Mountain straps are for kids to hold on to!!

[Norway]

If anyone needs a reminder why you should learn to keep both hands on your handlebar and stop messing with that "mountain strap" for sidehilling....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsUSLiHgA1k

Not dissing or anything, know it's mid america, but boy I itched to cut those straps watching that vid!

 

[Indy_500]

I use mine all the time. Never involves sidehilling across a hill or actually holding onto it while riding. I use it to get the sled rolled over to initiate a sidehill. If you tree ride I don't see how you can get by without one.

 

[Norway]

Seek only tree riding and don't use it. Granted, sometimes it gives you that last bit of leverage to tip the sled, but unless you have a left side throttle to complement it, it only works to one side.

Hence I just work on having both hands on the bars and getting her up with countersteering and pull + gas.

But yeah, the constant failing sidehill attempts was what I had in mind.

 

[snowmobiler]

tough course

 

[Mafesto]

I feel more comfortable keeping my hands on the grips, but I do not believe there is a right or wrong technique to use.

With my limited riding ability I would look very foolish critiquing others techniques.

 

[89sandman]

Guess it works for some and not for others. I say the same thing about brakes, using the brake is just a crutch for your lack of riding technique So if you want to be a cool awesome rider you now have to get rid of your brake...

 

[CO Powder]

3 minutes in and I am bored to tears... I didn't see any use of the strap at all during the short segment I watched. The course was ridiculous, sidehilling across frozen dirt? If the track can not dig in, you aren't sidehilling. Almost nobody made it because it was a bad idea to begin with.

I sure liked having the mtn strap yesterday. On the rock hard snow and steep slopes we were on it sure was nice to be able to get more weight on the uphill side. Yes, it only works on one side but that is better than nothing. It shouldn't be viewed as a crutch, just another tool the rider uses when the situation arises that it is helpful. I use mine a lot more on hard snow. On soft snow I use it much less but it can also be handy in the trees.

Rather than cut the strap off, just don't sign up for a silly competition like that and you will be fine

 

[Sling-it]

Really? You ditz the strap. Half the ones who grabbed it saved it only to loose it on throttle side down.

You can cut yours off if you like. Mine's staying put. An engine can be taken apart with a crescent wrench and vice grips.....real mechanics use the right tools for the job at hand.

 

[Vern]

left side side hilling I can get it up and keep it up in pretty much any situation with both hands on the grips, but I tend to struggle a bit on the right side. For the most part I do alright with both hands on the grips on the right side, but in real tight situations where I need to get it up on edge "right now" I usually use the strap to initiate the side hill then switch back to both hands on the grip once its up. So, no its not a necessity, but it does come in hand at times.

 

[boondocker97]

I use mine sometimes to help roll the sled over to get unstuck. If I ever put new bars on my sled, the strap will be gone.

 

[sledheader]

I use it on slight off camber situations where I need my weight over there but don't necessarily want to tip it on to one ski. Also, in around the trees (like turning around and almost coming into a tree well) I'll use it to get it up "Right Now" and avoid the tree well. I don't ever have a problem with it getting in the way and yes, it's handy to have at times. Sorry I'm not as bada$$ as some of you

 

[sledheader]

And yes, it also gives my nieces a nephews a place to hold on when I take them for a spin

 

[snowmobiler]

I Sorry I'm not as bada$$ as some of you

Thats ok.you can still ride with me and sandman.

 

[Norway]

The course was ridiculous, sidehilling across frozen dirt?

Sure, that was some unfair stuff to cross... But if you looked through it (lot of clicking on the time bar!) you see over and over the classic move of hanging by the strap when accelerating, then if you hit something or slow down, you fall halfway over your bars since the strap just gives.

Sure I used the strap now and then like some describe, but I soon found that sidehilling with it was risky business! Narrower bars on mine now, no strap and don't miss it.


And don't get to serious now folks.

 

[Hansen13]

The only time I touch my mountain bar is when I'm making tight turns slowly, just to hold myself when I'm leaning into the turn. Or when I'm rolling it to get unstuck. Other than that, it doesn't get used, definitely both hands on when you're on a sidehill.

 

[Jaynelson]

I never use it for "sidehilling," but I definitely use to ride across hills not steep enough to bother sidehilling. Or to roll the sled over, or for riding tandem, etc. I wouldn't want to go without one.

That said...that video was hurtin lol

 

[89sandman]

Thats ok.you can still ride with me and sandman.[/QUOTE

Hopefully there will be some snow next year to ride, I'm gonna bust out my double mountain bar with center throttle!!!

 

[jjmyzrider]

Just wish they had a heating element in them for the little ones, that would make the ride better for my little girls.

 

[Shattered1]

I use mine regularly and don't think I would want to be without one. I could ride without it, but I think it's more a matter of being used to it being there and available.

I generally keep both hands on the handlebars but often grab it unconsciously when the situation warrants. It's just another tool to have in your bag.

 

[FatDogX]

Take it off and you'll never know it's gone!!