First sets on the O’Brien G5

[Horton]

I would like to tell you that this ski was love at first sight. Unfortunately the settings I started with are “No Bueno”. The good news is that I know a lot of smart skiers and the Jedi fin master known as Yoda found me some settings that I think are pretty close. The on side is currently fantastic and the off side just needs some fin tweaking to make the ski more forgiving at apex.

 

My second set on Yoda’s settings I was able to run a 38 and it is a big deal anytime I do that. The 38 I ran was interesting because 1 ball sucked and then somehow I was way early at 6 ball. One ball is my nemesis on every ski.

 

I suspect that this review period is going to involve more time searching for settings than normal but I also think this ski might be the kick ass stick that no one knows about. Time will tell.

 

[BraceMaker]

Please do a sequential review through the G1 siege and up!

[skier2788]

Currently playing with a 67 G5. I havent found a setting yet that made the off side feel good for me. Can you share your yoda numbers for me.

[Horton]

@skier2788‌

these are my starting place for the 68. 30" 6.940 (tips), 2.450, .760

better settings to follow

 

[Jordan]

@‌ Horton Interesting- a 68.

 

Is that what O'Brien picked for you or is it the baby weight? :-)

[skier2788]

Thanks horton.

[Horton]

@Jordan‌ I generally ride 67s but Drew recommended the 68

[Horton]

On side turns are ridiculous good. Off side turns are still making me play fin setting bingo. 35s are amazinglying low effort.

[ALPJr]

Any pic's? The cool factor always helps.

[ALPJr]

I always seemed to do real well with Drew's coaching articles in WS Mag. Right on target.

[jwr]

Skiing on the Endo/G5, I must say it is the best ski I have ever skied on. I have tied my PB and set two new PB's in the three tournaments I've skied in on this ski. It's fantastic. I'm on a 67, but my settings are a lot different then yours. 29.5. 6.835(tips), 2.510, .710, and 8 degrees on the wing.

[Horton]

I finally found settings that really work. I ran two 38s in one set this morning. I am not as smooth as I want to be yet but if I am running 38s I can't really complain.

[Than_Bogan]

Well crap. Now you can run -38 on every ski so that no longer tells us anything! :)

 

Except maybe that changing skis all the time is actually good for improving.

[Horton]

@Than_Bogan‌ I think this ski is going to be easy to describe and differentiate. It is not cookie cutter so far.

 

Changing skis so much can't be good for my short term score but I have learned a lot.

[ForrestGump]

I wish I'd have had those fin settings when I had the G5 in my hands. The ones I was given were unridable.

[gjohnson]

@Horton‌ What settings are really working? Still dialing in my G5.

[Horton]

 

2.513

6.852 tips

.781 slot

9 degrees

30"

[Razorskier1]

@Horton -- you keep saying it is a big deal anytime you run -38, yet it seems you are knocking them down on just about every ski you test! Me thinks you are getting better!

[ForrestGump]

It's no wonder it was unrideable. The binding setup I was given was 28 3/4 to 28 7/8. Which is over an inch back.

[Horton]

@Razorskier1 my confidence and scrapping skills are up but I want to ski smooth. There are a number of skis that I did not get past 4 ball on in the last year.

 

I ran two first set Sunday but I also horrified the boat crew.

[ForrestGump]

Smooth is boring. I want to light it up like my hair is on fire. Excitement for the boat crew, spectators, and announcers. :)

[MattP]

@ShaneH‌ get your tips dyed red next time to add to the effect

[Horton]

My skiing is more entertaining than good

[E_T]

If you want entertainment just watch @Horton‌ trick

[Horton]

@E_T you have no idea....

[E_T]

@Horton‌ ya I do. You should see me trick

[Horton]

Fin setting are finally really final (Maybe)

 

30

9°

2.510

6.853

.758 slot

 

Ran 2 @ 39 off dock Sunday - not super consistent but but better all the time. Have lost track on how many 38s I have run on this thing.

[ForrestGump]

That's pretty close to the fin setting that Drew gave me. Within a few thousands. Big difference is bindings. He told me 29 1/4 to 29 1/2. And the other numbers I was given before were 28 3/4 to 28 7/8. Now I want to try it again, knowing I was stupid off on binding location.

[jayski]

Ummm 67" vs 68" @ShaneH‌ , compare apples to apples for binding position

[Horton]

The 68 I am on does not seem big at all

[gmut]

@ShaneH how is the G5 working? What are your latest settings and binding location?

[gmut]

@Horton, I finally got a chance to ride this ski in the course for the first time. I am 6' 1" and approx 218 lbs. and ski at 32 mph. My first impression is the 68.5 that I am on was very slow side to side going through the course with the current fin settings of .753 2.508 6.853 8 deg frt bndng at 30". So I am going to try making the fin shallower and adding much more length and maybe pulling it back some to make it faster and engage the front rails in the turn especially on my offside. Cross course speed is a concern and maybe I am just too heavy for this ski at 32 mph. This is a beautiful ski, graphics and fit and finish and the fin clamp is very easy to work with. I am down at Little Mountain this weekend visiting some friends and I am going to try and solicite some ski tuning advice. Do you have any suggestions?

[Horton]

@gmut‌ I suspect that ski is not big enough for you are 32 mph & 220 lbs

[Chef23]

I don't know if the G5 skis small but I am 6' 220 and skied the 68" Helix without problems opening up at 32/22 off. The 66.75" Nano 1 isn't real happy at 32 mph and much prefers 34 mph at my size.

[Horton]

Ski length / size is a endlessly unclear issue.

 

The 68 G5 is not a big "68" and has a soft flex. So for a bigger skier it may over flex and be a lot of work. I am 190 and only skied well on it when I was light on the line.

[Booze]

Is the G5 the same as the Endo?

G5 > Endo > Elite Alpha > Elite?

I saw SIA29951 on SIA and he says..."The Endo comes from the same mold as the Elite Alpha and is built with a highly refined compression molding process. The Endo uses a lightweight PVC core and aerospace grade carbon fiber, just like the Elite skis. The Endo also utilizes the same "Sweet Spot Layup" as the Elite line of skis..." I also read somewhere that the Elite Alpha was the same as the "Elite". So I'm confused, because the G5 is nothing like the original Elite, right?

[jayski]

@Booze the G5 is not like the Endo, different in many respects