Have both the older construction and the new version in the quiver. My brother and I trade them up and we both love both versions. They are similar but different: the old version is more powerful as a carving ski and the new one is better in soft snow. Thanks for the great reviews. Without ski essentials I never would have built the quiver I currently enjoy. Do I need 6 pairs of skis? No. Do I love having the selection? You bet.
@mogglie I actually prefer the old version. I like skiing fast and the original feels more stable speed. If conditions are soft or im in trees the new version is more user friendly.
At the beginning of the video when you mentioned the tweaks making it better for freeride and softer snow, were you referring to the 2023 model as well? Seeing some decent prices on that and was considering grabbing a pair before the new ones come out, or wondering if I should wait for the 2024s. Also, haven't ridden too many different skis, but I demo'd some Kendo 88s last season and wonder how the Mindbender would compare to those. Would like something that is slightly less damp and easier to turn on soft snow.
There is no difference between the 23 and the 24, so I believe I was referring to the changes made from 22 to 23, if that makes sense. If you find a 23 at a good price, it's the same as the 23. The Kendo is considerably more precise and reactive than the K2 99, although the 89 Ti Mindbender is pretty darn close in application and performance to the Kendo. The 99Ti is a very strong carver, and better in softer snow, but it's not quite as polished in an on-trail format. Pretty good, though, the both of them.
@@SkiEssentials So sounds like the 99 is a better quiver-of-one resort ski compared to the 89 (fwiw this would be for Tahoe)? I'm 5'8", 200lbs. Is the 172 or 166 a better fit? Thanks again! Edit: last question, promise 😅. Actually ended up buying the Atomic Maverick 100ti in 172cm on sale. Considering the Look Pivot 15 GW and want to know if a) they will work with my boots (Tecnica Cochise 120) and b) if I should get the 95mm or 115mm brakes.
Yo! Thoughts on these vs. the Sender 104 Ti (or old 106 Ti)? Feels like the mindbenders have a bit better damping/on-piste performance, but the Rossignols might be more fun in the soft stuff, in the air, etc. Hoping to use as an all-mountain ski out in Washington State as an advanced skier w/ racing and freeride background.
I think your analysis is pretty darn close. The Senders have less taper and rocker than the K2, and also a less powerful build, so it's kind of a give and take. There's more metal in the Mindbender, and also more rocker, so it's a powerful and charging ski that also has some good flotation. The Rossignol is a bit lighter and there's some more agility here while the K2 feels more planted on the snow. If you have a race background, I feel the K2 is a better option for you.
Ive just trialled a pair of these for 2 days and liked them although found them quite hard work towards the end of the day on piste , would you recommend the 96C as a compromise for something easier to turn but still fun in the light off piste snow, intermediate level 6'1 and was skiing the 178's
yes, that's totally the idea here. Skiers tend to like the stability and power of the 99Ti, but it is a lot of work--they're fairly stiff and heavy. The 96C is made for just this purpose, and that's totally something that K2 was missing these past few years. I think you're in the right zone for sure!
Great reviews - thanks. Question re sizing: I’m 6’, 180; fairly aggressive and advanced skier in the NE. Would you suggest the 178 or the 184? Also, would appreciate your thoughts on comparing these with the Unleashed 98 at 180 length. Thank you!
I think the 184 might be on the long side in the K2, but not the Unleashed. The Mindbender is very strong, stable, and smooth, so there's no real need to reach for that extra length to gain performance. With the Unleashed, while the camber is long for a twin tip, it's not like it's that much different from the K2. The Unleashed has wider metal in the tips and tails than the K2, so the ends of the ski feel very secure, but the mid body and the rearward portion are more flexible than the K2, so it's a bit different of an emphasis. K2 is more underfoot while the Unleashed is sturdier in the tips and tails.
I’m 180. 40 y old. Aggressive skier. Go fast. Go hard. In piste and pow. I’m on 184. And have never thought of them being to big. They feel so nimble and just right.
Hi, i want to buy those skis as an addition to my atomic x9. I am 192 cm tall and 77 kg. Which length would you recommend? The 190 or 184 cm version. I want to use those skies for off pist skiing and powder days (I would consider myself as a good skier).
Hello. Thank you for a great review. Also I have a question: What would it be the strongest most powerful ski in around 100 and 108 categories? Like Mantra 102, Mindbender 99, Declivity 102, Scott pure 98 or similar. And Katana 108, Mindbender 108, Cochise 106, Declivity 108, Scott pure pro 109 or similar. Thank you.
Mantra 102 is right there in the 100's. The outgoing Blizzard Bonafide and the upcoming Anomaly 102 make strong cases here as well. In the 108's, Katana and Cochise top the charts. Dynastar makes an athlete-driven M-Pro 105 and Rossignol makes a Sender Squad at 112 that's pretty darn thick and burly.
I know they’re not similar but I can’t decide to get this or a QST 98. I’m about Bob’s size and am advanced to expert. Just looking for a ski that is a great all mountain ski. Do some powder, good on groomers, good in trees. Any advice one way or the other?
The K2 is a higher octane ski with more horsepower. It takes more work to get the same off-trail benefits as the QST 98. It truly depends how much time you're spending on groomers versus off. If the higher percentage is on (like most of us) then I think the K2 has more to offer. That said, the QST is one of the best tree skis I've been on. Still, though, I think the K2 in the 184 serves well for great all-mountain performance with a big upside on the groomers.
What would be the most comparable ski to this one but lighter? I’m 5’10” 155lbs and like the 99Ti but muscling this around gets tiring later in the day
Take a look at the Elan Ripstick 96 Black or the Head Kore 99. Both of these are carbon-powered skis that are lighter and easier to turn than the 99Ti.
This 99 is closer to the Declivity 102--the 92 is considerably more agile and precise. The K2 99 is one of the more lumbering in its division--even the new Enforcer 99 has way more pep and zest. That said, the K2 is very solid, stable, and quiet, it's just not very energetic. The Declivity 102 is pretty poppy for the width while the Enforcer operates at a very high level in a variety of conditions and terrain.
Have both the older construction and the new version in the quiver. My brother and I trade them up and we both love both versions. They are similar but different: the old version is more powerful as a carving ski and the new one is better in soft snow. Thanks for the great reviews. Without ski essentials I never would have built the quiver I currently enjoy. Do I need 6 pairs of skis? No. Do I love having the selection? You bet.
Ha! Maybe we should get you to do a What's in Your Quiver video for us! I like the new 99 overall, since you didn't ask...
Done. I will do a little 99ti old vs new comparison and send it along. In December.
@@scottpratico1315how did it go. I have the old version. Interested to know the new.
@mogglie I actually prefer the old version. I like skiing fast and the original feels more stable speed. If conditions are soft or im in trees the new version is more user friendly.
At the beginning of the video when you mentioned the tweaks making it better for freeride and softer snow, were you referring to the 2023 model as well? Seeing some decent prices on that and was considering grabbing a pair before the new ones come out, or wondering if I should wait for the 2024s.
Also, haven't ridden too many different skis, but I demo'd some Kendo 88s last season and wonder how the Mindbender would compare to those. Would like something that is slightly less damp and easier to turn on soft snow.
There is no difference between the 23 and the 24, so I believe I was referring to the changes made from 22 to 23, if that makes sense. If you find a 23 at a good price, it's the same as the 23. The Kendo is considerably more precise and reactive than the K2 99, although the 89 Ti Mindbender is pretty darn close in application and performance to the Kendo. The 99Ti is a very strong carver, and better in softer snow, but it's not quite as polished in an on-trail format. Pretty good, though, the both of them.
@@SkiEssentials So sounds like the 99 is a better quiver-of-one resort ski compared to the 89 (fwiw this would be for Tahoe)? I'm 5'8", 200lbs. Is the 172 or 166 a better fit? Thanks again!
Edit: last question, promise 😅. Actually ended up buying the Atomic Maverick 100ti in 172cm on sale. Considering the Look Pivot 15 GW and want to know if a) they will work with my boots (Tecnica Cochise 120) and b) if I should get the 95mm or 115mm brakes.
Yo! Thoughts on these vs. the Sender 104 Ti (or old 106 Ti)? Feels like the mindbenders have a bit better damping/on-piste performance, but the Rossignols might be more fun in the soft stuff, in the air, etc. Hoping to use as an all-mountain ski out in Washington State as an advanced skier w/ racing and freeride background.
I think your analysis is pretty darn close. The Senders have less taper and rocker than the K2, and also a less powerful build, so it's kind of a give and take. There's more metal in the Mindbender, and also more rocker, so it's a powerful and charging ski that also has some good flotation. The Rossignol is a bit lighter and there's some more agility here while the K2 feels more planted on the snow. If you have a race background, I feel the K2 is a better option for you.
Ive just trialled a pair of these for 2 days and liked them although found them quite hard work towards the end of the day on piste , would you recommend the 96C as a compromise for something easier to turn but still fun in the light off piste snow, intermediate level 6'1 and was skiing the 178's
yes, that's totally the idea here. Skiers tend to like the stability and power of the 99Ti, but it is a lot of work--they're fairly stiff and heavy. The 96C is made for just this purpose, and that's totally something that K2 was missing these past few years. I think you're in the right zone for sure!
Great reviews - thanks. Question re sizing: I’m 6’, 180; fairly aggressive and advanced skier in the NE. Would you suggest the 178 or the 184? Also, would appreciate your thoughts on comparing these with the Unleashed 98 at 180 length. Thank you!
I think the 184 might be on the long side in the K2, but not the Unleashed. The Mindbender is very strong, stable, and smooth, so there's no real need to reach for that extra length to gain performance. With the Unleashed, while the camber is long for a twin tip, it's not like it's that much different from the K2. The Unleashed has wider metal in the tips and tails than the K2, so the ends of the ski feel very secure, but the mid body and the rearward portion are more flexible than the K2, so it's a bit different of an emphasis. K2 is more underfoot while the Unleashed is sturdier in the tips and tails.
Many thanks.
I’m 180. 40 y old. Aggressive skier. Go fast. Go hard. In piste and pow. I’m on 184. And have never thought of them being to big. They feel so nimble and just right.
Hi, i want to buy those skis as an addition to my atomic x9. I am 192 cm tall and 77 kg. Which length would you recommend?
The 190 or 184 cm version. I want to use those skies for off pist skiing and powder days (I would consider myself as a good skier).
I'd go 184 in that ski. They're pretty stout so there's no real need to size up in order to access performance. Have fun!
Hello. Thank you for a great review. Also I have a question: What would it be the strongest most powerful ski in around 100 and 108 categories?
Like Mantra 102, Mindbender 99, Declivity 102, Scott pure 98 or similar. And Katana 108, Mindbender 108, Cochise 106, Declivity 108, Scott pure pro 109 or similar. Thank you.
Mantra 102 is right there in the 100's. The outgoing Blizzard Bonafide and the upcoming Anomaly 102 make strong cases here as well. In the 108's, Katana and Cochise top the charts. Dynastar makes an athlete-driven M-Pro 105 and Rossignol makes a Sender Squad at 112 that's pretty darn thick and burly.
@@SkiEssentials Thank you very much.
I know they’re not similar but I can’t decide to get this or a QST 98. I’m about Bob’s size and am advanced to expert. Just looking for a ski that is a great all mountain ski. Do some powder, good on groomers, good in trees. Any advice one way or the other?
Haven't been on the QST 98 but I have been on the 106, also around that size and I prefer the Mindbender (I've skied the current 108 and 99)
The K2 is a higher octane ski with more horsepower. It takes more work to get the same off-trail benefits as the QST 98. It truly depends how much time you're spending on groomers versus off. If the higher percentage is on (like most of us) then I think the K2 has more to offer. That said, the QST is one of the best tree skis I've been on. Still, though, I think the K2 in the 184 serves well for great all-mountain performance with a big upside on the groomers.
What would be the most comparable ski to this one but lighter? I’m 5’10” 155lbs and like the 99Ti but muscling this around gets tiring later in the day
Take a look at the Elan Ripstick 96 Black or the Head Kore 99. Both of these are carbon-powered skis that are lighter and easier to turn than the 99Ti.
What size do you like on this ski Bob?
184 all day!
Bob, I'm 6'1" and 215- expert skier but do enjoy some slashing and trees. Is the 190mm going to be too long for me?
Thanks,
I think so? At 6/2 225 I prefer the 184. I think the 190 is more reserved for very tall/big skiers who like to go very straight and aggressive.
How would you compare this Mindbender to the Enforcer 99’s and Declivity 92ti?
This 99 is closer to the Declivity 102--the 92 is considerably more agile and precise. The K2 99 is one of the more lumbering in its division--even the new Enforcer 99 has way more pep and zest. That said, the K2 is very solid, stable, and quiet, it's just not very energetic. The Declivity 102 is pretty poppy for the width while the Enforcer operates at a very high level in a variety of conditions and terrain.