Worldcup rebels e race review

Overview

The Worldcup Rebels e-Race is the most accessible ski in Head's 26/27 Worldcup Rebels race-carver line: the same 117-68-102 mm shape and 13–17 m radius as the e-Race Pro, but with ABS sidewalls, a lighter build and a lower price. Head rates it for advanced skiers (the Pro models are rated "expert") and describes it as "designed for medium radius turns" yet a "versatile carver" that "can arc up groomers with a variety of turn shapes", easier to turn and less demanding than FIS-level skis. It comes in five lengths from 160 to 180 cm and is sold as a set on a race plate with, by default, the Protector+ FF 14 GW binding.

On-snow performance

On paper the e-Race is a hard-snow carver with a race-ski backbone and a slightly softer edge to its character than the Pro. The profile is full camber — Head lists 0 % tip rocker, 100 % camber and 0 % tail rocker, even though the spec label on the product page reads "Speedrocker" — so expect the long, locked-in edge contact of a race ski rather than an easy-pivoting feel. The 14.8 m radius at 170 cm sits right between slalom and GS, which is why Head talks about "a variety of turn shapes": medium arcs are the home turf, but the ski should stretch into longer turns at speed and tighten up when pressured. The wood core and aluminium alloy layer give it the stability and grip of its siblings, and EMC piezo damping is there to smooth out chattery or icy sections. The ABS sidewalls and the 2,290 g per-ski weight (170 cm, without binding) make it a touch lighter than the e-Race Pro's 2,315 g; the construction suggests a slightly less razor-sharp but more forgiving ski for carvers who are not yet, or no longer, racing.

Construction & specs explained

• Core: wood core (Head's race construction).
• Metal: high-quality aluminium alloy layer for edge grip and stability.
• Graphene: Head's lightweight reinforcement in the layup.
• EMC: Energy Management Circuit, ceramic piezo plates front and rear that turn vibration into electrical energy to dampen the ski.
• Sidewalls: durable ABS sidewalls, full-length sandwich build (the e-Race Pro uses phenolic sidewalls).
• Base: RD Race Structured UHM C base.
• Profile: Rebel Camber — 100 % camber, no rocker (head.com labels the profile "Speedrocker" but publishes 0 % rocker at tip and tail).
• Plate and binding: race plate, sold as a set with the Protector+ FF 14 GW (also offered with Protector+ FF ST 16 GW, Freeflex ST 16, Freeflex 14 GW, Freeflex 11 Race or Freeflex 11 GW).
• Dimensions: 117-68-102 mm in every length.
• Radius: 12.9 m (160), 13.9 m (165), 14.8 m (170), 15.8 m (175), 16.8 m (180).
• Weight: 2,290 g per ski at 170 cm, without binding (Head's figure).
• Lengths: 160, 165, 170, 175, 180 cm.

Who it's for & comparisons

The e-Race suits advanced piste skiers who want a race-plate carver for medium turns without the stiffness and price of the Pro models: ambitious carvers moving up from a sport carver, or racers who want a calmer everyday ski. In Head's range, the e-Race Pro is the same shape with phenolic sidewalls, a Worldcup plate and the Protector+ FF ST 16 GW; the Head Worldcup rebels e sl (68 mm, 10.5–13.7 m) is the short-turn alternative and the Head Supershape e speed (68 mm, 11.5–16.6 m) is the Supershape take on a similar radius with a bit more all-round comfort. Outside Head, the Rossignol Hero elite st ti (68 mm, 11–14 m) and the Salomon Equipe sl 12 (68 mm, 11–14 m) are the accessible race-carvers on the shorter side, while the Blizzard Firebird rs ii ti (70 mm, 13–16.5 m) matches the e-Race's radius range most closely.

Pros, cons and verdict

Pros

• Race-ski shape and wood/metal construction at the entry price of the Worldcup Rebels line.
• 13–17 m radius covers medium turns and stretches to longer arcs.
• Lighter than the e-Race Pro at 2,290 g per ski.
• Race plate and Protector+ FF 14 GW binding included; five lengths from 160 cm.

Cons

• Still around 2.3 kg per ski before binding: a heavy carver.
• Full camber and no rocker: no help in soft snow or bumps.
• Protector+ FF 14 GW tops out lower than the Pro's ST 16 for heavy, aggressive skiers.
• The set binding limits you to Head/Tyrolia race bindings.

Verdict: The e-Race is the Worldcup Rebel for carvers who want race geometry and damping without race-room stiffness. Strong advanced skiers get a medium-radius piste ski that grows with them; those who already race or want maximum bite should pay the premium for the e-Race Pro.