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Tips and tricks from Lou
and friends
Scarpa Laser Boot Mod
It's
no secret that different styles of skiing require different types
of boot flex. As a result, boot fitting and modification
has always been a big part of alpine skiing. Ski mountaineering
is no different. Some backcountry skiers like a rigid boot, some
like it soft, some want it in-between. Most like a boot with "progressive" flex
that
gradually increases in resistance as you press your shin forward.
Out of the box, the Laser is soft in forward
flex, with little "progression." No problem if you like it that
way.
But what if you like a bit more boot to push against, or like
me, you just want the things to hold your ankles tighter, with
less movement? No problem. With a bit of work, the boot will
accept a stiffer tongue from many
models
of Raichle
and
Koflach boots. Here's how:
First, find a set of tongues. Try
friend's
garages first, then thrift shops and perhaps used equipment
stores. If you strike out, try some ski shops. Larger and better
shops
sometimes stock replacement tongues for Koflach and Raichle models.
Tongues come in different sizes and flexes. (Hot tip: Koflach
snowboard boot tongues snap on to the Laser with no modification.)
In my case what worked was a Flexon comp tongue
from approx. the same size shell as my Lasers.
1. Remove tongues from Lasers by prying the plastic tongue retention
clip up with a sturdy screwdriver and popping the tongue out.
Lube with a bit of water while you do it.
2. Remove tongues from your donor boots with as little damage
as possible (the Flexons required removing a rivet and leaving
a hole, other boots have tongues that pop out with no damage).
3.
If necessary, use a small rotary grinder with a burr to grind
out a slot in the new tongue that closely matches that in the
original, leaving as much material in the forward area as possible.
When you've got it close, try popping into the Laser, and grind
a bit at a time 'till it fits.
4. Latch the tongue down, observe contact points that prevent
it evenly closing, and use grinder to ease those points on the
tongue (do not grind the shell of the boot). The Laser has a small
raised rib surrounding the lower opening, which I eased down a
bit by peeling with a knife. It's also possible to heat-mold some
tongues, but only do that as a last resort, and don't damage your
Lasers. while doing it.
5.
To fit over the higher tongue, I needed a bit more length from
my lower buckle. To get it, I drilled out the rivets holding the
buckle, then re-riveted about a centimeter outboard from the old
holes.
6. With everything installed, I tuned the
flex by cutting a vertical slot at the top of the tongue, and
drilling a bunch of holes to
soften the feel (and perhaps reduce weight [grin]?). After skiing
a few weeks, I realized the boots were still a bit too
forward stiff,
so I cut about 1/4 inch off the top of the tongue. They now climb
and ski better than any of the more than 25 pairs of randonnee
boots I've
owned and skied over the past decades.
Sweet.
[Click here for
more Laser mods!]
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