Skwalleur

Please don't use Skwal and monoski in the same sentence or context... ;)

- orange boots. Check. Well one out of five ain't too bad.

Well - I gotta say you ride better than ever with the black one...

Well we had a swell time once again carving Oppdal. Pokkis really have discovered a gem. Credit to Vahur for great photo. I tested the new R-A-D skwals and I was out on the stiff gold carbon edition of the Black Diamond 174 (set up with Bomber TD step-ins) and first impressions was "this is a beast!". Pushing it really hard on a wide steep slope I discovered it was really really stable and it never showed any tendencies of torsional flex or loosing grip. Not having perfect conditions at home so often I would however consider the medium flex which would probably be close to the Thias 183F. The stiff one had more camber than I've seen in any alpine product ever! I really have to say - the TD step-in would improve any Skwal! :D The board is 13,8 wide which, for me, coming from the Thias and Völkl felt very wide. The width made me feel a bit awkward going on the flats, but when carving it was all good. The width is added to avoid any booting out when riding EC style. The day after I was out on the soft edition which I would say was not suitable for riders above 75kg (I'm probably 85 with gear). This would be a perfect beginners board or for lighter riders. I tried it with my pretty sloppy Thias bindings too, that probably not helped on the lateral stability. For all you craving the stiffest and most stable ride to go really fast and deep on the black runs - all thumbs up!!! Plenty of fun riding Alpinepunk gear too. Mats really ripping with the Superswede! All the Afterburners looking sweet! I also tested to ride the Thias Freeride 178 with F2 Titaniums, and apart from the binding made me slightly boot out on the heelside it was an amazing ride! I'll see if I can cut off the little rubber from the binding that was sticking out. Otherwise I'd say it rode like a Virus I tested a while back. The Thias Freeride shot back home in my backyard...

Aren't designs supposed to improve...? IMHO F2 designs peaked with the F2 line with visible wood. That Brutale just make me sad to see.

I'd say 60-40 too, but more in favor of skill...

Well there's some info in the archive: http://web.archive.org/web/20030124205338/http://www.f2-snow.com/2003/PRODUKTE/BOARDS/lancelot/lancelot.html#

Board sold

Yes, I know that - I'm already practicing...:rolleyes: But I was more thinking about stance width and setback regarding the nosepress... I feel if I have too wide stance I have trouble carvinging but it makes it harder to nose press...

No hints on the grab technique, but some thoughts of my own on the subject... I'd be happy to learn the nosepress to fakie carve that Joerg does so well. Seeing that was one of my main motivations on getting my PureBoarding #Two board. I still need lots of practice to pull it off, but does anyone have any good recommendations on the stance to make it right for those kind of moves? I've got the 158.

172cm long. The fabulous sibling of the F2 Eliminator. Great condition. Mainly ridden in really soft french fluff. The usual marks from where the F2 Titaniums have been mounted and some traces of use. Fantastic with plates! Price €230 plus shipping from Sweden. Nico from www.freestyler.it provided a review of the F2 Lancelot 172 Swallowtail The Lancelot is incredible in powder, no weight shift to rear leg, no difference between tracks and out. In the tracks you still can use it for carving with (better) really stiff softboots. Yes it is better to avoid putting too much weight on the tail, but the Lancelot, thanks to reduced length tails and “V” shaped rear cut, still keeps a good back torsional stiffness (compared to my excellent actual Nitro Supernatural 163). Carving on the edge, you can reach high speeds, thanks to 1400 mm of effective edge, F2 called it a “powdercarving” machine, but carving tight radius curves is not allowed. It is really a bx Eliminator with added big tip and swallowtails. In opposite, it is a bit larger than written on specs, about 259, and stiffer than usual (perhaps less on 2003 sandwich second and last model); obviously the edge to edge transition is not so quick for the average-footed rider (I have euro 42 –us 8,5), and maneuverability (handling) is poor if compared to a normal freeride board. Never tried it with hardboots, but I think there should not be problems (the “brother” Eliminator since 2002 was made to be ridden also with plate bindings). The board surely requires almost a medium-heavy guy (i'm 85 kg) and active riding.

Check out the turn around 3:45 into Joergs latest clip: http://www.pureboarding.com/fileadmin/user_upload/publisher/videos/passion_of_carving_09/ThePassionOfCarving_09.wmv

On ebay http://cgi.ebay.fr/Skwal-Thias-modeles-Carving-173-F_W0QQitemZ150325827078QQcmdZViewItemQQptZFR_JG_Sports_Hiver_Snowboards?hash=item150325827078&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72:1526|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

My Silberpfeil never fails.

No, you get to the point where EC is boring. It requires special conditions to do it and sure, when they apply it's fun to pull a few EC turns. However I really feel the kicks of more dynamic riding styles with plenty of pop and quick push and pull make for a better challenge and more fun. :D

I guess the main point of it is to have flex Control, but I had explained to me from an F2 test rider in La Clusaz that it would work as a powder channel.

That would be proven wrong by the F2 Revo Airbase having plenty of versatility? And Gunnar - I got a brand new one right here resting next to your old Thias...

Glad to hear it! Got a brand new Undertaker that I haven't gotten the chance to test yet. So far I've been on my F2 Lancelot which I really enjoy due to it's carving abilities too.

Well, 21cm is wide for me...allthough narrower than the PB #Two at 22,7...

Got my TD3's from alpinepunk.com today! They are sooooooooo sweet!

I'm expecting my heels today, so I can try them on my Burton Winds.

Happy trio! Full pic as promised!

Well at least it is enjoying the company of a Völkl Monocarver for a spare Skwal.

Yes, I'll get a pic with the sweet split tail too. Well, I didn't really think about the metal, since trying other titanials (eg. Virus) they haven't been my thing.

What a beauty! Arrived just before Christmas to give me plenty of time in the Åre slopes in pretty sweet conditions. Haven't had a chance to try it in any deeper pow (those easily counted days) yet, but the edge grip was the best I've ever experienced! F2 Silberpfeil - check. Thias 183F - check. Pureboarding #Two - check. Afterburner - check. Still to go... a sweet Virus.