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Procuring the Kessler Alpine 168


Comapedrosa

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Ok, I think I absolutely need a new Kessler 168 for next season. What’s the best way to get it? Now? Later? In Switzerland? In the US or Canada? (I’m on the West Coast)

I do realize this is a luxury problem.

Merci for your help,

CP

PS: as I mentioned in a prior post, I’m also curious about the Thirst Superconductor, so feel free to wax about that...

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19 hours ago, Comapedrosa said:

Ok, I think I absolutely need a new Kessler 168 for next season. What’s the best way to get it? Now? Later? In Switzerland? In the US or Canada? (I’m on the West Coast)

I do realize this is a luxury problem.

Merci for your help,

CP

PS: as I mentioned in a prior post, I’m also curious about the Thirst Superconductor, so feel free to wax about that...

I own a Superconductor, but have never ridden a Kessler, so I can't give you the input you'd need to make an informed decision. Clearly the only thing to do is buy one of each 🙂

I am not a "one-board quiver" guy, but I have found that I'm less and less willing to interrupt a day of riding to switch boards, and my Superconductor has pretty much become my go-to board for anything other than soft snow / powder, replacing my Coiler Mini-Monster. A lot more reviews in a lot more detail (by much more perceptive / skilled riders) can be found in the Reviews section of the board, but I will say that it is lively, forgiving of technique errors and less-than-ideal conditions, and has edge hold as good as  my metal boards. What's not to love? 

Edited by Dan
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On 5/7/2019 at 11:51 PM, Comapedrosa said:

Ok, I think I absolutely need a new Kessler 168 for next season. What’s the best way to get it? Now? Later? In Switzerland? In the US or Canada? (I’m on the West Coast)

I do realize this is a luxury problem.

Merci for your help,

CP

PS: as I mentioned in a prior post, I’m also curious about the Thirst Superconductor, so feel free to wax about that...

What's the freight going to be from I-carve though ?

As far as service goes and competitive pricing, Bola at All Board Sports is your best bet. If there is a problem, shipping it back and forth to CO from CA is going to be allot cheaper in the long run, than a potential warranty issue using a dealer from out of the US. I've used Henry with APEX in the past and like most dealers/manufacturers in the industry he was awesome.

I  had to send something back to Kessler once, and it was blessing that I bought that Kessler from Bola. 

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On 5/9/2019 at 8:17 AM, daveo said:

EUR60

Not a whole lot more than buying from the other vendors mentioned.

I have purchased from all and find the selection and service from Ivan to be unequaled.

Edited by guido591
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1 hour ago, barryj said:

$1440  Man!  For that K Alpine Ride It's A Steal And Soooo Worth Every Penny!

As another K devotee I can't say enough about my K168!

Maybe can get a better price than that if you ask around nicely.

Edited by daveo
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On 5/15/2019 at 11:22 PM, Comapedrosa said:

Looking sharp!

What’s your advice?

plates?

no plates?

which ones?

The K168 is really something special.  It's a 10 without a plate, 11 with.  I tested 4 plates this year for an article I'm going to write.  I ended up keeping the Apex X-plate.  If that's not in the budget the Donek AF is awesome too.  Both give a nice increase in edge hold and comfort.  The Apex is a bit more flexible so it allows a bit more pedaling and is more compliant.  It's also lower to the board so once you get used to it it basically disappears. I entered the test fully biased to love the Allflex, but didn't like it at all on this board. 

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On 5/17/2019 at 4:48 AM, Jack M said:

The K168 is really something special.  It's a 10 without a plate, 11 with.  I tested 4 plates this year for an article I'm going to write.  I ended up keeping the Apex X-plate.  If that's not in the budget the Donek AF is awesome too.  Both give a nice increase in edge hold and comfort.  The Apex is a bit more flexible so it allows a bit more pedaling and is more compliant.  It's also lower to the board so once you get used to it it basically disappears. I entered the test fully biased to love the Allflex, but didn't like it at all on this board. 

Jack, this is awesome info - thanks so much. A plate comparo on this very board is exactly what I needed.

what inserts? (I like my F2 Race Ti)

thank you!!!

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17 hours ago, Comapedrosa said:

Jack, this is awesome info - thanks so much. A plate comparo on this very board is exactly what I needed.

what inserts? (I like my F2 Race Ti)

thank you!!!

The Apex is available in UPM, 4x4, or Allflex mount configurations.  I went with UPM because I have 3 UPM boards.  The Donek AF is UPM only.  As mentioned above, I briefly owned another K168 with Allflex inserts for this test, for use with the Allflex and Vistflex plates.  Bindings mount to the plate with usual 4x4 inserts.

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On 5/16/2019 at 12:22 AM, Comapedrosa said:

 

Looking sharp!

What’s your advice?

plates?

no plates?

which ones?

See Jack's comments above.  I've only ridden it without plates and it is 10/10.

Love love love it.

Edited by skidad62
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7 hours ago, Jack M said:

The Apex is available in UPM, 4x4, or Allflex mount configurations.

Jack, if going with the Apex X plate, is there any reason to pick the Kessler with UPM over 4x4 inserts or vice-versa? (E.g., would UPM inserts provide better contact/less play/better longevity?)

thanks much!

CP

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45 minutes ago, Comapedrosa said:

Jack, if going with the Apex X plate, is there any reason to pick the Kessler with UPM over 4x4 inserts or vice-versa? (E.g., would UPM inserts provide better contact/less play/better longevity?)

thanks much!

CP

JM probably knows more than me, but I can share the following:

Apex believes there are significant advantages to using UPM/ASIP inserts over 4x4 and that Allflex inserts provide no advantage over UPM/ASIP for the Apex plates. They are designed to use the UPM/ASIP pattern and then adapted to 4x4 and Allflex inserts.

I have that somewhere in an email or something I can dig it out at some point when I'm not so morbidly obesely lazy.

Edited by daveo
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