Another
snow bike kit? Yes, Camso is offering one for 2017 through its dealer network.
According to Jeremie Zuchoski, the Track System Product Line Executive Director at
Camso, the engineering of the DTS 129 is all about maintaining a dirt bike feel in the snow.
First, most conversion kits feature a double rail suspension (two beams running along the track edges), but Camso offers a single beam and single hyfax along the center of the track. This enables riders to lean the vehicle more like a wheeled bike, and maneuver in a wide variety of terrain.
Second, the DTS 129's ski is the only one we’ve seen that utilizes a four-keel approach. The angled side keels on the outer edges of the ski are key to a consistent, bike-like feel when cornering. The ski includes a larger amount of rocker than others. A larger curved handle is great for getting up and over obstacles and for grabbing when the front end is buried in the snow. The front forks are protected by the design of the polymer ski mount, which is calibrated to similar torsion and flexion specs as the forks themselves. This means you’ll be replacing the ski before the expensive forks, saving you money in parts.
The drive system includes a dual chain tensioner, letting you adjust the primary and secondary chains individually. There’s also an interchangeable sprocket (available in 15-17-19 teeth) for your riding preference. This system drives Camso’s snow bike-specific 12.5x129x2.5-inch track, designed for maximum performance in deep snow and hard pack. It sits no higher than a standard bike with wheels on it.
Supposedly, a novice can install the DTS 129 kit easily in less than three hours. It certainly appears that Camso has done their homework with this one, and we can’t wait to try it out!
To see a video of the Camso DTS 129 in action and hear what Colton Sturm has to say about it, click here.