4FRNT Renegade ~ Hand built in SLC.

[D(C)]

From Backcountryfreeskier.com (won't embed):

http://www.backcountryfreeskier.com/..._2165_28212394

http://www.backcountryfreeskier.com/..._2165_28263724

http://www.backcountryfreeskier.com/..._2165_28469451

[Maker]

I think they added about 1cm additional tip rocker for 2012.

[4FRNT]

I think they added about 1cm additional tip rocker for 2012.

It's pretty subtle, maybe not even 1 cm, but it definitely makes a noticeable difference.

On another note, we started production this week. We're already way ahead of last year.

[rich_beater]

Hi 4frnt, I'm thinking about picking up a pair of these but the wooden sidewall kinda scares me. I've heard they hold up well, but based on material specs, plastic just seems to be tougher, more resilient, and obviously more waterproof. Why did you guys choose to use wood sidewalls on this ski only? Thanks!

[4FRNT]

Hi 4frnt, I'm thinking about picking up a pair of these but the wooden sidewall kinda scares me. I've heard they hold up well, but based on material specs, plastic just seems to be tougher, more resilient, and obviously more waterproof. Why did you guys choose to use wood sidewalls on this ski only? Thanks!

We started using all-wood sidewalls in our prototype skis because it's a lot easier to make these than to use ABS sidewalls in one-off skis.

What we found, though, was that the wood holds up really well to normal wear and tear. As long as the grain runs along the ski (as opposed to having end grain showing like in some wood-sidewall skis), they won't absorb too much water each day, and will dry out fine as long as you bring them inside at the end of the day. No treatment or sealing is needed.

One other thing we found (and why we use it on the Renegades) is that as you ski the skis, the wood actually hardens from getting wet and drying out over and over again. This gives you more purchase over your ski edge than ABS can give you. You won't normally notice it, but if you're trying to edge into some icy chute, you'll definitely notice it.

[honus]

What are bigger guys' impressions of the 186 vs 196? Obviously no one's been on the 196 much, but it sounds like the 186 is still really solid. I'm 6'2", 190 and I don't want to feel like I'm on snow blades, but given this ski's reputation for stability I think I could get away with the shorter length. I spend most of my time in the trees, and want a maneuverable rocket ship type of ski that is still easy to handle at slower speeds. The 196 is appealing, but that's also a monster of a ski. So, do any of you 6'+ guys out there have a strong recommendation? Will the 186 be too short for when it comes time to open it up a bit? Halp.

[D(C)]

What are bigger guys' impressions of the 186 vs 196? Obviously no one's been on the 196 much, but it sounds like the 186 is still really solid. I'm 6'2", 190 and I don't want to feel like I'm on snow blades, but given this ski's reputation for stability I think I could get away with the shorter length. I spend most of my time in the trees, and want a maneuverable rocket ship type of ski that is still easy to handle at slower speeds. The 196 is appealing, but that's also a monster of a ski. So, do any of you 6'+ guys out there have a strong recommendation? Will the 186 be too short for when it comes time to open it up a bit? Halp.

Height affects fore-aft balance and weight affects your ability to bend/turn a ski. You have 20 lbs on me but I can tell you that the 186 is beyond solid for my 170 lbs frame. I don't see it being a problem at 190 lbs by any means. I think they're the stiffest skis I have ever flexed. Fore-aft-wise, they don't give out at the tips and tails so I think you'd be fine. The 186 wants to go fast. I couldn't imagine the 196 in trees. To me, the 196 is for AK duties only, but even for that I would personally rather the 186.

[whyturn]

I am 6'2 180 ish, but carry alot of avy gear and safety gear. So pushing 200 and I have the 186. Very stable, fast in the trees and are a blast in utah pow. I actually skiied them on icy morning groomers on my local hill in socal and was blown away by stability, carvability and ease of use.
Only drawbacks were icy moguls (duh) and I did have a little tip dive in super heavy sierra cement. But new rocker profile looks money. If your a college guy 4frnt has a great discount program for students. Solid ski and wood sidewall is no issue.

Get them, you'll be happy

[D(C)]

If your a college guy 4frnt has a great discount program for students.

That program is no more, unfortunately.

[4FRNT]

What are bigger guys' impressions of the 186 vs 196? Obviously no one's been on the 196 much, but it sounds like the 186 is still really solid. I'm 6'2", 190 and I don't want to feel like I'm on snow blades, but given this ski's reputation for stability I think I could get away with the shorter length. I spend most of my time in the trees, and want a maneuverable rocket ship type of ski that is still easy to handle at slower speeds. The 196 is appealing, but that's also a monster of a ski. So, do any of you 6'+ guys out there have a strong recommendation? Will the 186 be too short for when it comes time to open it up a bit? Halp.

If you've skied the 193 EHP, or similar, and have thought "I wish there was more ski here," get the 196. If not, the 186 will do you very well. I'm about your size and like the 186 better, but I know a lot of the really hard chargers on our team love the 196 even more than the 86.

[Marok]

Is the 186 Renegade easy to pivot in tight trees for a smaller guy or is it rly stiff?

[D(C)]

Is the 186 Renegade easy to pivot in tight trees for a smaller guy or is it rly stiff?

Did you read the reviews?

[Marok]

Have read a bunch of reviews but so many have difrent opinions.

[Mustonen]

Is the 186 Renegade easy to pivot in tight trees for a smaller guy or is it rly stiff?

yes.

1234

[Maker]

Is the 186 Renegade easy to pivot in tight trees for a smaller guy or is it rly stiff?

It is really stiff, but it is easy to pivot because it is fully rockered.

[DerekPersson]

What are bigger guys' impressions of the 186 vs 196? Obviously no one's been on the 196 much, but it sounds like the 186 is still really solid. I'm 6'2", 190 and I don't want to feel like I'm on snow blades, but given this ski's reputation for stability I think I could get away with the shorter length. I spend most of my time in the trees, and want a maneuverable rocket ship type of ski that is still easy to handle at slower speeds. The 196 is appealing, but that's also a monster of a ski. So, do any of you 6'+ guys out there have a strong recommendation? Will the 186 be too short for when it comes time to open it up a bit? Halp.

I'm 6'1" 180, skied the 196 a few times this past spring and had absolutely NO issues throwing it around in even the tightest spots...pivots on a dime and I have never been so impressed with a skis ability to transition from long to short radius turns. It also helps that the recommended mount is somewhat close (-5cm) to the true center...so flippy spinny stuff wasn't an issue either, fuckin' killer ski.

[pow314]

would you consider this a playful ski at all? is it something that you would want to spin off of cliffs? my daily driver is a moment m1, and i'm looking for a ski that can charge like the m1, but i dont want to wrestle a stiff ski in tight billy goating situations. could any one conpare its stifness on marshals scale? is it b squad stiff?

[otto parts]

it's real fuckin stiff.
it is agile, but you gotta be on it, all the time.

[ZekeWolf]

Maybe i missed something in the Thread but is any of you skiing the Renegade with a touring binding like Duke, Barron, Fritschl?

[4FRNT]

Maybe i missed something in the Thread but is any of you skiing the Renegade with a touring binding like Duke, Barron, Fritschl?

Hoji has skied his almost exclusively with his Dynafit setup the last two years, and has converted Cody Barnhill onto the Dynafit program as well. I personally watched Eric go backflip to nose-press 360 on his Renegade/FT setup. Pretty damn impressive display of the burliness of that setup IMO.

[Edit to add video proof at 4:25 ]

[ZekeWolf]

Hoji has skied his almost exclusively with his Dynafit setup the last two years, and has converted Cody Barnhill onto the Dynafit program as well. I personally watched Eric go backflip to nose-press 360 on his Renegade/FT setup. Pretty damn impressive display of the burliness of that setup IMO.

[Edit to add video proof at 4:25 ]

Thanks but I stay away from the Dynafit. Two friends twisted their knees last year in some Alta powder(surgery for one). Might be the age though
Will use Duke or F12 Tour.

[JRainey]

Hoji has skied his almost exclusively with his Dynafit setup the last two years, and has converted Cody Barnhill onto the Dynafit program as well. I personally watched Eric go backflip to nose-press 360 on his Renegade/FT setup. Pretty damn impressive display of the burliness of that setup IMO.

[Edit to add video proof at 4:25 ]

It's cool to see the "big mountain" skier rip the most corked out butter, on the stiffest skis in the line up, out of all those involved in the butter fest. Dyna's or no dyna's.

[gramboh]

Maybe i missed something in the Thread but is any of you skiing the Renegade with a touring binding like Duke, Barron, Fritschl?

Have large Dukes on mine, no complaints, previous ski was EHP 193's. They are heavy and I am fat, so touring is slower than people on light setups, but fine for my sidecountry purposes. They ski awesome, can GS groomers on them.

[DudeLebowSKI]

Anyone gonna trade up their 186's for the 196's?

[whyturn]

^^^^^^Been debating this, but college deal is gone so like $800 is the current $