Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

[bmowers]

Hi, I picked up this Taperflex (by Puritan) ski which was 1/2 of a combo set. I was not able to secure the other 1/2 of the set. I will use this one as a drop ski and to give me another combo set and will use along with my HO Comp Freeride 67"

This ski is also 67" and is 6 and 1/2 inches wide at the widest. My question is what speed should I ski this one at max?
I am 171 lbs and ski my HO CFR at 29-30 as it is rated for up to 30 and this feels just about right. The ski has a shallow tunnel design concave with 1 inch side rails in the bottom.

Any ideas? Anyone ski this type of ski?

Thanks,
Brian

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

I'm not sure what you mean by how fast it is rated for. You can ski as fast as you want to on pretty much any ski. Not that you can't use it as part of a combo set, but I don't recommend mixing skis as part of a combo. Different ski designs will react differently, which could have some very unstable characteristics.

 

[bmowers]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

I'm not sure what you mean by how fast it is rated for. You can ski as fast as you want to on pretty much any ski. Not that you can't use it as part of a combo set, but I don't recommend mixing skis as part of a combo. Different ski designs will react differently, which could have some very unstable characteristics.

Thanks I will keep that in mind about the different skis together. I will take the odd pair of combos out on Tuesday for a test ride then ski the Taperflex by itself. I suppose I will start at 26 or so and work up to 30 ish.
What I ment about the skis is that my HO Comp Free Ride is build to ski up to 30MPH and the recommendation is on a sticker attached to the ski. The HO CFR has a double tunnel design the Taperflex has a more traditional single tunnel concave design. Don't know how those two designs may ski differently. Probably doesn't mater that much.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

The taperflex looks like just a combo ski, I doubt that they would have given it any rating (I've never seen a combo rated for course speeds).

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

I'm not sure what you mean by how fast it is rated for.

Slalom skis typically have a speed rating which says what speed range they are designed for in the course.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

Slalom skis typically have a speed rating which says what speed range they are designed for in the course.

Right, but I was referring to the "slalom" ski that was part of a combo set. I haven't seen them with speed ratings before, either. I'd just use it as a drop ski, or an extra slalom ski for when he doesn't want to use/loan out his HO Freeride.

Side note (oldjeep): saw you posting with the "ballers" last week

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

You can go over 30 with your HO too, what HO is saying is due to the width it will have a hard time digging in and turning at speeds over 30 MPH.

That Taperflex is probably 20 years old. It will do fine at whatever speed your comfortable at.

 

[bmowers]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

You can go over 30 with your HO too, what HO is saying is due to the width it will have a hard time digging in and turning at speeds over 30 MPH.

That Taperflex is probably 20 years old. It will do fine at whatever speed your comfortable at.

I think you are right about the speeds suggested on my HO Comp Freeride. At above 30 MPH I can't really get artsy out there carving turns but at 28-29 It seeps like a quite different ski experience. I can turn easily and have more fun.

I can't wait to try out the Taperflex as I have only got up on my CFR. This taperflex seems to be made out of Aluminum at least the top skin seems to be. It is also lighter than my CFR. I will report my findings this week.

Brian

 

[moosehead]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

I remember fondly skiing one of these psychedelic Taperflex slalom skiis as a kid. In addition to the graphics, its next most notable benefit was a fuzzy carpeted footbed. Otherwise, I seem to recall a somewhat flat bottom, nothing too performance oriented.

 

[bmowers]

Re: Do you know anything about Taperflex Skis?

I just got up on the Taperflex skis yesterday and I like it alot. I first started out on the Taperflex and my Ho Free ride slalom. That combo plays very well together. Hard to note any difference in the two. I skied them at 31MPH and the ski was very smooth. I was able to make cuts across the wake that I would not be able to do with my pair of Connely wide ride skis. I then got up on the Taperflex for some slalom skiing. The ski is very stable and crashed thru the wake without stammering. I ended up buying a $3 pair of Dr Scholls foot pads and I glued these under the boot wells. I also took off the 2" elastic bands on the outside of the boots and not they fit my size 10.5 foot. I highly recommend these skis as a 2nd pair for anyone.

Brian