Why are the idler wheels smaller on 2020+?

[74Nitro]

Trail sleds obviously need wheels and a number of people have stated that the 2019+ idler wheels don't last. I started looking into the wheels and found they were smaller and was looking for a reason.

I have Duponts on my 2017 but they are likely not worth the cost on these sleds vs the Apex or Vector. In addition, if the 19+ style idler wheels need to be replaced, there is no reason to stay with the smaller 5.5" diameter.

The factories equip sleds with idler wheels as they know that sometimes riders will encounter less than ideal conditions.
This year, the conditions were so good everytime I went out I could have ran the entire season without idlers.

 

[Simplespeed]

When drag racing and speed running, we'd take all the wheels completely off, even moved the back wheels upwards on the rails to ride strictly on the hyfax which proved to be faster than running on any wheels. This of course proved the Hyfax wasn't hot and sticking slowing things down. We used to be able to use slide lube too however. Running the track over the wheels slowed the machine down every time. Wheels and rollers were only used for asphalt and grass sleds in dry summer conditions.... Just saying.

Perhaps Duponts are in order for some of you worried about a few thousand's in wheel diameter and way overthinking it.

Its not the speed that is important to some , its the gas mileage to make those runs where you either get the mileage or you run out before you find fuel.. Its also the replacement of parts that can be avoided with changes. As winters get shorter and riders get older some prefer to spend less but still enjoy the sport anyway, I try and get the best mileage and I carry 2 1/2 gallons extra not only for my use if needed but for others in need if they may need help which was the case once this winter.. I also run on alot of ice ( miles and miles ) and sometimes snow conditions are lets just say minimal.. Larger wheels work well and adding wheels helps.

 

[Daveo99]

When drag racing and speed running, we'd take all the wheels completely off, even moved the back wheels upwards on the rails to ride strictly on the hyfax which proved to be faster than running on any wheels. This of course proved the Hyfax wasn't hot and sticking slowing things down. We used to be able to use slide lube too however. Running the track over the wheels slowed the machine down every time. Wheels and rollers were only used for asphalt and grass sleds in dry summer conditions.... Just saying.

Perhaps Duponts are in order for some of you worried about a few thousand's in wheel diameter and way overthinking it.

I remember the nytro xtx rail was tipped up 6 degrees. The Polaris assault is tipped 2.8 degrees. The new Polaris xcr rails are tipped up a little bit also. Mike do you remember how much you moved the rear axle up in the rail? I'm assuming you had to machine the hyfax at an angle also to help feed the track into the rear wheels. All with helping the track / studs pull out of the racing surface.

 

[KnappAttack]

I remember the nytro xtx rail was tipped up 6 degrees. The Polaris assault is tipped 2.8 degrees. The new Polaris xcr rails are tipped up a little bit also. Mike do you remember how much you moved the rear axle up in the rail? I'm assuming you had to machine the hyfax at an angle also to help feed the track into the rear wheels. All with helping the track / studs pull out of the racing surface.

Correct. The idea is to lift the studs out of the ice before needing to roll around the rear wheels. It's worth quite a bit for speed and of course the OEM's found this out with their tipped up rails with the track lugs too. It robs a lot of power to roll on wheels and also pull studs or a track out of the snow going around the rear wheels, tipping the rails is a good efficient way to get this accomplished. Many found out the tipped rail machines would run quicker and faster on top end. I was just doing it on a smaller scale and "under the radar" so to speak what no one even noticed the change. Of course people could see there were not wheels in the suspension, but no one noticed the smaller rear wheels that had also been moved higher on the rail. All legal mind you per the rulebook, but things not everyone was thinking about or doing back then. Of course I'd tried and tested everything. I knew what worked and what didn't thru years of extensive and verified testing. I could write a book on a bunch of failed experiments and of course good go fast items too, but more often than not, the trick go fast items were complete duds. The really good stuff was the things you learned and kept to yourself, but more often than not however, people would sooner or later learn about the little tricks like this anyway.