4FRNT Switch vs Armada ARV 106 vs Bent 100

C.R.E.A.M

C.R.E.A.M

Active member
Hey gang,

I am trying to find a middle of the quiver ski that fits my riding style and size.

I am about 205, 6' and am now in my 30s so I don't send the park often, but still like to hit natural features, ski backwards, and generally have a good time carving and popping of whatever.

I typically ride Mammoth, but also visit other resorts on the west coast. I sold off my Reckoner 102s as they were just too soft, I liked everything else about that ski except that at speed it was a bit of a noodle and I could feel myself folding the tips in.

Ideally, I am looking for a ski that is fun to ride on days with a little bit of fresh, wind reset pockets, or left over powder. My quiver consists of the Black Crows Mirus Cor as my sunny day skis, and the Reckoner 112s as my dedicated pow ski, so I don't want anything too close to these in terms of ride.

I am leaning towards the Switch, as they seem to be stiffer then both the ARV 106 and the Bent and have more of a symmetrical design. I am looking for someone to confirm this if possible. Also open to something >180 length with a turn radius below 20m and close to symmetrical design.

Thanks everyone
 
I ride my ARV 106s as my daily and I'm gonna go out on a limb and say they're the stiffest of the 3 you mentioned. They also have a fair amount of weight which results in a pretty stable ride all over the mountain. The ARV 106s haven't changed in a while, but even if you located a pair of the previous lighter version, I'd say they're still stronger skis than the Switch or Bent 100s. Switches seem to be a medium flexing ski at most between the two 'reviews' out on ski essentials and blisterreview.com.

ARV 106s are also pretty symmetrical. Just look at the shape, rocker profile and one of the farthest forward mount points in the market.
 
Just ordered the on3p jeff 100s loved my kartel 98 and had them 10 seasons of rails and jumps now rip on groomers and all around. I'm 32 225 and 6ft 1 and was looking at the same thing decided to go on3p bc of durability and they lowered the rocker profile on the Jeffery to be more edge effective. Look into them. If too pricey I'd say arv 106 that is a pretty damn good ski that could do it all wish I didn't ski park with them and trash em.
 
14550000:jumpman101 said:
and they lowered the rocker profile on the Jeffery to be more edge effective.
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When did this happen? Always wanted a pair but was hesitant by the massive rocker at both ends.

**This post was edited on Sep 6th 2023 at 2:18:15pm
 
The Jeffery is a reckoner if it went to the gym and had a key bump. They are more stable all around and have way more energy than the reckoner, but they maintain a similar level of dampness. Also my reckoners lasted 28 days and my jefferys barely have any signs of wear after 30 odd days riding them on everything.
 
14550003:OhJay said:
When did this happen? Always wanted a pair but was hesitant by the massive rocker at both ends.

**This post was edited on Sep 6th 2023 at 2:18:15pm
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Look at the customs and was on the phone they are releasing them this month Jeff's going to 100 108 116 again
 
14550296:C.R.E.A.M said:
Had the bent 100s in 188 mounted at +3 and just couldnt love the ski
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What didn't you like? Aside from the obvious shortcomings like ice and crud. I sell a lot of them so I'm just curious
 
14550752:Juviticus said:
What didn't you like? Aside from the obvious shortcomings like ice and crud. I sell a lot of them so I'm just curious
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They’re floppy noodles. They get beat all around the mountain unless conditions are perfect. They’re just ok at everything and good at nothing. It’s obvious what they were doing. The 120 is a great ski. They thought they could just scale it down and it would be “jus ass gud” it’s not.

the 110 is much better than the 100. The 120 is the best in the line up

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I'll echo the other reviews of the bent 100. I'm 5'11 and 175 lbs and it wasn't enough ski for me. If you're taller and heavier, definitely go with the ARV.
 
14550792:PartyBullshiit said:
They’re floppy noodles. They get beat all around the mountain unless conditions are perfect. They’re just ok at everything and good at nothing. It’s obvious what they were doing. The 120 is a great ski. They thought they could just scale it down and it would be “jus ass gud” it’s not.

the 110 is much better than the 100. The 120 is the best in the line
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I do agree the 110 is gas. Tbh I think if they added a TI binding plate to the 100 like they have in the rest of the range, it would be a big improvement
 
14550752:Juviticus said:
What didn't you like? Aside from the obvious shortcomings like ice and crud. I sell a lot of them so I'm just curious
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At +3 the tails were super firm right behind the binding, I didn't like how they flexed which felt super pushy on super steep steeps. I had the 188s because the 180s would have been a touch too short for what I wanted however, they were slow to react given their width and turn radius.

I was amazed to ride the Reconer 102s and find that that ski outperformed the bent 100s in all the relevant categories to me. Even though the Recs and the Bents were effectively mounted in the same place, the Bents were also much worse to ski backwards. If I could get a Reconer 102 with 15% more stiffness or a TI plate under the binding I wouldn't be shopping.
 
I've been loving the Switch as an all mtn ripper. As someone that use to ski park, but now spend my timing zooming around the hill i find this ski to be a good "next step" ski for my freestyle past. Fun to boost around the hill but still a really fun ski on groomers and in the woods. the tip and tail has a playful flex, but it stiffens up as it gets closer to underfoot with a real solid platform there. Think you'd be stoked on em!
 
14552144:ssk said:
I've been loving the Switch as an all mtn ripper. As someone that use to ski park, but now spend my timing zooming around the hill i find this ski to be a good "next step" ski for my freestyle past. Fun to boost around the hill but still a really fun ski on groomers and in the woods. the tip and tail has a playful flex, but it stiffens up as it gets closer to underfoot with a real solid platform there. Think you'd be stoked on em!
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Solid feedback sounds very similar to my use case, thanks!
 
Already tried the bent mounted at +2 at 188 the turn radius was too long. The ski was slow to react at slower speeds and generally uninspiring especially skiing backwards.

14550236:Juviticus said:
Bent 100s will be the best option, mount them +1 or +2
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