Ode to the DPS Lotus 138 (and Volant Spatula)

[HAB]

I have dynafits on 148 spoons. Yes, they are usually wider than existing skin tracks which is a little annoying, but any day that makes those skis viable you should not be worried about a firm skintrack.

I mostly agree. I've just had a few times where I've had to skin across a bit of wind-scoured hard snow to get into a line and that isn't great. But I've also got a bad knee that gives me trouble with the side loading.

[mc_roon]

I mostly agree. I've just had a few times where I've had to skin across a bit of wind-scoured hard snow to get into a line and that isn't great. But I've also got a bad knee that gives me trouble with the side loading.

True, but in that scenario the difference between 120-150mm underfoot is just going to be degrees of 'not great' and not something that should be driving the ski decision

[HAB]

True, but in that scenario the difference between 120-150mm underfoot is just going to be degrees of 'not great' and not something that should be driving the ski decision

For sure.

For me the answer was -1 cm UL Protests as a middle ground that floats well, but is a lot more versatile if it's more like 6'' on top of firmer shit as the more regular touring ski, and L138s as the "I need a snorkel today" option. Plus some skinnier stuff for when that's the move. N+1!

[flyingskiguy]

As close as I can get to 138s or spats. Spent a good bit of time on the non-ultralite ARGii last season and fell in love with reverse/reverse.

[alfajores]

Anyone here a past owner of these gorgeous 202cm Lotus 138s? I received them this summer with Head Mojo 18x bindings. While not spoons or a potentially more wieldy length, I am excited to chase some big storms with them this season.

Still on the look out for the 140mm Spoons with less than 3 mounts and under $1400.

[Evil E]

As close as I can get to 138s or spats. Spent a good bit of time on the non-ultralite ARGii last season and fell in love with reverse/reverse.

This setup makes me drool


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[Evil E]

I’ve been a HUGE fan of the R/R since I was obsessed with the spatula from its invention. I eventually got a DPS 138 and loved it except it was easily defected it hard snow conditions , but in pow it was sublime. The spatula was also a freight train if you needed to plow through crappy snow or tracks. The praxis powder was a lot of fun but seemed to lack the snap of the spatula and did it’s job well as replacement when the spatulas were beat, but somehow they were not quite as fun. I picked up the 138 spoon green edition when a demo was offered at a steal of a price. At the time DPS was advocating their 112 design and I believe they tried to make a 138,112 powder ski hybrid because the old version did not have this 5 point design. I’ve also been on the original renegade which was amazing but was too demanding at times since it was almost impossible to bend. I’ve really enjoyed the hoji and just retired my blue/whites and picked up some red/blacks that ski stiffer. The praxis protest is also a nice upgrade but for some reason I still prefer the purity of a true Full rocker/ full reverse design. Looks like marshals heritage skis will get my money sooner than later

I’d like to dial these DPS greenies in if someone had a Mount point recommendation ?? Looks like currently I’m at a +2. Is anyone loving these and figured out where to mount ? When I ski them the sidecut trips me up because they seem to have an identity issue at the current Mount point

Also related - I’m going to finally swap out the dukes on my OG 138 with a more function non frame binding . Does anyone know what binding / binding pattern would be best to put down holes that don’t overlap ? I’d prefer a Look pivot but open to suggestions.

Pic for reference

[pfluffenmeister]

Anyone here a past owner of these gorgeous 202cm Lotus 138s? I received them this summer with Head Mojo 18x bindings. While not spoons or a potentially more wieldy length, I am excited to chase some big storms with them this season.

Still on the look out for the 140mm Spoons with less than 3 mounts and under $1400.

Ooooh yes.
That is the prime 202.
Stiff as fuck.
I only have four days on mine, but it was a four foot cycle; ~ 12"/day.

Straight up powder weapons.

[Marshal Olson]

I’ve been a HUGE fan of the R/R since I was obsessed with the spatula from its invention. I eventually got a DPS 138 and loved it except it was easily defected it hard snow conditions , but in pow it was sublime. The spatula was also a freight train if you needed to plow through crappy snow or tracks. The praxis powder was a lot of fun but seemed to lack the snap of the spatula and did it’s job well as replacement when the spatulas were beat, but somehow they were not quite as fun. I picked up the 138 spoon green edition when a demo was offered at a steal of a price. At the time DPS was advocating their 112 design and I believe they tried to make a 138,112 powder ski hybrid because the old version did not have this 5 point design. I’ve also been on the original renegade which was amazing but was too demanding at times since it was almost impossible to bend. I’ve really enjoyed the hoji and just retired my blue/whites and picked up some red/blacks that ski stiffer. The praxis protest is also a nice upgrade but for some reason I still prefer the purity of a true Full rocker/ full reverse design. Looks like marshals heritage skis will get my money sooner than later

I’d like to dial these DPS greenies in if someone had a Mount point recommendation ?? Looks like currently I’m at a +2. Is anyone loving these and figured out where to mount ? When I ski them the sidecut trips me up because they seem to have an identity issue at the current Mount point

Also related - I’m going to finally swap out the dukes on my OG 138 with a more function non frame binding . Does anyone know what binding / binding pattern would be best to put down holes that don’t overlap ? I’d prefer a Look pivot but open to suggestions.

Pic for reference

Yo E!

I’d recommend wherever between 84 and 85cm from the tail on the green ones. IIRC my preferred line was 84.75cm from the tail, which was +1.75 I thibk

Hope that helps and lines up ok!

[gaijin]

From large Dukes to a Pivot you’ll likely have to go forward 2cm or back 1cm from the duke’s midline.


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[alfajores]

Ooooh yes.
That is the prime 202.
Stiff as fuck.
I only have four days on mine, but it was a four foot cycle; ~ 12"/day.

Straight up powder weapons.

Stoked. I cannot wait to get them out. We are aiming for Hokkaido during average peak dump season. Picked these up for $500 shipped on eBay. They came mint. Also, who doesn't love the bamboo sidewalls?

Too bad I live in the Front Range where 12" days are not common. Having spent most of my life in the PNW and Tahoe, those big days are still deeply engrained in my memory.

[gaijin]

From large Dukes to a Pivot you’ll likely have to go forward 2cm or back 1cm from the duke’s midline.

Oops... I meant from SMALL Dukes to a Pivot, you'll likely have to go forward ~2cm or back ~1cm from the Duke's midline. Large Dukes, I think you're clear. (The FKS is the same as a pivot, right?)

[Evil E]

Oops... I meant from SMALL Dukes to a Pivot, you'll likely have to go forward ~2cm or back ~1cm from the Duke's midline. Large Dukes, I think you're clear. (The FKS is the same as a pivot, right?)

Large dukes . Pivot /Fks = same/same


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[Toddball]

Another set of mount questions:
1. Would mounting at -2cm be too far back?
2. Does adding stack suck?
3. Should I be scared of a mount overlapping old holes with the Pure construction, with or without inserts?

Context:
I have some 138s in 192cm, Rocker 3.2, Flex 2, Pure construction (2050g/ski). They were previously mounted with Marker demo bindings (presumably for BSL~315mm at +0cm), then I mounted Dynalook plates for 301mm BSL at around +1cm. Now I'm looking to get maximally pitted and mount some tele bindings on them. Here's what the mount situation looks like at the toe (tips to the left):



The plugged holes are for the Marker demos, and the open holes are for the Dynalook plates. The black dashed lines indicate the front two pairs of holes for the 22 Designs pattern (i.e. Outlaw X and Lynx) at +0cm, and the red dashed line indicates the front pair of holes for that pattern at -2cm. The 22D pattern has 6 toe holes spaced 38mm apart. As an added complication, I only have two sets of tele bindings (1 Lynx and 1 Outlaw X) that I intend to share between 3 pairs of skis, so mounting the binding to something with machine screws would be great.

It seems like these are my options:

A. Add some inserts for the 22D pattern at -2cm or slightly further aft, splitting the difference between the Marker and Dynalook holes.

B. Mount some 22D shift plates at -2cm, at which point I could mount bindings at either +0.5cm or -0.7cm (or much further aft). Shift plates appear to have a bunch of holes drilled in 38/3 = 12.7mm increments, but you can't mount the binding directly on top of the mounting screws. Adds 6.4mm stack (same as Dynalook/Sollyfit) and 150 g per ski.

C. Somehow remove the plastic (?) plugs in the Marker demo holes, fill all holes with hardwood, mount wherever I want (probably +0cm).

[telehacker]

Dear Marshall was your last name Z

[telehacker]

So quite a ways back I bought a pair of dps 138 with a Go for Rob sticker on them from Z. Best purchase in my ski life that ski is like sitting on a lazy boy and surfing flat pow. I skied it at Silverton last on a big day and the heli guide was best friend with Rob.
He laughed when I said I never met Rob but I would feel pretty shitty for scraping off a cool sticker. 1000% karma one of my all time ski trips for sure.



Don’t bring them out often but all I do is smile smile 😃 when conditions are prime !

[Marshal Olson]

Dear Marshall was your last name Z

Not sure if Z still posts here, but he is an all time Og maggot and homie! He is who got me posting on TGR 20ish (holy crap) years ago actually!

[Doremite]

@Toddball, no 138 experience but I have used the shift plates a ton and I’ve never noticed that stack height at all. Or the weight but only used them on resort skis. Haven’t noticed any ski flex variance either. I think they definitely have a role in certain situations.

[SoVT Joey]

Another set of mount questions:
1. Would mounting at -2cm be too far back?
2. Does adding stack suck?
3. Should I be scared of a mount overlapping old holes with the Pure construction, with or without inserts?

Context:
I have some 138s in 192cm, Rocker 3.2, Flex 2, Pure construction (2050g/ski). They were previously mounted with Marker demo bindings (presumably for BSL~315mm at +0cm), then I mounted Dynalook plates for 301mm BSL at around +1cm. Now I'm looking to get maximally pitted and mount some tele bindings on them. Here's what the mount situation looks like at the toe (tips to the left):



The plugged holes are for the Marker demos, and the open holes are for the Dynalook plates. The black dashed lines indicate the front two pairs of holes for the 22 Designs pattern (i.e. Outlaw X and Lynx) at +0cm, and the red dashed line indicates the front pair of holes for that pattern at -2cm. The 22D pattern has 6 toe holes spaced 38mm apart. As an added complication, I only have two sets of tele bindings (1 Lynx and 1 Outlaw X) that I intend to share between 3 pairs of skis, so mounting the binding to something with machine screws would be great.

It seems like these are my options:

A. Add some inserts for the 22D pattern at -2cm or slightly further aft, splitting the difference between the Marker and Dynalook holes.

B. Mount some 22D shift plates at -2cm, at which point I could mount bindings at either +0.5cm or -0.7cm (or much further aft). Shift plates appear to have a bunch of holes drilled in 38/3 = 12.7mm increments, but you can't mount the binding directly on top of the mounting screws. Adds 6.4mm stack (same as Dynalook/Sollyfit) and 150 g per ski.

C. Somehow remove the plastic (?) plugs in the Marker demo holes, fill all holes with hardwood, mount wherever I want (probably +0cm).

just drill the plastic plugs out and replace them and mount. Your bit will follow the plastic plugs. They are softer then the ski material.

[Toddball]

@Toddball, no 138 experience but I have used the shift plates a ton and I’ve never noticed that stack height at all. Or the weight but only used them on resort skis. Haven’t noticed any ski flex variance either. I think they definitely have a role in certain situations.

Good to hear, I ordered a set.

just drill the plastic plugs out and replace them and mount. Your bit will follow the plastic plugs. They are softer then the ski material.

I think I'll at least try to drill the plastic plugs out and replace them with hardwood dowel; if this goes poorly I'll just use the plates.

[TrueNorth]

I have an undrilled pair of L138 192cm rocker 3.2 hybrids (red ones) that deserve a better life than I’ve been providing them. What would the price police say if we decide to part ways?

[Doremite]

I have an undrilled pair of L138 192cm rocker 3.2 hybrids (red ones) that deserve a better life than I’ve been providing them. What would the price police say if we decide to part ways?

Undrilled?? I will say the Hybrid build rarely gets enough credit. Especially if you will ski ‘em inbounds. Priceless??

[Vitamin I]

I have an undrilled pair of L138 192cm rocker 3.2 hybrids (red ones) that deserve a better life than I’ve been providing them. What would the price police say if we decide to part ways?

...Priceless??

Yeah, that year might be the unicorn heavy build for that shape...I think >2500g per ski. I say weigh them and report the weights in your For Sale thread, so that all the heavyweight lovers will drool. Price them high to start, and then keep decreasing price until someone bites.

.

[PlayItLeo]

Yeah, that year might be the unicorn heavy build for that shape...I think >2500g per ski. I say weigh them and report the weights in your For Sale thread, so that all the heavyweight lovers will drool. Price them high to start, and then keep decreasing price until someone bites.

.

2541 and 2601 for my pair of the same setup.

Freight trains. Only like 200gms lighter than a Spat, but like most R/R skis, they don’t feel heavy on your feet.


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[Red7]

Here are some photos from Alpenglow sports comparing:

1) Lighter shade of Purple - new Lotus 138 Alpenglow model (Spoon) Pagoda/Pagoda Tour Construction
2) Darker shade of Purple - previous model Lotus 138 purple (Spoon) Alchemist Construction

Tail shape comparison (width / taper)

Attachment 396650

Tip Rocker/Splay comp (Alchemist on top, Alpenglow SE Pagoda on bottom)

Attachment 396651

Shovel/Tip Shape/Taper comparison

Attachment 396648

Spooned portion comparison (slighter more spooned tip on Alpenglow Special Edition model)

Attachment 396649

I've found a pair of like new, darker purple 2018 Powderworks (Alchemist) 138 at a fair price. I read through this whole thread (among others) but didn't get a consensus on how the newer designs compare to the OGs. I know the newer ones aren't true reverse sidecut (32m vs 60+m) and have some other subtle differences in rocker, splay and flex, but do they still maintain most of their fun, surfy heritage that they are famous for? Both Stephan Drake and Paul Forward commented that the differences were subtle and felt they made for slight improvements but I'm sure different people have different takes which is to be expected. So does the Ode to the Lotus 138 include these newer designs....or at least enough that someone who hasn't skied the previous models doesn't know what they're missing?