Simmons Ski?

[byeatts]

Thanks to everyone for the advice setting up my Hawk for backcountry. I,ve ordered the 144X2.5 with8 in. wheels,Anti stab and 7 tooth Avids, As for the ski,Is the Simmons a good choice,I know it wont excel on the trail but how bad will it be?I can imagine great float in the deep.

[RudeAwakening]

there are some guys who love the simmons in the deep and others that will only use the stock! no twin axis on the simmons unless you make one for it. IBroken dosent use the twin axis if i remember right. and i think he loves it. or was it Jay?

[TLKD]

The ski on a Hawk is like a saddle on a bicycle, everybody's opinion is different. Personnally you'll never see me ride a Simmons and beleive that the true flotation has to come from the track, not the ski. Adding flotation from the ski is a good idea for when you land from a jump in the powder or salt type snow. I've had the worst "over the bar crash" of my life on my first Hawk, I scorpionned so bad it pulled the helmet off my head and the bastard was properly tightened ! Saw stars and felt drunk for like 2 minutes...

That being said, I'm gonna have a new exciting update update to add some serious flotation to the stock ski. That should be the best of both worlds.

[IbBroken]

I run the fixed set up on the simmons and yes i love it for back country. If i road more on the trails i would re-consider Jay also runs his fixed and he tryed the twin axis at hawk fest and HATED it. Tlk is also right with the flotaion mostly coming from the track but i love doing drops and in the fluff it tracks and floats much much better. I also think it holds a side hill better when fixed.

[cjgodden]

Simmons ski + twin axis adapter = washout. I modded a twin axis mount for my simmons and it helped on the trails but as soon as I hit the powder it made the track want to wash out from under me in a turn. I struggled with it for a couple of days and ended up taking it off.

I also like Sailor Jerrys and coke and TLKD likes crown-n-7, LOL

Sounds like Theirry has got his powder adapter for the stock ski figured out, Can't wait to see it.

[byeatts]

Originally Posted by cjgodden

Simmons ski + twin axis adapter = washout. I modded a twin axis mount for my simmons and it helped on the trails but as soon as I hit the powder it made the track want to wash out from under me in a turn. I struggled with it for a couple of days and ended up taking it off.

I also like Sailor Jerrys and coke and TLKD likes crown-n-7, LOL

Sounds like Theirry has got his powder adapter for the stock ski figured out, Can't wait to see it.

Simmons has a new generation 111 ski which is 8 inches wide, I doubt anyone has any experience with this one?I,m wondering how well the two ski bolted thing will work since its even wider than the Simmons generation 11.Looking for feedback on what is working, I agree the stock ski was not designed to float much and better suited for trail

[cjgodden]

I guess I should have been more specific, I have the simmons 10" wide ski. It works great off trail. It is kinda sketchy on hardpacked/icy conditions but you get used to it.

[byeatts]

Originally Posted by cjgodden

I guess I should have been more specific, I have the simmons 10" wide ski. It works great off trail. It is kinda sketchy on hardpacked/icy conditions but you get used to it.

Everyone correct me if i,m not understanding this correctly, absorbing all the post and info. For boondocking and getting in on the trail the best setup is a simmons ski with a lockout device when I reach the powder? Pretty easy to make.seems best of both worlds.

[cjgodden]

If you could come up with a way to lockout the twinaxis for when you go off trail, that just might work. The only problem I see is actually taking the time to lock/unlock it. I probibly wouldn't, LOL.

When I noticed the wash out problem it was mostly in the transition between a trail and off trail, sidehilling, going from someone elses track back to the soft snow.


In the long run I really think that most of us have agreed to disagree on which ski to run. The Montana guys run two 7" wide skis mounted side by side, many others like the stock ski with the snow trackers. Some like the setback adapter( I personally can't stand it). I have ridden just about every combo out there. Hawkfest is great for actually getting to try others ideas.

[Hawkster]

You know what might happen if you do come up with a cool devise to lock the ski for different situations is that it might put to much strain on the wider ski and start snapping bolts or deforming the ski especially the 10 inch one, just a thought, but the locking device might be a great idea on maybe the narrower one. I know of a couple of guys that would be more than willing to test it