Shim my skis, or is this normal?

[Q. Arrius]

These are off of my '12 Apex SE, with Curve skis. I believe the rubbers are the stock Yamaha.
The Apex was set aside as a back-up sled / Let the friend ride it sled.

On our last trip, my buddy complained the skis got pushed around and couldn't make its own track. I'm ashamed to say, I disregarded it and wrote off as operator error ect.

A few weeks later, I'm prep'n for a saddlebag trip, and decide I don't need to headache of taking the SW this time.....it's too much of a snow princess, always requiring perfect snow.

So I give the Apex a once over.....and sure enough, slim Jims are wore out.

Is it possible the carbides broke off....and then the steel wore down? Or so much front pressure the carbide inserts never stood a chance?

I have the Apex set to perfection. This thing handles better than the SW.

Q. Arrius

 

[gitrdun]

Lots of questions. Do both sides look the same? Do you see any sign of fractures? Do you have shims now? How bad were your riding conditions?

 

[Q. Arrius]

Both skis/sets of runners wore down the same. I installed new runners with some shims under the pads. I'm really surprised they wore so quickly....probably 1500 miles all in pretty good snow. Only the typical road crossings and gas. At least now I know to check how the next set is wearing.

Q. Arrius

 

[gitrdun]

If that is just wear, I would have guessed that you put on more miles in the summer than in the winter. I have studboy deuce bars on mountain skis with a 3/16 shim under the heel, that have 5800 miles on them, wearing evenly and I'm estimating still 95 percent there. So lets hope the shim makes the difference for you in wear, and should in handling also.

 

[Q. Arrius]

Update: I installed some shims and tested them for about 500 miles. I probably overdid the thickness.....just short of 1/2" under the rear of the pad.

The skis absolutely rode more level......but I found I'd float and push more in the corners. I removed them and rode another 500 without the shins.

I found the skis bit better and I had better control in corners. I could feel a bit more drag when opening it up.

I'm keeping the shims out in favor of railing through the corners. I'll simply keep better track of the slim Jim conditions.

Q. Arrius

 

[Grimm]

Install a thinner pair of shims or you'll see your runners wear just like the old set... learn from your previous experience.