XPOST FROM R99 Comp Thread:
Here is a quick write up on how I see the R99, FL105, and FR110 all fitting together, as I have been getting alot of q's on this, and I have good time on the R99 AM, FL105, and FR110 so far...
The R99 rides like a fat race ski and an old school nature. They are very capable all-mountain, but with a long Effective Edge and minimal taper tip/tail, they simply want to get you down the mountain, irregardless of snow conditions, in the fastest possible way. The AM build skews towards skiing moguls through the trough and having quick reflexes in trees. The Comp build seems to be more about smashing bumps out of existence entirely and making huge turns in corn and windboard. Both builds will thrive on edge, and will be the most rewarding for a strong pilot looking for a smooth but energetic ride, who is ok with them being a bit more of a quiver ski than the others.
The FL105 has a decidedly more freeride feel. The FL105 have a good amount of taper tip and tail, so while they carve really well, they will be more drifty and surfy compared to the R99 (though much more engaged and carvy than, say, the FR110 below). The FL105's modern shape (compared to R99) will make more turn shapes in more snow conditions than the R99, where the R99 has a one track mind. The FL105 will be most rewarding for strong pilot who skis in the fall line, looking for more of a daily driver / one-ski quiver type ski.
The FR110 is rad, but again, in a very different way. They are more of a progressive soft snow charger skis, quicker to pivot, make sun crust and wind effect ski like pow, and are insanely fast and intuitive to ski quickly through tight technical terrain. Though they will hold an edge on a groomer no trouble, the FR110 prefers to ski off-edge generally, and is really good at carrying speed as you drift turns through chutes, rocks, and trees. They are the most surfy and progressive of the bunch for sure, and feel more like a skinny 132 than a wider 105 or 99. They will be most rewarding for a strong pilot who is skiing softer snow, and looking to carry speed in more technical terrain or more cut up/tracked out/set up snow conditions.
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