airframes tested!
- Thread starter pura vida
- Start date
I've had Better Boards on my last two sleds (08 600 and 10 800). I have loved how well the Better Boards work compared to STOCK. After riding with them a couple of my buddies have also put them on theirs too. I definetly liked the later version better where they lowered the cleat height.
Now I am going to be Snow checking a 2012 Pro Rmk this spring and really leaning towards the Skinz air frames on this one. I know the snow clean out will definetly be better. My only concern was the traction.
Do you feel that the traction is as good on the Air frames as the traction is with Better boards?
Now I am going to be Snow checking a 2012 Pro Rmk this spring and really leaning towards the Skinz air frames on this one. I know the snow clean out will definetly be better. My only concern was the traction.
Do you feel that the traction is as good on the Air frames as the traction is with Better boards?
A
Arcteryx
Well-known member
Awesome!! Thanks for the report. I have really wanted to add the Airframes to my sled but was a little hesitant as I wasn't sure how they performed on the traction end. I knew they looked sweet and was certain they shed snow better than anything else. Just glad to know the traction is there.
Time to order a set of Air Frames and get some vinyl on the sides of my tunnel.
Can't wait to get it done!
Time to order a set of Air Frames and get some vinyl on the sides of my tunnel.
Can't wait to get it done!
Airframe Traction.
When you step on the boards, regardless of snow conditions, its like your boot is part of the sled.
Traction just couldn't be any better.
DETAILED REVIEW and Installation of the SKINZ AirFrame Boards on my Nytro...
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236890
=============
REVIEW.
Yesterday was my first chance to take out the sled with the new Skinz Air Frame Boards on it and give them a try.
As I was riding I was trying to come up with words to describe these boards..
AWESOME
AMAZING
PHENOMENAL
The boards were WAY BEYOND my wildest expectations!!!
Lets look at some photos.
Mid-Day, deep in the snow, tunnel is running DEEP in the powder with the snow nearly touching the bottom of the boards. And there is nearly NO SNOW on the boards where your boot would make contact!
#1.
Snow Retention was for all intents and purposes ZERO.
As you can clearly see there is NO ICE and NOT any meaningful snow at all on the boards.
The only real snow that adhered to the boards was along the inside edge where the board attached to the tunnel and where my boot never touched the boards.
#2
Traction was simply UNBELIEVABLE.
There was ZERO slippage or movement of my boot on these boards.
NONE!!
When you planted your boot, it felt like it was RIVETED TO THE SLED.
You and the sled were BONDED together on these boards.
No matter where I placed by boot, it had a ROCK SOLID BITE on the boards.
#3.
Rigidity of the sled/tunnel was significantly increased.
There is absolutely NO FLEX AT ALL on these boards.
They are rock solid, and I weigh in at 230lbs!
#4.
Weight Transfer was greatly enhanced, and this was TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.
The rear of these new boards have a small section where the board rivets to the upper wheel hanger.
This small flat spot and the support bar that attaches to the tunnel, once studded, allowed me to place a boot there and transfer my weight to the very back of the sled which significantly improved my ability to turn!
When you step on the boards, regardless of snow conditions, its like your boot is part of the sled.
Traction just couldn't be any better.
DETAILED REVIEW and Installation of the SKINZ AirFrame Boards on my Nytro...
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236890
=============
REVIEW.
Yesterday was my first chance to take out the sled with the new Skinz Air Frame Boards on it and give them a try.
As I was riding I was trying to come up with words to describe these boards..
AWESOME
AMAZING
PHENOMENAL
The boards were WAY BEYOND my wildest expectations!!!
Lets look at some photos.
Mid-Day, deep in the snow, tunnel is running DEEP in the powder with the snow nearly touching the bottom of the boards. And there is nearly NO SNOW on the boards where your boot would make contact!
#1.
Snow Retention was for all intents and purposes ZERO.
As you can clearly see there is NO ICE and NOT any meaningful snow at all on the boards.
The only real snow that adhered to the boards was along the inside edge where the board attached to the tunnel and where my boot never touched the boards.
#2
Traction was simply UNBELIEVABLE.
There was ZERO slippage or movement of my boot on these boards.
NONE!!
When you planted your boot, it felt like it was RIVETED TO THE SLED.
You and the sled were BONDED together on these boards.
No matter where I placed by boot, it had a ROCK SOLID BITE on the boards.
#3.
Rigidity of the sled/tunnel was significantly increased.
There is absolutely NO FLEX AT ALL on these boards.
They are rock solid, and I weigh in at 230lbs!
#4.
Weight Transfer was greatly enhanced, and this was TOTALLY UNEXPECTED.
The rear of these new boards have a small section where the board rivets to the upper wheel hanger.
This small flat spot and the support bar that attaches to the tunnel, once studded, allowed me to place a boot there and transfer my weight to the very back of the sled which significantly improved my ability to turn!
ok
Let's see a clean close up pic????
Let's see a clean close up pic????
Follow that link I posted, and there are dozens of closeups.
My findings on airframes.
FOR THOSE STILL CONSIDERING
1. WEIGHT- Plus 3.4 pounds I weighed virtually everything that came on and came off. Plus I am sure you will be carrying less snow around (I'll let you estimate that weight) (for the heavier parts, i did use a bathroom scale which measures 10th pound increments, i have found it to be reliable but leave a small margin for error)
2. ACCUMULATION Rode for 3 hours and never kicked my boards once.
3. Do you need EPOXY ? NO talked to the guys at Skinz, they said they put them on Dan Adams sled with rivets only (if he doesn't need it i sure don't) they also said they have had absolutely no rider feedback indicating it is necessary. Also said a few guys have used epoxy only and no rivets (I found that interesting, though i wouldn't try it, nor were they recommending it)
4. INSTALL TIME : If you know what your doing i say 4 hours at least. I said what your doing not if you are a mechanical Tasmanian Devil. In other words if you don't have to think, what is the next step and how am i going to accomplish it.
5. .75 inches is what Skinz says to leave or not cut away from the inside of the existing running boards. IMPOSSIBLE to get a clean cut and leave that much because the stock boards openings begin to curl up prior to .75 inches. I just left as much as was possible while maintaining a straight line and it was plenty. (because this is like a haircut on a toupee, I recommend using a saws-all to take off the majority of the boards and then you can slide the airframes into place and find what you feel comfortable with.
6. Are they worth the money: It's relative. I love them but I wouldn't buy a lesser sled so i could afford to have airframes.
FOR THOSE STILL CONSIDERING
1. WEIGHT- Plus 3.4 pounds I weighed virtually everything that came on and came off. Plus I am sure you will be carrying less snow around (I'll let you estimate that weight) (for the heavier parts, i did use a bathroom scale which measures 10th pound increments, i have found it to be reliable but leave a small margin for error)
2. ACCUMULATION Rode for 3 hours and never kicked my boards once.
3. Do you need EPOXY ? NO talked to the guys at Skinz, they said they put them on Dan Adams sled with rivets only (if he doesn't need it i sure don't) they also said they have had absolutely no rider feedback indicating it is necessary. Also said a few guys have used epoxy only and no rivets (I found that interesting, though i wouldn't try it, nor were they recommending it)
4. INSTALL TIME : If you know what your doing i say 4 hours at least. I said what your doing not if you are a mechanical Tasmanian Devil. In other words if you don't have to think, what is the next step and how am i going to accomplish it.
5. .75 inches is what Skinz says to leave or not cut away from the inside of the existing running boards. IMPOSSIBLE to get a clean cut and leave that much because the stock boards openings begin to curl up prior to .75 inches. I just left as much as was possible while maintaining a straight line and it was plenty. (because this is like a haircut on a toupee, I recommend using a saws-all to take off the majority of the boards and then you can slide the airframes into place and find what you feel comfortable with.
6. Are they worth the money: It's relative. I love them but I wouldn't buy a lesser sled so i could afford to have airframes.
Last edited:
P
pura vida
Well-known member
wow, talk about revival from the dead...
after a full year on the air frames i pretty much agree with everything you said. i still haven't kicked since putting them on and i rode some of the deepest snow i ever had yesterday. traction and concern over my running boards never even crossed my mind. i am that confident with them. imo, they are amazing and the best "mod" i have ever done to any sled (and if you know me that is saying a lot coming from me...) i completely agree with what you said about the rivets. mine are only riveted and i ride the piss out of my sled and have not had issue one with only riveted boards. you can probably already tell from my above statements that i do slightly disagree with you last statement. i won't ride another sled without these or other similar product now that others are "stealing" the idea. got to love competition... i wouldn't buy a lesser sled either to afford these but i would save my pennies for a little longer to be able to afford these or BB or SE. that's just me. good review btw.
pv
after a full year on the air frames i pretty much agree with everything you said. i still haven't kicked since putting them on and i rode some of the deepest snow i ever had yesterday. traction and concern over my running boards never even crossed my mind. i am that confident with them. imo, they are amazing and the best "mod" i have ever done to any sled (and if you know me that is saying a lot coming from me...) i completely agree with what you said about the rivets. mine are only riveted and i ride the piss out of my sled and have not had issue one with only riveted boards. you can probably already tell from my above statements that i do slightly disagree with you last statement. i won't ride another sled without these or other similar product now that others are "stealing" the idea.
got to love competition... i wouldn't buy a lesser sled either to afford these but i would save my pennies for a little longer to be able to afford these or BB or SE. that's just me. good review btw.pv
A
Arcteryx
Well-known member
This thread is a revival from the dead! I purchased an installed my Airframes last March after reading this thread. I added the vinyl to the sides of my tunnel as well.
After several months on them, ZERO snow build up on the boards or tunnel. Great grip with the traction screws and not scuffing up my boots at all. Like pure vida said you don't have to kick or stomp at all. I agree, one of the best mods period for your sled.
IMO the vinyl is a must with these. And having it to do over I would not have done the Lords adhesive.
After several months on them, ZERO snow build up on the boards or tunnel. Great grip with the traction screws and not scuffing up my boots at all. Like pure vida said you don't have to kick or stomp at all. I agree, one of the best mods period for your sled.
IMO the vinyl is a must with these. And having it to do over I would not have done the Lords adhesive.
P
pura vida
Well-known member
yeah, forgot about that. i also added vinyl but did an entire tunnel wrap. it looks good b/c it is a carbon fiber print but was a MAJOR PITA b/c i did the entire wrap as one piece. i wouldn't recommend doing it that way... plus b/c the carbon fiber look isn't perfectly smooth i don't think it sheds snow as well as just a straight single color vinyl would. although still much better than just raw aluminum.
pv
plus b/c the carbon fiber look isn't perfectly smooth i don't think it sheds snow as well as just a straight single color vinyl would. although still much better than just raw aluminum.pv
