Salomon Rocker2 115 - for real?

[ZekeWolf]

For right now yes, the longest is 188. And come one man, Amer is a parent company, they have nothing to do with day to day decisions, much less ski design. It's just like Jarden and K2, you think Jarden is making rocker design decisions on the Seth?

ha ha fur sure not but i think some of the Finns at Amer are pretty dedicated Skiers. Even though we know that Finns cant ski..

/ZekeSwede

[northskier]

Hello,

thanks for the beta on the new rocker2's.

Alkasquawlik: how do you mount the 115s? Do you still go with a center -2 mount (from the rocker2 thread), or do you mount these further back?

Also, any information on the the new 122s? Are they similar handling to this years skis, and do the center -2 mount recommendation for this ski still hold?

A small batch of skis are available in some stores in Europe already, and I would like to grab a pair. Current years model pretty much sold out. Need mounting info for the 115s as well as the 122s. The information in the rocker 2 thread:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...alomon-Rocker2

was very helpful, so any input on the new rocker2s from testers will be very much appreciated.

[hennir]

Alka, whats your opinion on where to mount these skis? Got lucky and got my hands on a pair from Salomons HQ in europe..

[Skidog]

Any info on the Rocker 2 108's Alka or anyone in the know? Pics and dims info much appreciated.

I should be able to get on these shortly. My contact only has the 182's and thats a bit too small for me. Once he gets the bigger ones I will report back.

Looks like this new "rocker line" is going to kill it.

FWIW I echo Alka's comments on his experience with the 115's...they kill it..he is a far better skier than i though

[Alkasquawlik]

I went two back of dead center with Guardians.

[Skidog]

I went two back of dead center with Guardians.

Seems with the more "Traditional" tail the mount point becomes a bit further back than the rocker2. I prefer to be mounted further back so I really liked the 115. On the rocker2 i felt i could push the tips and potentially go over the bars.

[TCK]

I put a day on these this weekend at Kicking Horse, and figured I would chime in.

First off, I'm really stoked on the shape. They are just as alka described; rocker2 122 tip shape and rocker, a more pin tail, renegade-esque tail rocker, and fairly stiff. I was expecting a rocker2 122 that carves a bit better. Whoa was I wrong. This ski is a charger! It skis with WAY more power than the r2 122. First turns I took I was blown away by the super solid feel and power in the tail. I skied them in pretty much anything from icy chute entrances and groomers to knee deep wind affected pow. They handed everything with a ton of power and confidence. They combine the best of both the Dictator and the r2 122. Definitely skis longer than the 188 length and rocker would suggest. This ski requires a strong skier that can drive the ski. I think the r2 108 is going to be the playful go anywhere resort ski, the r2 122 will be the fun pow ski, and the r2 115 is the big mountain charger that can be skied everyday. I'm super stoked with the line up for next year.

It had Guardians mounted on it. Super solid binding. I think it is going to blow the Duke out of the water. The few minor gripes I thought I would have about it disappeared once I skied it. Feels just as solid as STH/916s.

[Skidog]

I put a day on these this weekend at Kicking Horse, and figured I would chime in.

First off, I'm really stoked on the shape. They are just as alka described; rocker2 122 tip shape and rocker, a more pin tail, renegade-esque tail rocker, and fairly stiff. I was expecting a rocker2 122 that carves a bit better. Whoa was I wrong. This ski is a charger! It skis with WAY more power than the r2 122. First turns I took I was blown away by the super solid feel and power in the tail. I skied them in pretty much anything from icy chute entrances and groomers to knee deep wind affected pow. They handed everything with a ton of power and confidence. They combine the best of both the Dictator and the r2 122. Definitely skis longer than the 188 length and rocker would suggest. This ski requires a strong skier that can drive the ski. I think the r2 108 is going to be the playful go anywhere resort ski, the r2 122 will be the fun pow ski, and the r2 115 is the big mountain charger that can be skied everyday. I'm super stoked with the line up for next year.

It had Guardians mounted on it. Super solid binding. I think it is going to blow the Duke out of the water. The few minor gripes I thought I would have about it disappeared once I skied it. Feels just as solid as STH/916s.

Sounds pretty spot on and i'd agree with everything said.

Also glad im hearing very "like" statements on the Guardian. Skis like a true downhill binding on the DOWN..and does a great job on the up....Duke, new mount platform and some other adjustments or not, the guardian is your demise.

[Gobig21]

Replacing my favorite salomon of recent memory R.I.P. el dictator. Interested to get on a pair of these things though they sound pretty sick.

[Bird Blaster]

Great to hear about the gaurdian. I am pretty pumped about this binding and can't wait to get it

[HankScorpio]

Rocker 108 sounds like an awesome daily driver. I've been skiing my Rocker2's a lot more than I planned. Very versatile ski.

[CentoUno]

They are in my opinion the real deal. Super quick edge to edge and damp at speed. Skied them in hardpack, super carvy and modulate S to SG turms. Also skied them in creamy pow and sugar pow and liked them ALOT.

Replacing my favorite salomon of recent memory R.I.P. el dictator. Interested to get on a pair of these things though they sound pretty sick.

[Gobig21]

They are in my opinion the real deal. Super quick edge to edge and damp at speed. Skied them in hardpack, super carvy and modulate S to SG turms. Also skied them in creamy pow and sugar pow and liked them ALOT.

I've gotta get on a pair of these things ASAP they sound like the tits

[Dr.Evil]

Seems with the more "Traditional" tail the mount point becomes a bit further back than the rocker2. I prefer to be mounted further back so I really liked the 115. On the rocker2 i felt i could push the tips and potentially go over the bars.

What length of the Rocker2 122 were you skiing? Any idea of where the mount point was?

[CentoUno]

Not sure on the mount??? 188. I'm 6'3" 185lbs. I believe either center or cm back.

What length of the Rocker2 122 were you skiing? Any idea of where the mount point was?

[CentoUno]

Oh yeah, and these were the 115's I referenced in my post.

The Rocker 2 122 I skied last year were 1 cm forward and 192. I liked the forward mount as it effectively stiffened the ski and made in pivot more.

Not sure on the mount??? 188. I'm 6'3" 185lbs. I believe either center or cm back.

[Skidog]

What length of the Rocker2 122 were you skiing? Any idea of where the mount point was?

192 and i will have to check on the mount point but i think it was the "recommended"

[WWCD]

Any ideas on when these will be released?
Or at least available for demo?
I've got a trip to Jackson next week, and would love to try them out.

[Skidog]

Any ideas on when these will be released?
Or at least available for demo?
I've got a trip to Jackson next week, and would love to try them out.

Pity bro..the whole fleet is there THIS weekend...bummer...sorry.

[2wheeler]

I tried the R2 122s last year for a day of deep powder and loved them. The way the ski's carved at high speed through deep powder was a revelation from my Movements. I loved that even when I was going a little too fast I could easily scrub speed by pushing the tails of the skis around. My only thought was that a slightly narrower ski with less floatation might work better for me as I'm just 155lbs. I'm looking for a backcountry powder ski that skis similar to the 122 in powder but with a little less floatation.

The reviews seem to focus on the ski's abilities in crud and hardpack, with only passing mention of powder. How does the stiffened tail affect the ski's powder handling? Can you still make quick, sluffing turns in tighter trees?

My intention is to use this as a backcountry ski for deep days. Any thoughts?

[travel_to_ski]

I tried the R2 122s last year for a day of deep powder and loved them. The way the ski's carved at high speed through deep powder was a revelation from my Movements. I loved that even when I was going a little too fast I could easily scrub speed by pushing the tails of the skis around. My only thought was that a slightly narrower ski with less floatation might work better for me as I'm just 155lbs. I'm looking for a backcountry powder ski that skis similar to the 122 in powder but with a little less floatation.

The reviews seem to focus on the ski's abilities in crud and hardpack, with only passing mention of powder. How does the stiffened tail affect the ski's powder handling? Can you still make quick, sluffing turns in tighter trees?

My intention is to use this as a backcountry ski for deep days. Any thoughts?

Either the 115 http://blistergearreview.com/gear-re...n-rocker-2-115 which is more directional and a bit more chargy or the 108 http://blistergearreview.com/gear-re...n-rocker-2-108 which is more similar to the 122, only narrower...

[TheDon]

[QUOTE=TCK;3519034Definitely skis longer than the 188 length and rocker would suggest. This ski requires a strong skier that can drive the ski. [/QUOTE]

Anyone else have that experience?

I'm typically at 180's kind of skier but really liked trying a shorter 182 on the Atlas this year.
.

[TahoeJ]

That they skied longer than 188 seems somewhat odd considering the significant tip rocker. I would have guessed the opposite, and I've heard that suggested elsewhere.

[Power_Sauce]

Anyone else have that experience?

I demo'd the 188cm R2 115's last spring at Alyeska. Conditions were firmer spring snow/bumps/crud. Definitely a charger ski, liked bigger turns, reasonably stiff. I would not call it playful at all (felt heavy with trackers mounted as well). I got bounced around in the firm chop a bit.

Also skied the R2 108 182 cm which was much more fun in these conditions and felt like skiing on pogo sticks in comparison. Unfortunately I can't really comment on the 115's soft snow performance because there wasn't much of it to be had off the groomers.

The 115 skied longer than two other 190cm skis in my quiver (DPS W112 and 190 explosive), but given the nature of both of those skis I wasn't too surprised.

[D(C)]

Makes me wonder if the Czar is dead...

I got to try these today and pretty much answered my own question. The 188 Rocker 2 115 is pretty much a 190 Czar that carves well on groomers, and due to a shorter length of tip rocker, the forebody of the ski feels more connected to the snow. But the weight, dampness and feel is quite similar. Czar fans will probably like this ski.

They're quite stable at speed and like to carve GS turns. I had trouble making smaller turns and felt like the tails really wanted to hold on. If they were my own skis, I'd try detuning the tails to see if that helps. I would describe the ride as smooth but not overly powerful, energetic or playful. They're just solid, predicable and well-behaved, but lacked the wow factor for me.

I've seen these compared to the 190 Bibby Pro and wanted to give my thoughts. The Bibby definitely feels stiffer and more energetic, and requires more input to ski. But the tail rocker on the Bibby is far more pronounced as well, making it far easier to disengage and vary turn shape. I skied the R2 115 back to back with my 182 2nd Gen Garbones. My Garbones carve with a lot more energy and are easier to break free.

To summarize, the R2 115 will suit someone looking for a stable ski that will cruise at high speeds without being overly demanding and requiring a ton of work from the skier. In exchange for permitting laziness, the ski returns a solid, predictable but uninspiring ride. If you're willing to put in a bit more work, you can do better on other skis.