jjue
12-02-2007, 09:00 PM
One of the under appreciated new features of the new powder plate by Spruce is how it can affect carving . I had a great chance to put the Spruce 120 through its paces today carving up a storm on nice fast manmade snow with only a few folks on the slope , so you could really open up some speed in each of the three powder plate positions and wanted to discuss how set back positions can affect carving . The original intent of the powder plate was to provide set back positons for folks in deep pow , but another great feature is to allow skiboarders to try carving from different set back positions on the fly . Today I tried all three set backs on the hill , which just involved loosening 4 machine screws lifting off the riser and and reattaching the screws at different holes . The Spruce 120 is already a very versatile board spanning the gap between the 110 Skiboards and the big boy 130 Sherpa . Add the powder plate and you basically suddenly have three boards for the price of one .
Remember , the powder plate can be used with any regular Spruce riser or with the new Touring riser that allows backcountry touring with a Fritschi Alpine touring binding.
Most folks have ridden the Spruce 120 center mounted and the 1st powder plate position puts you at a 15mm set back which basically is equivalent to a center postion. In this position the board carved great as expected and had all that great center mount skiboard FEEL and just begs to be spun around and ridden fakie or do 360 spins . The next position is 50mm back . In an earlier post Valmorel pointed out that in moving bindings back you create a longer more shock absorbing front and stiffer tail , This is just what happens with the Spruce , you feel that longer tip riding up and offer irregular lumpy snow better than in center
The front feels "Springier " and less stiff then in center mount . The tail seems to stiffen up a bit and the carve is very smooth and feels very similar to center , but with the shock absorping benefit . I ride balanced and in an upright neutral skiboard stance like when I ride center .
Now move the binding back to the final 85mm position and suddenly the board changes its personality again . Today , there were long ski racing types practing high speed poleless turns and in the very rear position , I felt just like them on a high performance slalom ski with a huge amount of real estate ahead of you , you actually do not notice that the tail is very short as with the Spruce the tail is very supportative and the set back just seems to stiffen it up nicely , you can carve like a high speed ski racer in this position leaning forward like skiers do against the tounge of your boots.
I just had a total blast playing around with the three positions and watching the board change performance characteristics immediately .. it took about one run to adjust to the new position and then it was off to the races with an entirely new way of riding . I loved all three positions . All three are equally easy to ride skiboard style without poles .
Boy , Jeff's orgiinal 120 Longboard is amazingly versatile , a great bargain with a great price point and now with this season's powder plate and touring riser , just gets better !!
Here is a pic of my custom insert mounted center mount Spruce to compare with the 2nd and 3rd set back positions . I did not use my insert direct mounted Spruce today , but just used the powder plate to set the binding back to center position and left the other board at home ! So , I had three boards in one with just a screwdriver in my pack . . pretty cool .. http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/jjue/DSCN1090.jpg
Remember , the powder plate can be used with any regular Spruce riser or with the new Touring riser that allows backcountry touring with a Fritschi Alpine touring binding.
Most folks have ridden the Spruce 120 center mounted and the 1st powder plate position puts you at a 15mm set back which basically is equivalent to a center postion. In this position the board carved great as expected and had all that great center mount skiboard FEEL and just begs to be spun around and ridden fakie or do 360 spins . The next position is 50mm back . In an earlier post Valmorel pointed out that in moving bindings back you create a longer more shock absorbing front and stiffer tail , This is just what happens with the Spruce , you feel that longer tip riding up and offer irregular lumpy snow better than in center
The front feels "Springier " and less stiff then in center mount . The tail seems to stiffen up a bit and the carve is very smooth and feels very similar to center , but with the shock absorping benefit . I ride balanced and in an upright neutral skiboard stance like when I ride center .
Now move the binding back to the final 85mm position and suddenly the board changes its personality again . Today , there were long ski racing types practing high speed poleless turns and in the very rear position , I felt just like them on a high performance slalom ski with a huge amount of real estate ahead of you , you actually do not notice that the tail is very short as with the Spruce the tail is very supportative and the set back just seems to stiffen it up nicely , you can carve like a high speed ski racer in this position leaning forward like skiers do against the tounge of your boots.
I just had a total blast playing around with the three positions and watching the board change performance characteristics immediately .. it took about one run to adjust to the new position and then it was off to the races with an entirely new way of riding . I loved all three positions . All three are equally easy to ride skiboard style without poles .
Boy , Jeff's orgiinal 120 Longboard is amazingly versatile , a great bargain with a great price point and now with this season's powder plate and touring riser , just gets better !!
Here is a pic of my custom insert mounted center mount Spruce to compare with the 2nd and 3rd set back positions . I did not use my insert direct mounted Spruce today , but just used the powder plate to set the binding back to center position and left the other board at home ! So , I had three boards in one with just a screwdriver in my pack . . pretty cool .. http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l88/jjue/DSCN1090.jpg