DPS Ski Durability

[lynchdogger]

Bought my first pair of pure W 105's now four years ago and have abused them searching for ec untracked and steeps on Mt Washington.

Skis have almost same snap and rebound as when new. That for me is the win. No other ski I have been on can compare to that longevity.

Sure a number of chips and dings but nothing that epoxy, base welds and ptex cannot fix. No blown edges and base material is bomber and fast. I don't ski on my top sheets and could give a damn what they look like.

Best skis I have owned for how I ski and tour. Just my two cents. Ski. Smile. Laugh. Have a damn good time.

Soon another season begins ...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using TGR Forums

[Beyond]

I've had a couple pair of the Pures, durability seems about average for an indie, meaning more edge chips than majors - but good bases. No major cracks or breakage, but I tend to take care of my gear. Curious if the Pures and the Hybrids show the same issues.

Otherwise agree that rest of industry has caught up. Even Stockli now makes a 100 mm ski as light as the W99 Pure, and everyone and their brother has some version of 5-point/spoon/whatever you want to call it.

Realize that indies see their niche as all about innovation, but notice that the most universally applauded - ON3P and Praxis come to mind - are those that have the highest quality control, best post-purchase durability. OTOH, not sure if applause = sales.

[marshalolson]

Yo scotsman, just curious about your thoughts on the spoon.

Have you skied them and thought there was no benefit?

Or are you assuming that a 2ft long, 2" wide 12deg bevel won't affect the way a ski behaves?

Not sure what angle you are objecting from...?



And indeed, big rich ski companies like Dps willingly choose to have their sole company vehicle be a retired personal truck, have it be ~20 years old, with high mileage, so they break down every 6months

We are just some skiers making the skis we want to ski on. most people dig them - but not everyone, and that is totally cool. we strive to make it right if something goes wrong, but that does not mean every single instance is to the customers demands.

If a 7year old ski like the one above pictured breaks, it sucks - and that does not even mean we might not still help them out with a single or something.

But I can't go backwards in time and change skis retroactively.

there is a reason why Dps opened its own factory. Only time will tell if that yields a better ski across the board for everyone, but I am stoked on my personal skis, and that is why I work for Dps.

[Buster Highmen]

mofro261 got a hold of a pair of lotus 120 spoons last year and was his usual cool guy self to let me try them.

Admittedly I only skied them 1 run and that was down International monster moguls at Alpental and in some crud down through Snakedance but I thought they were notable different: super easy turn initiation, weirdly so, and yet the new tail design gripped better than my old Lotae. There's less tail rocker and it felt like a stiffer tail.

They felt a lot more solid than the old bamboo sidewalled versions or even the lotae from a couple of years ago during the body of the turn. Not quite so feathery.

Moguls were strange since the forebody slipped, but I ski bumps old sk00l jet turns off the tails and that worked amazingly well.

Slarvability in the crud was another continued standout feature as was the planing up with the bigger tip rocker relative to the old bamboo sidewalled ones.

I think the spoon design really dampens any kind of hookiness. That was one thing I didn't like about the S7 or the 112: the hookiness.

[lynchdogger]

^^^ honest and legit. Not much more a reasonable person could ask for. And please don't stop turning out sick stix.

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[strawjack]

Bought my first pair of pure W 105's now four years ago and have abused them searching for ec untracked and steeps on Mt Washington.

Skis have almost same snap and rebound as when new. That for me is the win. No other ski I have been on can compare to that longevity.

Sure a number of chips and dings but nothing that epoxy, base welds and ptex cannot fix. No blown edges and base material is bomber and fast. I don't ski on my top sheets and could give a damn what they look like.

Best skis I have owned for how I ski and tour. Just my two cents. Ski. Smile. Laugh. Have a damn good time.

Soon another season begins ...

Sent from my SCH-I535 using TGR Forums

yes, yours haven't snapped.

[Mofro261]

The Spoon is a gimmick.

Just like side cut on a ski was a gimmick, fat skis were a gimmick, reverse camber was a gimmick, reverse side cut was a gimmick, carbon fiber was a gimmick. Yet all of those helped ski design evolve and are now incorporated in some way in every major brands ski line up. Is the Spoon the "next big thing"? Time will tell as more people are able to get on them in the conditions they were made for and if/as more other companies begin experimenting with the concept.

On a personal note, I was lucky enough to get on a pair of protos last year. I get no deals/pro forms/bro brah treatment for any of the gear I ski on. It'd be nice sure, as I hate paying full retail for anything. I have no incentives to fellate a ski company and ain't going to do so if the product is shit.

With that out of the way, after close to 20 days on them at Whistler/Blackcomb, Alpental, Xtal, Hood, and Bachelor, I can with confidence say the Spoon L120 is my favorite ski of all time. I found myself wanting to ski these even when the conditions didn't merit it. This is a soft snow killing machine, but is less than confidence inspiring on boiler plate for firm icy bumps. It is not a quiver of one ski. But in anything soft, I couldn't stop smiling at how FAST, turnable, stable, easy, and just downright fun they were to ski. As much as I attribute my liking of the ski to the Spoon, it is just as much a function of the Pure 3 layup, the tweak in the skis radius downward to 35M, and the more substantial tail.

Re:durability. I have owned 2 prs of older gen L120's and a pair of W105's with easily 300+ days on them between the pairs without any issues myself. I loaned my now second fave ski L120 F3 to a friend who snapped one while driving them into an abrupt stream crossing and severely over flexing the ski. It was a bonehead move on his part that would have taken out any ski. Those had nearly 200 days on them and the bases were still down right flawless. Protip: wax your skis, not only does it make them fast it makes them more resilient.

Yes, it's hard to justify the cost of a $1200+ ski, and that cost that will likely keep me off them for another year- kids are too damn expensive and I'm too indulgent for letting them ski race. I'm actually hoping someone out there picks these up and hates them enough to unload a pair. Yes, there are an abundant number of choices - too many really- of ski designs, makers, layups, widths, to choose from. My favorite skis work for the way I like to ski and doesn't mean it's the ski everyone should be on. There's too many different styles and abilities to say there is one ski to rule them all. Hell, I'd still be out and having fun skiing on a pair of 2x4's strapped to my feet, but it's not a stretch to say I'd be having more fun on the Spoon.

Just my $0.02.

[Buster Highmen]

Yeah, tail. We all like more substantial tail. Right? Am I right?
If anyone of the now weakend warriors should be spancered, it's mofro.

[grskier]

I'll be on at least one pair of DPS right away this year (L 120 S) and probably at least another or 3. I'm the worst when it comes to mangling skis. I'll be more than happy to post up what the new factory stuff feels like. That said, all of my local experience with them (what I've seen around town) is they have been holding up over these lower tide years as well (if not better) than anything else.

I've blown up the most bomber skis and have been on things I've been told to baby and raked rocks with no harm. It's such a situation to situation issue I think it's exceptionally hard to make these judgments. those times you've tapped a rock and blown out an edge... it's felt like a tap because it failed on impact and the rest of your experience was post failure. Those times you've crushed a rock and only had some ptexing to do... you felt that more because the ski didn't fail. Of course, there are those times you land on a rock and blow the crap out of everything and rag-doll down the rest of your line, but that's another issue

Caveat emptor:
I've started and affiliation with DPS this year. It's not a decision I made lightly, as I have good relationships with several companies already. I can't wait to get on these, they look ridiculously fun, and I'm freaking stoked to be an ambassador.

[Scotsman50]

Yo scotsman, just curious about your thoughts on the spoon.

Have you skied them and thought there was no benefit?

Or are you assuming that a 2ft long, 2" wide 12deg bevel won't affect the way a ski behaves?

Not sure what angle you are objecting from...?



And indeed, big rich ski companies like Dps willingly choose to have their sole company vehicle be a retired personal truck, have it be ~20 years old, with high mileage, so they break down every 6months

We are just some skiers making the skis we want to ski on. most people dig them - but not everyone, and that is totally cool. we strive to make it right if something goes wrong, but that does not mean every single instance is to the customers demands.

If a 7year old ski like the one above pictured breaks, it sucks - and that does not even mean we might not still help them out with a single or something.

But I can't go backwards in time and change skis retroactively.

there is a reason why Dps opened its own factory. Only time will tell if that yields a better ski across the board for everyone, but I am stoked on my personal skis, and that is why I work for Dps.

Hi Marshal,
DPS makes fantastic skis....We have 4 pairs within our family and I have reduced my quiver to just two pairs of skis( new found frugality movement) and they are BOTH DPS pure skis.
I love the skis, have lived through some of the warranty and durability issues and I still reach for my 112's on every powder day with a grin on my face.
BUT they ain't the Bestest SKi EVAR in the Whole Wide World and they ain't the most cost effective and you still have to compromise because of their lightness and deflection problems in less than ideal snow.
No I haven't skied the spooned skis....and yes I'm sure they make a difference....setting a new norm and not a gimmick????....mmmmmh... time will tell...lets see if the other manufacturers start copying...maybe they will and maybe they wont.

My point is at $1300 they ain't worth it anymore compared to other manufactures now similar products that are much cheaper priced. You've been able to sustain that pricing point because of the hype and fanboi crush some have had and your excellent marketing. Why pay for a high priced "escort" when the hookers at the back of the short bus are nearly, if not just as pretty and FAR cheaper and fuck just as good.

[lobstahmeatwad]

scotsman fucks short bus hookers on dps quality issue skis
#cheaphookers

[XXX-er]

hey if you can't afford the pure the hybrid is 450$ cheaper and not out of line with other non carbon brands

[lynchdogger]

yes, yours haven't snapped.

I could snap any ski when landing on unforseen buried rocks. Back in the day I snapped my share. Rarely ski that way anymore. Old age is hell.

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[Scotsman50]

The short bus Hookers, like the fat chicks, are grateful... the high price escorts are high maintenance.
Interesting to note that a lot of the skiers posting about the DPS skis ( and I know a lot of them personally,.......and they are great skiers) have bought their DPS skis on the secondary market.

It's what I hear all the time...I'd love a pair of DPS pures but I can justify spending $1300 on a pair of skis( or I'll NEVER spend $1300 on a piar of skis... or I'll get something else that's similar and wait for a TGR fanboi to buy a pair ( that will be too long for them....ha!) and then sell 'em for 80 cents on the dollar.

They are like vultures waiting for DPS Skis to drop on the secondary market. That should tell you something. Great ski...but overpriced.

[Scotsman50]

hey if you can't afford the pure the hybrid is 450$ cheaper and not out of line with other non carbon brands

DPS hybrids.... for those that want the brand but not the price.... Like the guy buying a Porsche with a two stroke engine and making sure everybody sees his key fob...... I bought a pair of hybrids once.....completely uninspiring.....like any other ski and there are better with traditional construction... However...in just the right light and in the line up for the Gondola.. could pass as Pures... HA!

[XXX-er]

well I thot I would appeal to yer heritage and suggest the cheaper option

[Buster Highmen]

DPS (and I'm sure other brands )is very good at using pro-forms and sweetheart deals to some of those that post positive reviews, ALL the time!!

Could this be construed as impugning the integrity of those who post (DPS) positive reviews?

[Scotsman50]

Could this be construed as impugning the integrity of those who post (DPS) positive reviews?

If the hat fits wear it...if it doesn't don't....don't project these comments onto yourself, they are not directed at you.... I'm sure many that post positive AND negative reviews ( and I've done both) are just being honest, hopefully the majority ....however...SOME aren't and jump to DPS's defense with an almost evangelical fervor that leaves many suspicious of their motives.

[Buster Highmen]

Well, I have to confess I did buy your skis from you after mine were 3 years old and you thought your 200s too long for you.

But if there's fervor in this thread, it's kind of clear where it's coming from.

[Scotsman50]

Yes, exactly, I speak from experience and know all the foibles of owning DPS skis..both the good, the bad and the hype and have fallen for the hype in the past and for TGR advise on length, HA!
I know you have now have pro-form with DPS but since you've been a devotee from the start , you've been consistent in your praises even when you didn't have pro-form.

I lot of people I know, know Marshall and I know how they work with their warranty replacement prioritization, sweetheart deals, discounts and pro-forms...... rub my back and I'll rub yours.....post a positive review etc.... if sure the other ski brands do the same....but I find it distasteful frankly..... I've been guilty of taking advantage of it in the past..so yes..I'm a hypocrite, but at least I admit it.

I remember you admitting recently that my 200'c where a bit long for you as well...if we're going to be honest. HA!

[Hugh Conway]

Hey, that's what bccountry did.

then once they got big, they jsut paid TGR to avantlink and get all of us to whore for them

[Scotsman50]

Hey, that's what bccountry did.

then once they got big, they jsut paid TGR to avantlink and get all of us to whore for them

It's inevitable that companies are going to use these tools to make sure they get good word of mouth and reviews..but it does distort reality and the buyer needs to take them with a pinch of salt and make up their own minds.

[Buster Highmen]

I remember you admitting recently that my 200'c where a bit long for you as well...if we're going to be honest. HA!

Hmmm. I don't remember saying that, though I could see how you might misunderstand when I got some 190s for touring despite mounting up some 200s just this spring that I'd had stockpiled.

Anyway, I like the skis and they work well for me.

Peas, love and cosmik twinkies for all.

[Scotsman50]

Should have recorded it I guess.... no matter... I agree, great skis, love mine, my wife loves hers, my son loves his and I can't wait to ski powder on them again soon.

[lobstahmeatwad]

porche makes a 2 stroke? Im In!!
Put some tracks on it and its super badass sled. brap brrrrappp.