HELP.....144 or 192????

[**sj**]

you might want to go to a company with experience on this subject...it's been beaten to death...bergstrom skegs has a nice write up....basically even the giant...woodys has flipped/flopped back and forth...

I personally wouldnt give credance to snowstuds (accord) ...
IMHO if you want traction..hookup ...its a s close the rails as poss....if you only center belt it....you will not corner as well....
the are of the center most portion (inner 1/3)of the track is the worst area to stud and has the least affect and support....although on the ripsaw/hacksaw's since the rubber is so soft the outside needs special care as well.

 

[Blue Dave]

SNOWDOG,

I have 144 Fast Trac Top Gun II 1.375" in the V pattern that puts a stud on each side of the outside of the rail every other row. This set-up works great for me. Only slight scratches in my muffler bracket

I have always used these studs and this pattern on all of my previous sleds. I have had a few pull outs on the outsides on past sleds mostly due to "stupid" riding on my part. However I have had no pull outs or bent studs so far on my Apex.

I also always have used the Fast Trac round Air Lite XL polymer backers and the stainless nylock nuts. I know "plastic" backers received a bad reputation dating back to the cheap Sno Stuff backers with the built in nut that were absolute junk.

I can honestly say that I have never cracked, bent, or lost a single Fast Trac polymer backer in the 20K + hard miles that I have put on all of my sleds with these backers. Plenty of gouges & scratches but that is the only damage that I could inflict despite my best efforts to destroy them.

The polymer backers are lighter than aluminum, stronger than steel, available in round, square, double, and in colors that will not fade or wear off, and they are virtually indestructable.

I prefer the round ones because some of the square ones will always turn slightly after a while which would require me to have to re-straighten them because I have OCD!

 

[BADSLED]

SNOWDOG,



The polymer backers are lighter than aluminum, stronger than steel, available in round, square, double, and in colors that will not fade or wear off, and they are virtually indestructable.

I was considering of going with these for weight savings. However, durability has always been my concern. This just might make my decision a little easier.

 

[SledFreak]

What's tthe price difference.

 

[Blue Dave]

Here is the page for the polymer backers from Fast Trac's website. I have also seen them sold on Dennis Kirk and other online retailers.

http://www.fasttractraction.com/backers.htm

Guys, I used to run both steel & aluminum backers. I had many bent backers, and I honestly believe that the metal backers act as a cutter to actually make complete pull throughs more likely.

I have run the polymer backers now on my last 4 sleds for a combined 20K+ miles total of hard riding without a single cracked, bent, or lost backer. I also have turned all of my riding buddies onto these as well after they saw how they held up under my abuse.

 

[BlueStroke]

I read the guide for installing studs at both locations they both make interesting points. It stand to make sense the studs closes to the rails will have the most effect because that where the downward force is the greatest. That why I choose the woody 144 single stud pattern. I wouldn't buy from bergstrom skegs because they sell screwed in studs , aren't they illegal and would you ride behind someone who had them?

 

[SLEDSTART]

SNOWDOG,

I have 144 Fast Trac Top Gun II 1.375" in the V pattern that puts a stud on each side of the outside of the rail every other row. This set-up works great for me. Only slight scratches in my muffler bracket

I have always used these studs and this pattern on all of my previous sleds. I have had a few pull outs on the outsides on past sleds mostly due to "stupid" riding on my part. However I have had no pull outs or bent studs so far on my Apex.

I also always have used the Fast Trac round Air Lite XL polymer backers and the stainless nylock nuts. I know "plastic" backers received a bad reputation dating back to the cheap Sno Stuff backers with the built in nut that were absolute junk.

I can honestly say that I have never cracked, bent, or lost a single Fast Trac polymer backer in the 20K + hard miles that I have put on all of my sleds with these backers. Plenty of gouges & scratches but that is the only damage that I could inflict despite my best efforts to destroy them.

The polymer backers are lighter than aluminum, stronger than steel, available in round, square, double, and in colors that will not fade or wear off, and they are virtually indestructable.

I prefer the round ones because some of the square ones will always turn slightly after a while which would require me to have to re-straighten them because I have OCD!

Blue Dave,

I too am sold on the Fast Trac studs. I have used them in my last 3 sleds and have had many friends try them They really are a great stud.

Went and saw the guys from Fast Trac at the Milwaukee show.

I bought 3 sets of 144 studs and paid cash. The deal he gave was unreal.
I bought the other 2 sets for 2 friends who bought new sleds (Cats) at the end of last season. Lets just say WITH the S.S. nuts and backers he was well under $2 a stud. Spankys was WAY MORE for the woodys and that was their "show special" I think those are the only 2 i would run...and when all said and done It was a HUGE savings...

I as well have rarely lost a fast trac stud and very few bent. Like you said...those were from hammering the throttle when I should not have.

 

[Blue Dave]

SNOWDOG,

Which Fast Trac backers did you buy?

 

[SLEDSTART]

Went square. Did round on the last few sleds. Gonna try these. I like the thought that these might have a bit more support.

 

[Blue Dave]

Polymer, steel, or Aluminum? If Polymer, which color?

 

[SLEDSTART]

Polymer, steel, or Aluminum? If Polymer, which color?

I did not think fast trac had anything but polymer. I did the red poly.

 

[Blue Dave]

Fast Trac does offer steel and aluminum backers in both round and square. However I do not know why anybody would use metal backers when the polymer backers are lighter and more durable.

Guys, these polymer backers from Fast Trac are the "real deal". I was skeptical myself when I first used them many years ago. I have yet to crack, break, bend, or loose one despite my best "torture testing"

Trust me, if anybody could damage these backers I could. That is exactly why all of my riding buddies have switched to them after seeing me not being able to damage them despite my best efforts to do so!

 

[RTX Rox]

With you guys running the .1450 studs do you double up the tunnel protectors or do anything extra so you don't smash up your exhaust? I know my exhaust and the plate in front of it had a few scuffs in it and I only had 96 .1325's for last season. I want to run a taller stud but didn't want worse damage.

 

[SledFreak]

So how much weight are we saving to an aluminum backer?

 

[Blue Dave]

I called Fast Trac 1-800-497-3485 and the lady that answered the phone did not know the exact weight difference but assured me that they are lighter.

I have a few extra round Airlite XL backers that I can weigh on a digital scale at work. I do not however have any aluminum backers to weigh.

For me the supposed lighter weight of the polymer backers is just an added bonus. The unbelievable durability of these backers for me is the real advantage.