Trailside Trixie
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
I'm not one who notices a difference between system bindings and flat skis on which I've mounted bindings. Grateful for this as i know some are sensitive to weight, height of binding etc.
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Question: Volkl Blaze 86?
- Thread starter MrsPlow
- Start date
santacruz skier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Tempting but the few times I have purchased skis with demo bindings I have switched them out for non demo bindings. Case in point my Blizzard Sambas from 2015. Shop guy said demo bindings weighed 6 lbs ! Switched out for light marker squires and quite a bit lighter. Mute point as no longer have those skis!
In vacation mode now but the frenzy over the Volkl Blaze 86 has me curious. My narrowest skis are the Sheevas 92. Also interested in @mustski 's Fischer Ranger 84's.
In vacation mode now but the frenzy over the Volkl Blaze 86 has me curious. My narrowest skis are the Sheevas 92. Also interested in @mustski 's Fischer Ranger 84's.
AJM
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Going to a narrower ski has been a game changer for me (and my knees !!), I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be skiing on 85 underfoot and looking for even narrower yet here I am! I do miss my Sheeva 9s, we had so much fun together and now that we've finally got some decent snow I'm proably going to miss them even more
santacruz skier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
What are you skiing now?Going to a narrower ski has been a game changer for me (and my knees !!), I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be skiing on 85 underfoot and looking for even narrower yet here I am! I do miss my Sheeva 9s, we had so much fun together and now that we've finally got some decent snow I'm proably going to miss them even more
AJM
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
My super soft, super friendly K2 Mindbender 85s, I got them last season when it became apparent that I could no longer ski my belovd Sheevas due to that stupid accident I had the season before. So it was back to a really easy ski or not ski at all, I chose the former option. They're actually a whole heap of fun and I ended up taking them on all sorts of terrain in all sorts of snow conditions and they performed just fine, they're not going to set the ski world on fire as far as performance go's but I like them and they seem to like me so we're just going to hang out for another season then maybe I'll creep up to something with a bit more oomph but I'll still have to stay in the mid to high 80's underfoot. I jumped on a pair of SL ski's the other day, around 60 something underfoot, and they were a revelation so I'm on the hunt for a pair of those for groomer and hardpack days.
It would be interesting to see how the Blaze 86 stack up against the 85 Mindbenders, I have a sneaky suspicion they may be in the same ball park with the Blaze bringing just that bit more to the party ... or I could be completely wrong. Perhaps @SnowHot could confirm or deny x
The system bindings on the Blaze aren't too bad. I have system or demo bindings on most of my skis, and this past year when I was babying my knee and didn't want extra weight hanging off it on the lift I stuck to my Blazes. You should take a pair for a run if you get the chance.
skibum4ever
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
@santacruz skier. You are welcome to try my Blaze 86 (152) if our paths cross at Mammoth this season.
santacruz skier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Sounds great! Thanks!
SnowHot
Angel Diva
The Blaze is a little more energetic. The Mindbender 85 has a published TR of 13 and the Blaze is the 3D TR of 28/15/23. I felt like the Mindbender was a little more damp than the Blaze, and though the Blaze has longer published TR, it felt quicker to come around with a little input, but maybe that was because it was snappier .
I felt like the Mindbender 85 would be more suited for an advancing intermediate than the Blaze.
SnowHot
Angel Diva
I really have to check in here more often. Been so busy writing the past few weeks.
If the question is about the system binding on K2 or Volkl, the Marker system bidnings have had a negative delta, which means the heel is lower than other.
They are making some changes starting 2025 to fix that issue.
Does that answer the question?
santacruz skier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Yes thanks! I need to demo both the Blaze and the Fischer 84. I know, two completely different skis …..
santacruz skier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Think Blaze has wider shovel maybe why everyone likes it?
SnowHot
Angel Diva
Yes, it does and has a bit more versatility.
Both skis are great in moguls.
AJM
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Thanks for that @SnowHot , I always wondered how they compared. I call my Mindbenders my "Orthopedic" ski's as they were an easier option than my Sheeva 9s post accident but I've actually grown to love them, mainly because they are sooooo easy to ski and a whole heap of fun.
SnowHot
Angel Diva
One of the things brought up amongst our testers is that, though this ski is offered in sizes from 153 to 181, some of the bigger guys felt that they could overpower it.
Phil phelt that he was between sizes 174 and 181.
There may be a reason that lighter or more finesse style skiers really love it.
santacruz skier
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Do they make a women's version? Is that what @mustski had ? Those cool yellow ones!
