JohnE Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 Anyone here have experience with softboot carving with riser plates? I know that Donek makes some. I assume the advantage is that by moving the boot soles higher above the edge, one can have more boot overhang without "boot-out". What are the disadvantages (aside from weight)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svr Posted August 28, 2019 Report Share Posted August 28, 2019 (edited) My experience with Palmer Plates, Bomber Power Plates, Burton Elevators and Apex Gecko Stealth risers is that they did well for giving enough lift to allow a bigger footed rider to ride narrower boards but ultimately I am riding without them now. My favorite of them was the Bomber Power Plates as the ability to adjust cant/lift plus the ability to swap different durometer pads under them is awesome (I prefer the hard durometer rings), but the weight is the biggest drawback to them. The Palmer Plates worked but were not that great as they are not that durable and are very hard to find now. The PLS shock system was the best they made. A lot of people love the Apex Geckos, but I found they isolated board feel too much, and for what they cost it was not worth it for me, so I sold mine. The Burton Elevators are junk so don’t bother with them. i have not ridden the Donek risers, but they looked well made, but not sure if they are available anymore as the Donek website has said sold out for over a year now. Some of the other members here have experimented with 3d printing cant/lift plates and from all accounts had great success with that. good luck and hope you find something that works. Edited August 28, 2019 by svr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted August 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 I didn't know so many riser plates existed for softboots. I did talk to Sean at Donek. I believe he said that he would start making risers later this year nearing the new season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TLN Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 I got some Butron Plates. Works well when you need it. Board feels narrower, reacts a bit faster and you boot out less then without em. I tried it with hardboots too, pretty much the same, except that I don't really need it for hardboots. I cannot comment on other plates, I'd say Gecko seems to be the best one. Burtons that I have are pretty average, I'm quite surprised I haven't broke em yet. It would be almost impossible to find Palmer PLS plates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmetroland Posted August 29, 2019 Report Share Posted August 29, 2019 23 hours ago, svr said: The Palmer Plates worked but were not that great as they are not that durable and are very hard to find now. The PLS shock system was the best they made. I’ve got a set of the Palmer 10mm risers (hardware included) that I would donate to the experiment for the cost of shipping. I found that rocking Palmer’s clown hairstyle had a similarly strong effect on my riding. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhamann Posted September 5, 2019 Report Share Posted September 5, 2019 i now use the gecko cross with red bumpers and installed asymmetrically, correlated to binding angles. also use the gecko stealths with red bumpers, but i did have to get the taller 10mm insert extensions as opposed to the 5mm ones with black bumpers that come with the stealths. FYI: gecko cross/stealth/free plates are all too wide to put on an alpine board, say 20cm waist. need the carve plate to use alpine. doh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobdea Posted September 21, 2019 Report Share Posted September 21, 2019 So, if weight doesn’t bother you....... bomber BP bomber power plates, ride el hefes. Seems like a knee injury waiting to happen and the stack height is........ spectacular but it will isolate you pretty well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emdee406 Posted September 24, 2019 Report Share Posted September 24, 2019 I’ve used the Palmers on an Oxess to race competitive SBX, and they worked a treat. I have since used the Gecko Stealth plates on the recent Sims Terry Kidwell, the Alloy DO161, and the Coiler FR SBX 160 all with Ride El Hefes (there are videos of the last two, floating around on this site). I really enjoy using them, and find that they really quicken up the edge-to-edge response of a wide board. I love to tip the board over as far as I can, and these plates help me avoid grounding the heel cups. As for disadvantages? Given the lower comparative height of a raised soft boot set up to a ‘lifted’ hard boot set up, I didn’t find it less stable. I took the Coiler up to 73mph, and at pant-soiling speeds, it still didn’t feel less stable, being a little taller than a flat-to-the-deck set up. Personally, I really like the way risers allow the board to perform. Hope that helps... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacopodotti Posted September 25, 2019 Report Share Posted September 25, 2019 On 9/5/2019 at 2:16 PM, dhamann said: i now use the gecko cross with red bumpers and installed asymmetrically, correlated to binding angles. also use the gecko stealths with red bumpers, but i did have to get the taller 10mm insert extensions as opposed to the 5mm ones with black bumpers that come with the stealths. FYI: gecko cross/stealth/free plates are all too wide to put on an alpine board, say 20cm waist. need the carve plate to use alpine. doh! We build our own plates for alpine that are very light, that makes the board run very smoothly, quicker edge to edge, and gives a lot of edge grip. And for sure more clearance to the boots. Starting from a simple delrin sheet, all the risers gives advantages in carving, in soft or hard boots some works better than the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteHorse Posted November 25, 2019 Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 I've ridden with 3/4" homemade risers under my K2 Cinch bindings. The ride feels the same to me, but I don't bootout as often when riding low angles like +10,0 or +10,-10. I think it makes a big difference. Mine are made from PVC trimboard , weigh only a few ounces and cost only a few $. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powdahbonz Posted November 25, 2019 Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 I have ridden the gecko cross andstealth’s with different combos of bushings and symmetrical and asymmetrical set ups. I found that I gained more eff edge to carve with and while the cross is heavier than the stealth, I preferred the cross. I test rode them on multiple wintersticks couple seasons ago and different lengths for Wescott, roundtail, severe terrain, Burt, etc. I built a custom 64 Wescott that’s mated with cross set asym. I really like the feel. I got a sweet deal on the geckos on BOL used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corey Posted November 25, 2019 Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 2 hours ago, WhiteHorse said: Mine are made from PVC trimboard , weigh only a few ounces and cost only a few $. Neat, I hadn't heard about that product before! Sounds like a foamed plastic, low density (light for size) but still rigid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lonbordin Posted November 25, 2019 Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 (edited) I've put my Geckos under soft and hard boots... I really like them. A light plate feel but allowing for pedaling. With them I can ride respectable angles with my softboots. With my hardboots it means I can ride all day. Edited November 25, 2019 by lonbordin Doh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted November 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2019 I bought a pair of BX Risers from Donek. I've not yet tried them. He tells me that they are made from UHMW polyethylene. They are 1/2" thick. I haven't yet mounted them. I thought I would start my season without them and maybe install them later in the season when the snow gets softer and bootout is more likely. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tombombadil7 Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 I am considering the Donek BX plate and wanted to follow up with this thread: has anyone tried them? They are a bit costly ($130 plus $25 shipping), so would love to hear feedback from anyone who's actually used them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atom Ant Posted September 19, 2020 Report Share Posted September 19, 2020 (edited) Jasey Jay makes very simple, light uhmw risers. Give him a call. Edited September 19, 2020 by Atom Ant Typo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnE Posted September 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted September 21, 2020 I bought & used Donek riser plates for my softboot carving setup last season. I started the season without them when the snow was thin & hard. Once the snow got thicker & softer, I installed the risers. Aside from the slight additional weight, I hardly notice them except that I am less likely to boot drag at higher angles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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