Why do people shorten handle poles, when...

freestylegeek

waiting...
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Really? Any pics? I'd like to see that.

Joe Eckert is running a-12 XFT pole on his -4" boat.
I'm running a -9.5" set up on my -2.5" boat, and I just ordered the shorter turnplate from Xmetal. That will bring me to -10.5"

my footholds are 10" from the firewall (about 4" farther up than normal mounting position) and I'm running a stock length ride plate in order to make it plane out.
 

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I built my own shortened plate with a straight bar setup and it moved the grips 4 inches forward. Then my -4 inch pole makes me about -8" with a stock length hull and regular mounted footholds. I am only 5'7" so it is a reach but if you have the upper body strength to hold your weight you get used to it and works great.
 
I didn´t want to cut and re-weld my SN AC pole until I knew I like the feeling of a shortened pole setup, so I did this mod (short turn plate, straight bar), to try it out.
I had to cut the chin pad a little, and move the mounts of the chin pad forwards to clear with the cables, but that´s it.
I love the benefits of the shortened setup, so this winter I will move my foot holds forwards, add a foot strap and mod the AC handle pole, or the bracket area to be able to move the pole bracket forwards, like the new rickter fs-1. I like the idea of moving the pole bracket closer to the centre of gravity axis of the ski.
 

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Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
Ok, but if you can go -4 by shortening your turnplate and running 7/8 od stock, how much shorter can you really go?

On my 96 sxi, I didn't even shorten the turnplate and probably am -3 over stock... if I re-drill I could lose another inch.

Yes, shortening the turn plate and/or bars by 3" will put you in the same position as shortening the handlepole. The big difference is that shortening the turnplate/bars by 3" instead of the entire pole puts you 3" closer to smashing your face on the chinpad. I know I've had some close calls...
 
I was at around -2ish between turnplate and 4 degree bars last season. Then I rode a ski with -4 on the pole and -2 on the turnplate with straight bars. I cut my pole another 3 inches as soon as I got home. I hated the straight bars though, but I'm sure I could get used to them the same as my umi's. At first a short pole feels weird, but you get used to it and once you do get used to it there's no going back. It puts your weight over the middle of the ski. Because of tis, when doing a trick such as a nose stab, you're forced to automatically bring the back of the ski around, as opposed to crouching at theback of thetray with your arms straight, relying souly on power.

Right now I'm kinda hoping my pole will break at the base so I can take another couple of inches off;)
 
There is only so much you can shorten just by using the turn plate and bars. It is also a leverage thing. Just because you shorten the distance with the turn plate, it is not the same as a shorter pole.

exacty...

when you shorten the turnplate you make the steering FASTER as you are closer to the pivot point...

shortening the pole will being the COG forward, but the steering will retain the same ratio



Joe Eckert is running a-12 XFT pole on his -4" boat.
I'm running a -9.5" set up on my -2.5" boat, and I just ordered the shorter turnplate from Xmetal. That will bring me to -10.5"

my footholds are 10" from the firewall (about 4" farther up than normal mounting position) and I'm running a stock length ride plate in order to make it plane out.



thems are some shorty's!

I have a -7.5 system on my stock length rev and its about perfect!
 

Big Kahuna

Administrator
Location
Tuscaloosa, AL
exacty...

when you shorten the turnplate you make the steering FASTER as you are closer to the pivot point...

shortening the pole will being the COG forward, but the steering will retain the same ratio







thems are some shorty's!

I have a -7.5 system on my stock length rev and its about perfect!

actually, unless you are moving the Steering cable mount forward, you are not changing the ratio of your steering by using a shorter turn plate.
 

wydopen

onthepipe
actually, unless you are moving the Steering cable mount forward, you are not changing the ratio of your steering by using a shorter turn plate.

it dosnt change the steering ratio but i think it does make it turn differently with the bars closer to the turnplate pivot..besides the lenght you can feel the difference between a -1 turnplate and standard..both with quicksteer..unless its in my head
 
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wydopen

onthepipe
from the rick roy site


The concept behind this steering system has many features

-To bring the rider closer to the pivot point

The further you are from the pivot point the more movement it takes to move the bars from side to side . For Example : If you are turning to the left meaning that the turn plate is moving to the right, meaning that your body is going in the turn to the left but your hands are going away from you body to the right.
If you reduce the distance between the pivot point and the bars you will reduce the space between your body and your hand and bring lot more stability in the turn and less fatigue.

- Less movement to turn the bars
By being closer to the pivot point you will need less movement to go from side to side with the bars it means quicker steering especialy for Free style .

By using the 50 or 75 mm bars turned up What is happening ??
Shown on image B,C and D

-you will get closer to the pivot point


By using the Straight bars the advantage will be.

- you will get as close as possible to the pivot point
that means much quicker steering response specially for free style (big advantage)
 
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Waternut

Customizing addict
Location
Macon, GA
it dosnt change the steering ratio but i think it does make it turn differently with the bars closer to the turnplate pivot..besides the lenght you can feel the difference between a -1 turnplate and standard..both with quicksteer..unless its in my head

Although it does seem dumb that changing two turns plate from the same manufacturer with just a -1" or -2" difference, the difference can be real. If the cable attaches to the ball directly over the cable mount, nothing will change. However, most quick steer plates have the ball more outboard of the mount so when you decrease the distance from -1 to -2, you increase the angle of the cable which will make the steering heavier and therefore slower.

...something to think about.
 
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wydopen

onthepipe
Although it does seem dumb that changing two turns plate from the same manufacturer with just a -1" or -2" difference, the difference can be real. If the cable attaches to the ball directly over the cable mount, nothing will change. However, most quick steer plates have the ball more outboard of the mount so when you decrease the distance, you increase the angle of the cable which will make the steering heavier and therefore slower.

...something to think about.

haha i understand that concept...i cant ride a ski without the ball all the way out on the turnplate and all the way in on the nozzel...i was referring to the distance between the handle bars and the turnplate pivot
 
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