Atomic Beta Race 9.20 or stay with the 9.18?

[siwatkins]

Hi,

Currently using Atomic Beta Carv/X 9.18s 180cms that are coming to the end
of their useful life after 3 seasons and around 9 weeks of skiing. (at
least that is what I'm telling the wife). Love the ski, and was thinking
about buying the same ski again, but this year's model with the Carbon Power
Channel. In other words, I've not outgrown the 9.18 in ability and doubt
that I will with my current average of 3 weeks a year skiing.

As an alternative (and because the colour matches my new boots better - just
kidding), I've been considering the Atomic Beta Race 9.20 in a 180cm - Any
thoughts or opinions on this ski? Are they much stiffer? I've seen a
variety of figures quoted for the turn radius that seem to deviate from the
Atomic norm of the .20 being the natural turn radius in metres. ie, figures
I've seen quoted are 18m at 190cm and 16.5m at 180cm NTR for the 9.29. The
9.18s have an 18m NTR so I doubt there'll be much difference in NTR.

I'm a European Red run skier, of good intermediate level looking to break
out of the rut. Enjoy motorway cruisers and groomed steeps at high speed,
but can get down pretty much anything with minimal style, finesse and
control :-)

Enjoy GS type carving turns the most (and best at them), but also looking to
improve short swings and tighter Special Slalom turns. Not especially
interested in the Bumps (not a sadist, and my knees love me for it).
Occasionally venture Off-Piste when its soft and fluffy for a laugh, but
you'll normally find me on the groomed. So I'm looking for some
versatility, but am not going to cry if the ski isn't brilliant in the
powder. Consequently the 9.18s have been and are pretty much my ideal ski,
but if I'm buying a new pair, I'd like to consider something else.

Any comments on the 2001 Beta Carv 9.18 welcomed as well. Fortunately,
because I live in Europe the Atomics are about half the cost that they are
in the States, so they represent much better value than K2's etc.

Simon

[DC]

Sound's like you should be able to handle the 9.20 race ski's ok. I had
Atomic 9.18's and demoed the 9.20 along with about 20 other ski's. I didnt
think the 9.20 was that much stiffer and I only weight 150lbs. If possable
demo them but if not possable maybe you should stick with the 9.18 as you
know you like that ski. By the way I ski the K2 Mod X now in 181 length.

[siwatkins]

Thanks for the response DC. I'm of largish build, so from your comments
regarding stiffness of the 9.20, I think I should be happy with that model.
What were your impressions regarding the ski? I like the 9.18, but if I'm
buying a new pair of skis, I'd like a change. Was it reasonably versatile?
Comments I've read on it rave about its stability and carvability. The 9.18
is pretty good allround though a bit of a handful in the soft stuff, though
that may be down to my lack of ability in the soft stuff :-)

Demo'ing is not possible unfortunately as I'm going to have to buy these
mail order from Germany to the UK (to save a fortune on the cost), and then
will be skiing them in France in the three valleys in a couple of weeks.
Unfortunately, the ski shops in the resort I'm going back to were mainly
Salomon and Rossignol dominated (no surprise being French I guess), and
Atomics, where they were available, were only available in limited qty's,
and not for rental or demo.

Simon

"DC" <unk...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:AnZe6.1258$cm3.1...@news1.news.adelphia.net...

[Ash]

The Good Ski Guide "test of tests", a review of ski tests from
all countries, rate the Atomic Beta 9.18 as brilliant, a German
review calling it "the perfect ski" with a very broad performance
envelope. Also rated very highly were the K2 MOD X, the Head
Cyber X80ti, and last, but definitely not least, the Salomom X
Scream 9.

--
Ash

[Simon Watkins]

Ash,

Thanks for that. Yes, I rate the 9.18 as an excellent ski myself - hence my
indecision as to whether or not to buy the same ski again, or perhaps buy
the more expensive, but also well reviewed 9.20 Race model. Do you have an
link to this test of tests by any chance?

Simon

"Ash" <10153...@CompuServe.COM> wrote in message
news:95k7k2$ed6$1...@sshuraab-i-1.production.compuserve.com...

[Janet Cicariello-Cook]

siwatkins wrote:

I have the Atomic Beta Carve 9.26. It's not as stiff as a race ski, but
definitely a step up from the 9.18. Great all-around ski. Forgiving when you
make a mistake. Don't have to constantly be on top of it like a race ski (i.e.
when you want a lazy cruise, or are a little tired at the end of the day, etc).
Handles speed better than the 9.18.

Janet

[DC]

I only demoed the 9.20 race ski so i didnt ski it alot but i think it is
quite a good ski for running any groomed terrain, as far as off piste I have
no idea how the ski would perform but my guess would be not great but
skiable.Any ski with narrow waiste is not so good off piste. As good as the
9.18 was though off piste. I would say maybe the 10.20 beta ride but thats
probably to much a change for you. The 10.20 ski is great on groomed terrain
and good off piste too BUT it is a more demanding ski. Go with the 9.20 race
especialy if your a groomed run skier. You can really fly with these ski's,
not sure exactly how they do slow as i didnt ski slow when i demoed them.
Then again I never ski slow.

[Ash]

sorry, no more info but it's often a mistake to keep going up the
levels thinking it is better/will make you a better skier. It
usually just makes skiing the same standard harder work!

--
Ash