Short Condor/ ALPs review

[rgzip]

I purchased a pair of condors from 63_fairlane500 last week and rode them this weekend.

The Condors are everything everyone has said they are. They have amazing float and seem to handle all types of conditions well and the graphics are amazing. I can see why so many people love these boards.
That being said, I have yet to find a set of skiboards I like better than the ALPs. Granted they do not have near the float that the condors do, but for resort riding they are perfect.

After spending most of my time on longboards this year (Condors, 125’s and 120’s) I will stay with them for the big powder days and the ALPs for everything else.

[jjue]

...

After spending most of my time on longboards this year (Condors, 125’s and 120’s) ...

Hey Rgzip, interesting .... I see how you have classified the Condors along with the "longboards" , that actually brings up something I was going to actually say about the Condor as well .. . I think I really am a "longboarder" at heart .. the Sherpa , Spruce 120 , and the Summit Marauder all seemed better suited to me then the 110 and below boards UNTIL I discovered the Condor ... then it has been all CONDOR .. for me the Condor is the most longboard like of the regular skiboards ,especially the way I ride it , set back at 4cm , there is a lot of real estate in front of me and it feels like a fat 120 more then anything else .. It does everything for me in all conditions while being signficantly more manuervable for me then the regular longboards and able to be used with non releasables which I like .. .While I agree that the ALP is more nimble and in some conditions I might prefer it ... I just like the idea of going to the resort or backcountry with one board and knowing it will do everything I ask , no matter what I find , especially with my penchant for venturing off piste at every opportunity ... the Condor does ALL THAT for me ....

[rgzip]

Hey Rgzip, interesting .... I see how you have classified the Condors along with the "longboards" , that actually brings up something I was going to actually say about the Condor as well .. . I think I really am a "longboarder" at heart .. the Sherpa , Spruce 120 , and the Summit Marauder all seemed better suited to me then the 110 and below boards UNTIL I discovered the Condor ... then it has been all CONDOR .. for me the Condor is the most longboard like of the regular skiboards ,especially the way I ride it , set back at 4cm , there is a lot of real estate in front of me and it feels like a fat 120 more then anything else .. It does everything for me in all conditions while being signficantly more manuervable for me then the regular longboards and able to be used with non releasables which I like .. .While I agree that the ALP is more nimble and in some conditions I might prefer it ... I just like the idea of going to the resort or backcountry with one board and knowing it will do everything I ask , no matter what I find , especially with my penchant for venturing off piste at every opportunity ... the Condor does ALL THAT for me ....

I agree with you Jack, I think the big difference for me is that now days I only use release bindings and that would require the addition of a powder plate to get the setback (or another set of inserts) I remember thinking at the time I was riding them that 4cm back would be perfect. I'm confortable riding the longboards in any type of conditions and yes, I will give up some float with the ALPs but they handle most resort powder fine (just keep the speed) and they are just so much FUN!!

[sempai]

I just got back from six straight days of riding. I rode my ALPs five out of the six days, riding the 120s on the other day. The ALPs really are all a person needs if they aren't in real deep powder. I have bought and sold a lot of different boards, but I will never part with my ALPs.

[CAN]

Hi All,

I'd have to agree with Jack. Thus year I was riding my ALP's as my go to boards. We hit 2 feet of powder in Utah and pulled out the Condors. They had so much float that I kept skis that I had brought along put away. Three great powder days and I was convinced these were my powder boards. Back to SoCal I brought out the ALP's again thinking they were the best carver. I seemed content with them until I used the Condors again at Shredfest. I used them the firstday and floated on the moguls and groomers, used Jack's Condors on an backcountry day and thought I'd do the ALP's the last day at Kirkwood. Suddenly after two days of riding I missed the float and riding stability of the Condors. Jack saved me and let me ride his Condors again switching away from my ALP's. Love interchangeable bindings. Thanks to Jack as I am now a full fledged Condor rider. I gave my ALP's to my wife.

[sempai]

Thanks to Jack as I am now a full fledged Condor rider. I gave my ALP's to my wife.Really? I've kicked around the idea of buying a pair of Condors, but their width scares me. I had a pair of KTPs and didn't like their width. Hmm...

[rgzip]

Really? I've kicked around the idea of buying a pair of Condors, but their width scares me. I had a pair of KTPs and didn't like their width. Hmm...

I think that the ALP's are just such an easy ride and the wider body boards require a little getting use to. I remember Slow writing in his review that the first day he was lukewarm about the Condors but now thinks they are his best all around skiboards.
I will most likely ride the condors again this weekend to give them another shot (we still have lots of snow and are getting more) but over the last couple of years I have had such a great time on the ALP's that I'm not sure I want to changes.
(Keep in mind I also have Sherpa's, 120's and marauders availible for deep days)

[jjue]

Really is interesting , this thing about board preferences. I think Valmorel and I have about equal skill level and ride very similarly and like the same kind of terrain . He tried the Condor this season but really prefers the 120 . I have ridden the same terrain side to side with him with me on the Condor and he on his 120 and we both ride everything including pow , moguls , groomers , steeps . and we do about equally well . but we have strong preferences that are way different .. I prefer my Condor and he prefers his 120 . It isn't necessarily about the fact that one board is more competent then the other , or that we can't make either board work in all conditions. , but more about the kind of ride or performance we like , I think ....

ps . I think Valmorel is off in the Alps right now having a good time ! I think you will be back soon Dave,
hope you had a blast !

[FightingForAir]

Stay tuned Zip .... a lightweight riser / release binding option is coming that allows for mounting on 4 x 10 boards at 1 cm back, 4 x 4 boards at center, and 4 x 4 boards at 4 cm of setback. Hopefully be ready by early next season.



I agree with you Jack, I think the big difference for me is that now days I only use release bindings and that would require the addition of a powder plate to get the setback (or another set of inserts) I remember thinking at the time I was riding them that 4cm back would be perfect. I'm confortable riding the longboards in any type of conditions and yes, I will give up some float with the ALPs but they handle most resort powder fine (just keep the speed) and they are just so much FUN!!

[rgzip]

Stay tuned Zip .... a lightweight riser / release binding option is coming that allows for mounting on 4 x 10 boards at 1 cm back, 4 x 4 boards at center, and 4 x 4 boards at 4 cm of setback. Hopefully be ready by early next season.

A lightweight riser option that allows 4cm back on a 4x4 would be perfect!!! I do believe (as Jack has said) that the condor with 4 back could be just what the Dr. ordered.

[FightingForAir]

I've been working with a local fiberglass and metal fab guy to come up with something lightweight, flexible and durable. The only downside is that this will be too expensive to mass market and sell. I'm doing this for my benefit and benefit of those on the forum who are interested. I'm shooting to keep the cost of a set of the risers under $40 per pair. If all goes as planned, I'll have a couple tester sets ready by early next season and if they hold up, I will pass sets along at what it costs me to have them made. The easiest part of the solution was to move the 4 x 10 holes 1 cm forward so the front row of 4 x 4 mounting holes can be used with the front row of the 4 x 10 mounting holes to achieve 4 cm of setback on 4 x 4 insert boards. Assuming boot alignment at center of the standard 4 x 4 holes, when the risers are swapped to longboards with 4 x 10 inserts, this will put a rider 1 cm behind center ... so no real problem there. For anyone who absolutely had to be dead center at 4 x 10, all but those with monster feet could still achieve that by simply moving the toe and heel one spot forward.

The rest: achieving flex while maitaining durablity, having a mechaism to easily adjust to different sole length boots, facilitating the mounting of whatever kind of bindings you want to use ... those have been the persnickety issues.