Climbing Skins-BD Ascension/Glidelite?

[criscam]

BC Jong here. Looking to buy skins for Seth Vicious'. After doing some searching, it looks like I should get some BD Ascension or Glidelite STS's. What is the difference between the two (aside from weight)? Also, will the tip loops work on the SV's or are bigger ones needed (are bigger ones even made?)? Any other suggestions? Thnks and jong away.

[Cirquerider]

I got the Glidelite with a wide tip loop for Volkl Mantras last March. The skis are basically the same shape at the tip (130 rouned) and tail. The STS attachment worked great on the rounded lifted tails, and the skins are reasonably lightweight. The new Glidelites have a tire pattern in them rather than the cool blue cow spots. You are going to need the 120 mm skins.

[Lurch]

The gluide lights are lighter with I believe they have a shorter nap than the ascension. I have both and they both work well but I prefer the STS tail that comes with the glide lights.

[stump832]

I prefer the STS tail that comes with the glide lights.

You can buy Ascensions with the STS tail, FYI.

[Lurch]

You can buy Ascensions with the STS tail, FYI.

Is that new this year? I thought the only options with ascensions was the clip fix tail or no tail at all.

[criscam]

You can buy Ascensions with the STS tail, FYI.

I saw those the other day for around $100 (120mm). What about the tip loops? Do they make bigger ones or will the standard size they come with work?

[homerjay]

120 and 130s have tip loops that will work standard. You may need to flip them upside down (larger side on the outside).

[ski_faster]

I am using 110 glidelites on my Gotama's and they cover plenty. Keep in mind that you have to trime extra for the edges. I did have to use the wide tip loop through.

[criscam]

I am using 110 glidelites on my Gotama's and they cover plenty. Keep in mind that you have to trime extra for the edges. I did have to use the wide tip loop through.

I think I saw something in another thread about the trimming. Do you trim to the exact width of the waist or trim a few mm shorter on each side?

[ski_faster]

You trim so your edges are exposed so when you are going across the hill on a steep icy section your edges bite.

[stump832]

Yes, leave a couple MMs on either edge.

And yeah lurch - I think the ascensions with STS are new this year.

[criscam]

You trim so your edges are exposed so when you are going across the hill on a steep icy section your edges bite.

thanks. that's what I thought. how much trimming we talking? 5mm each side or so?

[ski_faster]

I trimmed a couple of MM's off each side just so you can see the whole metal edge.

[Lurch]

I think I saw something in another thread about the trimming. Do you trim to the exact width of the waist or trim a few mm shorter on each side?

You trim a few extra mm of each side so your edges are exposed.

http://www.bdel.com/video/sts_skin_trim.html

[Below Zero]

You can do them yourself, it's not really that hard. I trimmed skins for the first time this past March. Just read the instruction, watch the internet video, and you'll be just fine.

[Dirk Diggler]

Glidelite. I've got both and like the lites much better. Fold better(not nearly as stiff) for putting them in your pocket and will climb equal to the reg. ascension.

[Cirquerider]

You can fit skins in your pocket? Those are some pockets or skinny skins!

[Foggy_Goggles]

You can fit skins in your pocket? Those are some pockets or skinny skins!

Dude, skins go in my pocket every time I'm going for more than one run. It stops them from freezing up. It's not needed everytime but it's a good habit to get into. Many jackets have inside mesh chest pockets just for this purpose. Plus, it's one less reason to take your pack off. If you keep your goggles in your pocket and can do the rando mambo you can transtion without taking your skis or goggles off. On topic, Ascensions with the STS (glide lite style) tail rig have never let me down.

[Sphinx]

Dude, skins go in my pocket every time I'm going for more than one run. It stops them from freezing up. It's not needed everytime but it's a good habit to get into. Many jackets have inside mesh chest pockets just for this purpose. Plus, it's one less reason to take your pack off. If you keep your goggles in your pocket and can do the rando mambo you can transtion without taking your skis or goggles off. On topic, Ascensions with the STS (glide lite style) tail rig have never let me down.I disagree. I never put my skins in my pockets. They're all cold and wet! They stay the hell away from me!

I fold them up and put them in my pack. On short runs I'll just clip my pack waist belt over them. My Ascensions have never failed to stick. And yes, I often take my skins off without removing my skis.

Now I just have to learn how to put the skins back on without taking my skis off.

[Foggy_Goggles]

I disagree. I never put my skins in my pockets. They're all cold and wet! They stay the hell away from me!

I fold them up and put them in my pack. On short runs I'll just clip my pack waist belt over them. My Ascensions have never failed to stick. And yes, I often take my skins off without removing my skis.

Too each there own. Perhaps is a rocky mountain thing but I have seen frozen skins be a problem.

[marshalolson]

my $.02
i have had many issues w/ glidelites freezing up while skinning in above freezing airtemps. the skin seems to absorb slightly more surface melt, but freezes once you go in a shaded area or whatever... never had an issues w/ the ascensions. skinwax helps, but i feel out of the box, they should be good to go.
also, asecension grip better in firm snow (ie the name), and don't glide as well. i'd prefer the grip, some others may disagree, just get which you'd prefer.

[BRUTAH]

BD Ascensions are on sale right now at steepandcheap

[cj001f]

+1 for pockets. If your skins are really wet snow sticks too much; wax them or use that spray shit.

I've had more stretch issues w/glidelites & water than ascensions; both stretch enough with temperature to make the clipfix tail a pain in the ass.

[Arty50]

BD Ascensions are on sale right now at steepandcheap

The Standards don't come with a tail attachment, but you can buy an STS kit for them. This is exactly what I bought for my Gotamas: Standards w/ STS kit.

[Lostinthetrees]

BC Jong ...and jong away.

No jonging around here. You posted in the right place "Tech Talk" and asked a good question. Results, you got answers and some discussion going.

btw. You can also use the SEARCH function to do some RE-SEARCH and see if the topic has been covered already.

[Toby]

BD Ascensions are on sale right now at steepandcheapWoah! I paid $90 a month or so ago for 130mm ascensions and thought I was getting a good deal. Should've waited.

[criscam]

BD Ascensions are on sale right now at steepandcheap

thanks for the heads up. can't believe I forgot to check steepandcheap this morning. that price is nice.

Arty (or anyone else), how much does the STS kit cost? (I know, I can look it up) and is it pretty easy to assemble?

[Crinkle]

Just picked up 120 skins off of steep and cheap. From the sounds of it I'll be needing this STS kit for my Pocket Rockets. Good info here and good timing.

now i just need freerides to go on sale :rolleyes:

[criscam]

STS Kit-around $25.

[iceman]

What width skins would you need for Bro's? I was thinking 110 would do it since they're like 104 underfoot, was that wrong?

[Crinkle]

What width skins would you need for Bro's? I was thinking 110 would do it since they're like 104 underfoot, was that wrong?
go with the width of the tip/tail. doesn't have to exactly match, so the 120 would be your best bet.

[lemon boy]

Ice-

110s will work FINE (Bros = 125.99.114) 120s would be better but only margianlly. You will be only very slightly under gunned on the tips for a tiny tiny distance.

[Max Gosey]

Just pulled the trigger on some 110's for my pocket rockets.


Small medium and large STS kits. Largest width is 102? WTF?

[lemon boy]

http://www.wildsnow.com/tips/skin_tail_fix.html

you can thank Dirk Diggler later.

[criscam]

http://www.wildsnow.com/tips/skin_tail_fix.html

you can thank Dirk Diggler later.

Anyone have any experence w/ the rat tail?

[Sphinx]

Anyone have any experence w/ the rat tail?
It kicks ass beyond any commercial system. If you're on freerides you don't even have to drill a hole.

Next!

[Lurch]

Anyone have any experence w/ the rat tail?

sewing the webbing onto the skin can be a real pain in the ass.

[Max Gosey]

How idiot proof? I'm pretty scared to manipulate that much myself without any experience even fitting skins...

[lemon boy]

what the rat tail or trimming skins?

Provided your IQ hovers somewhere about the 85 level you should be able to master either task by reading and following the instructions given.

[stump832]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that if you're not intelligent enough to choose and cut your own skins, you might want to think about staying in-bounds.

[Max Gosey]

The rat tail.

Shit, I can't get a break.

85????

[lemon boy]

:shrug: what's so confusing about cutting a long tail into your skins and tying a bungie onto that that connects to a screw in your ski?

[yesIsaidyes]

If you're on freerides you don't even have to drill a hole.
not having my freerides in front of me, why not?...ohhhhh, never mind...

[yesIsaidyes]

has anyone tried the Rat Tail method without filing a groove in their tails? Far be it for me to doubt big Lou on this point but I am not sure my wife is going to be super psyched about filing into her new boards before they even touch the snow...

[Sphinx]

You don't need a damn groove.

Skins are not rocket science! :cussing:

[lingcod]

This is precisely why this is a great message board: good question, good info., lots of informed opinion. While the attached rat tail thread made sense, it occurred to me that if you do it with a twin tip (which is a key reason why you would do it in the first place; not the only one, but a key one), you'd now have a cord sitting above the tail of the ski (from the tail to the anchor point) for a foot or so which would be one more thing to snag / catch on your other ski. I don't know. Just thinking.

[Max Gosey]

This is precisely why this is a great message board: good question, good info., lots of informed opinion. While the attached rat tail thread made sense, it occurred to me that if you do it with a twin tip (which is a key reason why you would do it in the first place; not the only one, but a key one), you'd now have a cord sitting above the tail of the ski (from the tail to the anchor point) for a foot or so which would be one more thing to snag / catch on your other ski. I don't know. Just thinking.

Method of prevention?

[seldon]

As far as I can tell, I dont think that a snag would be particularly life-threatening, as, after all, you're skinning while it would happen, and unless you've got mad-climbing steeze, are not going all that fast.

[Max Gosey]

As far as I can tell, I dont think that a snag would be particularly life-threatening, as, after all, you're skinning while it would happen, and unless you are iskibc, are not going all that fast.

:fm:



Holler for the aliens.

[Dirk Diggler]

As mentioned several times early in this thread, screw the rattail and buy the STS tail kit from Black diamond.

[cj001f]

As mentioned several times early in this thread, screw the rattail and buy the STS tail kit from Black diamond.
So you can spend more money for a crappier product?

[Dirk Diggler]

So you can spend more money for a crappier product?

Maybe. :D But I have no problems with the sts system.

[BRUTAH]

Question:
I just got a pair of rossi T4's, the tail is slightly raised like the tails are on the rossi B3s, Do you think I need a tail clip for my skins? Does anyone use B3s or this ski as their touring skis and what do you do?

[lemon boy]

My world is quaking.

So which is it Dirk the STS or the Rat-tail :rolleyes: :D :D

[LeeLau]

The STS system is great.

The rat tail system is also great.

I also have skins without any tail attachment and that has worked fine for me but then I tend to put my skins in my jacket pocket while skiing so they don't get too wet or frozen

If you don't want to sew webbing onto the tail of your skins then note that you can shoe-goo the webbing onto the skins and that also works. The webbing and rat-tail is NOT a high-torque item so provided you shoo goo carefully onto a dry skin then you shouldn't have an issue.

I've not caught the rat-tail webbing on any sticks etc.

You don't need a groove in the tail of your skis for it to work.

btw - the rat-tail skins used to be called the Expert system as opposed to the Euro/Kombi system,