MISCELLANEOUS:
weight: n/a
epoxy: West System
tipspacer:  white ABS plastic
inserts:  stainless steel M6, 7mm for G3 Targa binding pattern
damping elements:  rubber strips placed above metal edges
 

GRAPHICS:
For the Oktobers we tried a new method of adding color to our skis.   Instead of using flannel as done in our previous skis, the Oktobers' color was achieved by dyeing the epoxy
red and using this colored epoxy for parts of the layup.   The results weren't quite what we
expected.  Although the color was evenly distributed the red didn't come out as opaque as
we had hoped it would be.  It seems that the fiberglass composite layer had some kind of
affect upon the red epoxy causing it to lighten its intensity. 

BUILDER:  Kam K. Leang, Kelvin Wu, Kam S. Leang

MANUFACTURED DATE: March 16, 2005

DRAWING FILE: download the *.dxf file for the Red Oktober

COMMENTS:
The Red Oktobers were our first crack out a negative camber, reverse sidecut ski.  We have to say thanks for Shane McConkey and his Spatula design for the inspiration.  The Red Oktobers differ from the Spatulas in that there is more reverse sidecut and less negative camber.  We're not sure if this will provide for a better ski but it's a shot.   Hopefully they won't live up to their name and dive deep like a sub.

Another new in the Red Oktober is the use of base material as the topsheet.  In the past the Isosport topsheet material wasn't durable enough.  Using P-Tex for the topsheet seems to work really well.  It bonds strongly to the underlying materials and is extremely resistant to chipping and scratches as well.  One drawback of the P-Tex, however, is it's dull appearance.  It lacks the shiny finish that the Isosport material produced.    

THE RIDE:
March 23, 2005: Sugar Bowl Resort, CA by Kam S. Leang.  Big Kam, Skip, and I took the Red Oktobers for their first runs on a fresh foot of snow.   I'm glad to say that they
actually float and float well.   They should be renamed to something a little more fitting but 
we'll just keep it for the sake of color.   The Red Oktobers definitely make skiing powder an effortless task.  I've never ridden this style of ski before so it took a few runs to get hang of smearing my turns and the out-of-control stops on the hard pack.  Good thing crowds
weren't an issue because there would've been some serious human bowling going on.  But
off the hard pack these skis are incredibly forgiving with no concern for hooking or tip
diving.  However, the dramatic reverse sidecut do make the skis a little sketchy and it's
hard to get a handle on things when the snow becomes firm.  Another problem with the
Oktobers was their softness.  With the core being only 7mm at it's thickest point the skis
came out a little soft which allowed them to get knocked around quite a bit.  But aside from
these two issues I'm really excited about these skis.  They definitely change my outlook on
designs of powder skis and I'm sure I'll incorporate some of the Red Oktober elements in
my future skis.    

click here for a short video our test day (5MB, *.asf)