Radar Strada boots - separate plates or sequence single plate

[Zman]

For the Strada boot users, any preference for single plate or using a sequence plate? I bought the sequence for quick change out and adjusting while testing skis this spring.

When the plate arrived I see that two of the three pairs of screws to mount the plate have spacers to allow the front and rear of the ski to move as the ski flexes. Does this offer some slight performance improvement over the single plates? Only the front single plate has this feature with the front and rear mounts being slotted, but did not come with the spacers.

[schafer]

Use the sequence and ditch the spacers. I was told by a very wise man the spacers were making for extra tip pressure when I didn't want it. But I love the adjustment that the sequence plate has.

[Zman]

Very wise man = @Horton?

[ChadW]

I asked Chris Sullivan the same question at Nationals last year. He said to use the sequence plate, that is what the ski is designed for.

[SkiJay]

Definitely the Sequence plate with the spacers at both ends @Zman. The wise man was right about the spacers making the ski turn harder. I got so much more flex with the Sequence that I had to add .004" of depth to the fin to tame things down a bit, but then it carves SO much better when the whole ski can flex like that. Besides, getting to go deeper with the fin without hurting the turns is ideal.

[Horton]

What @SkiJay‌ said. I always use the spacers. Best part of sequence plate is ease of 1/2 hole adjustment and keeping boots the same distance apart when moving bindings. I have not used anything else since the Radar RS-1 boots came out way back when.

[Chris Rossi]

Sequence plate is our performance plate and offers the skier the most adjustment options for fore/aft movement and for boot rotation.

[Fatroll]

Does someone have a picture or diagram of the spacers in use on their sequence plate?

[davemac]

try this (previously given to me by EZ-Ed)

[Fatroll]

thanks. I bought mine used, so I do not have the plastic spacers. How thick are they?

[davemac]

not sure if the plastic spacers (washers) are even necessary...they are very thin.

[chris_logan]

@Fatroll @davemac the spacers they are referencing are aluminum that the screw passes through. The plastic washers are to keep the spacers/plate from eating your ski.

[davemac]

@chris_logan‌ thanks. I think I misunderstood what @Fatroll meant by plastic spacers....I assumed he meant the thin plastic WASHERS to which you refer. The "threaded neck washers" sometimes referred to as "shouldered washers" are aluminum.

I would contact Radar if you are in need of some of the them. They do wear over time.

[SkiJay]

The neck washers were aluminum in the beginning, but now they are steal. The aluminum version wore out too quickly.

[Wayne]

I'm confused on where the thin plastic washers go. Are they between the plate and the ski or on top of the plate under the screw head? I've always had the plastic washers on top of the plate.

[SkiJay]

@Wayne The plastic washers go between the neck washers and the ski. They protect the ski's top sheet from the edges of the neck washers. The actual washer is also tight enough on the threads of the mounting screw that it will hold the neck washer and screw in place on the Sequence plate. If you are demoing skis, this makes moving your whole binding setup from ski to ski a real breeze.

[schafer]

I stopped using the spacers in February when Matt Rini adjusted my ski for me. Maybe they work for others. But he said it would be better for me if he took them off.

[Wayne]

@SkiJay thanks. Now I need to have a talk with the guy who originally sold me on Radar bindings, he gave me the wrong advice for where those little things go.

[SkiJay]

The @schafer‌ Matt IS a very wise man. It's never occurred to me to use the inserts as a tuning option.

 

Most factory recommended fin and binding numbers tend to favour easy turning. Add more flex to a ski designed for solidly mounted plates and the result could easily be too much tip pressure. Stiffening the ski up by removing the inserts is a quick and simple fix, a lot simpler than chasing down a custom fin setup.

 

By removing the inserts at one end or the other, you can even affect flex under just the front or rear half of the plate too. Interesting info. Thanks for sharing, @schafer‌. Just curious, what ski are you on?

[schafer]

@skiJay Im on a 66 Vapor

[SkiJay]

. . . and the Vapor is a ski Matt knows more about than just about anyone. Thanks again, @Schafer.

[Deke]

I understand that the spacers/washers have been changed to steel from aluminum and that's good. Here's a link to a comment I wrote a while back on how I dealt with the wear of aluminum spacers. BTW, not only did the spacers wear out, so did the slots on the Sequence place. I replaced them as follows... http://ballofspray.vanillaforums.com/discussion/comment/135325/#Comment_135325

[rawly]

Another topic of discussion that comes up with the stratas is where to put the foot bed. I have put it in the liner and also between the liner and shell. My experience is that a larger foot bed under the liner makes the liner last longer because it doesn't get torn up by the bosses that hold the inserts that secure the binding to the plate. It also slips out smoother in a crash or for removal after run. Enjoy your Stradas however you decide to set em up.

[schafer]

Correct @SkiJay‌ if anyone knows how to set up the vapor it's Matt. And he's a wonderful coach to boot.