Another Lotus 138 Review Thread
I decided to start a new thread for this as I thought my review would get lost in the shuffle of the now multiple page thread Ty started when he skied his pair.
Preface: Headed out to meet up with Blurred, Z, Crinkle, EvilE to schralp the 9" reported yesterday at Vail. It turned out to be a fair amount more than that in most areas. DP Lotus 138, Flex 2 mounted with 916 at -1.
First of all, these are RAD. :biggrin:
Incredibly light, even with 916...it's almost silly how light they are.
These are as dope as Spats, but a big improvement in my eyes in terms of where Spats were lacking: stability, length, weight.
The 138s ski alot like a Spat, but the added length, stiffer flex, and much lighter weight make them so effortless. Skiing trees is a dream on these as pivoting is quicker than any ski I've ever been on. In more open pow fields, let them run and it's like cutting through warm butter...soooooo f'ing smooth! Also not much problem with tip chattering. These will haul ass with plenty of stability. I fondled a pair of Flex 3's also, but thought the 2 was plenty and am happy with my choice. The flex is pretty much the same throughout the ski, which I like.
Also took them on a few smaller drops and they provide a great landing platform.
Less squirrly than Spats on hardpack, and definitely more manageable. About half way through the day I started to figure out how to get them on edge better. On 138s you have to distribute weight differently, but it can be done...to an extent (if you lay it over too much, the tip will pull away from the turn as a Spat does).
The only drawbacks I experienced are toward the end of the day getting back to the frontside where everything was skied out and manked up, I had no chance of straightlining sections of mogul fields like the rest of the group. The 138s, although plenty stiff, are so light they deflect quite easily in harder snow. However, let's face it, anyone who buys this ski isn't buying it as a one ski quiver, so if the snow is shitty, bring something else out.
Overall I'm STOKED with my purchase...DP is really stepping it up with their innovation. I'm hoping for a few more days on these before the season's out (Berthoud should work) and I'm anxiously awaiting next season even more now with thoughts of getting these into even deeper and better snow.
If anyone has been teetering on the verge of getting a pair, DO IT!
I'm tired and hope this is helpful...let me know if anyone's got more questions.
I'd also like Blurred and Z to post any thoughts as they both took a run or two on these babies!
