What's Blizzard up to?

[gregL]

Hustle line seems like a missed opportunity for a great 1700g touring ski, but I'm sure they will sell a ton of em.

They will sell a ton of them and many will never see a skin track.

[Diamond Joe]

Can anybody tell me, other than (obviously) the topsheets, have there been any meaningful changes to the Rustler 9 since its introduction? Is this current year model essentially the same ski as the one from 4 seasons ago?

[gregL]

Can anybody tell me, other than (obviously) the topsheets, have there been any meaningful changes to the Rustler 9 since its introduction? Is this current year model essentially the same ski as the one from 4 seasons ago?

Same ski, and still amazingly powerful and hard snow-capable despite the significant rocker at both ends.

[Diamond Joe]

Thanks man, thats what I thought. Yeah I've been looking for a pair as an EC daily driver for months now unsuccessfully, finally found a pair in nice shape but they're the first version (greyish with black tips and tails and neon green logos) and wanted to make sure.

[skibrd]

Same ski, and still amazingly powerful and hard snow-capable despite the significant rocker at both ends.

The R9 has just about replaced my flat tail hard snow skis.


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[TrueNorth]

Are the shorter lengths of the Rustler/Sheeva 9 the same ski as the Rustler/Sheeva Team? Blizzard website shows the exact same dimensions and weight for the 9 and Team at the 164cm length.

[Westcoaster]

How different is the new red zerog 95 from previous iterations? Some anecdotal evidence regarding it being stiffer than second gen and slightly more manageable than first gen. I'm curious about them as I had the first gen ski and found it to be capable but a bit too demanding for Tahoe transitional snow.

[Diamond Joe]

Read back 10 or 12 pages but I couldn't find out - what is the major differences between the Hustle line and the Rustler line?
There seems to be a lot of overlap between the two, what makes them different?

[mn_teleswede]

From Technica copy:

This ski, which comes in three waist widths (94 mm, 102 mm, and 112 mm) bridges the gap between traditional touring and freeride skis—and demonstrates Blizzard’s commitment to making high-performance backcountry skis. Made in the same molds as the brand’s popular Rustler and Sheeva freeride lines, the Hustle shaves weight with a new True Blend core of made of beech, poplar and paulownia wood. (The idea of True Blend is to create a core that’s softer in the tip and tail to make turn initiation easier and stiffer underfoot for edge-grip.) Instead of metal, Blizzard adds a lightweight carbon-fiber laminate for added strength without the weight. The Hustle 9 weighs 1,750 at 180 cm; the 10 weighs 1,800 grams at 180 cm; the 11 weighs 1,950 at 188 cm.

[gregL]

Read back 10 or 12 pages but I couldn't find out - what is the major differences between the Hustle line and the Rustler line?
There seems to be a lot of overlap between the two, what makes them different?

Lighter core, no Titanal DRT laminate . . . actual production skis are not as light as the marketing copy would indicate.

[Eluder]

I’m betting the true blend core trickles into the Rustler line next year and they get heavier. Maybe the hustle will come in close to marketed weights next year too. This would make a bigger difference between the two.

I happily toured on rustler 11s when they first came out so I’ve talked myself into walking around on hustle 11s this season… though I do wish they weighed 1800 grams…

[SnakeMagnet]

Just ask to weigh the ski before purchase. I have seen hustle 11 188's comes in near the marketed 1950 weight, so blister's take that the prepro batch came out heavier is likely true.

[Diamond Joe]

So the Hustles are a lighter, no metal version of the Rustlers? Wouldn't that make them kind of, I don't know, noodle-y?

[noslow]

The Hustle line uses a lighter TrueBlend Free Core and then carbon fibre in a similar area to where the titanal plate is in the Rustler models. Actually a bit stiffer flexing in the Hustle models but softer torsionally compared to the Rustlers.

Heard the Spring release versions of the Hustle had thicker and heavier top sheets and the current production versions are now closer to spec weights.

[SnakeMagnet]

So the Hustles are a lighter, no metal version of the Rustlers? Wouldn't that make them kind of, I don't know, noodle-y?

In my demo runs on a 188 hustle 10, softer than a mantra 102, but not some plywood crapshack ski. They hold up to hard skiing but you're not gonna go mach looney down a chunder field obviously.

[Sylvan]

Bumped into another 192 H11 today, shop said they just got em in...2209/2215 g/ski. Stated is 2000. One example so YMMV.

[herrgard]

I'll weigh my 180 H10s tomorrow. Felt like a burly but not metal heavy ski when fondled.

[Westcoaster]

Bumped into another 192 H11 today, shop said they just got em in...2209/2215 g/ski. Stated is 2000. One example so YMMV.

Jfc. I guess they weight the 180 or something.

[Sylvan]

Jfc. I guess they weight the 180 or something.

Haha, yup. See how it all shakes out. I for one wouldn't have been upset if they hit the mark on the 192 H11, but ended up 200ish grams overweight on the 192 R11. Now that could have really simplified a quiver! They likely woulda sold less but at least I'd be stoked.

[wasatchback]

The Hustles that were sold in last season as early into and the ones that were tested are heavier than the production skis. The production skis use a thinner topsheet material. There are plenty of those early intro skis in the marketplace which is why some might be heavier than stated weights.

The 180 is the size that’s used when weights are listed, not the 192. That would be like a boot company referencing the weight of a size 30.5.

They are the same rocker profile and shape as Rustler but with a new lightweight True Blend Freeride core and a carbon DRT piece instead of metal.

If we wanted to make them lighter we would have. The lighter protos didn’t ski nearly as well.

[Sylvan]

The Hustles that were sold in last season as early into and the ones that were tested are heavier than the production skis. The production skis use a thinner topsheet material. There are plenty of those early intro skis in the marketplace which is why some might be heavier than stated weights.

The 180 is the size that’s used when weights are listed, not the 192. That would be like a boot company referencing the weight of a size 30.5.

They are the same rocker profile and shape as Rustler but with a new lightweight True Blend Freeride core and a carbon DRT piece instead of metal.

If we wanted to make them lighter we would have. The lighter protos didn’t ski nearly as well.

^So, in summary, you made the Hustle 11 200 grams heavy on purpose, cause it skis better at the heavier (Rustler like) weight, and cause your company doesn't make mistakes; also, all future production will be lighter. Finally, skis and boots are weighed using the same procedure (one weight listed), despite the website listing 5 ski weights, with the 180 @ 1850, and the 192 @ 2000. Cool marketing story bro, I feel like I read the email myself.

[herrgard]

Just weighed my H10 180s and they came in at 1800 and 1817 grams which I guess is good for stated weight 1800g.

Last season I skied Down TD103 (playful resort), BC Corvus (resort charge) and BC Camox freebird (touring) and was thinking about mounting these H10s with shifts for an one quiver replace them all travel ski.

Was hoping the camox skins would fit but having doubts:


Topsheet says drill 4,1x9,5. Are these metal under binding area, should I tap?

[Smiley]

Anyone skied both the R11 192 cm and the Enforcer 115?

[whyturn]

Anyone skied both the R11 192 cm and the Enforcer 115?

No but if you have an enforcer then I can give you a comparison.

The rustler 11 is extremely versatile and carves better than any 115 I’ve ever been on. It’s all mountain for sure. Just not a billy goat for crushing variable. I’m pow it’s good but if it’s over a foot I’m on the protest or redeemer.


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[Smiley]

[QUOTE=whyturn;6735161]No but if you have an enforcer then I can give you a comparison.


The rustler 11 is extremely versatile and carves better than any 115 I’ve ever been on. It’s all mountain for sure. Just not a billy goat for crushing variable. I’m pow it’s good but if it’s over a foot I’m on the protest or redeemer.

Ya I’ve skied the enforcer 104, 100 (OG) and 94 all 186cm.