2014-2015 Revision Subtraction
130-139-116-135-126 r=15m @ 186cm



Manufacturer Info:

Revision Skis, Inc.
8601 W Cross Dr. F5
#145
Littleton, CO 80123
(720) 608-0251
http://www.revisionskis.com

Suggested Retail Price (MSRP):

$599 usd retail

Usage Class:

Freeride Powder Twin Tip

Rating (with comments):
(1="get me off these things"->10="I have to own a pair")

9 for a powder ski (more precision Jib-style than surfy-smeary)
8 for packed powder groomers
8+ for mixed conditions
8+ for hardpack in 116mm underfoot

Ski Designer(s):

...

Manufacturer's Description:

"The 2015 186cm Subtraction is the ultimate ride for deep days.  These rockered twin tip powder skis from Revision Skis will slay deep snow, while maintaining the versatility needed to shred ice and groomers. Add the Subtraction to your quiver and you will definitely have a season of smiles and high-fives. NOTE: For 2015 the Subtraction is available for sale in only a 186cm length. Topsheet Design by Devon Brown of Oxburger Studios."

- website 2014

Summary:

The guys at Revision have put out a serious jib-style powder twin with tons of carbon-infused spunk and energy in an underfoot-cambered, rockered tip ski with a tight turn radius and lightning-quick response times.  This is a ski that feels like a bird dog released from a leash, wanting to dart in and out of terrain with lots of energy and zing, capable of bounding and biting down on a moment's notice.  Pure powder behavior is definitely directional and precise, with camber underfoot presenting a tension at-the-ready feel rather than a smeary, surfer style.  Some skiers might find this ski to be too darty or abruptly turny for their tastes if they are accustomed to smearing their way down the hill.  The Subtraction can be thrown sideways, but it likes doing it with moderate to higher speeds rather than tight-and-twisty tree speeds.  Fully capable of cutting and crushing through any crud with security and no deflection when you keep the pedal-to-the-metal.  Remarkably good grip on hardpack with excellent vibration control...only a hint of buzz on boilerplate at higher speeds. Relax and you might find yourself in the back seat playing catch-up.  High-energy rowdy ski days are the bread and butter for the Subtraction.  The more athletic you are, the better they perform.  A thoroughbred speciality ski for high-octane antics.  Lots of grip, lots of power and energy in a lickety-split directional chassis.  Wear your helmet and eat a good breakfast to pounce on terrain all day with Revision's powder twin.

Technical Ski Data:

Sizes = 186cm
Turn Radius = 15m @ 186cm
Dimensions = 130-139-116-135-126
Weight (Claimed) 9lbs/pair @ 186cm
Weight (Measured) 2287grams and 2280 grams (approx 10 lbs/pair)
Flex = 8
Screenprinted TPU Topsheets
Poplar Core
Sintered, Die-Cut Bases
Full Edge Wrap
Cap Construction in the Tip/Tail for added durability, sandwich construction underfoot for improved performance.
Full length Carbon Stringers
Additional Carbon Reinforcements in Tip/Tail for additional Pop and Durability.
Switch Up Bases – Bases randomly available in black (with white text) or white (with black text).
Ski manufactured in China.

Bindings and Boots Used:

Tyrolia SP 12 Demo Bindings
Salomon S-Max 120 boots.


Pre-Skiing Impression:

Catchy black and white graphic on a glossy topsheet.  Excellent fit and finish throughout with a pretty good base/edge finish out of the box.  Energetic flex with softer tip and tail and stout midbody.  Torsionally strong.  A little bit of carbon-induced "ping" when gong-tested by hand.  Feels like a rowdy ski.  Unusual camber and rocker distribution looks like it bites rather than carves.

Test Conditions:

Eastern corduroy, packed powder and hardpack groomers, boilerplate, ungroomed packed powder with small bumps, shin-deep to knee-deep powder conditions, both smooth and bumpy. Chalky wind buff, fresh and old powder..

Hardpack and Boilerplate:

The Subtraction actually grips hardpack and boilerplate surfaces pretty well, with only a bit of wash-out in the tip on hardest surfaces if you don't pay attention to keeping the edge engaged.  Definitely likes a punchy turn style on hard materials rather than roll-it-and-ride-it GS type of turn.  Very quick directional changes underfoot when punched down and redirected.  Good vibration frequency control, with a hint of buzz throughout the ski on the hardest of surfaces at moderate to higher speeds...very typical carbon-infused feel in that respect.  Good control, always secure on hard snow, which is good.  Depress the camber underfoot and you get excellent bite.  Let the ski relax and you might find your grip release a bit.  Drive it and it bites better than most skis 116 mm underfoot.  The freestyle powder mounting preferences of the Subtraction can put you right on the middle of the ski's pivot point if you so choose, so weighting your turn accordingly is important on hard surfaces, especially if you are accustomed to a more rearward mount.

Mixed Conditions:

The Subtraction is an excelent crud cutter, capable of holding a line at nearly any speed through junky snow if you keep it powered and on-line.  The cambered midbody creates an excellent grip and directional integrity that ignores most material changes in and on the snow surface, but the high-energy construction provides instant feedback and might feel a little over responsive or harsh if you get lazy or passive.  The Subtraction loves to be driven with authority and it delivers a very quick, very energetic response to pilot inputs.  The 15 meter radius might feel too quick or darty to some skiers accustomed to wider-radius, more forgiving or smeary designs, especially as your speed picks up.  On the other hand, there is a powerful agility in the Subtraction you will be hard pressed to find in nearly any other ski.  If you want to richocet off obstacles, bounding between landing zones with power and grippy authority in mixed surface conditions, the Subtraction is your ride.  The better in shape you are, the more you will get out of Revision's powder twin.

Bumps:

The Subtraction feels a bit abrupt and stiff in bumpy terrain, but never hangs up (thanks to the rounded tail and rockered tip).  It definitely wants you to launch up and over things rather than plow through them head-on.  Athletic skiers will love the release energy out of the bumps. Less-athletic skier will find the skis a bit tiring after a couple bump runs.  The relatively cab-forward freestyle mounting position means pivots are always available, increasing the nimble feel.

Powder:.

The Subtraction's geometry and flex pattern make it a directional powder ski with pretty good flotation for a 116mm-waisted ski, thanks to the rockered tip and forebody taper.  There can be a bit of tip dive due to the somewhat stiff nature of the chassis up front, but as soon as the speed picks up, that feeling goes away.  The Subtraction takes a little more effort to traverse powder than some softer, more rockered, less-cambered skis, but is very precise and you always know the exact line the ski will take.  Because of the turny geometry, some people might find it turns too quickly in powder, bordering on darty.  It all depends on what you want in your powder ski.  The quick turning agility works great in the tighter terrain, but can feel a bit too quick in open terrain unless you feather the turns gently, keeping it flatter and leaving out banking movements.  If your powder terrain has junk or crust in it, the Subtraction cuts right through with authority.

Analogies: ("This ski is like...")

A high-octane hunting dog ready to be let off the leash to bound through the terrain with tons of energy.  Pay attention or it might run away from you.

Quick Comments:

• Solid bite underfoot
• Definitely energetic and powerful directional changes
• Quick edge-to-edge for a 116mm waisted ski
• Can feel a bit quick in higher speed situations in 3D snow
• Tons of pop and energy
• Slays crud when you keep it powered up.
• Can put you in the back seat if you get lazy.

Things I Would Change About This Ski:
 
Nothing, other than offer one shorter and one longer size.

Short Answer When Someone Asks "What Do You Think About This Ski?":

Great example of a high-energy, cambered powder ski with short turn radius.  Somewhat rare combination, but can make bounding and pouncing through terrain really exciting and athletic.  Not for passive skiers, it wants a driver to get the most out of it.  Some might find it too quick in some snow conditions, others will get addicted to the behavior.

Advice To People Considering This Ski:

It's only available in 186cm at this time, and really wants an athletic, driving-type pilot at the helm.  It can be too quick for some skiers in some conditions who are accustomed to a more laid-back response or driftier feel.

Pics: (click for larger versions)

Tip Rocker - Subtraction Revision Twin

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