The V2 Race Plate
The original Apex Race Plate exploded onto the scene during the 2010 season, winning Olympic Gold and numerous World Cup podiums. Released to the general public after the Vancouver Games, the Race Plate spawned dozens of imitators. Yet, no other composite race plate won the confidence of World Cup athletes. At last count more than 20 World Cup regulars were riding the Apex Race Plate, accounting for 9 podium finishes in 2011.
For the 2011/12, the Apex team continues to push the performance envelope. We introduce the V2 Race Plate.
Key Upgrades for the V2:
- 300 grams lighter
- 18 cm shorter
- Additional mounting option
- Re-engineered core shape
Feedback from World Cup racers so far?
"Very friendly plate. Feels more forgiving." "When I step on the gas, the V2 feels solid and responsive."
Re-Engineered Core
The core shape, materials and position is the key determinant of the flex characteristics of a snowboard plate.
While our competitors start by copying an existing design and then work with one or two testers, we fine-tuned our core shape through hundreds of hours of on-snow testing and real competition with the finest test team on the planet - the Canadian National Snowboard Team.
The result is a tapered, forward-biased core. This offers a solid, confident feel while delivering on the elusive goal of forgiveness.
Slalom and GS Ready
The original Race Plate had a tendency to make contact with the front of the snowboard during short radius turns. This made the plate less than ideal for slalom events. The V2 has no such issue. Ready for Triple Slalom. Ready for Sochi.
Apex Gets a Nose Job
One of the signature features of the original Apex Race Plate was the Duck Bill. Yet few understood its purpose. Was it for dampening? Harmonic balance? A good place for a sticker?
How about none of the above and all of the above?
The shape of the original Apex Race plate evolved from 14 different prototypes and a great deal of back and forth between Apex engineers and the Canadian National Snowboard team.
During testing, we found that some snowboards were too soft in the front section when mounted with a plate. The Duck Bill allowed racers to place pads between board and plate, tuning the ride to their liking.
In the past two seasons, snowboard builders have adjusted their construction to accommodate the Apex Race Plate and we feel that the Duck Bill and the tuning options offered by it are no longer necessary.
And, with a shorter nose, the V2 Race Plate works better with shorter radius slalom boards. All the better for the exciting new triple slalom event.
Aerospace Quality
At Apex, we've been building quality carbon fibre components for the aerospace sector since 2002.
While a snowboard racer might never leave the ground (intentionally), we feel that the stresses on their equipment justify the same manufacturing rigour and materials quality that we apply for parts destined for Apache helicopters.
For that reason, we only use aerospace quality carbon fibre, resin and consumables to fabricate our snowboard plates.
More Photos
Click on the image to see a larger version.
Specifications:
- Weight: 1.6kg (approximate)
- Ride Height: 20mm
- Stance Range: 440 - 660mm
- Axle Range: 6 positions from 540mm to 62.5mm
- Insert Compatibility: ASIP (Apex Standard Insert Pattern) only
- Deck Material: 100% aerospace grade carbon fibre
- Hardware: Aluminum, stainless steel
