Freestyle Pinch bolt alternative

[swapmeet]

I'd rather not throw down $45 for the X-metal Stainless pinch bolts. I know they make high quality stuff, but I have to think there are alternatives.

Has anyone used 14mm stainless hardware and made their own before?

The thru bolt that I have is too long and I don't really want to washer it up to make it fit. It looks like crap and probably isn't super safe.

I've found some 14mm Stainless parts online, but I figured i'd ask before I clicked the "buy" button.

Suggestions?

 

[Freakrider]

Some guys use the stock single bolt which allows a umi style spring to make the 10lb xmetal pole feel much lighter...you can cut some threads off...

 

[Big Kahuna]

what pole are you running?

 

[Waternut]

I used the 14mm SS bolts last year for about a month and they worked fine. I changed them out and went with the super long bolt with lots of washers instead because running without a spring was wearing me out. If you ride with the pinch bolts for about 2-3 weeks and hop on a friends ski, you'll quickly notice how much easier it is to ride with a spring. To me it's totally worth it to run a gooberific pole bolt with 10 washers if it means I get to keep my spring.

 

[swapmeet]

Do you still have those 14mm bolts?

I'll be running a cut down stock pole with a stainless lowered bracket.

I planned on tightening it down such that it stays where you move it to. So it would be light in any one position, but moving it would be more effort than with a spring.

Good stuff though... anybody else?

 

[wydopen]

whats wrong with the stock bolt??...

when riding skis u never leave the pole in one position....with a properly setup spring it is weightless...unless u are cruising around at 10mph standing strait up i dont see the point..if u want to do no-handers then just lean into the bars with your stomach...otherwise u are just handicapping yourself for everything else


if your bolt is too long (im assuming its off a square) cut it down..

 

[Tyler Zane]

Do you still have those 14mm bolts?

I'll be running a cut down stock pole with a stainless lowered bracket.

I planned on tightening it down such that it stays where you move it to. So it would be light in any one position, but moving it would be more effort than with a spring.

Good stuff though... anybody else?

615 pole bracket? i had to put a few washers on my bolt too. no biggy thou, you dont even see it with the nose piece on anyways.

 

[Waternut]

whats wrong with the stock bolt??...

if your bolt is too long (im assuming its off a square) cut it down..

I had planned to do that as well but running a RN pole with a RN stainless bracket, the threads were way beyond the end of the bracket so cutting it down doesn't do any good unless you can turn new threads.

Do you still have those 14mm bolts?

I do still have those bolts and no I don't need them. If you want them, shoot me a PM with an offer. I can include two bolts, two locknuts, two large nuts with nylon inserts, and 4 washers. Figure $5 in shipping though.

 

[swapmeet]

whats wrong with the stock bolt??...

if u want to do no-handers then just lean into the bars with your stomach...otherwise u are just handicapping yourself for everything else


if your bolt is too long (im assuming its off a square) cut it down..

No idea what the bolt is off of. But its way long. As waternut mentioned, cutting it won't work becuase it would take the threads off.
My pole setup is very very short. I have 08 SJ pole that is -3, the lowered bracket is moved forward 4" and I have minimum -2.5" Xmetal adj turn plate. Getting my chest that far forward would be difficult.

I don't necessarily want to lock it down, just add some friction. I am listening to what your saying though...

615 pole bracket? i had to put a few washers on my bolt too. no biggy thou, you dont even see it with the nose piece on anyways.

It's an FX1. The bracket is exposed, so is the bolt.

Waternut, i'll hit you up.

 

[Big Kahuna]

IF your using a thru bolt, you need some of the wamiltons dogbones to stuff inside the pole area to keep from collapsing the bracket area of the pole. I had an AC Pole once and I would tighten it up and over time It would get loose, what was happening was it was actually bending in the pole. The inside spacers kept this from happening. I have some if you want them.