skibug

TW gave me the same advice, big moves. I was a little skeptical, not doubting TW, but uneasy about how I would handle it. Turns out big moves, both fin and binding, helped me get in the correct "zone" for binding location and fin concept, the old debate of long and shallow versus short and deep. Then little tweaks come into play.

D3 Neo 2 (rode 66 & 67)

Of all the things that had staying power in my bevy of skiing equipment, they were Randy's handles. I probably had 6 or 7 different rope brands/designs, 5 different boats (2 different brands), probably15 skis (maybe 6 different brands), and 5 different fin designs since I started using Randy's handles. They are the only piece of ski gear that I have not deviated from. RIP.

What a shame! I grew up skiing on Lake Webster (North Webster, Indiana), which is where Bart's is located. We were literally there, in the store, every weekend of the summer whether we were buying something or not. They were always great to deal with in person and then later on line. Customer Service was certainly one of their strengths. They were so great and so customer focused. It is difficult to see such a fixture of my childhood and teenage years fade away. Bart's will surely be missed, but not forgotten!!

@njriverriderI do not think the website is active anymore. His instructions to me were to use the email in what I have posted. You can call or text him if you have his number.

For the record I patronize a multitude of BOS advertisers/sponsors on the order of thousands of dollars a year, so I am not doing this to adversely impact the patronage of those companies. But, for those who cherish and are addicted to their US Gear handles, like I am, see below, This is what Randy sent me late last year. Sizes and ordering. When you place your order Ill need your Name, shipping address, phone number handle width,12” or 13” Pro Comp Straight or Pro V center bend, diameter, .930, .950, .970, 1.00, 1.030, 1.060, 1.090, 1.120, 1.130 Color Black Floats with Red, Grey, Black, Yellow, Pink, Blue Spectra Rope (Gordon Rathbun style) with Carbon Ski Protection. Submit your Order to: orderusgear@gmail.com.The Cost per Handle is $240.00 ea. and includes priority shipping. Payment is only due at the time of shipping. We accept PayPal, G-pay or personal check.

Got four of them delivered last week. Two of my ski partners got 3 & 6, respectively, delivered last week as well. So.....for now....production is on. That makes a total of 13 handles between three of us at our ski club. Randy, admittedly, said he wasn't sure how many or how long he would be able to keep it up, all depended on his health. Price Randy quoted me included shipping.

@BraceMaker @Broussard at NO time does the toe of the front boot even come close to contacting or displacing water. The advertising would lead you to believe they are staking their claim on hydrodynamics being associated with the front toe. Excuse me, my degree is in Physics, so....maybe I am being nit picky....but probably not!!

I think I may have questioned or commented on a previous version of this....but....they boast that this design in more "hydrodynamic" which baffles me.. For hydrodynamics to even matter, someone would have to be using the binding on the wrong side of the ski. Either that or they are never going more that 5 - 6 MPH. Or maybe that is a benefit for when you are going out the front??

they can be restrung....I have done it. Just pay attention to how it comes apart.

These are some serious changes to the '23 based on the spec sheet C'mon MC, you preach quality, details, etc....and can't get this right? For the record, I own a 2021 MC Prostar, bought it new; fit and finish are not as good as my 2015 was, IMO. It does drive and ski better.

On a serious note, I have been using my Z-Line for about 6 sets and it is GREAT!!!!! Not too spongy, not too stiff....just right. It is better than the last few versions ML put out IMO. Not sure if it is the raw product or the manufacturing process that deviates from what ML usually puts into their tournament ropes, but they should take note. For the record, I have also skied the S-Line R3 (stiffest) and I feel that rope is very good as well. IMO, both the S-line and Z-line feel better than the ML non-optimized and the ML Optimized 2.0. Just my $0.02

@kc @aupatking.....here at the WF Original numbers FB-same 5.741 2.513 or 2.508 (try both) 1.841 7.5 big wing / 8.0 normal wing

@kc @aupatking SORRY SORRY SORRY....those were the WF Pro numbers

@kc @aupatking as mentioned above, I have wound up with relatively short/deep/fin back numbers on most skis I have ridden. 67 ION-S FB - 29 31/32 (a smidge behind 30", I have a micro adjust), IMO, if you have to error to one side or the other of 30", I would go behind stock. Also, I am a front hard shell and RTP guy, so I am not sure if there are any tweaks if you tide double boots. 5.831 2.472 1.732 7.5 with big wing / 8 with regular wing