Grind gradual angle on dual carbide...Good or bad idea?

[UPsnowbiker]

Between this forum and the TS facebook page I have seen more bent and broken fork tubes and triple trees than I care to.

The snow where I'm at has been horrible so far and I've notice the blunt front of the dual carbide grabs every little thing.

Would there be any harm in grinding the front of the carbide down into a more gradual angle?

If reviews stay consistent, I'm planning on a Yeti ski at some point and I don't want to spend $100 on the triple carbide that seems to get good reviews.

Thanks

 

[xr650ryder]

1 Vote: Spend the $100 for the Triple Point Carbide.

If your are referring to the stock center Dual runner skag it is Chrome-Moly steel not Carbide.

The stock steel skag is very sticky resulting in allot of violence when striking rocks Etc.

We need Carbide to pulverize the rocks and glide on buy instead of grab. IMO the triple point works well because of its small profile and 3 running surfaces to spread the impact zone.

Tapering the stock skag will help rock strikes but will allow your ski to pivot more when going across asphalt and just grind the front of your ski down. I don’t think it will handle well with the low snow conditions you are describing.

I ran a actual Dual carbide from 9miler. His Dual carbide works great on ice but also sufferers with a big profile when it comes to skag strikes. I would run it over the stock skag. It too was worth the $150 Price tag.

Spend the $100 for the Triple Point Carbide. It’s a worst case scenario thing. With the triple point and 2015 half-pipe side skags the T/S ski still works well in the mountains.
.

 

[UPsnowbiker]

I guess I used the wrong terms but that was what I was asking about.

It seems the triple carbide is the way to go.


Thanks

 

[xr650ryder]

We have come along way since 2011 and 2012 Gen 1 6" Ski.

No Problem! Hopefully others will offer there Opinions and in-site.

I think the Ski is the very important to how a snow bike handles and performs.

Start of 2013 Season the new 2013 T/S ski was delayed in MFG. We were riding the Gen II on our other kit. The gen II was a big upgrade for us. I didn't accept the loaner 6" Gen I ski with my Snow checked 2013 ST. I didn't ride my new kit until Mid February.

Back in 2011 and 2012 the ski was getting a lot of attention for improvements. We have come along way since 2011 and 2012 Gen 1 6" Ski.

For me there are 2 must do upgrades to the stock TS ski #1 is the triple point carbide. #2 is a proper length bolt to match the saddle.
( No threads in locating surface please! Come on, Simmons I currently own 8 of your skis with custom bolts in all of them.)
FYI
I don't have any trouble riding my 2016 LT pinned up the trail in 6th.
I haven't got My TSS Shock on yet ether.

 

[Colo moto]

I did exactly what you are asking about. I got my inspiration from watching the yeti ski video. I took an angle grinder and ground down the front of the u channel steel runner for a smoother transition. Another thing i noticed about the yeti ski is how the majority of their runners are behind the vertical line drawn from the ground up to the front axle. I believe the ts ski is more "darty" on hardpack because the u channel is more centered on this line. I noticed a big difference in hardpack handling after grinding the u channel down. Much more confidence inspiring. I'd say do it. It's free and if you dont like it you can always order the $100 upgrade.

 

[Chadx]

I had a hate/hate relationship with the stock timbersled center skag for two years. Finally replaced it with triple point carbide this year and it is much less brutal when hitting rocks and stumps/roots or hitting dirt if snow is thin. Stock skag grabs so hard, it hurt a few times. Finally spent the $100 and got rid of it. When I took stock skag off, there was a chunk missing out of it, too. Glad it gave rather than the spindle or forks.

So now just looking to improve outer skags to improve confidence when leaned over on trail. My 2014 ski is the year before the improved timbersled side skags of 2015. Thought about getting the updated outer skags, but decided I would get two more triple point skags for outers...but before I could execute that plan, I had the opportunity to try a raptor front end...so will be experimenting with than soon. Just bolted it up and anxious to give it a whirl. I'll report more in the existing raptor front end thread.

I did get a chance to go for a quick ride on a cmxbk kit this weekend and really liked the raptor front end for that limited run and specific conditions, but that was combined with the cmxbk and a much more modern bike than mine so there were too many great things going on there to isolate front end performance. Will be interesting to compare just the front end swap on my 2014 st and ktm 525 so I can isolate the difference only to the front end.

I digressed from the original guestion, but just some more data. Like colo said, grind away. You won't make the stock center skag worse. And the yeti ski is back ordered until feb. 17. Play around with your ground stock and by then, there will be even more feedback on both yeti ski, triple point skags and/or raptor front ends.

 

[dooman92]

UPsnowbiker, I would suggest grinding also. That abrupt transition at the front of the center skag is a bent spindle/forks in the making. I ground down all three slags for a gradual approach. I also fabricated a wedge out of hyrax that I fastened (countersunk screw) to the ski in front of the center skag. The wedge insures that the ski glides over all obstacles. Without a change at that transition you will bend something. I noticed no negatives with the change.

 

[Motogeek33]

UPsnowbiker, I would suggest grinding also. That abrupt transition at the front of the center skag is a bent spindle/forks in the making. I ground down all three slags for a gradual approach. I also fabricated a wedge out of hyrax that I fastened (countersunk screw) to the ski in front of the center skag. The wedge insures that the ski glides over all obstacles. Without a change at that transition you will bend something. I noticed no negatives with the change.

The next time you have your ski off, I'd love to see a pic of that wedge. Great idea!

 

[BMF725]

I to have noticed a lot of bent forks and spindles this year. I think with the poor snow conditions this year and a lot of people eager to ride early season has a lot to do with it.

I just got my triple point carbide in the main and it is going on tonight.

 

[UPsnowbiker]

I did grind a more gradual angle from the ski. Didn't seem as harsh when riding over stuff. No negative effect at all handling. Took 5 minutes.

 

[SEOINAGE]

I did grind a more gradual angle from the ski. Didn't seem as harsh when riding over stuff. No negative effect at all handling. Took 5 minutes.

The yeti ski has a really gradual approach, and actual kind of odd way it goes over the front, should check it out, don't have a pic off hand. Works well.

 

[UPsnowbiker]

The yeti ski has a really gradual approach, and actual kind of odd way it goes over the front, should check it out, don't have a pic off hand. Works well.

Yes it does. I saw a really good pic of it and actually tried to replicate the smooth transition.

 

[dkl032]

Grind. No negatives in all conditions. Haven't tested on ice.

 

[dkl032]

question for those with the triple point carbide. what do you run on the outside?

 

[lundracing]

Run her down the hwy about a qtr mile. Will make a nice transition. Saves the work of grinding.

 

[UPsnowbiker]

Ha... Yep that works.

Seriously though mine feels way smoother over objects now.