Swallowtail stuff

[Catbert]

I was wondering if you ski a swallowtail longer or shorter than normal. I am thinking about getting the Capital El Jefe's w/ a swallowtail for BC/Powder use. These would be my fattest skis. I ride 176 big troubles, but would like something a little longer for pow. I emailed Mr. Funk, and he said El jefe with a swallowtail equates to a 177 with a 2cm flair. Whaddya think? Should I go with Big mountain twins (swallowtail) to make up for the lack in length/width? These would be powder/corn/slush skis, but really pow for the most-part.

thanks

Catbert

[iggyskier]

swallowtail makes it ski shorter.

I opted out on my FFFs because adam said they ski shorter with the swallowtail.

why get a swallowtail on such a small ski?

if you going to do it then at least go up to the 186 BMT.

also - the capitals run pretty short. My 184 el jefe are just a bit smaller than my 183 gotamas.

[Catbert]

You wouldn't get as much tip dive with the swallow-tail. It just seems nice on a powder ski... I was thinking BMT because the added width would give more surface area.

[iggyskier]

i would go with the BMT over the el jefe for sure.

greg can mess with the flex too. just make the tip a bit softer and it wont have any tip dive problems.

also - my el jefe have basically no camber.

[Vicious]

also - my el jefe have basically no camber.

Really? Is this the norm with most Caps??

[iggyskier]

i dont know. but there are complete flat. me like

[Catbert]

The swallowtail is so sick though Is there really a reason not to?

[XtrPickels]

no backing up to billygoat. The tails will auger in.

[iggyskier]

reasons not too?

not backing up while billy goating
skis ski short
not as much power out of the tail

if you want it then get it. get the BMT over the EJ for sure

[bossass]

Another reason:

A swallowtail locks you into a turn. It's not as easy to throw the tails out to ditch speed or butter a wind lip.

[iggyskier]

i say go without the swallow...

[Catbert]

You have me convinced. Thanks for the help. Do you think I should go w/ the BMT in general, or the el jefe. Seems like they run pretty short. 5' 10ish, 145 and going.

thanks

[Woodsy]

if you are wickedsickstylie you can do a snowwheelie on swallow tails.
fo sheezy.

[iggyskier]

You have me convinced. Thanks for the help. Do you think I should go w/ the BMT in general, or the el jefe. Seems like they run pretty short. 5' 10ish, 145 and going.

thanks

what would it be for?

I went with the El Jefe as an everyday ski. They are shorter than 184, more like 182cm. Their running length is longer than both my 183 gotamas and 179 SP (which are the same size) though.

I think the BMT would be managable. Greg says it floats much better. It is straighter as well = better in pow.

These skis are beefy too. Core is very very thick. at least 1.5 times as thick as my gotamas.

I went with a medium stiffness in the tips, medium-stiff underfoot and in the tail. When I got them I was pretty surprised how stiff that is - seems at least 250 on the iggy scale.

I will ski them on Saturday and will post a review then. It will probably help you get a better idea.

I'm heavier than you, too - 5'10" 180.

[Catbert]

Mostly backcountry/ powder ski. Some spring corn/slush too. Not super worried about springtime performance though, as post season is just getting the fix. I have 176 Big troubles that I like right now (92 underfoot) and dont wan't an overlapping quiver. Greg said that the med-stiff is similar to the gotama, and that is what I am looking for.

BTW, what is the benefit of a swallowtail?

[adam]

Hhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmm . . .

183 Fat Frees actually sound pretty sweet for everday . . .

Lotus 138/Iggy FFF and Capital Fat Free sounds pretty damn sweet.

[iggyskier]

I say go with the 186 BMT in a medium.

and the flex is stiffer than he says. I was told by greg medium was gotama stiff....

I got medium-stiffs (getting stiffer as you go back to the tail)...and these things are pretty stiff. like I've said - at least 250 on the iggy scale.

seriously - these things crush my gotamas

swallowtail - let tail sink to get tips up in pow.

[Catbert]

Thanks for all the help iggyskier, the twin may be better. What do you mean by less power out of the tails? I know they wouldn't be as stiff due to the gap, but what would that effect necessarily ?

[iggyskier]

When I talked with adam about the swallow on the FFFs he said that they didn't really help very much in powder and they made the ski shorter and the tail softer.

I want a pretty strong tail that isnt going to wash out on me. a swallow will be more prone to doing that.

[Catbert]

Its decided, BMT's w/ a twin. Medium flex.


sick

[glademaster]

Another reason:

A swallowtail locks you into a turn. It's not as easy to throw the tails out to ditch speed or butter a wind lip.

Is that true? It seems like it wouldn't make much difference since it doesn't have an edge inside the swallowtail to hook up. I guess I need to demo a pair to find out.

[focus]

that tripped me up a little bit too.

maybe just in comparison to a pintail or twin-tip? it seems to me the main advantage of a swallowtail vs. pintail would be still having a strong(ish) tail.

I can't see that it would be anything but easier to wash 'em out in comparison to a flat tail.

[mntlion]

i dont know. but there are complete flat. me like

my 188 versititles have "normal" camber

[peterm]

I've got med flex Thrashers mounted tele, and they smear at least as well as tele-B3s.

Tail is soft-ish - which is fine for me, as (shock!) I prefer to ski them in soft snow.

[verbier61]

I was very skeptic, but it went out I love the swallow tail of my sanouks. It makes the tip working at its best in the deep. The drawback is that it's quite fragile.