Aftermarket Wts...let's put this to rest

[800xtreme]

I had a thought this morning and want to see what other fellow Snowesters think about this:

I would really like to know which aftermarket wts are worth the coin. SLP MTX, MDS, Belly Busters, Ron's wts, Heel Clickers, etc...many out there to choose from. To me, the only true way to determine which wts are "the best", is to have all 5 sets in the hands of a reputable, unbiased person we all trust. Then have that person spend an afternoon swapping out NOTHING but the wts. At the very least, keep the secondary the same - perhaps re-shimming or a different primary spring would be needed depending on the kit. I would suggest having another similar sled to test against so that there is a common baseline. Then have them run in straight line drags (record results), then have them run up a hill (record results).

Pictures and videos of results would be a bonus. A radar gun even better. If we had a large enough group of people willing to chip in, we could spread the cost pretty thin of buying all the wts. Heck, we may get the manufacturers to donate the wts - put their money where their mouths are.

I would nominate, if willing, MH or Ron to do the testing. Both of these guys are very well respected and extremely knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Maybe there are way too many factors to consider and this idea is not a good one. I personally would like to see the results of a test like this though.

I did a search to see if this was suggested before and did not find anything. If I missed that, please excuse this post.

 

[RACINSTATION]

Ill make you a deal. Wait about 2 weeka and we will have the MDS weights available for the Pro. Whoever is doing the shootout or the testing can buy these weights and if they don't win the shootout, Ill buy them back and pay the freight back to me.

I would jump into this, but my hands are already getting full for the winter with projects. Ill make some phone calls too, to see if other companies would be up to the task of donating or buying back the weights and let you know.

 

[800poodragon]

I don't think RON is doing weights anymore. I believe he did not even sled last year and has been doing other things for the most part. Always good to hear from him when he gets a chance to chime in tho...

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

I don't think this experiment would tell you anything. Every primary weight and spring combination needs its own secondary set-up. Heavy heel weights generally require less initial angle in the secondary. Heavy toed weights will run more initial angle and less finish angle. I feel the only way to put the argument to rest would be to give everybody out there who wants to participate a few rides to dial whatever primary's they are using and put together the best secondary combination they can, only then could you do some hill drags in an effort to sort out what the best combo is, such as who has the best launch, who has the best mid-pull, who finger walks everybody near the top, who can consistently outmark the others in the pow. Keeping weight within 10lbs. of each other would be a chore except in the powder climb where a single rider could do all the marking. I'm going to be riding with four guys most the season, we'll all be on new pro's and competing in all situations is all we do every ride. I'll let you know what I see if we ever get any snow.

 

[Norway]

Run Straightline 69gr now on stock machine, have 68mtx weights lying here to try and will buy some 11- series polaris weights.

Will see how much test and tune rides I get in, but would like to find correct weight with all 3 kinds and change on the mountain.

RS

 

[800xtreme]

Adrenaline - good points you made. Perhaps this idea is just too complicated to work out in a "simple" manner. Thank you for your input and I would love to hear how your real world testing pans out.

Racinstation - I like your idea...please let us know how what you find out

 

[Jeff K]

Ill make you a deal. Wait about 2 weeka and we will have the MDS weights available for the Pro. Whoever is doing the shootout or the testing can buy these weights and if they don't win the shootout, Ill buy them back and pay the freight back to me.

I would jump into this, but my hands are already getting full for the winter with projects. Ill make some phone calls too, to see if other companies would be up to the task of donating or buying back the weights and let you know.

Will there be MDS Turbo weights this year for the Pro?

 

[Coleniuk]

Ill Be trying out MDS this year will post how they worked once i ge them