunch they rock. After lunch my slightly past prime office legs make me slightly weak. They are super quick just require strength and ability. It a big boy ski for rippers. It's intuitive and easy and even freindly. Buts it's a 196 stiff as fuck board regardless. I am 6-2 175 and 45 yo. Can ski most anything and love speed. Just got my ass kicked after lunch and 186 worked 90 percent of time so I went back to those

Also I have megawatt, squads, protests and GPO as well as 186 renegade and 191 karencito.

whyturn, thanks for the feedback... I am 6'4" and 205 lbs so I do not think the 186 was an option... I know I will be able to handle the 196, but am really hoping they are the slarvy/quick ski that I have read that I am looking for in the trees... I will def have either my GPOs or Billys when I head out with these... Still really stoked for this ski...

And congrats on the 191 Karencito as I saw those on Steep & Cheap (cache) and that deal was smoking... If I did not already have so much overlap I would have jumped on those in a second...

[Boomer_06]

Has anyone mounted these with Dynafit radicals? Considering that for a predominantly backcountry ski and inbounds on deep days only. Anyone with experience/ thoughts would be appreciated.

[kc_7777]

Has anyone mounted these with Dynafit radicals? Considering that for a predominantly backcountry ski and inbounds on deep days only. Anyone with experience/ thoughts would be appreciated.

I have 186 Owl Rens and 187 Hojis, both mounted with Sollyfits (takes STH16s and Radicals). I have done some shorter sidecountry at Baker on both skis with the Radicals....ie 10 to 30 minutes of skinning. Rens are not that different (weightwise) to skin on than the Hojis.

It can be interesting on steep skin tracks with the rocker on the Rens/Hojis. I sometimes slip a bit compared to skinning on Bibbys.

But the Rens are definitely worth it for the ski down though. And they are awesome as an inbounds ski....though I always ski them inbounds with the STHs....cause I do stupid things at speed inbounds on the Rens.

Also, I really don't care about how fast I skin up.....so weight not an issue. It is all relative....ie I saw a guy at Baker skinning with 193cm Nordica Helldorados (2 sheets of metal) and Dukes....way heavier than Ren/Radical.

K

[rewbn]

Has anyone mounted these with Dynafit radicals? Considering that for a predominantly backcountry ski and inbounds on deep days only. Anyone with experience/ thoughts would be appreciated.

I ski my 186 Owls exclusively with Radicals, mostly in Japan and they work just fine. Just a fantastic tree ski, i love them. I've got 195 Hojis as well but they don't see as much use anymore since the Renegade is so much fun and cover most snow conditions we get here. I personally think they skin just fine, but I mostly skin in powder so the full rocker is a non issue for me. Maybe they are just a tiny bit more slippery than the Lotus 120s I used to have, but I dunno. Was a bit worried about float after sizing down my powder skis from Lotus 138s but they are every bit as manageable, they just stay submerged a little bit more

Also, they match the trees around here:

[JJChit]

my pair is up for sale. '12 186cm under 10 days. pristine condition. no shots. 1 mount epf duke 87 from tail w/ inserts! $375

[North]

Was a bit worried about float after sizing down my powder skis from Lotus 138s but they are every bit as manageable, they just stay submerged a little bit more

Care to make a quick comparison between the Rens and the 138? I've owned a pair 186s (raven tops) but never skied a 138. Strongly considering getting back on a pair of Rens for next years Japan trip - the 138 is intriguing though.

[Swirlwich]

Last spring a rumor started flying that the '14 Renegade was getting sidewalls. Not the case. I fondled pair of '14s in my local shop. Same wall-to-wall maple now with a bevel milled into the top edge of the side... likely for durability against top sheet chipping (that doesn't really exist for me.) Beautiful graphics, too, but the Owl still wins my vote.

It's still gotta be the most coveted ski in the world right now even after the copies have started to arrive on scene. (need I name them?)

For any possible skeptics still loitering outside the bar-- think about how long this ski has been in production and how few changes have been made to the specs. Yeah, this shape/flex has been dialed for 5 (?) years now. (even more dialed than the tooling making them.)

The few early-season days for me have been phenomenal here in JP. I love drifting past other rippers riding their new purchases (Surface, DPS, Volkl, K2, Armada, etc.) Gondolas full of pow rippers and I'm the best one yelling- Hold my dick!

Stiff reflect-tech is here to stay. It's fast fast fast in 3D snow.

Just took a look at next years line today. The tens get the best looking tips sheet to date ( in my opinion) and keeps the wooden sidewalks with that little mini cap. Unfortunately the raven wasn't present for me to fondle.

[rewbn]

The 138 takes a bit less effort to ski in powder. They float like hell and are just very intuitive. It really is hard to beat them in 3D snow. The Renegade however comes pretty close. They obviously don't have the same amount of float but they float more than enough to be honest, having skied some fresh 98cm with them just last week. Main difference here is the 138 skis on top of the snow while the Renegade slices through the snow like a hot knife through butter. They require a bit more speed and user input but they give you so much back and once its tracked out they are a lot better than 138.

[Island Bay]

Care to make a quick comparison between the Rens and the 138? I've owned a pair 186s (raven tops) but never skied a 138. Strongly considering getting back on a pair of Rens for next years Japan trip - the 138 is intriguing though.

Slight thread drift: You might also consider a pair of Praxis Protests for your Japan trip. I'll be taking mine (along with Powder Boards; I know, overlap city) and can't imagine them not shining there.

[gaijin]

People with a quiver of soft snow skis for resorts in JP don't own a Ren.

Your quiver is this:
Ice carver.
Ren.
Variable Touring.

Japan resorts during winter months = Renegade. Period. Insert quiver killers to swap bindings if you must.

The Ren owns Japan.

[whyturn]

One day me and my owls will be back. Spent a few hours at narita airport and kept trying to find ways to go to Hokkaido instead of back to LAX

[Boomer_06]

I ski my 186 Owls exclusively with Radicals, mostly in Japan and they work just fine. Just a fantastic tree ski, i love them. I've got 195 Hojis as well but they don't see as much use anymore since the Renegade is so much fun and cover most snow conditions we get here. I personally think they skin just fine, but I mostly skin in powder so the full rocker is a non issue for me. Maybe they are just a tiny bit more slippery than the Lotus 120s I used to have, but I dunno. Was a bit worried about float after sizing down my powder skis from Lotus 138s but they are every bit as manageable, they just stay submerged a little bit more

Also, they match the trees around here:

Nice one! My only concern is using dynafits inbounds, on hard pack and doing some drops and just all around skiing in variable conditions. Any experience with issues skiing them inbounds on the rens?

[North]

The 138 takes a bit less effort to ski in powder. They float like hell and are just very intuitive. It really is hard to beat them in 3D snow. The Renegade however comes pretty close. They obviously don't have the same amount of float but they float more than enough to be honest, having skied some fresh 98cm with them just last week. Main difference here is the 138 skis on top of the snow while the Renegade slices through the snow like a hot knife through butter. They require a bit more speed and user input but they give you so much back and once its tracked out they are a lot better than 138.

Thanks for the reply man, that's the info I was looking for. There's so many 138 & Renegade superfans out there but oddly, not many have had much time on both.

Slight thread drift: You might also consider a pair of Praxis Protests for your Japan trip.

I'm sure they'd be sweet, I'll keep 'em in mind. So many good skis out there now it's hard to miss. I had my EHPs and 112s on my first Japan trip, and certainly wasn't disappointed. For quiver skis firmly established in the 'want, don't need' category (I can't justify owning any of these for CO skiing), I typically get a top 2 or 3 and end up with whatever is available and can be had at heavy discount. Lot's of Rens out there, some 138s, fewer Protests I suspect.

Japan resorts during winter months = Renegade. Period.

The Ren owns Japan.

Haha I was wondering if you'd chime in! My best days on my old Rens were in the trees at Steamboat - that's what got me thinking they might be ideal for Japan. Your posts always reinforce that notion .

[Phill]

So I just picked up a second hand pair of '12 196s is 92cm the consensus ?

[JimLad]

Finally getting enough snow here to start to get the Renegades up to speed. Coverage has been thin so I haven't been skiing flat out but I'm still impressed by their agility at slow-moderate speed. About as little hook as you will get in a ski, easy to get sideways

Not sure id want them as a resort only ski - the lack of camber makes them feel very planky and wide on a groomer. My squads definitely handle the resort conditions better all round.

[OldSchool1080s]

Rode my 86 owls today at the bird. Variable snow all over the place and zero visibility with high winds in places and the rens gave zero fucks. Full throttle in all directions. Quite few hours of smiles!!!

[Bobcat Sig]

Rode my 86 owls today at the bird. Variable snow all over the place and zero visibility with high winds in places and the rens gave zero fucks. Full throttle in all directions. Quite few hours of smiles!!!

But did you yell, "Hold my dick!"

[Altaholic]

Damn, I want it to dump again so I can ride my 196 Rens. On these skis, 'turning is a sign of weakness', I love going mach 1 in buffed/powder snow on these skis. Patience is a virtue,...

[surfNski43]

196 11/12's in the mail! Super stoked. I've read all the posts and thinking of mounting at 92 but contemplating 93 as well. Can anyone help this JONG out with some insight or comparisons?