Clutching adjustments for Colorado elevation

[KHEXX]

I currently have the Stage 2 Schmidt Brothers clutch kit, intake, and exhaust. I'm studded 144 up the middle. Heading up to Grand Lake Colorado which is 8,367 ft elevation in February. I am setup for sledding in Wisconsin which is around 635 ft elevation. I drilled out and replaced the heel, mid and tip weights as Chris described. Just want everyones take on this....He told me to completely remove the heel and the mid weights to run in the higher elevation. I am no clutching expert, so just throwing it out there... Any other changes to the sled?

 

[revster]

I currently have the Stage 2 Schmidt Brothers clutch kit, intake, and exhaust. I'm studded 144 up the middle. Heading up to Grand Lake Colorado which is 8,367 ft elevation in February. I am setup for sledding in Wisconsin which is around 635 ft elevation. I drilled out and replaced the heel, mid and tip weights as Chris described. Just want everyones take on this....He told me to completely remove the heel and the mid weights to run in the higher elevation. I am no clutching expert, so just throwing it out there... Any other changes to the sled?

I go to the mountains with my SBR stage 2 and last year I was around the same altitude that you are headed to. I ran all of the weights empty without changing anything else, and it worked great.

(My set-up is full Hindle exhast, K&N intake and PCV. 136"x1.75" track.)

I assume you are riding the backcountry at the altitude right? What lug height are you running??

 

[TurboTime]

I currently have the Stage 2 Schmidt Brothers clutch kit, intake, and exhaust. I'm studded 144 up the middle. Heading up to Grand Lake Colorado which is 8,367 ft elevation in February. I am setup for sledding in Wisconsin which is around 635 ft elevation. I drilled out and replaced the heel, mid and tip weights as Chris described. Just want everyones take on this....He told me to completely remove the heel and the mid weights to run in the higher elevation. I am no clutching expert, so just throwing it out there... Any other changes to the sled?

A question to ask would be - What is the starting weight of the Schmidt Bros super tips without the weights. Once you have that hen you can back into the numbers consisting of rider weight, hp and elevation...

 

[KHEXX]

I have the stock fly weights, the stage 3 kit offers replacement fly weights. I will be running mostly the groomed sections of trails (approx 100 miles) as I will be running the stock 121 ripsaw 1 1/4" shorty track with 144 studs. I have talked extensively with some local folks that say I should be fine because there are a bunch of groomed trails in the area. Unless of course they get 4 feet of snow..LOL. Do you have the stock flyweights as well?

 

[KHEXX]

@Revster Chris mentioned starting with the tip weight in and if that doesnt work remove it. He said ideal is 8650-8750 @ 40 mph... N ow I just need to know what to do to my buddies Apex...

 

[revster]

I have the stock fly weights, the stage 3 kit offers replacement fly weights. I will be running mostly the groomed sections of trails (approx 100 miles) as I will be running the stock 121 ripsaw 1 1/4" shorty track with 144 studs. I have talked extensively with some local folks that say I should be fine because there are a bunch of groomed trails in the area. Unless of course they get 4 feet of snow..LOL. Do you have the stock flyweights as well?

Yup stock 09 SE weights, same kit as you.

I think Chris's advice to leave the tip weight in is going to be bang on if you are going to be riding trails. Do you have the different weight nuts for the tip weight? If you do take that with you in the event you want to fine tune it.

Have a good trip!

 

[KHEXX]

Great idea! Thanks for the info! Gotta try and dig up the box with the extra weights. Any idea what my buddy needs to do on a 07 apex rtx bone stock?

 

[revster]

Great idea! Thanks for the info! Gotta try and dig up the box with the extra weights. Any idea what my buddy needs to do on a 07 apex rtx bone stock?

Sorry best to talk to the Apex guys. But he could always grab some used Apex MTN weights and springs for a cheap fix.

 

[minks_698]

For the elevations you'll encounter in Colorado I would also recommend gearing it down. I rode the bighorns in '11 with stock gearing (8-10,000') and ran 2 teeth lower gearing for Colorado in 12'. (8-12,000) The difference is noticeble and helps regain the lost punch.
Otherwise elevation has a way of making the Nytro feel very Phazer like.
The gear is cheap. If you just stick to trails it won't matter much, but any off trail play or hillclimbing will tax the sled trying to pull the big stock gear.