stevenknapp
Extreme
Looking at my RS Rage on the trailer comparing it to other sleds, I notice that the keel of my ski is much taller that most. Also when I look at the marks made in the snow my Rage only sits on the keel, where the others you see the footprint of the whole ski.
Then I looked into the specs, the Rage gets the "Deep Keel- Aggressive Trail" skis, where the Vector gets the "Mid Keel - Trail Performance" ski. Probably for better off trail performance...which I doubt I ever really use.
I know people do a lot fo things to lower COG, like take off front ski shock preload. Would it be wise to consider a swap to the mid keel ski for better handling on the rage? Wouldn't this lower the front end almost an inch on most hardpack surfaces?
I was thinking about finding a used/takeoff set as a cheap "upgrade". (most are asking $200 for $180 of skis
). Any thoughts?
Then I looked into the specs, the Rage gets the "Deep Keel- Aggressive Trail" skis, where the Vector gets the "Mid Keel - Trail Performance" ski. Probably for better off trail performance...which I doubt I ever really use.
I know people do a lot fo things to lower COG, like take off front ski shock preload. Would it be wise to consider a swap to the mid keel ski for better handling on the rage? Wouldn't this lower the front end almost an inch on most hardpack surfaces?
I was thinking about finding a used/takeoff set as a cheap "upgrade". (most are asking $200 for $180 of skis
). Any thoughts?Phantom
Expert
I never realized the difference in the ski for the two sleds. I guess I need to pay a little more attention to the specs!
This could explain why I felt the steering effort was similar to the C&A pros i had on my XLT.
This could explain why I felt the steering effort was similar to the C&A pros i had on my XLT.
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
I never knew that they were different either. Hmmm. I loved my C&A's on my last sled because of the agressive keel...
stevenknapp
Extreme
So is the deeper keel better for handling?
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
stevenknapp said:
Should be better handling for aggressive trail riding, offering more bite in corners on semi hard packed trails. There would be more vertical area to help keep the sled from "pushing" on corners in the packed snow.
The C&A Pros have quite a tall keel for this purpose, and the racing version has the same height keel but with full length 90 degree (non-mitered) edges for even more bite.
sledheadgeorge
TY 4 Stroke God
Although they both have a very agressive keel, C&A'S have much better floatation compared to the OEM skis.
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
sledheadgeorge said:
Right, they are wider. I've used them a couple of times and really liked them. I'd like to eventually have a pair on my Vector. If the Rage and Vector skis are actually different, I'd choose the Rage skis over the Vectors if the keel was taller.
Phantom
Expert
The reason for the aggresive skis on the Rage is to counteract the longer track.
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
Phantom said:
Makes sense. Seems like they'd help on a studded Vector also.
Yama-Crazy
VIP Member
I didn't realize this either...great observation! 
I love the way mine handle in the turns and in loose powder groomed trails it bites well! Especially with a Bergstrom 1/2 rod with the ski-saver which would make the keel even deeper and give it a little groove on both sides of the keel like a slydog ski. 
I love the way mine handle in the turns and in loose powder groomed trails it bites well! Especially with a Bergstrom 1/2 rod with the ski-saver which would make the keel even deeper and give it a little groove on both sides of the keel like a slydog ski. 
