German ski reviews -- Supershape Speed & Magnum

[Svend]

Jim asked me to post something from a German online ski magazine (http://www.skimagazin.de/Skitest.html) about their review of the Supershape Speed and Magnum.? They use an interesting hexagonal matrix to give a quick, simple and clear overview of a ski's attributes, strengths and weaknesses.

Basically, the outside (pale grey) perimeter represents the ideal ski -- a perfect 100% score all around.? The inner (darker line) and shaded inner area represents a specific ski's score in their test.? The closer the inner line comes to the perimeter line, the better the ski scores.?

Each corner of the hexagon defines a different attribute, and the ski's numerical score out of 100 in that attribute is indicated by the number at the respective corner.? Furthermore, if the number is in red, that is a higher than average score for the category (compared to other skis in the category); black is average; grey is less than average.

Interpreting the score circle at a glance shows you the following:? a uniformly small inner circle means a ski that scored poorly all around; a large inner circle, evenly shaped, means a very good all around ski that scored highly in all categories; and a deformed circle that bulges in certain spots, means a ski that can do some things better than others.? If you check out some other skis on the site, you'll see what I mean.

Here is the translation for each corner (Carve Faktor and Komfort are self-explanatory):

Kantengriff = edge grip

Vielseitigkeit = versatility

Wendigkeit/Vitalitat = agility/energy

Tempovermogen/Laufruhe = stability/smoothness


Once you understand this simple system, you can tell a ski's strong and weak points at a quick glance.?

Attached is the PDF file with the full test page for the 07/08 SS Magnum, 07/8 SS Speed (my wife's skis), and the 08/09 SS Speed (my skis).? In the subsequent posts, I've inserted the hexagon matrix for each of these.? FYI, all three skis scored 5 out of 5 stars, and earned their VIP designation.? Excellent skis, in other words.

Feel free to ask for further translation of the full review.

Hope you find this interesting, and different from the norm on this side of the pond.

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[Svend]

The matrix for the Supershape Magnum, 07/08 model (an excellent all-rounder):

Tester's comments:
- a true, pure multi-condition ski
- no weaknesses, and consequently many strengths
- above all, impressed with quick edge-to-edge changes
- loves short turns, but very stable in med and long turns
- best for advanced skiers, but experts will love it's extra width and versatility

Tested lengths -- 163 & 170


Kantengriff = edge grip? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Vielseitigkeit = versatility? ? ? ?
Wendigkeit/Vitalitat = agility/energy? ? ?Tempovermogen/Laufruhe = stability/smoothness


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[Svend]

The matrix for the 07/08 Supershape Speed (my wife's skis; and these are the same ski as the current women's Power One -- take note Lynn!) (as good as the Magnum in every way, but slightly higher scores in edge grip and stability/smoothness):

Tester's comments:
- stands out in the "long turn" category
- above average marks for edge grip and stability
- runs at medium turns and high speed with "A+" marks
- short turns also possible with its compliant flex (my own note:? esp. with the bindings forward? )

Tested Lengths -- 170 & 177


Kantengriff = edge grip? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Vielseitigkeit = versatility? ? ? ?
Wendigkeit/Vitalitat = agility/energy? ? ?Tempovermogen/Laufruhe = stability/smoothness


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[Svend]

And, finally, that for the 08/09 Supershape Speed (my babies!....and Greg's too, now!) (again, as good as the Magnum all around; slightly higher in carving and edge grip):

Testers comments:
- missed by a hair from being placed in the "Absolute Peak High Performance Med. Turn" category, due to slightly lower edge grip marks than others in that category
- very harmonious, smooth, sporty ride character
- can do short, medium or long turns equally well
- does it all, almost on their own, and everything is FUN
(see Gary, even the Germans think of the FUN FACTOR!)

Tested Lengths -- 163 & 170


Kantengriff = edge grip? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Vielseitigkeit = versatility? ? ? ?
Wendigkeit/Vitalitat = agility/energy? ? ?Tempovermogen/Laufruhe = stability/smoothness

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[jim-ratliff]

Svend:

VERY interesting.? I added the translations to each picture because I couldn't remember.? Will look at some more later.? May have to print so that I can compare.
Raises lots of questions about how they decide an 88 instead of an 85 and how standard/controlled their test procedures are, but darned interesting and nice visual.

Thank you.

[Svend]

Jim, there are a number of ski magazines that use some form of numerical scoring system in their reviews -- Ski Press, Ski Canada (a sliding rule), to name but two.? As you know, they are the averages of scores from individual testers (didn't Gary do this once for Ski Press?).? These tests are, of course, subjective, and the outcome will depend on the biases/preferences of the testers.? One factor in this is regional preference and needs -- if you ask a skier from Colorado their favourite type of ski, it'll likely be different from a Vermont skier.? Of note is that Europeans tend not to have jumped on the all-mountain, wider ski band wagon as readily as North Americans, and the narrower frontside carver/cruiser still seems to be the predominant ski over there.? I gather this by reading their press, and I also have relatives who live in Germany and Switzerland and ski there.? What you may be seeing in the slightly lower marks for the wider Magnum may simply be the German preference for a narrower groomer ski, over the wider multi-condition Magnum.

Keep in mind that each of these skis won top marks in their respective categories -- the Speed as the best in the medium-long turn front side performance category, and the Magnum as the best multi-condition ski.? This speaks volumes about the overall quality of this line (which is why we all own them, right?).? I couldn't find any test of the original Supershape, unfortunately (sorry Gary).?

BTW, I haven't read about their test methods and criteria...I may check into that next week if anyone wants to know.

[gandalf]

Svend:
Just based on my background, I am always interested in how people try to turn numbers into information.  It is way too easy, with computers, to print reams of paper that contain lots of numbers but don't facilitate the assimilation of those numbers into information.  And I am also usually curious about the scale.  For example, what would a ski with all 90's ski like as opposed to one with all 80's (and what would a ski that was all 50's be like).  My guess is that there are few of those, and that the numbers are really skewed to the high end just like grades in school.  The grading scheme may run from 0 to 100, but the numbers from 60-100 get used a lot more; and a scale like Peter used with numbers from 1 to 5 may convey just as much information (although Peter has very few 1's).  I very much like the graphics layout, especially if the categories are positioned on the wheel such that a bulge in one area indicates a certain type of ski.

Anyway, thanks very much for posting. 
Jim

[Gary]

WOW!!!...nice guys...thank you Svend....I'm quite impressed. Now if you can match up the appropriate cheese, crackers and wine....you're as close to any ski hero I know!


AND I've been saying all along....."THE FUN FACTOR"....darn Germans.....I should have copyrighted the phrase....I'm such a looser! 

I do like the way they break down the categories and use the visual affects of the drawings.....very unique!

G

[Perry]

Svend - great post and interesting except that the "pentagonal" grid is hexagonal   I know, picky, picky.

[Svend]

Thanks Gary, and yes, it was more the visual overview that I was trying to show you guys, not so much the numerical scoring. ?Their comments in the text portion of the reviews are also interesting (if you can read German ?)

Jim, you're absolutely correct in what you say, and I agree completely. ?My basic point being, and sorry if I wasn't more expansive on this, is that ski reviews are inherently imperfect and subjective. ?There is really no way to make them truly objective when you have peoples perceptions and judgments involved, and by non-professionals at that. ?Besides, all it takes is one or two testers who either love or hate a particular attribute on a ski to throw the whole curve off. ?Hence my comment on regional preferences and biases. ?I can imagine a German guy, just finished a run on the Speeds, scratching his cubiform scalp, saying "Zis Speed, eet eez narrower und I like ze schnell narrow rippers, ach du lieber!.....90 punkte fuer ze edge grip."?

If you look at some of the other skis reviewed there, you'll see some which scored much lower in several categories, or low all around -- in the 60 points or lower range. ?A 20 point lower score probably begins to mean something, and is much more statistically significant as a difference between, say, the 80 score of a Magnum and the 83 score of the Speed. ?A difference of three points on this scale and with such test methods, is probably statistically meaningless, and is splitting hairs -- they are effectively equal. ?I would say that even a ten point spread is mighty slim and probably not noticeable in the real world. ?Bottom line is that such a scale where 10 points actually just begins to mean something, then the scale of 1 - 100 is probably just as meaningful as 1 - 10, or a slider on a scale.

What is personally interesting to me, however, is the difference between their rating of the 07-08 Speed, and the 08-09. ?You can see that with Head's changing of the ski for this year, making it slightly wider and with a tighter turn radius, it actually scored lower in edge grip and stability/smoothness, but made it more versatile.

Another thing to note, and this may be significant in what you're seeing, Jim, and may make my previous comments meaningless, is that the 07-08 Speed was tested in 170 and 177 lengths, and the Magnum was tested at 163 and 170 (see Getestete Langen on the PDF). ?This is probably where the higher scores for edge grip and stability come from....makes sense. ?The 08-09 Speed, on the other hand, was tested at 163 and 170, just like the Magnum, and lookie here, it scored almost identical to the Magnum. ?Interesting....ja?

Anyway, I wanted to bring the website to your attention, so that when you're shopping for you next pair of skis, you can go there to look for another opinion. ?Now that you know how the matrix works, you don't need to speak German to glimpse whether a ski is liked or panned. ?Another resource for the compulsive ski shoppers here....

Perry -- corrections made, thanks for catching that.? That'll teach me to count properly next time -- anything more than I can count on five fingers is just too much some days!? ?

[Svend]

Update:? translated and added tester's comments and the tested lengths for each ski (see above).?

Also noted that the 07/08 Speed is the same ski as the present women's Power One, in case you know any women who might be interested in a ski like this (Lynn...your next ski?).

[jim-ratliff]

Svend's post raises an interesting question.? What are the classifications necessary to describe and/or compare skis?? Below I listed the categores from Svend's post and from the RealSkiers (Real skiers also has skil suitblity icons, the German magazine may have others as well).? All of these categores are subjective in the sense that they are based on feel.? Has anyone ever seen reviews that included measurable metrics?? i.e. 28 newton pounds of torsional stiffness in the forefoot, 4" inches of total flex at 100 foot-pounds of cernter of ski force?? What do you think is the right characteristics to help someone really compare a SuperShape Magnum to a Fischer RX8 (just an arbitrary, but current, example) as a ski suitable for them.

      
         

German Magazine	Real Skiers
---------------------------	-----------------------------------
Edge Grip	--
Versatility	Smooth Soft Edge
Agility/Energy	Rebound
Stability/Smoothness	Stability
Comfort	Relaxing
Karve Faktor	Clean Carve
--	Accurate
--	Quickness
--	Lightness

[Svend]

Jim, the German magazine does not have "ski suitability" ratings per se, like RS does.  But they do lump skis with similar performance levels and/or intended use into separate test categories, and they have a lot of categories (frontside performance carver, frontside high performance carver, powder ski, all mountain, all mountain performance, all mountain women, all mountain women performance.....etc ., etc.).  Personally, I really like the RS icons -- green, blue, black, race -- and the terrain icons -- bumps, groomed, etc.   That does tell a lot about how versatile and multi-faceted a ski is.  Their rating system are what made me subscribe to RS in the first place.