Will the Condors be right for me?

[Travis]

Hey guys!

New skiboarder here looking to make an informed purchase. I'm very interested in the Condors but I want to make sure they'd be right for me.

What I want:
Holds firm at fast speeds
Plows through chopped up groomers
Can hold it's own in powder
Fast, agile, maneuverable

I've done a lot of reading and can't really find much of a difference between the Condors and the KTPs. I want a longer board, but still something that retains the skiboard feel. I'm in NC so I'll mostly be on groomers, but will be taking the occasional trip to Colorado.

I'm 5'9 and 180lbs. Any input is greatly appreciated.

[jjue]

Hey guys!

New skiboarder here looking to make an informed purchase. I'm very interested in the Condors but I want to make sure they'd be right for me.

What I want:
Holds firm at fast speeds
Plows through chopped up groomers
Can hold it's own in powder
Fast, agile, maneuverable

I've done a lot of reading and can't really find much of a difference between the Condors and the KTPs. I want a longer board, but still something that retains the skiboard feel. I'm in NC so I'll mostly be on groomers, but will be taking the occasional trip to Colorado.

I'm 5'9 and 180lbs. Any input is greatly appreciated.

Having owned both and ridden both in all conditions... i would say if you are mostly going to be on groomers and have the occasional trip out west .. you might be happier on the KTP .. if you , are like me living out west where pow days are plentiful and searching for powder and off piste snow all the time .. then you would be happier on the Condor .. both boards do all the things you mention .. the KTP is definitely more skate like and nimble , and the Condor definitely has more float in pow and is defintitely more stable in chopped up variable snow ... just my 2 cents.

just a ps on the Condor . I weigh just a tad more then you at 190 lbs ... for me the Condor is defintely not a quiver board and I do ride it as my go to board in all conditions including groomers and ice and because it does it all for me , it is plenty fast and nimble for me as well , I really ride the Condor now in all conditions in preference to the KTP but that is just me and has much to do with the kind of terrain I like to ride ( ie I am ALWAYS looking to get OFF the groomers and head into the trees, powder or junk snow off piste )

[valmorel]

Please dont discount the incredible Spruce 120 unless you insist on fixed bindings.

[Travis]

Jjue, It seems like sacrificing the small amount of maneuverability for the increased usability of the Condor is the better choice. I can't find nor has anyone given a clear cut reason why to choose the KTP.

Also, being a longer board the Condor would be faster as well, correct?


Val, I'm a graphic designer by trait, so aesthetics play a part in my decision. Also, Revel8 seems like they are really on the right path of where skiboard companies should be. As far as the total package, their website is user friendly and graphically appealing, their boards appear to be quality and they're employing talented artists for their designs. Everything about them screams "Good Stuff!" =). If I was rich enough to support all the companies I would, but since I'm just a poor ol' honkey, I want to choose the right one!

Thanks for both your responses, looking forward to more!
Travis

[valmorel]

Travis, Spruce and SBOL are tight. Check out the SBOL home page.

[Travis]

Lol, yes I don't doubt this. Not to discredit Spruce at all, just saying I'd prefer to buy from Revel8 =).

[jjue]

Jjue, It seems like sacrificing the small amount of maneuverability for the increased usability of the Condor is the better choice. I can't find nor has anyone given a clear cut reason why to choose the KTP.

Also, being a longer board the Condor would be faster as well, correct?




well even though I am partial to the Condor .. the answers are the increase in manuverability of the KTP over the Condor is not a small thing , it is rather large .. to me the KTP feels more like an extension of my feet. ( fat shoes is what I like to call the feeling ) . the Condor has more of a feel
of a board under each foot ..still manuverable , but not quite the extension of my foot thing ...

the condor is NOT faster then the KTP in firm groomed snow .. both are plenty fast ., longer does not always equate with faster in the skiboard realm .. i am faster in off piste pow snow and variable snow on the Condor . .. primarily because at my weight I sink more on the KTP and float better on the Condor which equates with more flow and speed through soft snow ..

[SkaFreak]

I personally also find the KTPs to be a lot more stable at speed for me due to being stiffer. This leads to the edge being more solidly set and less likely to lose grip.

[bee]

I would recommend the KTPs, while i have only had about 2hrs on condors, I really am hesitant to recommend them to anyone who does not have powder as a primary concern. I am sure once you get used to them they are great but, they seem very sluggish compared to the other revel8 boards. The ktps are very nimble and their stiffness gives them great crisp response the exact opposite of the soft condors.
The ktps are the stiffest revel8 board and the condors are the softest. Which you prefer is personal preference, but the stiffness really plays a big role in the personality of boards.

What I am trying to say is the condor is not just a larger version of a KTP, it is its own species!

[CrazyBoy-1]

I'm also going to recommend the KTP's over the Condors. I love the Condors, and for an experienced rider they are unrivaled (not to discount the Spruce boards), but the KTP's are a bit of a better all around board. They are also a good stepping stone to the Condors with their width. And I will second Jack in that the KTP's give up nothing to he Condors on groomers. If anything, they are better for aggressive carving due to their stiffer flex.

[Travis]

Thanks for all the responses guys! Really appreciate it. Looks like the KTP's are getting a lot more love than the Condors!

Since I'm moving away from the Condors.. another board that seems to get a lot of attention are the Revolts. Could anyone enlighten me as to what the KTP's offer that the Revolts do not?

Thanks again!
Travis

[CrazyBoy-1]

The Revolts and KTP's have a very similar feel, and they are both great all mountain boards. The Revolt is a more relaxed ride with its slimmer profile and softer flex. The KTP has a bit more of a skate-like feel to it with its shorter length, and it tends to be better for aggressive carving for heavier riders because of its stiffer flex. That stiffness can be a bit harsh, however, in choppy conditions where the Revolt's flex will absorb the irregularities. If I'm cruising the groomers or messing around in the park, I like the Revolt design. If I'm charging hard or hitting the glades, I like the quicker feel of the KTP's. Also, the KTP's have a bit more surface area, so they have more float in powder.

[SkaFreak]

If I'm charging hard or hitting the glades, I like the quicker feel of the KTP's. Also, the KTP's have a bit more surface area, so they have more float in powder.

This is my take on the two boards as well. As a heavier rider, I even tend to prefer my KTPs in the park, but at 180 lbs, I'd say it depends on which style of riding you are going for. Based on your first post, sounds like you want something to charge all mountain and the glades with, so I'd still say the KTPs are probably your best bet. The extra surface area is also nice for the glades and powder.

[Travis]

Thanks for all the great responses guys. Really helped me decide. I'll be ordering my KTP's soon...and it looks like i'll be ordering my wife a pair as well. Doesn't really seem like there would be a better option for her either!

On a different note, any clue if the KTP's would be going on sell soon during summer/start of the next season?

Thanks!

[slow]

...and it looks like i'll be ordering my wife a pair as well. Doesn't really seem like there would be a better option for her either!

On a different note, any clue if the KTP's would be going on sell soon during summer/start of the next season?

Thanks!

If your wife is not aggressive, the KTPs may not be right for her. Revolts may be better.

Generally the Revel8s do not go on sale.

[Travis]

She's learning.. but I don't want to cut her short of being able to really enjoy powder by getting the Revolts.

Another quick question if ya don't mind.. I'm about to place my order now, will the bindings come mounted on the boards?

[Fast]

No sure if they come mounted, but if not, it is simply a question of screwing in four screws.

[MitchK]

She's learning.. but I don't want to cut her short of being able to really enjoy powder by getting the Revolts.

Another quick question if ya don't mind.. I'm about to place my order now, will the bindings come mounted on the boards?

Both times I've ordered boards/non release bindings they came mounted, but ordering boards/spruce bindings, they don't. (The boards and bindings ship from two different places in that case.)

But, if you can use a screwdriver, you can mount boards here, because as Fast said, it's just four screws per board to mount bindings.

[slow]

She's learning.. but I don't want to cut her short of being able to really enjoy powder by getting the Revolts.

If you have not done so already, check out this thread to confirm an appropriate selection for your wife: http://www.skiboardsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7115

I suggest you avoid buying her a skiboard that she needs to grow into. Rather, get her skiboards that she will enjoy immediately, otherwise you may find yourself alone on the slopes while she is in the lodge. Having said this, the KTPs may very well be right for her. Good luck with your selection.

[bee]

There have been some sales in the past, not every year. The sales aren't advertised much either, easy to miss. And some boards sell out before the sale even starts. If you can get the sale it is pretty good, but don't count on it.