I've been looking for a Kastle MX98 or FX94 for a while now.
But I'm a cheapo - and a lot of Kastle's stuff has kind of gone the way of "lets please the masses." (Which I get, I'm cheap and not going to make Kastle a lot of money, they're going to serve the dentists and people who are actually willing to spend a lot of coin.)
(I actually have a MX98 in 174, but it's just too short.)
A friend picked up a FX95HP in 189, but they, while great skiing a wider set of conditions, don't have the same bite and preciseness I was accustomed to in the FX94. (It's probably the early-rise tip and tail on the FX95HP.) The 95 is still pretty smooth though. And they felt ridiculously short (at least compared to the FX94/176cm) even at 189.
I really do like the MX98's though they're not as nimble as the FX94. (And I don't think it's only a weight issue.)
If I wanted to get as close to the MX98 or FX94 what other options are out there?
Stuff I've thought of already; Monster 98, or perhaps 88. Stockli (though it seems they've mostly wimped out too from what I can tell. And they're hard to find.) Bonafide 97 - but still hard to find cheap, since it only came out last year.
Perhaps a 186 FX94 will turn up soon, and I can snag it. But short of that, what other skis are in the same general area-code?
Thoughts?
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Edited to add my summary of the thread...the TLDR for anyone who might reference this later.
(This could save you from needing to read the whole thread to get a general feel.)
Some good alternatives to the Kastle FX94/MX98 (2nd gen):
Head Monster 98 (perhaps 88 too), Kastle FX95HP, old Stormrider DP Pro, Newer MX99/98 (not as strong, in general, but still good - though not cheap at the time this was written.)
Next tier; Rossignol E98/E100, Older Mantra or the new Mantra 102, Blizzard Bonafide or the newer Bonifide 97. (Or wider, the Carbon Cochise 108.)
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