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Volkl Kendo or Mantra?

post #1 of 18
1/23/12 at 6:19am
Thread Starter 

I am a former ski bum from out in Beaver Creek Colorado.  It's been 10 years since I was doing my 100 or so days a year, and I find myself on the east coast and have a bunch of kids now.  Its hard to get out west much, though my brother lives in Bozeman and I intend on hitting him up for a tour of Bridger next year.  So, most of my skiing (5 to 10 days a year now FML) is done in vt.  I am 5-8 210 and aside from lack of training, am a pretty advanced skier.  I think I have my choice whittled down to the Mantra or the Kendo (177?) but am a bit worried about the 98mm under foot of the mantra.  I haven't demoed anything yet, just skiing my p30 d3's 67 under foot.  For mostly east coast, am I nuts for considering the rockered Mantra?  What say you folks?  Any other choices I should consider/demo.  Also, is 177 a good length?  I'm coming off my p30's at 195 and with the decrease in leg strength, the have been a handful, and beat to hell after 11 years.  Thanks.

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post #2 of 18
1/23/12 at 6:36am

 

I would think the Kendo would be a better fit for the east, versatile enough to take out west on occasion, and probably a bit easier to ski in most conditions...even with traditional camber.

I would think the mid-180's length (as opposed to 177) would be better for your weight, tho.....

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post #3 of 18
1/23/12 at 6:43am
Thread Starter 

Thanks.  That's what I was thinking too.  I like a stiffer ski, as I like to carve some hard gs turns and occasionally hit the trees.  I was also thinking about the solomon twenty twelves.  I'm going to demo those 2 soon.

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post #4 of 18
1/24/12 at 2:24pm
Thread Starter 

So I went to a local ski shop to put a pair of the Kendos in my hands just to see what 88 under foot looks like, and they had nothing wider than 77mm.  The owner told me I was crazy for looking at such a wide ski and that it would be impossible to get on edge on the bullet proof VT slopes.  He said he doesn't see many people over like 73mm in his shop.  Of course, he had never even heard of the Twenty Twelves.  Idk, may be I just sell the house and kids and move back west, and get the Gotamas.

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post #5 of 18
1/25/12 at 12:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrisct View Post

So I went to a local ski shop to put a pair of the Kendos in my hands just to see what 88 under foot looks like, and they had nothing wider than 77mm.  The owner told me I was crazy for looking at such a wide ski and that it would be impossible to get on edge on the bullet proof VT slopes.  He said he doesn't see many people over like 73mm in his shop.  Of course, he had never even heard of the Twenty Twelves.  Idk, may be I just sell the house and kids and move back west, and get the Gotamas.


That's ridiculous.  Sounds like someone is screwing with you or you're screwing with us.  I suggest finding another shop because I can scarcely believe that conversation actually took place.

 

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post #6 of 18
1/25/12 at 1:03pm

That is truly preposterous.

 

I own the Kendos, and trust me, I've never encountered ANY terrain (even relatively steep, Poconos hardpack -- straight up ice, in other words) where the Kendo wasn't stupid easy to get on edge. Unless you're racing, I can't imagine needing a narrower ski.

 

I honestly can't believe that individual is in the ski business. Sounds like he shouldn't be.

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post #7 of 18
1/25/12 at 1:33pm

I own the Mantra's and have been loving them on the east coast.  The ski is extremely versatile, from powder to ice I’ve yet to come across any condition this ski can't handle.  I chose the Mantra because I ski out west a few times a year and wanted a ski fat enough to take along for the ride.  I'm 5-10 185lbs and ski the 184's, loving them! 

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post #8 of 18
1/25/12 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ed_d View Post


That's ridiculous.  Sounds like someone is screwing with you or you're screwing with us.  I suggest finding another shop because I can scarcely believe that conversation actually took place.

 


 

 

Yeah, I'm not screwing with you, he said exactly what I typed.  I spoke with my brother out in Bozeman, and he had the same reaction as you guys.  The more people (not clueless like that shop owner) I talk to about this, the better I feel about going wide at the waist.  

 

I have found some new 2010 Prophet 90's and 2010 double times, on sale for like $225 on the Internet.  Might bite the bullet and get the cheap pair.

 

Thanks for all the responses!

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post #9 of 18
1/25/12 at 4:55pm

Get the Line Prophet 90's.  I ski mostly in Michigan but with one or two trips a year out west.  My ski collection includes '12 Nordica Steadfast 90 underfoot, '10 Line Prophet 100's which are 100 underfoot and '12 Line Influence 105's which are 105 underfoot.  I haven't skiied the Influence yet but between the Prophets and Steadfast I much prefer the Prophets.  They are faster and better turning even though they are wider than the Nordicas.  The Steadfast is a great ski and I have only skiied them once this year but I do prefer the Prophets.  I basically bought the Steadfast to use around Michigan especially when helping my 5 year old how to learn.  The Steadfast is an extremely light and lively ski.  But if you can get a pair of '11 Prophet's for under $300 I'd jump on them.  I actually don't care for the new Prophets because they have taken that titanium sheet that runs across the top of the ski and taken it to the edge of the ski.  The Influence is actually more like the old Prophet's than the new Prophets.  So I personally feel the '11 Prophets are better than the '12 Prophets.  That is just my opinion.  I love my Prophets.

 

Chuck

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post #10 of 18
1/27/12 at 4:32pm

I skied the Kendo in a  170 at hunter (I'm and inch taller than you but 60lbs less) and it absolutely killed all the conditions. Ice, soft snow, trees. It is surprisingly fast edge to edge and you will have no problems with it on this coast. I would recommend the kendo over the prophet on this coast due to the better edge hold on ice (although either will work.) If you can try to demo both as I am pretty sure they have a very different feel to them. I absolutely loved the kendo though

 

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post #11 of 18
1/27/12 at 5:38pm

+1 on LP 90's...also like Kendo's...have to decide if you want a twin or not...win-win...

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post #12 of 18
1/27/12 at 9:33pm

They're both great skis. I find the Kendo more forgiving but like the new Mantra's early rise. Having skied both in the 177, I'm thinking the 184 Kendo for your weight, the Mantra's just burlier, the Kendo skis light and quick. I ended up with the new Mantras because I liked the instant turn initiation with the rockered tip and the rock solid tracking . I had the earlier version Mantra and loved it too. Try both, back to back. I had a buddy from NY out today skiing powder- Alta blower- on the Kendos and he did fine.

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post #13 of 18
1/28/12 at 12:39am

I'm selling 2011 184 Kendos with maybe 15-20 days on them max.  Only reason I'm selling is I picked up Bonafides as my new daily driver in Tahoe.  Mounted with Griffins.   Freshly tuned and ready to go.  Open to reasonable offers!  I'm thinking around 550 with bindings, 400 without.

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post #14 of 18
1/28/12 at 1:43am

Kendo

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post #15 of 18
4/22/12 at 10:30pm

A buddy of mine is looking for Kendo in 170.  Used will do.  Anyone seling that length?

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post #16 of 18
3/31/13 at 5:38am

Does the tip rocker on the Kendo ever get hooky when you lay it over at speed?

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post #17 of 18
3/31/13 at 1:25pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by spudly View Post

Does the tip rocker on the Kendo ever get hooky when you lay it over at speed?

No.
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post #18 of 18
3/31/13 at 8:26pm

See a lot of each back in the northeast, great skis for the typical day of swept-off scratch punctuated by mounds of heavy crud, not enough snow in the trees to do much with. At your size, you could handle either nicely. I'd say the Mantra if you already have the carver; it's gonna be a bit smoother in really bad snow, a bit more float in fresh or fresh chop, still has astonishing grip, very high speed limit. But the Kendo will be almost as grippy, easier in bumps, and more versatile as an all around if that's your inclination.

 

(Space for obligatory post(s) about how you should try a Bonafide instead.)

 

(Space for obligatory rejoiner. Since I'm the designated Mantra defender, something like this: I know several instructors/coaches who ski Kendos or Mantras, have had the opportunity to ski Bonafides, and still still (amazingly) prefer the Volkls. But I'm pretty certain they're off their meds, and will come around with proper treatment. wink.gif)

 

(Space for your what's-he-talking-about. Y'see we've had several other threads about this. Kinda of an Epic mini-series, you might say, with many of us always dressed for our roles.) 

 

Anyway, good luck. All great skis. 

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