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Written by Ed Bouffard
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Wednesday, 09 November 2011 09:58 |
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Question from Andy - Ashland OR
1. I recently used a pulk on a day here in Oregon when it was sunny and probably 40 (going mostly uphill). That was the hardest I've worked in a while. As I looked back at the track it looked almost like the bottom of the sled was sticking. This is a common problem with skis here since it is so warm. Have you ever heard of waxing the bottom of the sled? Have you ever heard of something easy to spray on? I'm hoping you've heard of this. The next day it was 20 degrees cooler and it was like I wasn't pulling anything.
2. Also, the way the front of the orange sled is it can act like a snow scoop. Have you ever heard of heating it and bending it up? I'm worried about strength and getting in the way of the poles if I bend i up.
By the way my purchase led to the purchase of two of the fiberglass sleds by Crater Lake National Park. I'm on ski patrol there. It's a small world and they are a help. Thanks for doing your business!
Answer from Ed
The polyethylene sled is the same as an inexpensive (non sintered) ski base. While it doesn't have to be waxed most of the time; in the right conditions waxing certainly helps. That is why I started selling Maxi Glide. It is more of an issue with fiberglass but in the right conditions it is an issue with poly as well. There are several paste wax type items out there- I really do not know which is best but I have heard good things about Maxi Glide so I became a dealer with them. Another product I played with was a spray on coating for snow shovels. I really don't know yet which is best as we seldom have the right snow conditions in MN when I have time off.
I have heard of people planning to bend the front rim of the Paris up or down but have not heard back from them. You can not cut it off (customers have tried that with no success) as it is required for rigidity, but it can be bent (you will need a heat gun). Let me know how it works for you.
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