HO Syndicate S1/S2 vs A1/A2 vs Radar Strada

[cccos88]

I have been skiing on a Connelly F1 for the past 3 years. I have recently tried a friends S1 and Strada. These skis are way easier to ski. I found myself skiing the course with much less effort then I was when using the F1. I am now looking for a new ski. I was wondering if anyone could give a good comparison of these 4 skis? Or if you would recommend one ski over the other. I am skiing 36mph and starting to get into 22 off. Thank you.

[Deanoski]

can not go wrong with a strada!! forgiving and fast!

[jdarwin]

If you are trying skis, I would highly recommend a D3 Fusion. We've been riding different skis for the past month and the Fusion is preferred over most.

[Dirt]

I have ridden the F1, Strada and A2. I agree that the Strada and A2 are much less effort than the F1. The A2 feels better for my style but I switched skis with a Strada skier for a set and we both skied well on each others skis without missing a pass to our usual averages. It would be good to try a Fusion based on Darwin, Skidawg and Schroeders recommendations.

[Dirt]

Fusion Review:

In the last few years, D3 has made skis at opposite ends of the spectrum: so called “fast skis” like the Z7 and then deeper riding skis like the X5 and X7. The fast skis are known for requiring less physical effort, gaining width with ease and turning aggressively .The deeper riding skis are known for carving smooth arcs around the ball and a more tactual feel.

 

 

 

General Feel:

 

With the Fusion, D3 set out to combine the best attributes of the Z7 and the X7. From the Z, they wanted the speed and width. Form the X, they wanted the carving turns and stability. The result is brilliant.

 

 

 

Toe Side (Off Side) Turn

 

Approaching and exiting the off side, the Fusion draws a continuous arc out and around the ball. The ski is very tolerant of skier mistakes and finds the right path with minimum drama. Unless pushed aggressively, the ski blends the finish of the turn and the start of the acceleration stage better than most skis.

 

 

 

Heel Side (On Side) Turn

 

On Side turns have a tighter radius with more front foot pressure, but the Fusion is reasonably tolerant to extra back foot pressure. With weight centered and head up, this ski turns symmetrically on both sides.

 

 

From Second Wake to Ball

 

The Fusion consistently draws a path wide of the ball line. Width is simply not an issue on the Fusion. This is remarkable for a ski that turns with such a smooth arc.

 

Stability is something you notice mostly when you do not have it. Some skis make skiers feel stressed or unsteady between the wakes and the ball. The Fusion is calm and predictable, so much so that I found that I was controlling the handle (rope tension) far better on the Fusion than on other skis. In other words, I am so comfortable on this ski that I am able to ski more technically.

 

 

 

From Ball to Second Wake

 

If the skier is reasonably calm and patient at the ball, the Fusion will continue to generate angle all the way to the wake. In the case of a ball line error, the Fusion is easy to redirect across course. This ski delivers ample angle at the exit of every turn.

 

 

 

Quirks & Notes

 

If the skier is centered (stacked – hips up) across the wakes and approaching the ball, the Fusion is one of the very best high end skis available today. The one downside of this ski is that it has a small performance envelope. Outside that envelope, performance drops off quickly, and the ski is suddenly a lot of work to ride and unruly at the ball.

 

The Fusion is not tolerant to incorrect fin settings. In addition, skiers who do not consistently get their hips forward crossing the wakes will not do well on this ski.

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

There is no such thing as the perfect slalom ski, but for many skiers, the Fusion is the closest thing available today. If you are still and centered through the wakes, calm at the ball and do not insist on tweaking your fin settings every week, I strongly recommend this ski.

[Dirt]

A2 Review:

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 Feel

The 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) Turn

 

Approaching 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) Turn

 

Where 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 Ball

 

Width 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 Wake

 

The 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 & Notes

 

Excessive 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.

[Horton]

you could have just posted links...

[Dirt]

Strada review:

When I first got my Strada, I was not sure. I skied good but could not figure it out. Deep down I had doubts. Is that ski really all that great? I also found myself unable to describe the ski. For a guy who prides himself on reviewing skis this was uncomfortable. The Strada was really unlike anything I had ever ridden.

 

The Strada is an easy ski mount up and just go ski. I suspected it was a honeymoon ski. You know the ski, everyone loves for the first 5 sets but hates in a month. That turned out to be false.

 

I came to an analogy that I think is 90% true. Over the years, Porsche has made a number of high end versions of the 911. The rear wheel drive versions are known to be super-fast around a track if you are a very skilled driver but they are edgy and hard to drive. The four wheel drive versions are almost as fast but so easy to drive that that anyone can look like a pro driver. I think the Strada is the 4 wheel drive Porsche of slalom skis…. With one exception….. in this case the 2 wheel drive version is not faster. Like the 4 wheel drive 911, the Strada works better when the skier does all the right things but forgives a lot of bad habits.

 

So what is it like to ski on? How do I really describe it? I went back to the Promo video that Rossi and Rini did early in 2010. I cannot say it better then they said it. I am a believer. I will ride and review a bunch of skis this summer but if you do not know what you want and you do not have a stack of skis to demo, get a Strada. Unlike most high ends skis, it works for 39 off & beyond and for learning to run the course.

@Horton, I know, it took me hours to type all of this.

[jdarwin]

I take anyone's opinion (especially JTH's) w/ a grain of salt. I look at several different skiers at different line lengths to reach any type of conclusion. Having watched a half-dozen skiers ride the Fusion, I have been very impressed. It seems to work for different styles equally well. It's easy to ride, adjust to and become confident riding. It creates space before the buoy in an uncanny way. It doesn't seem "fast" like my Mid Ride but it moves out off the 2nd wake w/ ease and carves a very nice turn all the while maintaining speed. It's not a "buoy to buoy" ski like my Mid Ride. It does not like to ski straight at the ball and turn hard. But if you maintain some handle control, you won't be skiing straight to the ball. I've ridden every D3 (with the exception of the X7) with varying degrees of success. This ski is far and away the best product D3 has made. I would recommend at least trying the Fusion before settling on a ski.

[ForrestGump]

The people I've seen get on the Fusion have all picked up consistency in their scores.

[cccos88]

Thank you so much for all the effort in the reviews. I cant quite remember what size my F1 is right now, either a 65 or 66. It sounds like the Strada is the ski for me. What size would you recommend for me? I am 5'7" 140 lbs. A 65 or 66? Thank you again.

[cccos88]

I guess my question is a 65 too small for me? When choosing a ski should you pick shorter or longer?

[ForrestGump]

I would not buy a strada without trying it first. Some skiers love it's tip loose attitude. Some skiers do not. Oh wait, I see you've tried it. As long as you're in the market, I'd still try a Fusion.