Alpine Snowboard Plate Systems

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Reposted from 2012 Board Porn thread:

So Tinkler went with the sliding component actually being the plate. It's an option that most of the plate makers will have considered. I certainly did, and then discarded it on the basis of controlling the wear on the plate, especially the wear due to lateral forces between plate and pins and the necessity to keep the sliding portions away from the bindings.

If Mike Tinkler sees this can he comment or explain how he dealt with this potential issue, please.

SunSurfer

I think you will see more of the results of the on snow testing in the coming months. Or, if you are up at Timberline you might see them in action sooner I was the first to ride his latest Plate system and I think it is going to definitely turn some heads.

Keep in mind Tinkler systems have been a part of the Olympics from the beginning. He has been to the big show and knows the demands placed on the systems well. Both US Olympians were on his plates. Post count as of 07022011 57,276

[SunSurfer]

Thanks for reposting in this thread, this is the more appropriate place for any response from MT to be followed through.
I am well aware of the experience and knowledge of the designer, which makes any comments he makes well worth reading.

SunSurfer

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Worth a "Repost" from the JJA snowboards thread. I think Ace is expressing a reasonable and common thought in regards to the plate design option of a UPM or 4x4 pattern option.

Originally Posted by *Ace*
Is it a special insert patterm or UPM?

Sounds like a terrible idea to have your insert pattern just for your own plate system. How many racers would really buy these boards PLUS the plates and not be able to mix and match?

I don't think I would buy a JJA snowboard, a board that has yet to claim any podiums or titles, if I couldn't use a Bomber Boiler Plate. At the same time, why buy a plate that won't fit on my fleet of Kesslers or ANY OTHER SNOWBOARD?

Ace. This is a fair statement for many. Keep in mind that some of those in cutting edge of developing these systems may not be focused on the rec rider. For those looking for the very ultimate system it is probably not a priority to make money through sales nor exchangeability on multiple boards.
It is important to remember the focus, what is the builders goal?
I know it is hard to rationalize some times that everyone is not here to make a killing. It is not always about the money, it is not always about you or "us". Sometimes it is about building the finest product that suites you and those around you. Fortunately there are those that can and do build products for "us", the rec riders , racers etc. Donek and Bomber systems are perfect examples. I do also accept that does NOT mean they are or are not the "best" system. We are fortunate that these companies, individuals are willing to put so much effort into them. It is a good thing!
__________________

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Additional testing on Mt Hood wrapped up last week. Lots of great feedback.

Reposted from Mike's FB page:

Custom Tinkler A.R.T. Plate. Total weight 44.oz Includes all hardware

Fawcett just finished a week of testing at Hood and gives it a big thumbs up. Head to head with Apex. 2lbs lighter and at $485 it's a winner! Would love to have you on it. At 2lbs lighter he thinks SL is going to be great. Extra board set ups would only be $65 each.

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Video Jasey-Jay Anderson's Plate set up.
http://www.rds.ca/ski/chroniques/326869.html
Starting at approx the one minute mark

His website:
http://www.jaseyjay.com/

Facebook Link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36261317996

On snow photo at Mt Hood / Timberline / Oregon in Sept.

[ursle]

Additional testing on Mt Hood wrapped up last week. Lots of great feedback.

Looks like rail slides similar to the Vist, one stance option, what's the stance width? Are there different choices? Weight and price are good.

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Looks like rail slides similar to the Vist, one stance option, what's the stance width? Are there different choices? Weight and price are good.

I believe this particular plate was built to a single stance for a particular rider. I know that Mike, myself and most of the proto type riders are all riding in the 20" center to center stance range. Multiple stance patterns will be the norm. Overall this plate in not at all similar to the Viste system. Very clean, light, low and few parts. I am anxious to get back on the newest builds. I have a couple new boards with this design in the works. I rode Mike's GS proto end of last season. Did not have perfect grooming and it still worked like a champ. I personally am asking allot from Mike on my next board. It will be combining all of his design methods. TNT, Snow Stix, Plate and board shapes. Good fun ahead! Bryan

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Another example of the custom Tinkler plates being created and shipped.
Looking forward to getting feedback from the new users.

I have been asked the height. This can be different depending on plate thickness.

Mine is 29mm from top of snowboard to top of plate at the axles.

[corey_dyck]

Care to tell us what the two nuts are for? Are there bumpers under the plate to change how the board interacts with the plate? Or something like SnowStix on the underside to change how the plate flexes?

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Care to tell us what the two nuts are for? Are there bumpers under the plate to change how the board interacts with the plate? Or something like SnowStix on the underside to change how the plate flexes?

Hi Corey. Yes, allows the rider to change the flex / rebound characteristics of the interaction between the plate and the snowboard.

Additional photos of another plate/snowboard set up.

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Additional photos of the carbon Tinkler/ snowboard and top plate.

[heroshmero]

Wow Bryan, that rig is SEXY!

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Wow Bryan, that rig is SEXY!

The all black carbon combo is nice isn't it?

Local riders are buying up boards and plates from Mike, SO, hopefully you will be seeing some at Mt Bachelor too!!

[heroshmero]

The all black carbon combo is nice isn't it?

The fit and finish of his stuff is always top notch and impressive.

What are the bolts for that are nearest to the center of the plate (the ones that aren't tightened down all the way)?

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

They are adjusters that allow you to change the way the plate and board work together. Tuning turn initiation / travel. http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...&postcount=790

[Puddy Tat]

They are adjusters that allow you to change the way the plate and board work together. Tuning turn initiation / travel. http://www.bomberonline.com/vbulleti...&postcount=790

Brian,

You're going to have to get Mike to stop using those bolts in the center of the plate, this is the third time I've seen you answer that question. Speaking of which what are they used for again?

Dave

[www.oldsnowboards.com]

Brian,

You're going to have to get Mike to stop using those bolts in the center of the plate, this is the third time I've seen you answer that question. Speaking of which what are they used for again?

Dave

Dave, Thanks for noticing. I am going to just give a different explaination each time.

Earlier tonight I BEGGED Mike to post his discription of the adjusters. He is too smart to fall for that trap!!

[pokkis]

Luckily Mike answered me for same question too when i asked that after getting my plate

[corey_dyck]

Haha, I asked "A or B", you said "Yes!"

I'm highly skeptical of any system that doesn't post the nitty gritty details. It's just weird to not want to show off the details of the product. I'm way more likely to buy a plate system from someone that shows exactly how their pivots/sliders/mounts/adjusters work over vague descriptions. See the awesome Bomber and Donek pictures & videos for comparison.

Demos at SES?

[lowrider]

Can i throw out a guess and say little carbon torsion rods, Or rods that bow when compressed.The exact type of tuning that would make a soft plate harder. That would be cool eh ?? One plate that satisfies most riding conditions (the holy grail of plates maybe not so elusive).Let me know if i'm close !

[ursle]

It's a bump stop, board hit's it and bends no more, it's height adjustable, bend board bumper, BBB

[Hans]

It's a bump stop, board hit's it and bends no more, it's height adjustable, bend board bumper, BBB

That's it, you can see the bumpers in the pics above. Hope I am wrong but don't you get an extra stressfactor on your board then? Or is the time the BBB pushes the board so little, it's of no concern?

[SunSurfer]

SunSurfer

[lowrider]

Thanks for the Sigi vid. The most interesting point for me in the video was the comment about peddling. Is the fact that your body wants to do it and that most plates don't allow it a good feature or bad feature.I know that allowing you to peddle is more comfortable and more stable at slower speeds. It begs the question for me would an articulated plate be acceptable to the masses? As a side note, that lake behind Sigi looks like our pastures. December 15 and temp today 11 celcius and raining for the past 18 hrs. Only our ducks are happy about the weather.

[Beckmann AG]

The most interesting point for me in the video was the comment about peddling. Is the fact that your body wants to do it and that most plates don't allow it a good feature or bad feature.

Your body simply 'wants' to achieve stability in whatever context it 'finds' itself. If pedaling is the only viable option, it will go with that in lieu of a simpler movement. To suggest that the pedaling action itself is an actual 'need' of the body is a bit of a reach.

That most plates preclude the pedaling option is likely a good thing, as that particular affect will eventually go by the wayside, as riders develop a better understanding of the board/body conversation in the relative silence of isocline isolation.

As to the articulated plate: The greater segment of the snowboarding public has been convinced that intentional and directed 'wringing' of their boards serves a purpose. To do so anchors some part of their identity, as time and effort has been expended honing the application. At some level, anything which will further the sense of self will have a degree of commercial viability.

For a little while, at least.

[WinterGold]

Is the plate itself supposed to flex?

It has been mentioned several times here that a rigid plate provides a stable stance.

That´s the theory.

But it seems that some people like their plate to flex just like their snowboard did without a plate. What´s the point? Is the feeling similar to the ride without a plate and some riders prefer that?

[philw]

Your second image illustrates that they clearly do flex. That bending load on the plate must be being excerpted by the rider as the board's apparently not loaded, which I believe is the plate performing as specified.

Usually it's described "the other way" - loads originating on the snow not being transferred to the rider - but the system must work both ways.

Thinking about it, Burton used to advertise "rider responsive flex", which was about turning your board by forcing your knees together (I'm not selling it: there are prettier explanations if you like). I wasn't convinced, it just seemed like a relatively small force compared with what else was going on. But with a plate system that effect is definitely zero.

There must be dedicated threads on "pedalling" arguments here somewhere. Stating the obvious, if that works at all, the force must be transverse, but my understanding (and I'm a sceptic here too) is that it's basically a small shift of your c-of-g, which I can't really see a plate making much difference too. I know people with floppy boards picture themselves "wringing" the board (a good image), I'm not convinced that any edge deformation is important as much as them shifting their weight slightly forward and outboard at the start of the turn, which good riders probably do without thinking about it.


"What's the point"? To win races I guess.

[jacopodotti]

IT could someone help me in understanding what is meant with "pedaling" ?
I'm italian and I don't understand what stands for.
Thanks

[lowrider]

My definition for peddling would be pressure to toe and heal (usually in opposite directions) that cause twisting of the board. A very stiff plate does not allow this but a softer plate does.

[jacopodotti]

OT
And what is it useful for?