Difference between 2008 and 2009 Connelly F1?

[tslack]

I have been skiing on a Goode 9700 with powershells for the past 18 months until the handle hit my ski last week and cracked it in half! I am thinking of trying something more durable (non carbon) such as the F1 but was wondering if there is any difference between the 2008 and 2009 other than graphics. I don't want to crack a $1000+ ski every year or two. My other question is whether anyone has any experience using Goode Powershells on a Connelly F1? Thanks for any input.

[skidawg]

Used powershells on connelly, perfect, get you a new prophecy, nice!  or rcx, nice also!  Sauce is good to.

[tslack]

Will the prophecy be as durable as the F1? Is the prophecy a carbon fiber ski? I would be a little concerned about the durability of any ski that has a high carbon fiber content as I did notice how brittle the Goode 9700 seemed to be with its carbon fiber content. The first time the handle hit the 9700 it put a ding down to the core of the ski. Then last week the ski cracked in half from a handle hit. That was a disappointment after shelling out $1000. This makes me leery of another carbon ski. What is Sauce??

[HO 410]

There are more factors that go into the durability of a ski than the materials that were used to make it. Handle dings are not really something that any warranty would ever cover. However, for the handle to split the ski like firewood (I'd love to see a picture), that would probably point to some kind of manufacturer defect. I know through personal experience that both Connelly and HO stand tall behind their products and are rather generous in their warranting of skis. Others will tell you that Radar, Connelly, and D3 are also quality skis and companys that will stand behind their product should it fail.   

To continue, the problem for you is that just about any ski at or near the top end is carbon fiber. The F1 is a carbon/fiberglass blend, and that Texalium (if I understand it correctly) top-sheet is an aluminum powder coated laminate. If you are avoiding a carbon top-sheet like the plague then you are going to be looking for something like a CDX with an aluminum top, although I've also seen aluminum peel off a ski like damp walpaper. Maharaja might be a good choice.

Differences in the F1. Connelly generally hints at the changes they make in their product write up. Since 2007 I don't think I have read anything that hinted at anything more than a small flex adjustment. In 2007 they made mention of a bevel adjustment. 

Good luck. 

[tslack]

Thanks for the input HO 410. I do not think that Goode should warranty this damage as I'm not sure it involves any type of manufacturing defect. However, if this is representative of the fragility of these skis then I would hope to find something a bit more durable. It is actually the bottom of the ski that split in half. I'm not sure what the bottom is made of but it is obviously not extremely durable. Our skis are subjected to many physical abuses and demands. I would just hope that a $1000 ski would hold up a bit better than this. I'm having trouble attaching a picture for some reason. Let me know if you have an email address and I could send pics to you that way. I did not know where the handle hit the ski but it was after I had rounded the buoy and I did notice a new "scratch" on the top of the ski after I felt the impact. Why it cracked the bottom in half I do not know???

[HO 410]

You could upload to a site like photobucket and link, or email it to trauty86@netscape.net and I can put it up.

I would think a Connelly Profecy would be much closer in character to your Goode than an F1 would. Both skis claim to be a carbon/fiberglass composite. Both skis cost less than $1000, and you may be able to ask nicely and get their EP discount. I've talked to people at Connelly and, even if it is just talk, their aim is to build a ski that will never break. This has them building heftier skis with a reputation of durability. But, like any other ski (or any product at that) the right combination of unusual stresses will cause failure.

I don't believe these skis are "delicate" although I do know of an amusing story where the punchline is Chet Raley, accidently, breaking a Goode 9500 over his knee. I know that having a ski break and being left with nothing will put a sour taste in your mouth. Like I wrote in the previous post, there are companies out there that are excited to stand behind their product (or just realize that replacing your ski now will probably win you as a customer forever). And I do not believe that there is a systematic deficiency in the desing of top-end skis, if this were the case we would all be going through skis like a bad pair of shoe-laces. 

[RS]

If you are going to go to a Connelly I can personally vouch for awesome customer service that went above and beyond the stated warranty.  No worries about breaking them either.  My F1 is in great shape but my buddy's is beat to heck.  He has had a bunch of handle pops and assorted other accidents and the ski keeps on going.

 

[WadeWilliams]

The difference between the 2008 and 2009 F1 is graphics. New black & red = sick. Old Blue white and black = also, sick.

 Difference between 2008 and 2007 f1 = softer flex pattern more gradually rated along the skis length. Much better than 2007.

 Prophecy has higher, but not 'high' carbon conent, I think there's more on the top sheet graphics than there is carbon in the ski, although it is lighter than the f1. The f1 in my experience has been the most reliable as far as toughness / longevity. The skis hold their flex over time and are robust to handle dings (won't loose a ski to a popped handle). And they dont pay me anything at all so you can't say this statement is a bribe :-)

 

www.proskicoach.com

[tslack]

Thanks for the info. That is what I needed to know.

[MrJones]

Wade,

What about differences between the '08 and 09' Prophecy? I have heard that there would be minor bevel changes to allow the ski sit a bit higher and "feel" a bit faster. Any truth to this?

 tslack. I have gone from Goode to the Prophecy and feel this would be a much easier transition for you. I rode the F1 a couple of times in the last 2 years. It had some nice characteristics, but I knew it was not forgiving enough for a real change. I believe the Prophecy is much better in this respect. Still a very different ride than the Goode so plan on investing some time if you want to change.

sj