This is my first snow bike so I don't have anything to compare to but my mototrax carve ski seems to work ok in everything but icy truck ruts, rocks and ice hard windblown areas. Just looking for improvement and don't care if it costs $500.
Best ski?
- Thread starter snojnke
- Start date
I have the new traverse ski (TS), coming from a ad boivin explorer I was disapointed how hard is it on trails.
We lack snow at the moment but clearly it grabs way too much on stuff. When in fresh snow it's way better than a boivin ski indeed but on a trail it's like hell.
Could someone post photos of a modified 18 TS ski ? I would like to clarify the grinding I have to do. I'm considering the triple point skag you're talking about as well, is it available now ?
thanks
We lack snow at the moment but clearly it grabs way too much on stuff. When in fresh snow it's way better than a boivin ski indeed but on a trail it's like hell.
Could someone post photos of a modified 18 TS ski ? I would like to clarify the grinding I have to do. I'm considering the triple point skag you're talking about as well, is it available now ?
thanks
I swapped my mototrax ski out for a yeti ski. Works well, but it does suck a little bit more power from the bike.
Could someone post photos of a modified 18 TS ski ? I would like to clarify the grinding I have to do. I'm considering the triple point skag you're talking about as well, is it available now ?
thanks[/QUOTE]
I don't have a pic on the runner before grinding, but just go right down to the baseplate on the tip and grind a real smooth run up to about 2.5 to 3 inches back so there is no drastic rise where the runner could hook on obstacles. (You can actually feel just that bit of a mod in easier handling on hardback) I also considered to screw a 1/8 strip of UHMW all the way from the ski tip and right through the u channel to the back of the ski. Not sure how durable that would be.
SNOWBIKEKITS.COM is where you get the triple point, it will not be ready until sometime in the new year. I am on the list to get on of the first batch.
thanks[/QUOTE]
I don't have a pic on the runner before grinding, but just go right down to the baseplate on the tip and grind a real smooth run up to about 2.5 to 3 inches back so there is no drastic rise where the runner could hook on obstacles. (You can actually feel just that bit of a mod in easier handling on hardback) I also considered to screw a 1/8 strip of UHMW all the way from the ski tip and right through the u channel to the back of the ski. Not sure how durable that would be.
SNOWBIKEKITS.COM is where you get the triple point, it will not be ready until sometime in the new year. I am on the list to get on of the first batch.
Been running the triple point 2 years now. Huge improvement over stock runner.
The yeti sucks the most horsepower. It works great in blower pow and spring corn but anything in between with an inverted layer its scary.
Its good on the road though.
The mototrax is much better with the new spindle and rubber updates.
I have not tried the aro but the old ts ski works pretty good everywhere. The triple center carbide is great you can steer on asphault with it!
The camso isn't as aggressive but its predictable and great for riding in low early season snowpack. there is no keel to drag or catch.
I'm hoping this will be the year SLP, C&A etc start building aftermarket snowbike skiis for $200 bucks! I'd be game for a 12 inch wide powder pro with side runners.
Its good on the road though.
The mototrax is much better with the new spindle and rubber updates.
I have not tried the aro but the old ts ski works pretty good everywhere. The triple center carbide is great you can steer on asphault with it!
The camso isn't as aggressive but its predictable and great for riding in low early season snowpack. there is no keel to drag or catch.
I'm hoping this will be the year SLP, C&A etc start building aftermarket snowbike skiis for $200 bucks! I'd be game for a 12 inch wide powder pro with side runners.
Saw them on the website yesterday for the "old" TS ski.
I grinded the center skag following my instinct and did a ride.
It helped for sure but I think I will grind it a little more to be even more of a smooth slope.
I have not tried other ski but damn that thing grab powder! Was able to make my handlebars touch while cornering in a field !!
I wish we would post more pics of these modifications people are making. Im nervous to make mod sound on my ski without confidence that I’m cuttinnthe right places. I know the concepts of mods to the yeti ski but I would still like to see it implemented
Replace.
This seems to works pretty good for me
So I rode my Yeti ski and my Camso ski back to back yesterday. I found the Yeti ski to be more confidence inspiring for sure on the trail. The Camso ski has a small sketch zone when you huck it over until the outer runner hooks up. Its like riding a really worn out knobby that's been on the pavement too much. The Yeti ski is more predictable.
In the deep, we have 2-3 feet of blower, the Camso ski provides good lift to help the bike get on top but it can't hold the side hill a Yeti ski can. I found it had a very slight bit of washout, like the old TS ski.
My buddies have made larger outer skegs for the Camso ski so I will be trying that out next. I also may need more spring in the YZ forks as they are not as stiff as the 500 forks which may also be coming into play. All in all the Camso seems like a pretty decent ski just needs a bit of tuning. Right now if I could do it easily I'd put the Yeti ski on my Camso kit and give that a try.
M5
In the deep, we have 2-3 feet of blower, the Camso ski provides good lift to help the bike get on top but it can't hold the side hill a Yeti ski can. I found it had a very slight bit of washout, like the old TS ski.
My buddies have made larger outer skegs for the Camso ski so I will be trying that out next. I also may need more spring in the YZ forks as they are not as stiff as the 500 forks which may also be coming into play. All in all the Camso seems like a pretty decent ski just needs a bit of tuning. Right now if I could do it easily I'd put the Yeti ski on my Camso kit and give that a try.
M5
rode today, new ts ski (with grinded front and rear tapers to the center skag), approx. 12-16" snow, no base to speak of. I know it is not ideal conditions, and more snow will make it better but...
I NEED TO GET RID OF THOSE STOCK SKAGS, AND HAVE THEM REPLACED WITH A SNOWMOBILE ROUND HOST BAR, WITH FLAT TOP TO MOUNT AND SUPPORT TO THE SKI, WITH APPROX 4" OF CARBIDE OUTSIDE, AND 6" INSIDE. I truly think that would end most if not all the fork spindle grabbing issues except in the most extreme cases of impact.
I believe if I could swap out all three skags to a sled style carbide, I would be plenty happy with the front end. On the wifes 16 old style ts ski with the bergstrom triple point, it was a lot better, and easier to ride.
make center and outer carbides for us, triple point or not. I WILL BUY THEM, IF YOU BUILD THEM, TAKE MY MONEY!!! PLEASE, AND THANK YOU! Ski
I NEED TO GET RID OF THOSE STOCK SKAGS, AND HAVE THEM REPLACED WITH A SNOWMOBILE ROUND HOST BAR, WITH FLAT TOP TO MOUNT AND SUPPORT TO THE SKI, WITH APPROX 4" OF CARBIDE OUTSIDE, AND 6" INSIDE. I truly think that would end most if not all the fork spindle grabbing issues except in the most extreme cases of impact.
I believe if I could swap out all three skags to a sled style carbide, I would be plenty happy with the front end. On the wifes 16 old style ts ski with the bergstrom triple point, it was a lot better, and easier to ride.
make center and outer carbides for us, triple point or not. I WILL BUY THEM, IF YOU BUILD THEM, TAKE MY MONEY!!! PLEASE, AND THANK YOU! Ski
Quick update, I smoked a huge rock pulling a side hill today with the Camso. The rock hit the ski and the side skeg. Basically it just bounced off, fawk all damage. It deformed the plastic a little bit but couple of minutes with the heat gun and it'll be good. Full marks for toughness to Camso. Didn't even phase the spindle. I hit a log last year with the Yeti ski and messed it up pretty good and it was way less of a hit. Bottom line, Camso set up is tough.
M5
M5
ARO ski
it's great in powder but it sucks on hard pack and icy roads. Worse than the 10" TS back country ski by far. Center runner is so tall it bites and fights to the bars really bad. I'm shocked the reviews in the magazines and such claim this is improved trail performance. I've adjusted my rake and fork ride height to move the weight back just behind center and that helps but it's still atrocious.
I'll be buying the berg carbides for sure when they drop. I've already smoked an ARO ski as I melted the steel runners right off it on my first early season ride. if you wondered how long you can ride a mix of gravel and dirty snow on the ARO it's 13 miles, then your grinding away plastic.
On a good note, the float off trail in deep pow is awesome with the wider ski. really helps you stay on top.
it's great in powder but it sucks on hard pack and icy roads. Worse than the 10" TS back country ski by far. Center runner is so tall it bites and fights to the bars really bad. I'm shocked the reviews in the magazines and such claim this is improved trail performance. I've adjusted my rake and fork ride height to move the weight back just behind center and that helps but it's still atrocious.
I'll be buying the berg carbides for sure when they drop. I've already smoked an ARO ski as I melted the steel runners right off it on my first early season ride. if you wondered how long you can ride a mix of gravel and dirty snow on the ARO it's 13 miles, then your grinding away plastic.
On a good note, the float off trail in deep pow is awesome with the wider ski. really helps you stay on top.
When i hopped on my buddy’s aro the other day it was obvious right away that the steering was heavier on crap snow. Get in the powder— felt great. Got on a tracked out road and the steering was fighting me a bit. Not terrible but much worse than my ‘16 with triple carbide. Hopped back on my bike—ahhhh, that’s better. Very limited time on his bike and his setup could be a bit off but he has airpro installed.
its not the ski on the aro, its the afterthought runners. give us the option of real round host bar, flat topped carbide. that will help the low snow, hard pack, trail manors. we have to ride trails to get to the deep... hope they come out soon. Ski
ARO VS TS
my riding partner put the new aro ski on his ktm 450. so off we went to compare. in the end the ARO ski for us was clearly superior.
hard pack plowed road, about the same, my 3 carbide gold skeg was better in slippery, but what we noticed is the TS old when you encounter ice with some bedded gravel it tips the ski tip down, even with the dismal ARO stock tunnel skeg, ski tip still up even with the grabby gravel.
8" of unbroken fresh on a road, a wash, new ARO might float a little better, we traded back and forth............yeah a wash.
we got into deep dense baseless powder as we climbed and lots of downed trees so had to abort our normal test area.........and good we did.
We fell in behind 4 new big dog SKI doo 850s trying to break in their new iron, and they were really hacking and trenching and fighting it going up a road into higher country and deeper fresh snow. On a tore up road where getting out of the sled track y our were going down and wound in 2nd you might make it back into the track. 3 and 4 gear in their hour old tracks was a ten mile motocross. In this cutup bouncing riding, no question the ARO is a way way way more precise better steering across deep ruts, more relaxed riding. On my partners ARO ski bike, I could ride a gear higher and disappear, I am 68 he is younger more agressive rider. We traded back and forth, issue resolved, on the way into town I picked up the new ski and mount.
I weighted then when I changed them out, 18.5 old ts gold skeg, new ARO stock 15.5, three pound on the nut.
so that is my story for now
my riding partner put the new aro ski on his ktm 450. so off we went to compare. in the end the ARO ski for us was clearly superior.
hard pack plowed road, about the same, my 3 carbide gold skeg was better in slippery, but what we noticed is the TS old when you encounter ice with some bedded gravel it tips the ski tip down, even with the dismal ARO stock tunnel skeg, ski tip still up even with the grabby gravel.
8" of unbroken fresh on a road, a wash, new ARO might float a little better, we traded back and forth............yeah a wash.
we got into deep dense baseless powder as we climbed and lots of downed trees so had to abort our normal test area.........and good we did.
We fell in behind 4 new big dog SKI doo 850s trying to break in their new iron, and they were really hacking and trenching and fighting it going up a road into higher country and deeper fresh snow. On a tore up road where getting out of the sled track y our were going down and wound in 2nd you might make it back into the track. 3 and 4 gear in their hour old tracks was a ten mile motocross. In this cutup bouncing riding, no question the ARO is a way way way more precise better steering across deep ruts, more relaxed riding. On my partners ARO ski bike, I could ride a gear higher and disappear, I am 68 he is younger more agressive rider. We traded back and forth, issue resolved, on the way into town I picked up the new ski and mount.
I weighted then when I changed them out, 18.5 old ts gold skeg, new ARO stock 15.5, three pound on the nut.
so that is my story for now
Great report. Thank you
