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2011 HEAD Skis - Video Images

post #1 of 38
2/12/10 at 2:16pm
Thread Starter 
I'm just back from the demo show at Snowbasin.  I'll put up reviews of all of these over the next few days, but I thought some of you might like to see video images of what several of next year's HEAD skis will look like.  I'll do reviews on the review thread over the next few days.

For all of you sticks in the mud who HATED the graphics on the Jimi/Joe/Richie/John line, you got your way.  They're all hugely different for next year.  I like the new graphics but I still like my current Jimi's and so do a lot of other people.

Anyway...

One big new model for next year is the SuperShape Titan.  It's a natural progression from the SS Magnum.  The Titan will be 78 or 79mm underfoot, with a turn radius of 13.5m to 14.7m depending on the length.  VERY cool ski that I liked a lot.  Here's what it will look like:



Another new model for 2011 is the JERRY in the dead rock star line.  I don't have the exact dimensions but it's about 105 plus or minus underfoot.  It has a SMALL amount of rocker in the front and a bit of early rise at the tail.  Turn radius in the mid 20m range.  Sandwich construction.  I absolutely loved this ski because it really liked going fast on groomers but you could actually roll it over on edge and feel it carve.  More on this one later, but here's what it looks like (sorry, but I didn't have any Grateful Dead music:



One that hardly anybody will buy but I really enjoyed nonetheless is the 2011 GS race ski, the iGS RD.  For 2011, all of HEAD's race skis and the SuperShape line have a new feature that I think is replacing the Intelligence chip.  The new system is called KERS, for Kinetic Energy Recovery System.  This is some black-box technology that they've brought over from Formula 1 racing and Lindsey Vonn has been skiing this for the last three weeks.  More on that as I get details.  Here's the GS ski:



Here's the Peak 88 for next year:



And the Peak 78:



New graphics for the SuperShape Magnum, along with the KERS system:



And new graphics for the Jimi (along with a couple of minor tweaks to the geometry):



That's it for now.  I'll post reviews on the review forum in a few days.
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post #2 of 38
2/12/10 at 3:43pm
I really liked the new Supershape i.Titan.  It had a great on-snow feel (fairly damp), excellent stability for such a "turny" ski, and nice energy out of the turns.  It was in my top 3 out of about 16 sets I tested.

I didn't ride any of the Peak series for next year, but the comments I heard revolved around them making the tips a bit too soft and floppy and that was hurting their hard snow performance at the expense of the soft stuff or moguls.
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post #3 of 38
2/12/10 at 3:45pm
Well....now I know that my current all HEAD quiver's days are numbered....KERS here I come.
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post #4 of 38
2/12/10 at 3:49pm
 how the hell does KERS worked on skis?

I have to say I am thoughly impressed with my 170cm Mags. I still havent posted a review on those yet.
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post #5 of 38
2/12/10 at 4:01pm
Yikes... Not a great topsheet change on the Peak 88s (imo). The 78s look sharp, though.

The Jerry's look like they might be good for my next powder ski. Bob, you liked it on groomers, did you get a chance to try it in other areas? At the moment, I'm leaning towards a pair of Jimi's.

Thanks for the videos and impressions.

Edit: Ah, just read the end of your post saying you'll post reviews in the next couple of days. Looking forward to them :).
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post #6 of 38
2/12/10 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Peters View Post

I'm just back from the demo show at Snowbasin.  I'll put up reviews of all of these over the next few days, but I thought some of you might like to see video images of what several of next year's HEAD skis will look like.  I'll do reviews on the review thread over the next few days.

For all of you sticks in the mud who HATED the graphics on the Jimi/Joe/Richie/John line, you got your way.  They're all hugely different for next year.  I like the new graphics but I still like my current Jimi's and so do a lot of other people.

Anyway...

One big new model for next year is the SuperShape Titan.  It's a natural progression from the SS Magnum.  The Titan will be 78 or 79mm underfoot, with a turn radius of 13.5m to 14.7m depending on the length.  VERY cool ski that I liked a lot.  Here's what it will look like:
 

The SuperShapes look pretty good.
I'm still stuck in the mud thinking the Jimi/Joe/Richie/John/Jerry line look like shit.
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post #7 of 38
2/12/10 at 4:31pm
 I'd definitely lik to know more about KERS. I'm wondering from a physics standpoint is Kinetic energy actually recoverable in a ski? Were they in partnership with a particular F1 team? I would totally buy McLaren-Mercedes skis.
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post #8 of 38
2/12/10 at 4:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by epic View Post

 I'm wondering from a physics standpoint is Kinetic energy actually recoverable in a ski?

Well sure, up to a point. The idea is the same as the old chip ski, vibration from the ski is converted to electricity in the piezo/ chip and then fired into smart fibers. With KERS it is to produce a little more energy (by stiffening the flex of the tail) at release of the turn, with the 'Chip' skis it was to stiffen the ski shovel torsionally. Same idea, just tip-to-tail instead of side-to-side.
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post #9 of 38
2/12/10 at 5:00pm

KERS - Kinetic Energy Recovery System

I left my 2011 catalogue at the office but here is what I know.  Below is from the Head press release on KERS.  Note I have a pair of 2011 iSL 165 in the car and a pair of 2010 iSL 165 at the hill.  Really looking forward to comparing tommorrow.  Also have a 163 iTitan in the car.  12.4 m radius.  78mm at waist.

 

HEAD Ski 2010/11
 
Fomula HEAD - KERS
The new HEAD KERS Technology shakes the World Cup race circuit.
 
Last year the HEAD racing team was one of the fastest teams of the entire season. And we intend to keep it that way. That’s why we made the fastest skis on earth a little faster for 2010/11. The secret is called KERS Technology. Originating in Formula 1 and putting Didier Cuche, Bode Miller and Co. where they belong: in pole. KERS will be winning loads of medals in the World Cup.
 
The Extra Boost.
 
KERS Technology works like a turbo charger that provides additional power and acceleration by stiffening the tail of the ski in outturns. The effect: a boost, catapulting the rider into the next turn. Just like when Formula 1 pilots push a button for that extra notch of speed. HEAD KERS Technology is an electronic, fully automatic and integrated system.
 
How It Works.
 
Skis experience maximum flex at the end of a turn. At this moment an active microchip releases energy into the fibers of the tail. The tail of the ski then stiffens up, immediately increasing rebound for maximum acceleration at the end of the outturn.
 
Technical Background.
 
HEAD KERS Technology is an evolution of the idea behind HEAD’s Intelligence Technology. But unlike Intelligence, KERS does not influence the torsional stiffness of the ski, KERS empowers the skis’ longitudinal flex. Also KERS Technology is based on a completely new chip capable of accumulating power
and keeping it in store for the right moment. Piezoelectric fibers transform kinetic energy into electrical energy which is stored in the embedded chip in the ski. Electrical energy is immediately released to areas of the ski, where additional energy is requested by the sensor. Timing and release are automatically controlled and coordinated. Depending on the flex pattern of different ski models, sensors are programmed beforehand: the more aggressive the ski has to be, the stiffer the tail will become.
 




 

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post #10 of 38
2/15/10 at 12:50pm
Skied on 2011 Worldcup iSL 165 over the weekend.  My usual sksi are 2010 Worldcup iSL 165.  The KERS was noticable in this ski as well as the SS Titan I also tried.  I think this technology actually works.

A few racers tried both iSL and declared the 2011 version stiffer.  The ski is very nice, rock solid on the snow (of course we had exceptional conditions this weekend and all year so far).

The Titan does not ski like a wide ski and is very responsive.  The KERS is noticable in the tail.  You do not have to work the ski as hard as in the past to feel the kick.  This is basically a carving ski that is wide enough to go elsewhere - where the Peak 78 is an elsewhere ski that can carve.

I am a bog fan of both skis - particularly the iSL

Mike
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post #11 of 38
2/17/10 at 6:42pm
I notice how all the HEAD team members in the Olympics are sporting metal studded S&M style ski straps with the new KERS logo.
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post #12 of 38
2/18/10 at 7:55am
Yeah, usually there is the Head-Logo instead of the KERS-Sign, but they have to cover them because of the no-commercial-rules.

And here you can also see some special represantation-skis for Lindsey Vonn & Maria Riesch right before the Olympics:
topelement.jpg
(Super-Combined St. Moritz, image source)
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post #13 of 38
2/18/10 at 7:59pm
The Olympics is definitely giving Head a lot of publicity. I got a bunch of questions on the lift about my SS Magnums. I ski in Western PA and there are very few Heads on the mountain. 

Still, I think their graphics department is really out to lunch. The dead rockstar series looks to be an improvement over last year, but it's still pretty bad. It just doesn't seem to have any class or taste. Compare the look of that series to something like the Line Prophet or even the Volkl Mantra/Goat/Kuro/Kat. The Heads look like jokes. I'm just not sure who this theme appeals to. The Mojo series was so much better looking, at least in my opinion.

And I've always thought the SuperShape series looked cool in a "pro equipment" sorta way. (Although I hate the green color of my SS Magnums.) But the new version of the graphics is just awful. First off, the tails and tips don't match whatsoever. Black tails and white tips? Huh? Second, the tip graphics look like they are placeholders that Head put on the test skis at the factory. Three different fonts with the letters at three different angles. And what's with the old-school alarm clock font of the ski dimensions? I'm not even a designer but that topsheet is a disaster.

I don't mean to start another thread on whether or not graphics should matter for purchase, but I was looking at a pair of Line Prophet 100s the other day and thinking to myself, "Wow, that's a beautiful ski." I think Head is hurting its product with these designs.
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post #14 of 38
2/18/10 at 9:30pm

 Kinetic energy or energy in general is a lofty subject. Kinetic energy is either conserved, lost, but certainly never gained. What you should be asking is whether the potential energy of a ski can be conserved. The Kinetic Energy of a single particle or of a system relies only on motion. A ball moving at a certain velocity would have kinetic energy, but a ski that is dampened and not moving would not. If a ski is moving relative to an inertial reference point it would have kinetic energy and if bending at the same time, it would have potential energy. Just remember, Kinetic Energy is the energy of motion given by 1/2mv^2. The idea that they are turning Kinetic Energy into Electrical Energy isn't a true concept in physics, unless referring to Electric (Potential) Energy. But, that still doesn't make much sense. Potential Energy is Potential Energy. Kinetic energy is Kinetic energy. Perhaps they are saying that they are taking potential energy and increasing the amount lost, which would actually increase the kinetic energy, and vice versa. Electric potential energy is only found in things with charge (granted everything has charge.) But, wait! I see now. If the system gains electric potential energy, then it can be used to transform into mechanical(not K + U) energy which would power the skis to flex and form!
Maybe they actually do have physicists working there......

By the way, when an object is given energy or becomes "energized" it is impossible for it to gain more energy than it is orginally given. Energy cannot be created from nothing! That is a fundamental law of physics. It's just energy used for different things, but the same amount, nonetheless.

 

 

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post #15 of 38
2/19/10 at 8:43am
How does the SS Titan compare to the Peak 78?  Is the Titan more of an on-piste ski?  

Other than graphics, has the Peak 78 changed for 2011?

Thanks.  
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post #16 of 38
2/19/10 at 9:00am
Why'd they go shiny on the Jimi topsheet???

My 2010s are skiing great and have been taking a beating,  the minor top-sheet chips and scratches are well absorbed by the rough matt finish.....  That shiny topsheet will look horrid in no-time if they are ridden properly?!?!?!?
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post #17 of 38
2/19/10 at 9:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Noodler View Post

I really liked the new Supershape i.Titan.  It had a great on-snow feel (fairly damp), excellent stability for such a "turny" ski, and nice energy out of the turns.  It was in my top 3 out of about 16 sets I tested.

I didn't ride any of the Peak series for next year, but the comments I heard revolved around them making the tips a bit too soft and floppy and that was hurting their hard snow performance at the expense of the soft stuff or moguls.
I skied the Peak 78 and 88, and they were solid skis.  Due to the soft tip, I went up to 180cm in the 88, and it ripped at that length. Damp, smooth, good edge hold on some really firm snow, and fun in the bumps: just an all-around really reliable ski that did everything I asked. It felt truly like a 50/50 ski, as it didn't really "excel" anywhere, but it was super solid everywhere. Most of the skis I tried (like the Helldiver i-Core from Nordica or the Kendo from Volkl) seem to have a preferred terrain and turn type which they really like, and give the user a bit of trouble elsewhere. Not so the Peak 88.    The Peak 78 I could only try in a 171cm (it is detuned with a softer tip and 1 sheet of metal) and felt shorter, and more of a carver in that length.  The proper length for me is 177cm in that ski.  Still good edge hold, and I was skiing some super firm overnight re-freeze that had yet to soften up. 

iTitan is sweet, and is a lot of ski.  The 177cm felt really long and GS like, the 170cm was very fun in the bumps, on groomers, and in crud at speed. Very high speed limit for such a short ski, and tons of energy. Fairly forgiving for such a powerful ski, too.  
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post #18 of 38
2/19/10 at 9:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimski View Post

How does the SS Titan compare to the Peak 78?  Is the Titan more of an on-piste ski?  

Other than graphics, has the Peak 78 changed for 2011?

Thanks.  
Peak 78 is softer next year: new soft tip and only 1 sheet of metal. The iTitan is the logical "update" to the current Peak, but it has more energy, perhaps more edge grip, and has to be skied shorter. If you were on the fence between sizes on the Peak, you should go to the smaller size on the iTitan.  I ski it in 170cm, and the 177cm is my Peak 78 length.  Gotta say that the new Peak very reliable but a little less exciting, and the new iTitan is like a Peak 78 with a pre-loaded spring in the tail.  Really exciting ski.  
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post #19 of 38
2/19/10 at 10:06am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by dawgcatching View Post



Peak 78 is softer next year: new soft tip and only 1 sheet of metal. The iTitan is the logical "update" to the current Peak, but it has more energy, perhaps more edge grip, and has to be skied shorter. If you were on the fence between sizes on the Peak, you should go to the smaller size on the iTitan.  I ski it in 170cm, and the 177cm is my Peak 78 length.  Gotta say that the new Peak very reliable but a little less exciting, and the new iTitan is like a Peak 78 with a pre-loaded spring in the tail.  Really exciting ski.  
 

Very well put, dawg.

The consensus at the Snowbasin demo fest seemed to be the same.  The Titan is a really run and very powerful ski, but it should probably be skied one size shorter than one might otherwise think.

It's going to be a really good "everyday" ski for when it isn't snowing a bunch.
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post #20 of 38
2/19/10 at 11:14am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huckle View Post


 Kinetic energy or energy in general is a lofty subject. Kinetic energy is either conserved, lost, but certainly never gained. What you should be asking is whether the potential energy of a ski can be conserved. The Kinetic Energy of a single particle or of a system relies only on motion. A ball moving at a certain velocity would have kinetic energy, but a ski that is dampened and not moving would not. If a ski is moving relative to an inertial reference point it would have kinetic energy and if bending at the same time, it would have potential energy. Just remember, Kinetic Energy is the energy of motion given by 1/2mv^2. The idea that they are turning Kinetic Energy into Electrical Energy isn't a true concept in physics, unless referring to Electric (Potential) Energy. But, that still doesn't make much sense. Potential Energy is Potential Energy. Kinetic energy is Kinetic energy. Perhaps they are saying that they are taking potential energy and increasing the amount lost, which would actually increase the kinetic energy, and vice versa. Electric potential energy is only found in things with charge (granted everything has charge.) But, wait! I see now. If the system gains electric potential energy, then it can be used to transform into mechanical(not K + U) energy which would power the skis to flex and form!
Maybe they actually do have physicists working there......

By the way, when an object is given energy or becomes "energized" it is impossible for it to gain more energy than it is orginally given. Energy cannot be created from nothing! That is a fundamental law of physics. It's just energy used for different things, but the same amount, nonetheless.

 

 


Huckle, you sure are smart!
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post #21 of 38
2/19/10 at 2:14pm
 Seriously, anyone can understand physics. I'm just motivated.....thank you though. 
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post #22 of 38
2/19/10 at 2:35pm
What are the lengths on the 88 going to be?
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post #23 of 38
2/19/10 at 3:29pm
Dawg and Bob,

Thanks!   How does the Titan compare to this year's Peak 78 (for which there may be good end-of-season deals in a couple months)?  You guys have my number from previous threads: I'm looking for skis for Eastern hardpack, but not just for all-groomed-all-the-time -- i.e., capable of busting through crud, doing bumps and moguls, and OK in trees.  One pair....

Thanks again.
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post #24 of 38
2/19/10 at 3:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dawgcatching View Post


If you were on the fence between sizes on the Peak, you should go to the smaller size on the iTitan.  I ski it in 170cm, and the 177cm is my Peak 78 length. 
 

Dawg -- what are your stats (height and weight)?  Thnaks.
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post #25 of 38
2/20/10 at 11:35pm

What lengths do the Jerry come in and turn radius's? I havn't been able to info anywhere.

"Rocker"?  How does rocker ski's handle spring ice (sheet at times) and super slush? Its a gimme they are great in powder.

Cheers


Edited by CaseyKiwi - 2/23/10 at 10:30am
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post #26 of 38
2/22/10 at 7:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimski View Post

Dawg and Bob,

Thanks!   How does the Titan compare to this year's Peak 78 (for which there may be good end-of-season deals in a couple months)?  You guys have my number from previous threads: I'm looking for skis for Eastern hardpack, but not just for all-groomed-all-the-time -- i.e., capable of busting through crud, doing bumps and moguls, and OK in trees.  One pair....

Thanks again.


My best description of the current year Peak 78 to next years Titan is as follows.  the Peak is more of an off piste ski that can also carve.  The Titan is a performance carving ski that is wide enough to take off piste.

If you like cranking turns and ski on ice the Titan is a great ski.  Very responsive with good edge grip.  The current year Peak 78 does not have the same grip as any of the supershape or worldcup series but still skis well.  The Peak 78 would be good for a big mountain.

I think the Titan will be a popular ski.

Note that I skied the Peak 78 in a 171cm length and the Titan in a 163 cm length.

Mike
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post #27 of 38
2/25/10 at 9:30am
Thanks.  I may have to demo both of them.
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post #28 of 38
2/25/10 at 9:58am
HEAD should have changed their racing line to a gold color, to represent the Olympic Gold medals won.  As the ski soften, they should decorate them with a silver and bronze color with the same HEAD logo. 

Dead rock stars are OK, since there is nothing really new so they might as well go with the music the skiers on those boards like.   WTF is with the feminine studded ski straps on Bode's skis?  Snowboarders and freestylers like that look, not racers.
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post #29 of 38
2/25/10 at 12:35pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by John J View Post

What are the lengths on the 88 going to be?

I believe they are unchanged from this year:

164 / 169 / 175 / 180 / 186


Quote:
Originally Posted by CaseyKiwi View Post

What lengths do the Jerry come in and turn radius's? I havn't been able to info anywhere.

"Rocker"?  How does rocker ski's handle spring ice (sheet at times) and super slush? Its a gimme they are great in powder.

Cheers


I'm purely guessing here as far as lengths.  I believe the one I skied in Snowbasin was a 191.  I'm guessing that there will also be 181 and 171 but I don't know for sure.

I think rockered skis handle slush really well.  I think the performance on ice would depend HUGELY on the geometry of the ski.  Just my own opinion, but I think that the more rocker/early rise there is on a given model, the worse it would be on ice.
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post #30 of 38
2/25/10 at 3:26pm
I for one loved the graphics on the Jimi. (Much more than the ski itself actually)
Bummed about the new graphics on the Rock Star Line as it should be called,not Dead Rock Star  even if they are.

The new magnum is stiffer than this years? Titan is stiffer than magnum next year?
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