REVIEW: K2 MINDBENDER 90 TI

Model year: 2019-2020
Waistings: 127-90-114
Length: 177
Radius: 17.9 m

Construction: wooden core, sidewall, tip-rocker, two layers of metal, Y beam,

The Mindbender series is the new freeride line from K2. He succeeds the Pinnacles. With widths of 85 to 116 mm below the foot, so actually just like the Pinnacles. It is also not so strange to compare these Mindbenders with their predecessors. This 90 TI is therefore on the narrow side of the series and should compete with other skis of 88-90 mm below the foot.

The ski has everything you expect from technology. The layers of metal are a variation on the Konic technology of K2: only on the sides is the metal; not on the center line of the ski. Behind the binding it is exactly the other way around: only in the middle is metal, so the outer few cm is not. And even with incomplete layers of metal, the ski is not light.

Dull.

The Mindbender 90 TI ski like a freeride ski. A large rocked point, not very precisely carving, significantly better in soft snow than on hard slopes, although it holds up well there. It slips better than it cuts. The ski is certainly stable and reliable, no surprises. The ski is not very lively, even a bit boring in terms of energy. The ski feels a bit duller than the Pinnacles of recent years.

He feels a bit bulky and heavy. That makes it reliable, predictable and consistent. But that also means that this is not a really playful or light-footed ski. Smooth as we are used to from K2, but he really lacks energy and noticeable rebound for me. Really a bit boring. Boring but sure.

Conclusion.

A low-energy, but very reliable, narrow freeride ski. For “all mountain”, it really leaves too much on the hard slopes. But if visibility is poor and the snow soft and messy, this can be a very good option.

Scores.
Stability 4/5
Edge grip 4/5
Forgiveness 5/5
Rebound 3/5
Cushioning 5/5
Short turn 4/5
Long turn 4/5
High speed 4/5
Low speed 4/5
Buoyancy 2/5

More reviews: www.gigiski.com