Sidewinder 174 build and season ride report

[Turblue]

The rear skid I want to try everything to keep the playfulness of the chassis...so thought qs3 is a easy way to start. I always found the baker skids to one dimensional, but sounds like yours is working great. I don’t think the ride on this shock will be anywhere near the baker but will see I guess. I’m really curious how the lockout works climbing...

Im in to try to make something work for a sw ride. I’ll probably be in sicamous sometime in March on the next big storm cycle guessing...

 

[Lund]

Im in to try to make something work for a sw ride. I’ll probably be in sicamous sometime in March on the next big storm cycle guessing...

We are getting a big storm cycle right now.

 

[Turblue]

Yes ...couldn’t make it work. Lol. Stole my kids skis off his 600 pro ...don’t like the feel of the stock skis when sidehilling Sounds like these make a difference...see I guess.

 

[Lund]

I don't care for the Winder ski's either, was going to try the wife's Cat ski's. Let me know what you think about the Grippers on the Winder. It might be a good option.

I do know the Cat ski's have a greater adjustability in comparison to the Winder ski's. You can set it as far as 34".

 

[Turblue]

My buddy has 18 cat and is running grippers also so don’t think he cared for the stock cat skis. I will report back.

 

[cnelson6]

The rear skid I want to try everything to keep the playfulness of the chassis...so thought qs3 is a easy way to start. I always found the baker skids to one dimensional, but sounds like yours is working great. I don’t think the ride on this shock will be anywhere near the baker but will see I guess. I’m really curious how the lockout works climbing...

Im in to try to make something work for a sw ride. I’ll probably be in sicamous sometime in March on the next big storm cycle guessing...

You can do some different stuff to the baker to keep the playfulness. You can try different lengths of blocks for the coupling it’s crazy how much a few thou make a difference. I did this on my g4s and like the results. Might be a good option as well for the power of the winder. I’m lazy and wouldn’t want to do the qsl adjustment. But it sounds like a good option as well.

 

[Got boost want snow]

Wen I bought my viper I immediately changed from Yamaha skis to powder hounds. They work for me I have heard of lots of people really liking the grippers.

 

[Catman10]

I put the polaris factory skis on my Winder, very good improvement. The mounting hole is more forward and it steers and handles much nicer in my opinion. I also can turn a smaller diameter circle because they don't slide out at slow speeds like the cat skis, just my 2 cents.

 

[Turblue]

Need that new magnet tether off the cat. Hopefully Yamaha has that on the new sleds.

 

[Eldereldo]

Apparently there is a new Gen 2 ski.

New G2 ProClimb-7 Skis

We know that small changes in the design of a ski can reap big handling rewards. For that, Arctic Cat has designed a second-generation ProClimb-7 ski, featuring new geometry. The skis are claimed to provide better balance and performance in varying snow conditions thanks in part to a less aggressive keel. Improved floatation and easier steering are some other reported characteristics. The upper surface of the ski now features traction molded into the plastic, for those situations in which you might need to stand on a ski.

 

[Turblue]

So couple days on the Polaris skis...hard to say if they made a big difference. Side by side call comparison they are almost identical ...going to swap back and see. On the Polaris the keel on the bottom comes closer to the tip. They basically bolt on using Sidewinder rubbers and Polaris bolts.

 

[Lund]

So couple days on the Polaris skis...hard to say if they made a big difference. Side by side call comparison they are almost identical ...going to swap back and see. On the Polaris the keel on the bottom comes closer to the tip. They basically bolt on using Sidewinder rubbers and Polaris bolts.
View attachment 209508

Interesting.
I think i might try my wife's Cat ski's. One of the big thing i noticed is that the keel on the Yamaha ski's are twice as wide as the Cat ski keel. They are not just that much wider but also deeper. Also the Cat ski is more rigged at the tip, which i generally prefer then a floppy ski.

Good to know on the grippers, i think i will hold off till you try them.

 

[Eldereldo]

2019 Cat has gone to a shallower keel that stays the same width all the way to the back instead of tapering. Sounds like it is even more like the Gripper.

 

[Lund]

2019 Cat has gone to a shallower keel that stays the same width all the way to the back instead of tapering. Sounds like it is even more like the Gripper.

I take it as being different then the 18 then?

 

[Turblue]

Here are some better comparison pictures of the gripper and 17 Sidewinder ski

 

[Turblue]

Well having issues with my Elka shocks. Both bodies are wearing through at the bottom. Elka wants me to send them in...might order a set of qs3 to try. Springs must have a angle on the ends pushing them towards the shock on compression.

 

[Lund]

Well having issues with my Elka shocks. Both bodies are wearing through at the bottom. Elka wants me to send them in...might order a set of qs3 to try. Springs must have a angle on the ends pushing them towards the shock on compression.
View attachment 209538
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What did you think of those shock's compared to the Floats 3?
I had a set of KYB that did the same on my old RT years ago after i installed titanium spring on it.

 

[Lund]

Here are some better comparison pictures of the gripper and 17 Sidewinder ski

View attachment 209534
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These ski's are very close, i'm not sold on having such a deep wide keel for mountain sled's and both have similar keels.
Let us know what you think after trying them.

 

[Turblue]

I haven’t swapped back...but on the rough trails hands down the Elkas out perform the float 3 shocks. The Elkas do seem a little sluggish side to side. Also they wanted to ski dive more on the trail , but was still trying to figure out the ideal settings. I sold the float 3 and want a set of qs3 to compare.

 

[Eldereldo]

I take it as being different then the 18 then?

Yes, they call it a Gen two. Supposed to decrease steering effort.