The Fischer Race range for 2014–2015 has every model to fulfill anyone´s desires. Here we find six different models but just four different shapes. Let´s make the summary:

• Fischer RC4 Worldcup RC Pro

• Fischer RC4 Worldcup RC

• Fischer RC4 Worldcup SC

• Fischer RC4 Superior Pro

• Fischer RC4 Superior RC

• Fischer RC4 Superior SC

 

The Fischer RC4 Worldcup RC Pro and the Fischer RC4 Worldcup RC are basically the same ski but with a different binding system. And the RC4 Superior RC also shares the same shape although it is different in construction.

Then we find single standing up models like the Fischer RC4 Worldcup SC, the RC4 Superior Pro and the RC4 Superior SC. The mold is different as well as the concept of each one, although there is a constant pattern in all of them, and that is quite a deep sidecut.

Now, believe it or not (take it or leave it at your own will), not much has changed in the Fischer RC4 Worldcup SC for the last ten years. And there is a very good reason for that. If it works and it works well, why change it? The same can be said for many many skis through the whole industry. Some even change the name of one product, paint it with some other fancy design more accordingly to the present times and off we go, a “new” product is born. There is another workaround, though: park it for one or two seasons and then built it again. While it is there forgotten somewhere in the factory, some engineers will think about it once or twice. And if inspiration hits hard enough, we’ll find an evolution of that original brilliant design. This one seems to be the case. A more than ten year old design still kicking.

The rest of the Fischer Race range, the Fischer RC4 Superior Pro and the RC4 Superior SC seem to be some kind of variation from the RC4 Worldcup SC. The main difference from the latter being the thinner titanium layer and obviously the shape, as well as the inner bits. Don´t think about them as equals. The RC4 Worldcup SC is still king, the other two are just the two steps below.

Now let´s take a look at the technologies used in these Fischer Race models:

Disclaimer: Not all Fischer Race models share the same technologies. This is just a list of all the technologies used in each category. You may find skis that do no use all of them.

Cores

The method: Sandwich sidewall construction. An old school method. And the brand just tells exactly what it is: “Wood core combined with ABS sidewalls in a classic Sandwich Construction for balanced flex and perfect rebound.”. But hey, you can still ruin your sandwich with some bad ingredients… although this is not the case, don´t worry.

Cores

What´s inside: Beech poplar woodcore. That´s pretty much it. The secret is how to combine them. These cooks won´t reveal their recipe.

Air Carbon Ti 0.8.

This is how Fischer calls its double titanium layer construction. They also include carbon as reinforcement.

Air Carbon Ti 0.5

This is the second name for the double titanium layer construction at Fischer. This time around thinner than the 0.8.

Racebooster

For many years, all the manufacturers have been trying to get a good binding–plate system design without violating any of the current patents on the matter. Inspired by the old Derbyflex, many have come up with clever designs, some of them very functional and some of them being just crap. The Racebooster looks like a very good design. The plate–binding system is “divided” into three parts letting the ski bend uniformly, while at the same time the system does not see the binding safety compromised. So yes, all the pieces work together to obtain all the benefits from the modern ski paradigm.

Racetrack

Yet another binding-plate system. Explanation? Well, it is hard to know since Fischer isn´t very collaborative on this one. Yes, it allows free flex for the ski as it transmits all the force and power to the ski. This is the Fischer´s highlight on this Racetrack system: “An adjustment mechanism enables you to regulate rebound very easily using a shock absorption system.” See? You can adjust its behaviour but nothing very special seems to happen.

Powerrail

A very easy to adjust binding–plate system. This is the evolution of the Railflex system. It´s made of one piece, connected to the ski with some screws but letting the ski flex with some other “floating screws”. The rails in the front and back let the binding move easily so you can adjust your ski to different sizes with almost no effort and using no special tools.

Hole Ski Technology

A hole in the skis tip. A pain in the butt. Those who bought a Fischer ski with a non-covered hole in the tip do remember very well how they ate snow since any irregularity in the piste was automatically thrown to their mouth or eyes. Not so later Fischer decided to fix this mess incoporating a transparent piece of plastic to avoid undesired meals. The brand also claims better maeuverability, stability, control, ease to turn, blah, blah, blah. A hole is a hole. Always and everywhere.

On-Piste Rocker

Yes, rocker everywhere. Here too. If you want to know what is rocker all about, just take a look at the Buying Skis Guide here. But in short, it´s just a shape of the ski´s tip which makes the running surface a bit shorter since in a tiny portion at the front, the ski is a bit bent upwards.

Worldcup Tunning.

That´s the edge and sole finish. Which should be equivalent to say the edges are polished and tuned using a ceramic disc machine and the sole is completely flat and well waxed.

Sintered Bases.

Simple. There are two major kinds of materials which have a very wide spread use for the skis sole. Sintered ones and extruded. They are just generic industry names for two different processes. Sintered bases are skis soles with a higher porosity. As a result they retain more wax so the ski glides better.

by Albert Valbuena - English