Ode to the DPS Lotus 138 (and Volant Spatula)

[DeathVan]

^Alyeska?

Yessir
Typical day

I need that sticker

Moment ski co.
The ballcap really tells potential partners to think twice…

[hoarhey]

I don't fecebook, but would like the 120s.

Can anyone help with contact info?

Sent you a pm


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[Buster Highmen]

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Thanks for the help.

For skis that cost $700 17 years ago, demanding $500 without bindings is a little much even for me.

[bodywhomper]

The bamboo sidewalls needed a little care and feeding sometimes (ie smearing jb weld when the grains opened a little), but unrivaled snow performance. But the repairs last essentially forever.

Is there any more detail about this? I have bamboo sidewall w95 and l138. Light coating of standard jb weld? Thompson water seal? Thx

[Buster Highmen]

Is there any more detail about this? I have bamboo sidewall w95 and l138. Light coating of standard jb weld? Thompson water seal? Thx

I've been using tung oil. Seals the wood, doesn't crack.

[bodywhomper]

Will linseed oil work?

[ezgzy]

Just picked up a pair of rocker 3.1 flex 2 138’s in a 192. Anyone got feedback on this particular vintage?


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[El Chupacabra]

Just picked up a pair of rocker 3.1 flex 2 138’s in a 192. Anyone got feedback on this particular vintage?


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IIRC the 3.1 has the really big splay at the tips - - is that what yours are like?

On all the 138s other than the first two (R0 - very pointy narrow tip, and R1 - bamboo sidewall), I like them mounted at the recommended zero line. Those first two felt prone to tip dive at the zero line, and I liked them more at - 1.

[PlayItLeo]

Good info on the different versions in here https://www.tetongravity.com/forums/...-1-to-rocker-3

Not sure about 3.1 (though I’d guess it’s the same), but the rec mount on the 3.2 was +1.5 from the marked line and I like them there.

More info on mount points here https://web.archive.org/web/20170604...uning-mounting


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[ezgzy]

Yeah pretty crazy splay to them for sure. They’re mounted with marker demos so i’ll probably play around with the mount point some to see where i like them


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[ezgzy]

Back again to ask if anyone can compare the lotus 138 to the bmt 122. I might get the chance to do a few weeks of touring near valdez this winter and i’m not sure which ski to bring


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[MotoBeak]

I'll offer my take, keeping in mind that my advice is probably worth exactly what it costs. My experience is limited, since I lucked into a pair of BMT 122s and Lotus 138s last season and have little time on either and on small mountains in Colorado snow. I have lots of days on Spatulas and Praxis Powderboards and love the reverse/reverse. I have been fortunate to heli ski around Valdez a handful of days. I would go with the BMT, given the coastal snow and variability it brings. The Lotus is an amazing tool for sure in soft snow. I like the BMT float also, and for me it feels more manageable in less than perfect conditions with the traditional sidecut. If I somehow got another chance to ski Alaska, the BMT would be my choice.

[ezgzy]

I'll offer my take, keeping in mind that my advice is probably worth exactly what it costs. My experience is limited, since I lucked into a pair of BMT 122s and Lotus 138s last season and have little time on either and on small mountains in Colorado snow. I have lots of days on Spatulas and Praxis Powderboards and love the reverse/reverse. I have been fortunate to heli ski around Valdez a handful of days. I would go with the BMT, given the coastal snow and variability it brings. The Lotus is an amazing tool for sure in soft snow. I like the BMT float also, and for me it feels more manageable in less than perfect conditions with the traditional sidecut. If I somehow got another chance to ski Alaska, the BMT would be my choice.

That’s what i figured. I got about a dozen days on my 122s last year and they’re great in fresh snow but if there’s a better ski it would be the lotus. Still, my base there is around 1600 feet and the low elevation band definitely gets funky snow pretty often so i think i’ll stick with the bmts



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[TeleBeaver]

Do the carbon layup bamboo sidewall varieties have any less carbon splinter issues than the black sidewall skis? I have a pair of very tired red lotus 120's, and the splinters are getting to be a real pain in the ass. A pair of black topsheet bamboo sidewall are available locally, thinking of getting a replacement.

[pfluffenmeister]

I don't have carbon splinter issues on my R2 202 138s.
A little prone to chipping.

[Marshal Olson]

Do the carbon layup bamboo sidewall varieties have any less carbon splinter issues than the black sidewall skis? I have a pair of very tired red lotus 120's, and the splinters are getting to be a real pain in the ass. A pair of black topsheet bamboo sidewall are available locally, thinking of getting a replacement.

Have you tried putting a little clear fingernail polish on the exposed carbon areas?