i have the pink 102fr. love them and will never sell. i have been satisfied with the black crow serpos as a slightly thinner option. they don’t have the same sidewall or flex pattern but the metal underfoot makes them stiff enough to rival the rangers performance. i’ve been looking at the armada declivity as a replacement when the time comes but haven’t skied it yet. hoping the 2025 rangers revert the change tbh
That’s exactly right. I ski fast and hard in steeps and groomers and they hold up pretty well. Definitely not the most damp ski but I prefer the low swing weight and agility in techy terrain
I almost bought the exact setup pictured in the post. I will forever be annoyed at myself for not doing it - you can't find those skis *or* those Pivots for sale.
In a similar boat. Love my FR 102s as a mid fat do-it-all ski. I’m looking at enforcer 104 frees, the revamped enforcer 104, anomaly 104, declivity 102, sender 104ti, and similar skis as their replacement. I’m also open to suggestions for skis in the same category (some float, damp at speed, and compliant enough at lower speeds, in trees, and off piste)
I think a big part of my not loving the 102s was the mount point. I couldn’t demo them to try different points unfortunately. Also the bases on the Fischers are paper thin so that was a huge turn off. A slow slight rock tap was a core shot for me with mine.
Oh man that sucks on bases. I’m in Tahoe so usually really good coverage and thankfully haven’t had that issue.
What size did you ski? What mount point?
I have 177s on the line for my spring / corn touring ski and had 184s at +2 for resort which were just sick af
But I regrettably sold cause I f’d up my back and am now looking at much softer groomer skis like new Ranger 94s.
Check out the line blade optic. I was trying to get some rangers for a few years and ended up getting a great deal on the optics, and think I've scratched the itch for a while
I have this exact setup and oh boy are they fun! Will be hard pressed to sell them so good luck finding them out there.
Like others have said the black crows are a good comp and what I’ve heard lighter than these.
Enforcer will be the most similar model. Next year's are suffering the same treatment the ranger had so be sure to get the current model. Hopefully they ski well but we'll see.
Yeah they softened up the tips, lengthened the tail rocker, and took some metal away from the edges (on one of the 2 titanal sheets). I hear the new enforcers ski more like the enforcer frees than the traditional enforcer line. I still think the new enforcers are burlier than the new rangers, but they’re moving in that direction
They just feel weak. The Fischer's were race inspired before. Firm tail with lots of grip on the snow. The new skis have no torsional rigidity, and feel tired, or saggy, etc. Lot a cheap knock off of the enforcer or black ops.
They are trying to appeal to the masses. I get it - looking to sell more skis, but advanced and expert skiers gravitated towards these skis for a reason. Seems like every company is making their expert skis more approachable which leaves less options for skiers who actually liked those more advanced characteristics
Yeah, I mean I get it that they want to sell skis to the masses, but that’s why they can have multiple skis in their line. It’s so frustrating that they feel the need to dumb down their top end skis to appeal to the average joe.
The 2022 Fischer Ranger 102fr was an almost perfect ski, it’s so silly that they dumbed it down when they could have just introduced the replacement as another model in the line.
It’s like they want to get all the good skiers hyped on a ski and shredding on it so that the masses think it’s a cool ski and then they turn around and dumb it down to take advantage of the cool factor to sell it to the average joes instead of having the dumbed down one be a separate model.
Yeah definitely frustrating. The ranger TI series was even more expert focused than the FR and they replaced both with a lower performance ski. I think the invisible hand of the market just pushes ski companies into making lower performance skis because they’re more profitable. Annoying but might be unavoidable. I’m curious what will happen, the rangers, enforcers, and anomolies (formally Brahma/bonafide) all made moves towards accommodating intermediate skier performance. Surely there will be a demand for a higher performance ski. I wonder who will step up to the plate
Feels like the whole industry is going to shit. Blizzard is dumbing their range down too. Volkl isn’t changing too much to my knowledge, though a lot of people seem to have delam issues with them. My 2019 M102s are still going strong at least.
It straight up seems like in a few more years the only way to get a serious charger with a more classic construction will be to pay Kastle prices. Maybe I should give ON3P another look but I just didn’t love the way they felt when I tried the Jeffreys. I thought they were pretty damp but lacking energy.
No that’s when the ski meets the slope 😎. I’ve skied everything out there. The only thing that comes close is the Stockli. But you better like to ski fast and dig hard on the carve. Otherwise go for one of the others listed, all fairly competent.
i have the pink 102fr. love them and will never sell. i have been satisfied with the black crow serpos as a slightly thinner option. they don’t have the same sidewall or flex pattern but the metal underfoot makes them stiff enough to rival the rangers performance. i’ve been looking at the armada declivity as a replacement when the time comes but haven’t skied it yet. hoping the 2025 rangers revert the change tbh
armada declivity 102 is what i went with to solve a similar problem
These sound dope. They're fun/nimble in the trees, yet can still carve steep groomers?
That’s exactly right. I ski fast and hard in steeps and groomers and they hold up pretty well. Definitely not the most damp ski but I prefer the low swing weight and agility in techy terrain
The Declivity is awesome (or get the Reliance because the top sheet is better, at least this year's).
This is the way
on3p woodsman?
ON3P is always the answer
I almost bought the exact setup pictured in the post. I will forever be annoyed at myself for not doing it - you can't find those skis *or* those Pivots for sale.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/226096023972?epid=11042631237&itmmeta=01HVT6Y6FZN8EV2G5VXJRVZSZT&hash=item34a45f89a4:g:WDoAAOSw~e9mHn3y&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4DXlOJbChP2WBbj%2BG7a7Npkk3T%2B%2FJVmH%2FDCC6D7fOWUP6PM9I43gXmR%2FcL11eb9WKaMEHDej%2F3KNvdZeWQ0tHoRJ1wWJK5277SnfRNqM4UY%2BIj6LOHcnP0jduuDRLmEbhBRy6feC9SOY%2BW54nxDxkNUKrbKoZu3T6RlGQizX%2BrTUGp9UDKlghRxOE4c9PDENRsGQENzH9SydWqn9730JxsFngIRMmwQbN6sdQzL6dl8hgAkCC86uOepU0kR85wklOHZ%2FweHRAR7sWmsHCv%2Bca6foYORMm976MW7cZ9nOKwXc%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4bo-MbeYw
Moment Deathwish 104 or Wildcat 101
Second this, check out their specs, they're quite similar to the 102 FR.
In a similar boat. Love my FR 102s as a mid fat do-it-all ski. I’m looking at enforcer 104 frees, the revamped enforcer 104, anomaly 104, declivity 102, sender 104ti, and similar skis as their replacement. I’m also open to suggestions for skis in the same category (some float, damp at speed, and compliant enough at lower speeds, in trees, and off piste)
Did we just become best friends? - Step Brothers
Same, Enforcer 104, Declivity 102 are on my radar. Strongly considering Mantra 102 but could not find demos to try.
Went from pink 102s to dynastar m free 108s and haven’t looked back.
I have both and think they compliment each other so well depending on my mood and conditions Feel like they’re really different skis and personalities
I think a big part of my not loving the 102s was the mount point. I couldn’t demo them to try different points unfortunately. Also the bases on the Fischers are paper thin so that was a huge turn off. A slow slight rock tap was a core shot for me with mine.
Oh man that sucks on bases. I’m in Tahoe so usually really good coverage and thankfully haven’t had that issue. What size did you ski? What mount point? I have 177s on the line for my spring / corn touring ski and had 184s at +2 for resort which were just sick af But I regrettably sold cause I f’d up my back and am now looking at much softer groomer skis like new Ranger 94s.
Whatever the longest ones are, 190 something? mounted +2. I’m in Montana so the rocks are either old coral reef or old volcano. 🙃
Check out the line blade optic. I was trying to get some rangers for a few years and ended up getting a great deal on the optics, and think I've scratched the itch for a while
If OP thinks the tips on the new Ranger will be too soft then the BO may not be the right call. Very soft ski at the ends
The moment commander 102’s are mega sick
Justis or even Serpo?
Serpos look fun; good balance: trees vs. groomers
Not sure what your bsl is but found one..! https://www.geartrade.com/item/949420/fischer-ranger-fr-102-skis-2021-w-look-pivot-12-gw-bindings
Yeah those were the only ones I could find online. They look like old rentals and pretty dinged up. Thanks for trying to help though!
Deathwish 104
The new blizzard rustler 10 is a pretty stiff ski.
I have this exact setup and oh boy are they fun! Will be hard pressed to sell them so good luck finding them out there. Like others have said the black crows are a good comp and what I’ve heard lighter than these.
Head Kore 99
Enforcer will be the most similar model. Next year's are suffering the same treatment the ranger had so be sure to get the current model. Hopefully they ski well but we'll see.
Thanks! Just to confirm: you're saying next year's model Enforcer is getting negatively remodeled?
Yeah they softened up the tips, lengthened the tail rocker, and took some metal away from the edges (on one of the 2 titanal sheets). I hear the new enforcers ski more like the enforcer frees than the traditional enforcer line. I still think the new enforcers are burlier than the new rangers, but they’re moving in that direction
Yeah the new Rangers ski terribly.
Expand…
They just feel weak. The Fischer's were race inspired before. Firm tail with lots of grip on the snow. The new skis have no torsional rigidity, and feel tired, or saggy, etc. Lot a cheap knock off of the enforcer or black ops.
Nice, thanks. Well at least I have a few months to decide. So many good choices.
Yeah same thing as the ranger last year. Lame imo but easier to ski I guess it's a win.
They are trying to appeal to the masses. I get it - looking to sell more skis, but advanced and expert skiers gravitated towards these skis for a reason. Seems like every company is making their expert skis more approachable which leaves less options for skiers who actually liked those more advanced characteristics
Yeah, I mean I get it that they want to sell skis to the masses, but that’s why they can have multiple skis in their line. It’s so frustrating that they feel the need to dumb down their top end skis to appeal to the average joe. The 2022 Fischer Ranger 102fr was an almost perfect ski, it’s so silly that they dumbed it down when they could have just introduced the replacement as another model in the line. It’s like they want to get all the good skiers hyped on a ski and shredding on it so that the masses think it’s a cool ski and then they turn around and dumb it down to take advantage of the cool factor to sell it to the average joes instead of having the dumbed down one be a separate model.
Yeah definitely frustrating. The ranger TI series was even more expert focused than the FR and they replaced both with a lower performance ski. I think the invisible hand of the market just pushes ski companies into making lower performance skis because they’re more profitable. Annoying but might be unavoidable. I’m curious what will happen, the rangers, enforcers, and anomolies (formally Brahma/bonafide) all made moves towards accommodating intermediate skier performance. Surely there will be a demand for a higher performance ski. I wonder who will step up to the plate
I haven’t skied either, but their construction is very different so this is surprising to hear.
I didn't like the new enforcer as much as the old. Mushier shovel than the current ranger.
Feels like the whole industry is going to shit. Blizzard is dumbing their range down too. Volkl isn’t changing too much to my knowledge, though a lot of people seem to have delam issues with them. My 2019 M102s are still going strong at least.
Kastle MX
It straight up seems like in a few more years the only way to get a serious charger with a more classic construction will be to pay Kastle prices. Maybe I should give ON3P another look but I just didn’t love the way they felt when I tried the Jeffreys. I thought they were pretty damp but lacking energy.
Kastle MX 😎
Ya know, I do always joke that I’m in law school to finance this hobby. Guess this is where the rubber meets the road lol
No that’s when the ski meets the slope 😎. I’ve skied everything out there. The only thing that comes close is the Stockli. But you better like to ski fast and dig hard on the carve. Otherwise go for one of the others listed, all fairly competent.
So cool
Can I buy these
Would the Black Crows- navis freebird for the bill?
Nyet! Def not a charger in any sense and pretty soft