lakeside7455 Posted August 27, 2019 Share Posted August 27, 2019 I believe it is a big disadvantage to ski an old rope and handle, they lose their power after time, get too stretched out, and you don't get the slingshot effect to get over and free of the boat. It is much better to switch handles and ropes out to keep this freshness and slingshot power. How long to keep them depends on how much you ski, I'd say 2 years max, less if you go a lot. Every year is safest. If you ski a stretched out rope and go to a new one you will realize what you are missing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted August 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2019 @Killer Google LakeElmoSports. Charles Gay has what you need. No idea if Charles is related to Russel Gay of Masterline but his service is also outstanding! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted August 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2019 @Horton yes to 1. About 50 sets per New England season, and 2. Skiing between -15 and -32. I started to notice that it was feeling stiff about mid summer this year so I got a new one that’s ready to go. Four of us have In-Tows and all are getting the same wear, a good 4 to 5 years from them. Carefully coiled up and hung in the shade to dry after every use. My 12” ARS hardly shows any wear on the rubber and there’s basically no fraying on the rope. Amara gloves seem to help with the rubber too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MDB1056 Posted August 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2019 @thager - that's way cool. Going to have to try that. I've actually used tennis / racquet grip tape - thin black tacky stuff to re-wrap a handle that the rubber had dried out on - but was never used. Wilson grip wrap at Wrap at Wal Mart was about $2. Worked great and lasted a couple of months before unraveling. Love yor idea even better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Brewski Posted August 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2019 FYI I tried calling US Gear (main number and Randy's cell) for 3 days and gave up...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Killer Posted August 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2019 @Andre thanks! ribs are good now. Took about 3 weeks to ski again. Only bruised not broken. Heel up! @thager thanks, I get emails from them, have for years and never bought anything! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted August 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2019 @Horton You need to warn Jeff Rogers about his handle! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted August 27, 2019 Administrators Share Posted August 27, 2019 @Brewski add that to the reasons I get so aggravated when some Ballers continue recommend US Gear. I forget how much money doing business with them.... Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Become a Supporting Member or make a One-time Donation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Horton Posted August 27, 2019 Administrators Share Posted August 27, 2019 @ALPJr total 200 light sets and no extreme heat or direct sunlight. That makes sense. Goode ★ HO Syndicate ★ KD Skis ★ MasterCraft ★ PerfSki Radar ★ Reflex ★ S Lines ★ Stokes ★ Baller Video Coaching System Become a Supporting Member or make a One-time Donation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller scuppers Posted August 28, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2019 Normally buy Masterline Custom Grip handles from Performance, they hold up very well, pull straight no issues at all - but just two weeks ago I tried In Tow and I like them better!! Have both the poly and the spectra and both are light and just look better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller scuppers Posted August 28, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2019 PS. Forget US Gear - yes the curved design is really cool but the guy is impossible to do business with. Really a shame Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Cent Posted August 28, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2019 I have both Masterline and In Tow. I prefer the InTow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ScottScott Posted August 28, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2019 Masterline will restring your handles. I plan on dropping mine off soon for restringing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted August 28, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2019 @Killer sent the handle or handles to Masterline. They will restring them. Generally the rope will wear out before the grip. Before they are restrung you need to look at the grommets to see what type of snap they are in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller JaredSmith Posted August 28, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2019 I have also tried Masterline and In Tow, I also prefer In Tow handles. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted September 1, 2019 Baller Share Posted September 1, 2019 My first attempt at making a US Gear like handle. Had to do a bit of MacGyvering to make it work. Skied ok but I think the large radius bends will flex and eventually fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 7, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 7, 2019 Wanted to start a new post but computer is messed up. Decided to make a new handle out of some 3/4" hex tubing covered with rubber. Getting the rubber auto hose over the 1/8" X 3/4 "x 12" tubing was a battle but patience and soapy water makes it doable. Am pleased with the result! Really like the feel of the hexagonal surface . Depending on where you drill the rope holes you get a normal feel or an eliptical feel to the gripping area. Cost about $14.00 to make and my time. You tube has any help you need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted October 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2019 When you were mandrel bending did you anneal the bar? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Brewski Posted October 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2019 @thager great job. now make it float. Hint: boil the rubber before putting it on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2019 @BraceMaker No, that 1" aluminum was not hardened like T6. I had it left over from my bimini project. Bends easily. Next time I will pack the tubing with sand and increase the bend angle. @Brewski Thx. for the tip! I did heat it in hot water but did not boil it. Next time I will also fine sand/polish the ends and wax the hex tubing. I think the points were catching. Floating the US Gear clone should be easy enough. Spray foam into the 1/16" tube and wrap foam inside the plastic sleeves should be more than enough. The Hex handle will be tougher as the 1/8" thick tube is hefty but foaming the core will help along with foam inside the protector sleeves . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted October 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2019 Thinking you really may need to bring the bar back to a harder state in order not to bend If you were to spray foam you might rather stuff Eva in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2019 @BraceMaker Probably right but I think most of the USGear handle strength comes from the rope fighting opposite the force of the pull. The handle I deconstructed was only 1/16 inch thick hollow round aluminum. Only foam I found was a rolled up foam sheet in the plastic protector sleeves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted October 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2019 Before we runaway with the idea that certain handles are more durable than others, Lets just remember the varables, Type of Gloves, Speed, Line Length, number of sets per week, how much you weigh, how you store your handle and maybe even the way you grip the handle. I have a few callouses on my hands, my ski buddy has none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Alberto Soares Posted October 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 8, 2019 Masterline custom 12 x 1.18, progear gloves, 73kg (160 lbs), into 38, rubber lasts max 2 years (about 600 sets total) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shakeski Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 I am impressed with the quality and durability of Masterline - however as someone who likes to mix gear up a lot - I am very interested in In-Tow at the moment - might be my choice for next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Garn Posted October 10, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 10, 2019 I absolutely love HO's new Syndicate handle. It is accurate and the quality is 2nd to none. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 2Valve Posted October 11, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 11, 2019 What makes a handle good? It's 2nd life is used to take the pooch for walk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 12, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 12, 2019 Skied my self made hexagonal handle last night (see above) and really like it! Grip is awesome and comfortable. Didn't a handle manufacturer once make slalom hex handles? Can't remember who it was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skialex Posted October 12, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 12, 2019 @thager did you glue the rubber on the hexagonal bar? What adhesive did you use? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 12, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 12, 2019 No glue. Fit was very tight. Took me almost an hour to get rubber hose on until I figured out a shortcut. Sharp hex edges and tight fit keep rubber grip from twisting. Felt like any other modern handle I own except those flattened hex panels fit so nicely into my fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller KKelly Posted October 13, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 13, 2019 @thager It was a Pro Line Phase II. I still have mine from the 80's. I'm thinking about getting it re-strung so I can use it again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted October 14, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 14, 2019 meant to hit draft. Disregard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dave2ball Posted October 14, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 14, 2019 @KKelly the phase 2 handle is great. If you can get it restrung do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller KKelly Posted October 15, 2019 Baller Share Posted October 15, 2019 @dave2ball I agree about the Phase II handle. I looked for a new one when I started skiing again about 5 years ago but the shape obviously isn't popular any more. As @thager said the flat spots made it fit my hands nicely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller FOB69 Posted November 7, 2019 Baller Share Posted November 7, 2019 What king of snap bushing do you use in the tube holes of your homemade Handles ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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