loose vs tight pole???

buxtonous

wannabe
Location
Plymouth, U.K
i currently ride with the stock chopped pole and spring which i get on fine with,
but is a tight pole the way forward?
as any other freestyle skis have them and it must be for a reason but i cant stand it!
 

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
I did the tight pole for a while with no spring it KILLED my back. It also killed my stamina because I couldn't ride for more than 10-15 minutes without having to take a break. I currently run a semi stiff pole with a pole spring and couldn't be happier. It won't drop down on it's own but it doesn't require excessive force to move it either.
 

Mark44

Katie's Boss
Location
100% one place
I ran a tight pole and didn't like it, I like the stock pole and spring. Remove the foam pad turf the plastic for a weightless pole.

Mark44
 

227

Its all about the surf!
Location
Oceanside, CA
Well here's another opinion thread. As a general rule, tight for freestyle, loose for surf. There's a lot of tricks that really can't be done with a loose pole though, even in the surf like the no handed stuff. Personally, I absolutely hate the tight pole set up. Just my opinion though
 
I like to ride with the pole loose, feels like it flows better with you as you squat, stand, and jump. I tried to ride with it stiff last year one time, could not ride it. It felt so awkward trying to control it. Maybe just me. IDK
 

Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
It does take time to get used to a stiff or even a semi stiff pole. You can't ride it once and expect it to feel normal. I agree though, if it's too stiff, it doesn't flow with you very well and that alone can hurt your riding style, balance, etc.
 

AtomicPunk

Lifetime bans are AWESOME
Site Supporter
Location
Largo, Fl
I'll agree with the general statement loose for surf and tight for flatwater... If you are considering a switch, you HAVE to ride 6-10 times to give it a fair chance to see if it is for you.
 

sjetrider

615 Freeriders are addicted to T1 madness.
tight WITH a spring, BUT NOT TOO TIGHT. The pole should stay where you put it and the spring should assist but not lift the pole on its own. Too tight will get you hurt and too loose is just sloppy and allows less control.
 

DK-Freestyle

2011 World Champion
Location
Oakley, CA
It really depends on what YOU want. Everyone runs something different. I ran a loose pole with a stiff spring on my race ski, and I've got my handle pole as tight as we can get it on my BOB. Having a stiff handle pole helps out with leverage on the ski, and especially when you're upside down, you don't want the handle pole to be moving very much.

But I know some people who are the opposite, they rather have a loose handle pole because its easier to ride. I hated switching to a stiff handle pole, but it helped for freestyle in the long run. No-Hander 180's weren't fun with a loose handle pole!
 

Aircraftsalz

Thrust built Dasa Power
Location
Off site
I ride all my ski's with a tight pole, my FW ski I like tighter than my surf ski but still tight so you can let go & the pole is still there....

I guess its what you get use to.... I can't jump on a ski with a losse pole and enjoy it
 

buxtonous

wannabe
Location
Plymouth, U.K
so i think proven by the above its just preference?!? i tend to ride a mixture of styles as im in the sea so when the waves are out i do like a flying lesson and when its flat i like to do whatever i can to have fun!?
ill stick with what ive got thanks peeps!!
 

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
XMETAL Pole with no spring. I have raced this setup in a surf race before. If you have it at the right tension, the pole will float with you, it is not like a stock pole with a spring, nor is so tight where you have to physically force it up or down.
 
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