Administrators Horton Posted June 28, 2011 Administrators Share Posted June 28, 2011 The HO Syndicate A2 is the second of HO’s “A” or “Angle” series. Its predecessor, the A1, is one of the most popular skis in recent history. Fans of the A1 said the off side turn was ultra-forgiving, and the ski was stable and easy to ride. Detractors of the A1 said the ski was not overly fast, and it was slow turning at the on side turn. For the A2, the design team, lead by Bob LaPoint, has taken the proven design of the A1 and refined it into an even better ski.General FeelThe A2 is a calm, predictable, and balanced ski. It waits for skier input and then does exactly what it is commanded. It is easy to ski technically correct on a ski that inspires confidence. The A2 is confidence inspiring. Toe Side (Off Side) TurnApproaching off side turns, the A2 apexes and arcs in early without much skier input. With moderate front foot pressure, the ski continues to draw an arc back to the wakes. The A2 carves a path around the off side that is continuous and flowing.Heel Side (On Side) TurnWhere as the A1 required a definitive amount of front foot pressure, the A2 is more tolerant. It still requires front foot pressure but less than the A1. With moderate front foot pressure, on side turns are smooth and as flowing as off side turns. Skiers that are accustom to riding their back foot into on side may struggle to get angle. From Second Wake to BallWidth is easily achieved on the A2. Given reasonable handle control/rope tension, the A2 naturally draws a path wide and in front of the ball. The angle the ski achieves before the wakes is easily maintained off the second wake. By shifting your weight forward off the second wake, you will reveal this ski’s full potential.From Ball to Second WakeThe A2 does not “feel” dramatically fast off the ball, but by design, the ski continues to acquire additional angle from the ball line to the wakes. Due to this ski’s arcing turns and overall balance, it is easy for the skier to achieve optimal position. Quirks & NotesExcessive physical effort is not required by the A2, but it does require that the skier maintains a steady level of aggression. When skiing in the aforementioned state, the A2 performs as described above. If the skier becomes overconfident half way through a pass, performance will diminish unexpectedly. The only trouble I had on the A2 was when I thought to myself: “Relax, Walrus. This pass is in the bag.”At the end of my scheduled month on the A2, I was given a 2012 spec fin. The new fin is thinner and unquestionably made the ski faster. The feeling of speed was especially apparent at gate pullout and out bound from the wakes to the ball line. This change made a good ski even better.Conclusion:The experience of riding the A2 is all about being wide, early and smooth. I think this is the best ski from HO in recent history. Mid-way through my time on the A2, I had the best ride of my life. I guess Bob LaPoint really does know something about slalom skis. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scesnauskas Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Thanks for the good review and spreading the good word out in Bako about the A2. Steve Cesnauskas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted June 29, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 29, 2011 Thanks for the review, did we end up with any recommended numbers etc Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 29, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 29, 2011 I will post my numbers tonight Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 29, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 29, 2011 Sorry.... my main editor is a bug scienetist. She uses big words Slalom Skis starting at $229.99 + FREE Shipping on all orders over $99 marine-products.com!http://www.avantlink.com/tpv/10685/77793/33143/43611/-/ml/image.png Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Roger Posted June 29, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 29, 2011 Great summation! Since the A2 won men and women slalom at the Masters and Karina ran 1 @ 41 on hers just 4 weeks after going on it and at her first tournament of the year; I'd have to agree that it's the best offering from HO to date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted June 29, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 29, 2011 I can imagine the bug scientist sitting there as she starts editing and just sighing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted June 29, 2011 Supporting Member Share Posted June 29, 2011 @Horton @Gallagher And Entomologist is pretty much the same thing as Etymologist... (Don't bother looking them up; it's not that funny.) P.S. Female nerds RULE! Perhaps she'd be interested in http://www.geekgirlcon.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 29, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 29, 2011 Yes you are funny ... I get it. Ward and MS will have to Google it. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted June 29, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 29, 2011 Can MS spell google? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 29, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 29, 2011 Good point. He wants an A2 because he can spell it. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM Posted June 29, 2011 Share Posted June 29, 2011 Hey John, can you clarify "Best ride of my life", was it a new PB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 29, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 29, 2011 I have run 2 @ 39 before but have never run a 38 that good before. The boat path was on video and it was ZO. 100% no BS score and was easy. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted June 29, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted June 29, 2011 as for numbers, I did not move around much at all. 29 1/4 2.502 6.842 .774 (slot) .757 (head) Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted June 30, 2011 Baller Share Posted June 30, 2011 Hey John ,a bit confused numbers posted at one point were .78 DFT 2.503 Deep 6.835 tips 29 1/2 Quite different from numbers above could you please clarify, Best Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM Posted June 30, 2011 Share Posted June 30, 2011 @Horton Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ham_Wallace Posted July 1, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2011 .790 2.492 6.90-6.92 29 3/8 no wing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 1, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 1, 2011 @Stevie Boy numbers I quoted last are the last numbers I used. Not sure they are perfect but are a pretty good starting place. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 1, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 1, 2011 @Ham Wallace How do you measure DFT? Head of Calipers? Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted July 1, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2011 Thanks John gave those numbers a go and as you say they are good, but I found you have to be on your game. loose handle control and the ski wants to go back towards the bouy you have just come from LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 1, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 1, 2011 Please post your numbers Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apodawil Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Horton, In you review you say, "At the end of my scheduled month on the A2, I was given a 2012 spec fin. The new fin is thinner and unquestionably made the ski faster. The feeling of speed was especially apparent at gate pullout and out bound from the wakes to the ball line. This change made a good ski even better." Is this fin a BOS fin that is coming out? I thought your wife laid down the law. Or is this fin coming from HO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck_Dickey Posted July 1, 2011 Share Posted July 1, 2011 Just saw a new A-2 has a red fin and fin box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Skihack Posted July 1, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2011 Maybe it's a Strada fin box and fin. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted July 1, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 1, 2011 Red is the thinner fin on newer skis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted July 2, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2011 Question if you fit a thinner fin to the ski without the correct fin box for it, does the fin not end up out of center ? John as for Numbers: 29 1/4 D3 Leverage Binding 2.504 6.843 .757 (head) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 2, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 2, 2011 the thinner fin is what is shipping on all new HO skis. I do not know what to say about the off center thing.... I ski good on the A2. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted July 2, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2011 John just to make sure I,m getting this right the term head ,how are you making this measurement. I did but slot caliper but the quality of caliper was not that great, if I measure say a 2 thou plate with my normal caliper it,s 2 thou and with the slot caliper reads 3.5 thou, I do not trust it any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 2, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 2, 2011 Sounds like you have a bad one. Strange.... Mine is money. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck_Dickey Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Best ski I have ever bought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ntx Posted July 2, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2011 @stevie boy Do you guys know what the difference is between 2 thou and 3.5 thou? A piece of paper is about 3.5 thou. Most human hair is 2 thou. You are splitting hairs. It cracks me up to sit and listen to guys on the dock talk about moving the fin .005 forward or back. Up or down. Most skiers I know, don't know how to use a caliper correctly. I bet you could get five guys on the dock. Give them a ski and tell them to measure the fin. I bet you get five sets of numbers that wont be within 20 thou on the length, 20 thou on the tail and 5 thou on the depth. fyi, I work as a quality control manager and have over 30 years with calipers and precision CMM's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ham_Wallace Posted July 2, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2011 Tail of Calipers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted July 2, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2011 Thanks for that ntx really useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Supporting Member Than_Bogan Posted July 2, 2011 Supporting Member Share Posted July 2, 2011 Here's an "amusing" thing I figured out a while back: Assuming your fin is made of aluminum, that has a coefficient of expansion of 12.3 x 10E-6 in / in / deg F. So if your fin is about 8 inches long, then each degree of temperature change brings a change in your fin length of 8 x 12.3 x 10E-6 in or about 0.000074 inches. If you set it in a 70 degree room and then put it in 90 degree water, that's a 20 degree change so it lengthens by about 0.0015 inches. The point of this is: Don't stress too much over the 1000ths -- they are beyond reasonable control. (The alternative moral of the story is that you must measure your fin while submersed in the water you're actually going to ski in so that you can get it accurate to half thousandth as I've heard some claim you need. If that's how you want to interpret this, I guess I can't stop you...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ntx Posted July 2, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 2, 2011 Great post Than. I bet someone will show up at a starting dock with a temp gauge, check the water temp, and adjust the fin just before they ski. LOL It really is getting over the top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 2, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 2, 2011 seen it Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted July 3, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 3, 2011 ntx, I wholly understand your argument; but, I think we are talking about the difference between precision and accuracy. Precision is the relative grouping of discrete data; while accuracy is being able to hit the established mark. Well, If I measure my fin and make the adjustments (pretty much exclusively) my accuracy could be off; but my precision should be good. In this case a tolerance of .005 in measurements is very repeatable; but, maybe not wholly accurate. This is ok because now the adjustments of .005 are only relative to the last measured position; which I measured (i.e. I can measure my fin over and over and come up with the same measurements because I use the same method and technique). When I move the fin and measure it again; I use the same method and technique. So, the change is relative to the last fin position and not necessarily in line with the exact numbers someone else has dialed in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ForrestGump Posted July 3, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 3, 2011 NTX, don't laugh.........that happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ntx Posted July 3, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 3, 2011 Skibug you are right on target. You measure and make adjustments to your ski. Everything is relative. But, then you post your numbers that work for you, and whoever duplicates them are off by ???? The two toughest are the tail and the length. Five skiers, five sets of numbers, same ski. How can anyone expect to duplicate any set of numbers posted, except that they are a starting point and may be up to .075 off on the length and tail. Don't make a big deal out of .001 or .002. You are trying to split hairs. At that point, the skier and what he is doing has a bigger effect on the ski than the movement of the fin .005 in any direction. Is our reach the same at every bouy within a inch? Do we get the same angle out of the bouy every time? Do we release the handle in the same place the same way every time? Maybe Nate does. LOL That's what I think makes a great skier. ShaneH I know. I don't laugh. It does make me smile. SOL does that make sense? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skibug Posted July 3, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 3, 2011 ntx, agreed...5 different persons=5 different measurements. I would like to think that a base set of numbers gets you close; then you need to tune base on what you are feeling. That is where the relativeness comes into play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ham_Wallace Posted July 3, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 3, 2011 Is that like relative humidity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Dirt Posted July 5, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 5, 2011 Are the binding placement numbers for a 67.5? Those are really far back compared to the factory recommended 30. Horton posted 29 1/4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 5, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 5, 2011 Greg told me to go 29.5 to 29.25 Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old MS Accout Posted July 5, 2011 Share Posted July 5, 2011 Thats on a ski with a wing. It would be differant without one on the fin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Dirt Posted July 5, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 5, 2011 Got a demo A2 from Horton today. I have been waiting for it for a week. When it arrived, I called Greg Badal to get the best fin setting. He asked which fin was on it and told me to go check. I opened the box and had to tell Greg sorry I bothered him. This is what I found. /vanilla2/uploads/FileUpload/3/923.jpg The good news is Scoke's fin settings may finally be useful. /vanilla2/uploads/FileUpload/4/924.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Mateo_Vargas Posted July 5, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 5, 2011 Classic prank Horton. Excellent use of the holiday weekend to make Smart wait another day. When I saw him Saturday he couldn't stand it that his box was sitting at UPS. I was on the phone with him today and gave him Badal's number when it arrived. I think it went better than you planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Boody Posted July 5, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 5, 2011 Ouch! Smart, that is just not right. Its not like you deserved it or anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 5, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 5, 2011 I love that ski. I ran 35 off (30 mph) on it a few years ago. Thought it would be good for Dave. Could not make him ski worse Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted July 6, 2011 Author Administrators Share Posted July 6, 2011 Latest # from Greg B. (not for wood ski) .79 tail 2.500 deep 6.833 Long Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skidawg Posted July 6, 2011 Baller Share Posted July 6, 2011 The mad super genius stricks again!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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