Rocker Skis

I have never skied on this type of ski before. Is it something that takes getting used to? I am thinking of buying the new Kung Fujas but cannot make a decsion because I have never skied a rocker styled ski. Do they ski anything near to a normal bend ski? Thanks

Go test some, it's the only way for you. I have some pals who rented some, and thought they were great, you should do the same before you spend :D

kung fujas isnt really a proper rocker ski, they are just a little bit rockered but they are a very fun ski to be on-similar to the armada ARV. quite soft and floppy in big hard fast turns but great fun in medium off piste. for a real rocker try the rossignol S7!

as bandit said try em and see for yourself-only problem with that is you dont tend to get powder easily to properly get the best from them

I have a couple of pairs of rockers skis and have also tested a few. I'm quite liking the idea to be honest, but I'm sure there's a heap of confusion out there. It's no surprise that with most brands having some rocker in one form or another in their range it's a bit of a mind field. For most people rocker is going to be a positive thing, anything that makes skiing easy and fun is ok by me although I do draw a line with some things. I don't care to mention at this time;-)
I'm liking my K2 Hardside's they're a nice solid ski with a 98mm waist which rip on and off trail, they have a nice 'All terrain rocker' which is just a little extra lift in the tip. It just makes the transition between piste and off-piste easier.

Got to love the rocker

For some reason, the ski manufacturers, ski testers, and magazine reviews are just inaccurate, and confusing on this subject. Most people understand what rocker is, but it's the compound rocker, decambered tips/tails, pre-cambered, etc, modified cambers that are not being explained very well. Regular camber skis are going to be as rare as straight (little sidecut) skis are now. Many skis with modified cambers are not even acknowledged as being different by the big manufacturers. The exceptions being for beginner skis, where they seem to think it's a selling point. The run of the mill Head race skis for this season have pre-cambered/early rise tips, and those are not for powder, or beginners. Perhaps the patent issue is keeping them quiet, but it's as important for buyers to understand, as any other criteria when buying a ski.

My experience is that, slight rocker in the tip and tail requires less energy, and gives better edge grip. The only time you think something is strange, is on boiler plate icy snow, where there is a very slight lag in tip engagement, but after a while, you no longer feel it.

Hansjürg Kessler has a patent on his skis and snow boards, US2009273161 (A1) you can down load it from here: http://v3.espacenet.com/publicationDetails/biblio?DB=EPODOC&adjacent=true&locale=en_EP&FT=D&date=20091105&CC=US&NR=2009273161A1&KC=A1 so there may well be a patent issue.

My experience of the Palmer P02 is much the same as yours. I managed to dial out the lag by optimising my fore/aft balance. The bindings supplied with mine (Tyrolia LD 12 Cybers) have a 9mm delta, when I reduced this I found that the lag disappeared.

You might this video, it features Hansjürg and Bode Miller talking about the skis he tested 6 pairs in 2007 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMjcTzri_g0

SwingBeep wrote:

My experience of the Palmer P02 is much the same as yours. I managed to dial out the lag by optimising my fore/aft balance. The bindings supplied with mine (Tyrolia LD 12 Cybers) have a 9mm delta, when I reduced this I found that the lag disappeared.

I think when the history of this period is better known, Kessler will get a lot more credit than is now the case. There are hints on the net of his involvement with Atomic, and Head race rooms. Outside snowboard racing, he is virtually unknown.

I was actually going to experiment with the delta on those Tyrolia bindings this season. As you say, it seem excessive. Thanks for the input SwingBeep.

I have my eye on the PO2 carbon now. I would guess that would be closer to Kessler's own Phantom skis.