Deflex plates?

[Jumper Bones]

I have a pair of skis that I'd like to turn into screamers (204 K2 Morrisons), for use when it hasn't snowed in awhile. These saw a fair bit of use back in the day (but not so much anymore), so I'd like to stiffen and camber them up a bit - is this something a deflex racing plate would be good for?

They're fun skis, and have a fair bit of life left, so I can't put them up on the wall just yet. I'd love to put a real good race tune on them and let them fly...any suggestions?

thanks

[mntlion]

deflex will stiffen them, but the camber will be the same, the plates add 10-15mm rise, and lots of dampening, and some weight to the ski.

they also cover old holes well too.

[Dexter Rutecki]

A plate would work well but unless you happen to have Deflex plates already I'm not sure you'll easily find those (they're old)--and newer plates are better. The newer Salomons (used to be Hangl, now I'm not sure) are good, but as long as they're beefy it won't make much difference. If you absolutely insist on Deflexes I do happen to have a pair in great shape...
That said, I don't know how a ski like that (softer in the shovel than race skis) would ski with a heavy plate, but it could be fun.

[Jumper Bones]

What is the difference between Deflex plates and newer plates?

A Solomon plate would be prefereable, since the bindings are s900s - some plates come pre-drilled for that particular manufacturers bindings, right?

I'm willing to experiment here, the skis have only been drilled once and it's not like they see much other use anyway.

[Dexter Rutecki]

What is the difference between Deflex plates and newer plates?

That's a good question and one which others could better answer. Deflex is over 10 years old at this point and replaced the 'original' plate (Derbyflex), I think it was the name given when Salomon bought them. They're pretty primitive in terms of just creating a pretty heavy, slightly 'dead' spot in the middle of the ski--I've fairly recently used Deflexes and regularly use a newer Salomon plate, and the newer one gives much better feel and flex while still being extremely stiff. I don't think the old plates are as good at allowing for movement of the heel/toepiece to keep a dead spot from forming.

A Solomon plate would be prefereable, since the bindings are s900s - some plates come pre-drilled for that particular manufacturers bindings, right?

Derby/Deflex predates that, and even current Salomon race plates will take any binding--the flimsier non-race models are more often set up for only one kind of binding. I wouldn't use those.

I'm willing to experiment here, the skis have only been drilled once and it's not like they see much other use anyway.

My guess is you'll be happy with any decent plate, I was just saying that Deflex plates are sort of archaic at this point. I've also been skiing some Fischer races plates/skis with Salomon bindings, and have been very happy with them, although the Salomon plates seem a little better to me.

[Jumper Bones]

Sweet! Do you have any links where I can shop around?

I usually get stuff from reliable racing, but they don't do bindings/plates

[mntlion]

also will be hard to find a derby jig for mounting and the tape is hard to find too.


If you find some I need some too for a similar project.

[Voltron]

What is the difference between Deflex plates and newer plates?

A Solomon plate would be prefereable, since the bindings are s900s - some plates come pre-drilled for that particular manufacturers bindings, right?

I'm willing to experiment here, the skis have only been drilled once and it's not like they see much other use anyway.

Current Salomon LAB plates and the previous Poweraxe plates were all pre-drilled. The metal Hangl GS plate was the one exception. Other then Vist or Marker, plates are generally not sold on their own and not cheap when they are. For a project ski, I would just keep an eye out on ebay and swaps and see what comes up. Fischer, Vist, and older Dynastar plates are among those that take any binding. Finding a jig for any of them will probably be a pain though.

[hop]

Try Snowcovers in Whistler or Van; at least when I lived in Whistler nine years ago (!!!!) they had a bunch of plates. I ended up with the Elan Synchroflex on my tele race skis.

[Mountain Junkie]

also will be hard to find a derby jig for mounting and the tape is hard to find too.


If you find some I need some too for a similar project.

I seem to remember people using windshield caulking (or something similar) as replacement tape. Even when deflex plates where in vogue it was a pain to find new tape.

If anyone really wants a pair, I have some collecting dust on some old skis. Free + beer labor to remove + shipping.

[mntlion]

I seem to remember people using windshield caulking (or something similar) as replacement tape. Even when deflex plates where in vogue it was a pain to find new tape.

If anyone really wants a pair, I have some collecting dust on some old skis. Free + beer labor to remove + shipping.

any new tape on them?

[Jumper Bones]

What's this tape business?

[Dexter Rutecki]

It's a pain in the ass, and I actually thought of it when I first replied but didn't think you'd actually get the Deflexes. I actually thought it was a sort of glue, but whatever it is it's two strips of adhesive under each plate that help keep it flat on the ski even when flexed. It sucks when you have to pull a plate off. Seriously, try to get a Vist or Hangl plate (I would avoid Poweraxe) and you'll be happy.

[CaddyDaddy77]

The tape is pretty much non-existant me-thinks. It is nasty shit, heard the windsheild stuff will work but getting a level surface is a pain. The strips worked really well cause it set in the tracks in the bottom rubber peice, but it was close to a one shot, better not fudge it deal. Getting them off sucks, twist only and lots of heat. If you try to pry them they can bend pretty easy. Can free hand them pretty easily, some of the older actually Derby flexes don't have a sole mark on them. Jigs as mentioned are getting pretty thin. If the old plate was carefully removed and has the bulk of it left I have seen them reused, but not sure how long it lasted. If you have a local Salomon dealer they should be able to see if it is still in their parts catalog.

The Hangl's will also usually get around a swiss cheese ski pretty well with their mounting pattern. Plus you can find them pretty regularly at swaps, locales with lots of race programs usually have some roaming around, but for the big footed the Hangl and Salomon's newer black plate come in two sizes, boot mm min and max is usually printed on them.

Deflex as mentioned has a more dead-spot, two fixed points, flex it, and it will bottom out at some point, but it will rebound with a heavier skier. For what your aiming for pretty good. Reminder the Deflex are heavier than hangls. Hangls, have a different mounting point and have more of an even flex, Old vs New school. Straight pointing them deflexes, turn or two, Hangls. (Morrison's a bit soft in the tip for a true point and shoot, IMO)

Might find Hangls at Start Haus, A Racer's Edge, Jan's ??? Gapic or a Masters forum would probably be a good bet. Vist makes nice plates too.