Baller Ryota Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 Hey Ballers! Which you prefer to use Wide handle or Narrow Handle for slalom? and Why? Is this depend on one's preference? or there are some profit to use wide/narrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 Wide (13"), otherwise I always seem to grab the handle between my index and middle finger, vs my entire hand. Also prefer curved FWIW, as I don't seem to get as tired in the arms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 Narrow. Less chance of an over the head especially with a guard. Wide handles seem to pull from the outside corners initially before they hook up for me. Just doesn't feel right. I misgrab both equally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jayski Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 Wide... was my choice always but I was asked once while getting coached why do you have such a wide handle and keep your hands so close together...theory was/is that with your hands as far as they can be it allows space between your arms to push your chest up through, narrow grip inhibits it more...most strength pulling/pushing movements are hands shoulder width apart...maybe we need even wider handles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ DW Posted October 5, 2018 Baller_ Share Posted October 5, 2018 Wide - 13" so I don't hook fingers outside, small diameter, bent to reduce tendinitis. Personal preference. Add arm/head guard to all handles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller WIRiverRat Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 I prefer a wide handle. I seem to miss the handle a lot less, amazing what that inch difference can make. I am probably one of the very few who also much prefer a .94 diameter. I find I can hold that in a different spot in my hands and I almost never have a tear on my hands anymore and can hold on much longer. Anything 1in and above I hold low in my palms and rip my hands constantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ski_Dad Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 i really like my 13" Masterline handle - seems perfect size to me. I don't care for the curved handles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller RazorRoss3 Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 The number of times I split fingers on my 13, I'd wiff the handle completely on a 12. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted October 5, 2018 Baller_ Share Posted October 5, 2018 I skied for years with a 12” handle and went to a 13” for some of the reasons that @jayski listed (less separation of handle from body when you can push your chest through your arms). I’ve had to use an old 12” handle twice this year, including last night, when my 13” needing restringing and again when I broke the head/arm guard on the 13”. I find I greatly prefer the 13” and really just can’t go back to the 12”. It’s very noticeable. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 I can't go back either. I'd wiff the handle every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z_skier Posted October 5, 2018 Share Posted October 5, 2018 I use a 13" (wide), but definitely a personal preference. I dock-started a record slalom tournament and noticed a WIDE variety of handles among the top skiers. There was little to no trend in the handles as each was very unique to the skier, almost all were different combinations of length / diameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 Do you have man hands or feminine hands? jk. But it does depend on how wide your hands are. If I allow for a 1" gap between my hands, I have about 1" on either end before the end caps on a 12" handle. The extra 1/2" on each end makes a difference... If you ski a 13 for awhile and then go back to a 12, it is a big difference. At least for me. That is why I ski a 13 Ergo, as there is even some useable handle out past the normal end caps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jipster43 Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 I just switched from a 12” US Gear radius handle to a 12” Masterline curved handle. The radius feels much more like a traditional 13”. The difference between the two is most noticeable on the dock and when I’m out of the course. Once I’m rounding bouys I don’t seem to notice. I have the custom carbon handle and once the arm protector is installed, the weight difference doesn’t seem all that noticeable either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bigskieridaho Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 12” bent In-tow is what I use. Reduces strain on my elbows and helps me keep the handle to my hips being narrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Chef23 Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 To some extent I think an important factor is how wide your shoulders are. I feel a little cramped on a 12" handle although I can use one with no problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Than_Bogan Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 I would venture a guess that "most" people will slightly prefer a 13" handle. However, I am 100% with @thager and I prefer the 12" for the same reasons. The biggest thing I notice with a larger handle is that I'll get my two hands biased to one side rather easily, and the weird torque that results feels terrible to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted October 5, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 5, 2018 @Gloersen i thought super narrow like 11" and I also seem to recall small diameter tube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Zman Posted October 6, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 6, 2018 13" bent Masterline is my current favorite. But, also use a 12 inch straight Masterline. Like it about as much. It's a handle. Good point about the safety of a 12. It won't fit over my head. I could show a pic a very ugly arm I got about 15 years ago though. But I won't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller A_B Posted October 6, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 6, 2018 Maybe I have a big head but the 13” Ergo would be hard pressed to get over my head. Different yoke not as long. Not impossible but would have to be just right or wrong, depending how you look at it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ RichardDoane Posted October 6, 2018 Baller_ Share Posted October 6, 2018 Brenda ties 11" handles for me, after I put a slight bend in them. The shorter handle helps me keep my elbows pinned to the vest. It takes a little getting used to, but mis-grabs are rare when I'm paying attention. And if you have hem tied with pink rope, no one will take by mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted October 6, 2018 Administrators Share Posted October 6, 2018 12" only for 40+ years. 13" handles feel all wrong. Goode ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki ★ Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes Drop a dime in the can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller sunvalleylaw Posted October 6, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 6, 2018 Hey @bigskieridaho , which way is your handle bent? For my elbow problems I had a couple years ago, it would have been better for the handle to be bent like a moustache rather than a smile. Like how hands would be on swept back handle bars. Seems like most bent bars are the other way, and when I tried that, I did not like it. Fortunately, my elbows felt better after a season's rest, and some exercises, and I have not had trouble with my small diameter 13. I like your theory on the hips. I might try a 12 to see how that works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bigskieridaho Posted October 6, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 6, 2018 @sunvalleylaw bent ARS handle. No elbow problems since. Bent the normal radius style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted October 6, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 6, 2018 @Gloersen Andy Mapple used 10" handle have no idea what diameter, when I asked him why such a small handle he suggested that you are stronger with your hands closer together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted October 6, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 6, 2018 My proprioception isn't good enough to use anything smaller than a 13. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller KRoundy Posted October 7, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 7, 2018 I have a 13" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shansen345 Posted October 7, 2018 Share Posted October 7, 2018 13-inch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted October 8, 2018 Baller_ Share Posted October 8, 2018 12" I'm with @Horton. Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Golfguy Posted October 8, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2018 Agree with @steveieboy. I feel stronger with hands close together. Think of a tug of war with a big rope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller igkya Posted October 8, 2018 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2018 13" bent, cause I got a big butt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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