Looking for advise / feedback on the Ice Ripper XT track

[VectorLTX2012]

Ouch!

 

[DigitalFusion]

yeah, tore a doublebacker out. It took what was a nice track and destroyed it by ripping a 6" gash from one window to the next stud.

Studs are awesome, until something like this happens. I'll stick with the ice ripper!

 

[Force4000]

I have had a fully clipped Ice Ripper XT now on my 06 Apex RTX for about 600 miles... I fucking love this track!! I ride very aggressive and I can say this track overall performs up to par with my old Ripsaw which had 240 studs. I am fairly confident I can out corner myself now because the sled doesn't push as much, off the line on Ice I probably lost a little grab but it still hooks hard, in fact I popped a vert wheelie sitting on my seat just messing around in the field the other day... My sled never did that once in the last 2 years I owned it with the ripsaw. Braking is OK, I have had more close calls this year then last, It could be my eye sight is getting shitty but I think the Ripsaw with 240 does stop at a much faster rate. I can say also that after 600 miles the studs are just as sharp as they were from day 1, and they seem to have kind of popped out allowing for even more stud grab!

Overall:
Aggressive trail riding: Great
Overall riding: Great
Braking: Good

Riding experience: 13/14 years

 

[Blue Dave]

Thanks for the feedback. I agree 100% on the reduced braking performance compared to studs. I will compensate by allowing more stopping distance but of course you can not plan for emergency stopping.

Overall I think that it is a good compromise and I think that I am going to really like this track on the groomed trails. Once we get some decent snow I will be able to find out for sure.

I see that your track has the frayed threads along the edge and in the track windows just like mine did. The guy I bought mine from said that it was like that when it was new and that it was normal. I didn't like the way it looked so I burned all of the frayed threads off with a lighter.

Do you have your outer rear wheels removed or does it just look that way in your picture? Welcome to TY! Please add your location to your profile.

 

[Force4000]

Yea I was actually replacing my Hi-Fax when I took that pic so it looks a bit funky haha. Mine was frayed like that when I purchased it new, I havnt really thought anything of it but Ill probably burn them off like you did. Thanks for the response! I know youll enjoy yours as much as I am

 

[yamadoo]

I have an Apex with 128 ice ripper and a Vector 121with 96 studs.

Both work but likely will be adding fat head studs to the ripper as take offs and braking are 'less inspiring' .

 

[Blue Dave]

My Ice Ripper XT track has a warning message molded right into the rubber which states "do not install studs". Although I know that some guys have added studs to an Ice Ripper track without problems. However for me this would defeat the entire purpose of having the peace of mind not worrying about stud tear outs and damaged exhaust/heat exchanger.

 

[blackattak]

I love mine on my Attak. I wanted it for safety in icy conditions & that's exactly what it is. Rear end doesn't swing around out of control, brakes decently on ice. Much better than non studded, but not the same as studded. A real happy medium track. My previous track was studded btw.

 

[yamadoo]

A happy medium is probably just the right discription.

I was toldby experienced dealor, it is a single ply track and if to stud would be better to use 'fatheads' as my track also says DO NOT STUD.

Like BlueDave I was going for peace of mind- avoid pull through, heat exchanger damage etc. Yet I hate it when sleds I know I am quicker than leave me with better acceleration traction. I also worry about the rare 'Holy Crap turn or blocked trail that I have been able to slow or stop for with the studs over the past years.

I probably should just get over it. If we ever get snow and start to ride trails, not ice / lakes maybe I won't feel the need to stud the ripper.

 

[Blue Dave]

Well guys I have about 500 miles on the Ice Ripper XT now and I can honestly say that I have no regrets. It certainly is not as good as studs on glare ice but I knew that full well when I made the switch and I bought it for trail riding not ice drags.

After getting used to it and adjusting my riding style accordingly I can ride just as fast with this track as I did with studs. In fact after a while I completely forgot that I had changed tracks. However a couple of glare ice corners on the North Shore trail reminded me and got my attention quickly.

All things considered (especially including the peace of mind not worrying about stud tear outs and heat exchanger / exhaust system damage) I am very happy with my decision and I would highly recommend this track to anybody that is an aggressive trail rider but that does not care about ice racing.

 

[Daranello]

I got the ICE ATTACK XT, its based on the new Ripsaw II and I love it!!!

 

[YammyRX1]

Are you noticing any difference in Hyfax wear?

 

[Daranello]

Are you noticing any difference in Hyfax wear?

Well I put dupont slidders on so now I have zero wear ....track is fully clipped and the clips are SOLID...I did have a ice ripper before and IMO the ice attack XT is a far superior track

 

[Blue Dave]

Are you noticing any difference in Hyfax wear?

I put a set of new standard slides on at the same time as the track replacement and I destroyed them in 70 miles of riding in very poor conditions. I then put a set of Dupont slides on and they have zero wear after 500 miles of riding in mixed conditions. I expected that the fully clipped design with the "cheese grater" clips would be harder on the slides. However I was riding in terrible conditions so it was not a fair test.

I started a thread elsewhere asking the same question regarding slide wear on fully clipped vs partially clipped tracks and the feedback was about 50/50 both ways. Guy's were arguing the merits of both designs with respect to rubber vs metal friction and trapping snow (or dirt) vs letting fresh snow (or dirt) in and out easier. For me it a moot point now that I have the Dupont slides. I am sure that this is the last set of slides I will be buying for this sled.

 

[YammyRX1]

My Iceripper ate slides until I added Pioneer wheel kit and scratchers and it is only partially clipped (every third?) so I'm at a loss to explain it but most people are finding the same problem.