Ski opinions for the Pro

[Kestrel2126]

I have pretty much destroyed my stock "Gripper" Skis on my pro, and am debating which way to go this year. I did not originally change out the stockers, as I truly find them to be a very good ski. Wondering if I should just go with another set of OEM's, or if any of you are finding something that works significantly better. I have run Simmons quite a bit in the past, but never on a Pro. Also wondering about the CA-Pro MTX skis, if anyone has tried those (they look heavy and overly focused on the carbide shaper bar imo)?

As a note, I ride in the western Rockies (CO, WY, UT, NM). I am typically over 10K', and DO NOT CARE HOW THEY HANDLE ON THE TRAIL! I will suffer through a darty 2-3 mile trail ride, to have a superior handling powder ski.

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks

 

[FatDogX]

I've run SLP's and the stock Grippers, the Grippers are probably the best OEM ski out right now. I've looked around as well, just wanting to try something else and I've come across these, http://www.modsskis.com/

I know a couple guys that run then and swear by them, but I have no personal experience with them.

 

[tdblakes]

I had C&A XTXs on my sled and found that they required way too much input for the type of boondocking i like to do. I went back to the grippers and sold the C&As. I won't miss them. A couple buddies of mine had the MTX ski and found that they warped the out side edges while sidehilling. I would be willing to try the Simmons but I really don't think its worth spending the extra coin when the grippers work so well. Since yours are wrecked, I'd either look for someone looking to dump off their new grippers for cheap or try simmons. I don't have experience with any other brands besides the USI skis I had on my edge... my .02

 

[Super B]

I've run SLP's and the stock Grippers, the Grippers are probably the best OEM ski out right now. I've looked around as well, just wanting to try something else and I've come across these, http://www.modsskis.com/

I know a couple guys that run then and swear by them, but I have no personal experience with them.

I have been running Mod Skis for the past few years and they flat out rock!

 

[gman086]

I've run SLP's and the stock Grippers, the Grippers are probably the best OEM ski out right now. I've looked around as well, just wanting to try something else and I've come across these, http://www.modsskis.com/

I know a couple guys that run then and swear by them, but I have no personal experience with them.

I have a lot of experience with them (Mods) and they flat out RULE for all types of mountain riding except trail (where I'd take C&A's for their more aggressive keel for cornering), and even then they are no slouch. They use a tri keel design that balances perfectly when laid on edge so they're the best sidehilling ski on the planet. The rear of ski is leveled higher so as to not catch when countersteering to initiate carves but still offers float - kinda like the Carl's cut without having to cut! Finally, the plastic skins can be replaced for under $100, just bolt up to the aluminum frames which are nice and sturdy. They're a bit heavier than the Grippers but far FAR better for the mountains and that IS saying a lot considering the Grippers are adequate! If you buy some, please tell Lance that G MAN sent you!

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[Luke45]

I had the C&A MTX's. I liked them, but...Like you said, they are very heavy...Way heavier then the stock grippers...also like tdblakes said...they make it so you kind of have to switch your boondocking style... they work differently...If i was to do it over again, I wouldnt buy them again, I would go with slydogs.

 

[snomac]

I've ridden with Simmons, Powder Pro's and the stock Grippers. I would say no to the Simmons seeing how you don't ride many trails either. The Powder Pro's are great for powder, but I had them on a Pro last spring when the snow got heavier and when I traded sleds with my buddies who had the Grippers it felt like their sleds had power steering and mine with the Powder Pro's was ridiculously difficult to turn. We all noticed it and would take the Grippers any day. I have not tried the mods, but they sound cool.

 

[timber_tramp]

I have been running Mod Skis for the past few years and they flat out rock!

Mods hold a sidehill very well.
They do seem to dart on the trail.
I would buy them again.

 

[Norway]

Mods hold a sidehill very well.
They do seem to dart on the trail.
I would buy them again.

Another vote for mods. Have them on my Gen 2 triple and steering is easy. You can choose aggressive carbides if you want to improve trail manners.

Will buy for my Pro.

 

[2XM3]

I like the stock grippers best on the pro.

 

[phatty]

Mods skis are awesome!
SLP SLT skis are awesome too!

I personally hate the powder pros, not enough bite and seem to wash too much
Sly dogs were erratic in their behavior
C/A are good for racing and horrible in the mtns.
Simmons have preformed well in powder, hated them in spring snow.

Grippers are marginal at best.
Cats skis are marginal at best.

 

[Oregonsledder]

I have tried Simmons and Powder Pros, and feel that the Grippers are hard to beat.

 

[MNIQR]

I have a set of Modz im throwing on the new Pro when it gets here. Ill let you know how they work after our new years trip to WYS.
Lance is very nice to deal with. He made me a 2 color ski combo (1 red ski and 1 blue ski) at no extra charge like most places do to split up a colored set.

 

[diamonddave]

I have a lot of experience with them (Mods) and they flat out RULE for all types of mountain riding except trail (where I'd take C&A's for their more aggressive keel for cornering), and even then they are no slouch. They use a tri keel design that balances perfectly when laid on edge so they're the best sidehilling ski on the planet. The rear of ski is leveled higher so as to not catch when countersteering to initiate carves but still offers float - kinda like the Carl's cut without having to cut! Finally, the plastic skins can be replaced for under $100, just bolt up to the aluminum frames which are nice and sturdy. They're a bit heavier than the Grippers but far FAR better for the mountains and that IS saying a lot considering the Grippers are adequate! If you buy some, please tell Lance that G MAN sent you!

Have FUN!

G MAN

I know you've been big on the Mods for a long time but have you run them on the Pro yet?


I have found that certain ski's that work well on one particular chassis, flat out (can) suck on another. The SLP PP's with the cut-out are absolutely awesome on the IQ-Raw chassis but are not quite as good on the Pro. I used the C&A MTX's on the Rev chassis and they were awesome. They didn't do well at all on the IQ-Raw and my friend said the same thing on his Pro. Simmons seemed to be almost a must on the old Edge and ZX chassis sleds but never cared for them on Rev's and IQ-Raw's.


I guess what I am trying to say here is I hope when people are making ski recommendations, they are making them for the model of sled in question.

I guess what

 

[Oregonsledder]

I know you've been big on the Mods for a long time but have you run them on the Pro yet?


I have found that certain ski's that work well on one particular chassis, flat out (can) suck on another. The SLP PP's with the cut-out are absolutely awesome on the IQ-Raw chassis but are not quite as good on the Pro. I used the C&A MTX's on the Rev chassis and they were awesome. They didn't do well at all on the IQ-Raw and my friend said the same thing on his Pro. Simmons seemed to be almost a must on the old Edge and ZX chassis sleds but never cared for them on Rev's and IQ-Raw's.


I guess what I am trying to say here is I hope when people are making ski recommendations, they are making them for the model of sled in question.

I guess what

That’s good advice but I feel this issue is still subjective. You say that Simmons were "almost a must on an Edge". I had Simmons on an edge and preferred Grippers. Riding style and conditions also factor in IMHO

 

[byeatts]

That’s good advice but I feel this issue is still subjective. You say that Simmons were "almost a must on an Edge". I had Simmons on an edge and preferred Grippers. Riding style and conditions also factor in IMHO

Simmons are a flat plank!

 

[Devilmanak]

I haven't run them on a Pro, but this applies to the C&A XT skis I had on my 144 SnoPro last year: The tips are LOW. They can be raised a little by changing the loop hole mount location, but they are still very low in the front compared to a normal ski. That being said, I had some issues/scares running them in the mountains when needing to get over small branches/logs/etc. You never know if they are going to go over the top or dive under. This also applies to water crossings late in the year, I have done a ton of water riding in the past, but doing it with these skis scared me, I was always worried about the tips going under the ice on the other side, instead of over the ice.
Other than that, they were great skis as far as floatation and cornering, powder or trail.

 

[Devilmanak]

Oops, just saw that the MTX has a raised loop tip like a normal ski. I will shut up now.

 

[0neoldfart]

Ski choices

Skis are a personal preference. While I haven't run MODS on a Pro yet, they were a great ski on the S-chassis, ZX chassis, & REV chassis ski-doos, and they were also great on the M-series. USI Triple threats work very well, as do SLP's powder Pros (with the Carl's cut, mind you). Never been a fan of Simmons, Slydogs, or C&A's (and they have been used on various sleds in the household). I like a light steering ski (personal preference), and could care less how it handles on the trail.
A few downfalls of the MODS: The aluminum bridge can and will break far easier then a composite ski - I've snapped a half dozen in early season riding or in the spring when the snow is set up, The skins don't last nearly as long as a set of composite skis, they raise the front of your sled about a 1/2" (which screws with suspension settings and approach angle) and they look a little "ancient". But, the powder performance of this ski is great - wish they offered a slightly wider version for models that require a bit more float.

 

[catothom]

How about Curve XS skis?

Anyone tried them?
They look great and seems interesting to me.

http://www.curveindustries.com/#!prettyPhoto