Curve's vs Split Rails

[SteelerJim]

I am planning to get a set of ski's to replace the stock junkers on my XTX. I do mostly trail riding but prefer off trail riding when conditions allow. I am concerned about floatation and price is secondary to performance. I don't know anyone with either brand. Which should I get?

 

[Super Sled]

Are you limited to those two brands? I've heard good things about both. However, you might also want to check out Simmons Gen 1's or Gen 3's. Or Slydog Powder Hounds would also fit your riding style.

 

[SteelerJim]

I was considering Pilot 6.9s before as well. But trail performance is very important (anti darting also desireable) as I live in Pennsylvania where we rarely have more than 2 feet of snow and trails get beat down fast. I have read that powderhounds aren't great on trails.

 

[Sevey]

Split Rail

Saw your post re skiis. I was not happy with the factory skiis on my 2010 Nytro. Tried doolies, but frankly they sucked - lots of drag, poor fuel mileage and tons of push in the corners.

Took a flyer on the Split Rails - best thing I ever bought for the sled. Well worth the g-note. They enhanced the handling so much it was unreal. i went from hanging on and braking in corners at the back of the pack to being up front and loosing the crowd when I wanted to.

In my opinion, this skiis forte is rough tore up trails. The wors the trail, the better they are. Very stable, very predictable. You can actually place the sled exactly where you want it - at any speed. Do a constant 60kmph through a forest or 110kmph corner on a wide open field. Pretty cool.

As for deep snow, I never noticed a difference. Ran it through some 4' drifts last winter with no problem. Never once got stuck. Its a great design and made my Nytro a different sled.

Good luck

MS

 

[Super Sled]

You could also check out Simmons. They are awesome for trail cruising. No darting and track very straight. I think every ski us a compromise and will have plusses along with negatives.

The Split Rails do really intrigue me. They really do. But I've not heard if they have developed a spindle hook up for new or older Apex models. As of last spring they had not yet developed one to for the Apex, but maybe they have one now. Split Rail has said in the past they plan to develop one for the Apex. Heck, on Saturday maybe I'll just have to ask them at Hay Days.

I have Powder Hounds on my Mountain Viper and they are really good skis. Don't dart (I shim then 1/4 inch in the back of the rubber, ski savers, and triple points from Bergstrom) at all. They also ride very predictably and float like crazy. The best floating skis I've ever used perhaps. Some use them for fast riding and hard cornering, so set up right I think they willcorner well. On my Mt Viper they will push a tad during hard cornering, but I think that is more a function of my boon docking set up, I don't blame the skis at all.

I run Simmons Gen 1's on my Attak and like them. Very smooth tracking ski. Work on ice too. Float very, very well and maybe the best all around trail ski I've used. The scenario I do not like them is ice trails covered with 3 - 4 inches of slop/ powder. They float so well with the concave bottom they can float on top of the slop during very high speed cornering and lose their bite. That is their weakness is that scenario.

The best extreme cornering skis are the C&A models. The Razors, XT's, XTX's, and new MTX models. If you trail ride extremely aggressive, check them out.

But I've not heard of a single perfect ski. They all excell in certain aspects and have negatives in other areas, IMHO. So my advice is really analyze your primary riding style and get skis that match how you ride.

 

[SteelerJim]

Thanks for the input

 

[pro116]

simmons gen 3's.

 

[grizztracks]

Before replacing the stock junkers try shimming the rear of the ski rubbers about 3/16", set the toe out to 1/2" total and install 4.5 to 6" Studboy Deuce bars (single runner with two rows of carbide). I found this setup works well out on the NY, Pa trails. I've tried several different skis on my sled but eventually went back to the OEM ski setup because I believe it makes the Nytro's handling more predictable. I've since gone to the Curves but I've only got a few weeks of riding in on them so I can't give what I'd consider an accurate review. So far I'm very impressed with how they improve the Nytro's handling and up to this point haven't experienced anything negative about them.

 

[AKrider]

You owe it to yourself to grab a few beers, use the search feature and read all the reviews people have posted about skis and handling. I think by the end you'll have a nice buzz and save yourself a bunch of money.

The stock skis are 5" wide and don't float. For your use I'd recommend 6" wide skis in whatever color or shape you find appealing. I'd go 7-8" wide for off trail performance in deep, untracked, dry powder.

 

[SteelerJim]

I was drunk when I posted the question and the reading I've done on TY is why I am looking for different skis

 

[grizztracks]

You owe it to yourself to grab a few beers, use the search feature and read all the reviews people have posted about skis and handling. I think by the end you'll have a nice buzz and save yourself a bunch of money.

The stock skis are 5" wide and don't float. For your use I'd recommend 6" wide skis in whatever color or shape you find appealing. I'd go 7-8" wide for off trail performance in deep, untracked, dry powder.

Riding in PA or even NY doesn't require much floatation. Very seldom there is snow over a foot or two deep. In this area it's more important to have a good handling trail ski. The snow must get deeper with every beer in that part of PA.

 

[AKrider]

Great replies!

 

[larrypolaris]

Ski Doo 6.9 Pilots work great for me.. I tried USI X2's but they had heavy, heavy steering. Stock skis sink/push in deep snow.
Pilots float well and have easy steering. Very little darting.

 

[thetruck454]

I don't want to sound like I'm drinking the koolaid, but I highly reccommend curves. I did try shimming the stock ski's. Then I tried bergstrom tripple points on stock ski's. Then I tried C&A xtx ski's and now I've settled with the curves. They are not the best in any single area, but they do very well in all the areas (hard pack trail, soft trail, and powder). To rephrase what they say, they are also very predictable. They do tend to push slightly on the corners compare to the xtx skis', but its consistant, and the steering effort was much better than the xtx skis (its been too long since I used stock ski's).

On pure hard pack, the stock ski's, shimmed and with tripple points absolutely railed. As soon as there was soft snow on top or off trail, the front end sunk and pushed like crazy. The xtx ski's did great on hard pack and on soft stuff. The problem with them is after a 150+ mile day my shoulders were beat. Not to mention on the occasion they would push in loose snow.

I will not absolutly agree the curves are $$$, but for me it was money well spent because I found myself not being nearly as fustrated when the day was over

 

[newfie09xtx]

Ski Doo 6.9 Pilots work great for me.. I tried USI X2's but they had heavy, heavy steering. Stock skis sink/push in deep snow.
Pilots float well and have easy steering. Very little darting.

Skis are a hot topic on this site! What runners are you using on the 6.9 pilots? I am going back and forth between Pilot 6.9 and C & A trail. Am a bit nervous about the C&A's having heavy steering.