Ode to the DPS Lotus 138 (and Volant Spatula)

**Evil E** · 03-04-2019, 10:37 PM

Is anyone loving the current Dps 138 spoon? Mounting recommendations appreciated.

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**otto parts** · 03-05-2019, 06:20 PM

Love mine, esp with this year in Tahoe
Had older non spooned and Spoons and these are better than both.
And Marshall was adamant about mounting at 83 3/4

**Evil E** · 03-05-2019, 08:33 PM

Is this ski the same as yours Otto? I have this limited edition ski from 13-14

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I’m curious how this model differs from the current model.

**otto parts** · 03-05-2019, 11:23 PM

Believe my purple ones are the same except for graphics

**1000-oaks** · 03-06-2019, 01:07 AM

Whyturn had a pair of green 138 Spoons that looked like that, which appeared to have more rocker than my purple version. Similar lines, but the purple rocker seemed toned down a bit. Didn't have them side by side, but his greens had zero flat underfoot and looked like they'd suck getting back to the lift, while the purples seem a lot closer to a traditional pow ski profile than earlier 138's. Could be wrong though, just going by memory.

First rule of Club 138: if you see a pair of 138's for $350 or less, pull the trigger. (Might not apply to über rockered versions 3.0 and 3.1, unless you're headed for UT or AK.)

**tuco** · 03-06-2019, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by 1000-oaks

Whyturn had a pair of green 138 Spoons that looked like that, which appeared to have more rocker than my purple version. Similar lines, but the purple rocker seemed toned down a bit. Didn't have them side by side, but his greens had zero flat underfoot and looked like they'd suck getting back to the lift, while the purples seem a lot closer to a traditional pow ski profile than earlier 138's. Could be wrong though, just going by memory.

First rule of Club 138: if you see a pair of 138's for $350 or less, pull the trigger. (Might not apply to über rockered versions 3.0 and 3.1, unless you're headed for UT or AK.)

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Now Tuco's Goblins.
There's a flat spot.
How they compare to Barney's---no clue

**Evil E** · 03-06-2019, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by tuco

Now Tuco's Goblins.
There's a flat spot.
How they compare to Barney's---no clue

Yeah I wrote why turn and he had the same odd issues as I did with his green machines. I own spats, praxis pows, protests and I have the 138 rocker 3 ( which I love except for constant carbon splinters ) and I bought the spoons because apparently I love stupid overlap. I wish I could find a pair of purple models and hold my greens up to them to compare sidecut.

I was curious about the new 138 spoon tech and I scooped up a pair that was a demo for a steal. It’s a weird ski. It’s not RR. It’s more like a fat JJ. There’s a bunch of sidecut that fights the rocker, DPS calls it paddletech. I never thought I’d say this but I found it to be “hooky” in wetter / funky snow. I mounted according to DPS recommendation —- “DPS recommends mounting the Lotus 138 at + 1.5 for the correct balance point on the ski. 84.5 cm from the tail of the ski.”

Wondering if moving back would help. Wish they would revisit their OG shaping with new construction. Thanks to spats I hate sidecut on my pow skis.

It could also be because I’m now older, weaker, ski less, But I’ve talked to others who agree the older shapes were more conducive to fast, slarvy playful skiing.

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**Self Jupiter** · 03-06-2019, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by steepconcrete

I miss my spats. Went thru 3 pair. I do have 2 pairs of Pows (185 and 195) and some first run 189 protests.

But after it snowed 2’ of mank here I really wish I still had some og spatulas. Nothing can cut thru the slush like those heavy sob’s.

If you ever wanna get rid of those first run 189 protests, I’m here for ya

**1000-oaks** · 03-06-2019, 04:23 PM

Keep hearing that the purple is great (haven't mounted mine yet), but it does seem like DPS removed a lot of the 138 design ironically (heavy, more sidecut, paddle tip instead of substantial tip rocker). It does look kind of like a burly JJ. Maybe the new design should have been given a new name, lol.

**tuco** · 03-06-2019, 05:27 PM

Originally Posted by Evil E

Yeah I wrote why turn and he had the same odd issues as I did with his green machines. I own spats, praxis pows, protests and I have the 138 rocker 3 ( which I love except for constant carbon splinters ) and I bought the spoons because apparently I love stupid overlap. I wish I could find a pair of purple models and hold my greens up to them to compare sidecut.

I was curious about the new 138 spoon tech and I scooped up a pair that was a demo for a steal. It’s a weird ski. It’s not RR. It’s more like a fat JJ. There’s a bunch of sidecut that fights the rocker, DPS calls it paddletech. I never thought I’d say this but I found it to be “hooky” in wetter / funky snow. I mounted according to DPS recommendation —- “DPS recommends mounting the Lotus 138 at + 1.5 for the correct balance point on the ski. 84.5 cm from the tail of the ski.”

Wondering if moving back would help. Wish they would revisit their OG shaping with new construction. Thanks to spats I hate sidecut on my pow skis.

It could also be because I’m now older, weaker, ski less, But I’ve talked to others who agree the older shapes were more conducive to fast, slarvy playful skiing.

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Must have deleted the photos I had of the Purps I hooked CascadeLuke up w/. Never had them side by side, but they sure seemed like the same ski

**summit** · 03-06-2019, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by Evil E

Is this ski the same as yours Otto? I have this limited edition ski from 13-14

I’m curious how this model differs from the current model.

Somebody fed a 112 too many donuts and it got fat and sick and turned green

**Evil E** · 03-06-2019, 08:37 PM

Originally Posted by Summit

Somebody fed a 112 too many donuts and it got fat and sick and turned green

Kinda. Is this not the same shape as the current purple ?

**summit** · 03-06-2019, 09:21 PM

Originally Posted by Evil E

Kinda. Is this not the same shape as the current purple ?

Dunno my purples are a few years old.

**Evil E** · 03-07-2019, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Summit

Dunno my purples are a few years old.

I think your purples might be the same as mine. I do know my greenies were just a limited edition top sheet from 2013-14. I’m wondering if I have a prototype or production model sidecut.

Do your purples have the obvious “paddletech”? Or are they more similar to the OG?

I’m assuming you have the 192? Where are yours mounted?

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**glademaster** · 03-07-2019, 11:01 AM

The Purple topsheet Lotus 138 Spoons (Pure 3 construction) are identical to the green "Special Edition" 138's, except for the green topsheet. I owned a pair of each, and would occasionally ski on one green and one purple one. There is no difference except graphics.

IMHO, the green topsheet SE is the sexiest L138 DPS produced. I sold my pair to Max Gosey, and he lost one of them on their maiden voyage.

**Evil E** · 03-07-2019, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by glademaster

The Purple topsheet Lotus 138 Spoons (Pure 3 construction) are identical to the green "Special Edition" 138's, except for the green topsheet. I owned a pair of each, and would occasionally ski on one green and one purple one. There is no difference except graphics.

IMHO, the green topsheet SE is the sexiest L138 DPS produced. I sold my pair to Max Gosey, and he lost one of them on their maiden voyage.

Good knowledge, thx. Where did You mount yours?

I can see what the reason is for some sidecut on this ski, but mine feels like too much but I’m not parting with them yet. I think I need to move back perhaps ? Again, wishing they would make an OG shape in new construction.

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**bodywhomper** · 03-07-2019, 04:13 PM

It’s hard to judge from photos and the dps website, but the l138 on the website “look” like they have a more tapered tip than the green ones pictured above.

**glademaster** · 03-08-2019, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Evil E

Good knowledge, thx. Where did You mount yours?

I can see what the reason is for some sidecut on this ski, but mine feels like too much but I’m not parting with them yet. I think I need to move back perhaps ? Again, wishing they would make an OG shape in new construction.

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Both of my pairs were the 182cm length, since I'm 5'7" and weigh 155 pounds all layered up to ski.

I want to say they were both 3/4 of a cm behind the line, or the equivalent of it, but I measured straight pull off the tail, instead of using the printed line, per DPS instructions. I bet I have it written down somewhere, but that was like 4 moves ago, so it may be lost to the ages. Maybe PM Gosey?

The 182 L138 is the best deep snow tree ski ever built, and I will duel with you if you disagree. They float like a cork at moderate speeds, pivot faster than a politician faced with an uncomfortable question and thanks to the layup, had enough rebound in truly bottomless snow to allow for old school, face shot producing pow turns. I wish I hadn't sold my pair.

If it feels like there is too much sidecut, check the tune. DPS intended these to be set up with a 2 degree base edge bevel.

I'm several years and several jobs removed at this point, but to "cite my sources," I worked for DPS for ~2 years.

**PlayItLeo** · 03-20-2019, 03:27 PM

FKNA - just had an amazing day on the hill. It doesn’t get much better than slush bumps and groomers on Spats! I’d forgotten how much pop they have off rollers. Thanks, Shane.

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**soul_skier** · 03-20-2019, 03:46 PM

Glad to see there is still some love for the truly specific pow skis. Modern pow skis are fun and all, but they’re all compromises in one way or another.

Lets talk about the very first generation lotus 138

There is nothing like it, period. The spatula, praxis powders/protests, ARGs, and all those like them just are not the same. In my opinion, DPS got it right the first time. The first generation, Flex 3, Rocker 0 Lotus 138s are by leaps and bounds my favorite soft snow ski.

Subsequent iterations of this ski added width to the tip and tail, increased rocker, and softened the flex pattern. I’ve tried to love other similar skis but nothing gives me the stability, control, and on demand face-shots like the first iteration of these. I have a minty spare pair waiting for when my first set finally gives up the ghost, but while they are bruised, battered, swiss cheesed, and can’t be picked up without gloves due to carbon splinters from top sheet chipping, you’ll pry my current pair from my cold dead hands.

I’ve had them for going on a decade now. They have been my constant companion through seasons in the Wasatch and Sierra, purgatory on the east coast, and multiple trips to AK and Japan. In those years I’ve probably run through more ski/boot/binding combinations that I should feel comfortable admitting, but those 138s with p18s (and thanks to inserts dynafits as well now) have been one of the few constants as my gear has evolved.

Here is some lotus 138 porn from a Japan trip a few seasons back:

On a serious note, if anyone has solved the top-sheet chipping problem or has found a good way to prevent existing chips from leaving carbon splinters in your hand, I’m all ears.

In the meantime, if you see someone running around grinning like a bit of an idiot on a cosmetically beat to hell pair, say hi.

**Core Shot** · 03-20-2019, 07:02 PM

^^^^^ nice video
So pivoty and maneuverable
Few skis would like that line

Epoxy is the only thing to prevent splinters.
The chips I cannot stop, but once chipped, epoxy heals the danger. For black DPS, graphite powder from west systems makes a discreet repair

For your white DPS? Not sure. Maybe marine tex epoxy.

**GoSlowGoFar** · 11-08-2019, 02:12 PM

Thinking about some Spoons up for grabs. Had some L138 Rocker 1s in the past which I enjoyed. Any one have any input on the main differences in feel between these two? Going to be my low angle pow touring rig. Cheers!

**otto parts** · 11-08-2019, 06:01 PM

Owned several later (v3) versions of 192 pures and spoons. Mainly heli/cat but a few deep days inbounds. Have to say I like the latest 138 spoons the best. 90% as surfy as the spoons but more stable on steep or icy entrances and definitely better inbounds particularly last 200 yards onto lift.
More useable inbounds than one would think-with how good Tahoe was last year got at least 5-6 days on them. Hope helps...

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**GoSlowGoFar** · 11-08-2019, 06:14 PM

Thanks, that helps some. It was those 5-6 days in Tahoe on Rubi/Hidden where I was struggling to plane on my 112s that has me regretting my decision to get rid of the 138s. Maybe I'll hold off for some 138s when they pop up to have a little versatility.

**Marshal Olson** · 11-08-2019, 08:10 PM

FWIW, that particular pair listed is my old pair.
Having skied every version of spoon (expect for past 2 years), that particular pair is (easily) the best of the bunch.

It is the only pair in existence with the "older" light laminate combined with the "stiffest" flex profile, and the most "dialed" rocker pattern of all spoons.

Literally getting a body high thinking about how good this particular pair skis untracked snow. unreal.

That said, 148mm is really wide. In a younger life, I spent 2 full seasons skiing 138s and Spatulas only, but the spoon ups the limited versatility another full notch from those skis. I could really feel the leverage against my knees from them on anything other than untracked snow. And spoons can suck on skinning across anything firm.

So. Unbelievable only-pair in existence unicorn ski, with an amazingly limited use-case, but in the right conditions...