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BD's widest ski, the Zealot is built for skiers who personify a "no boundary" energy and vision, and features a balanced and smooth longitudinal flex that excels in soft snow and is torsionally charged for excellent edge hold and responsive carving on hardpack. The crud-busting, 110 mm waist and solid 3D CNC wood core encourage a forceful and energetic ride. Formula One Technology and integrated damping create a solid, substantial feel underfoot. The Zealot is ideal for big-mountain steeps and high-performance resort laps."We are quite proud of how the Zealot turned out and it's for sure the favorite of the R&D crew, including me. I spent a lot of time on similar-width competitor models over the last three years and the Zealot, of all models, is a great testament to what our torsionally-charged Efficient Power designs really offer above the rest. I literally start laughing when laying this 110 mm-waist ski over on edge as it carries me through trouble. And what I like best is, it makes me a better skier." — Thomas Laakso, Ski Line Category ManagerSpecs:Lengths: 182 cm, 192 cmSidecut: 136-110-126 mm, 138-110-127 mmRadius: 30.0, 33.0Weights: 4.2 kg, 4.4 kg Skiing magazine: "Black Diamond redesigned its entire 2008 ski lineup. Full wood cores throughout provide exceptional snap and dampness. The Zealot knows one speed: hell-bent. Gripes: Unwieldy at low speeds and anything tighter-than-super-G turns. Props: An AK-style charger. Give this monster lots of space and gradient. Tester's Take: 'BD has found a perfect ski construction for the ripping skier.'" Powder Magazine: "By far the biggest ski ever from Black Diamond, the new, all-wood-core Zealot is designed to match the muscle of the best skiers, and even outdo them. Whereas some fat skis are soft in order to reduce the feel of riding a big stick, the Zealot makes no apologies for being stiff and rigid. The 192 is simply a badass." Backcountry magazine: "BD's fattest-ever ski, in a 'user-friendly 182cm' and a limited edition 192cm aimed to 'express our relevance in ski culture,' according to BD. Translated: a statement ski for big lines and forces. But as nearly all west coast testers noted, the big, hard-charging ride comes at the price of easy turn initiation. Said one: 'Lots of mass [and] feels heavy. Flows in pow like napping in a La-Z boy. Tough to make quick turns.' Said another: 'Like standing on an aircraft carrier. Smooth at speed but slow to turn. Plows through everything.' Eastern skiers mostly thought that there had better be an alert body in the pilothouse. 'Not a quick turner - you've got to stay on top of them,' said one. 'All -terrain surfboards,' a veteran commented, 'they prefer wide-open spaces."
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