Rodeling: Stainless Steel or Plastic
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- Belagschienen (they look like little downhill skis for Rodels) have been touted as the latest, hot thing for Rodeling. What's so good about them and are they better than stainless steel? I doubt it.
I show you how to install brand new Torggler Racing Belagschienen on a Torggler Sportrodel S. I then gave them a try, followed by an evaluation. Myths will be blown.
I think it all comes down to snow conditions. Over here in Europe its quite simple. Belagschienen are the way to go. Couse most of the times its just not cold enough and snow is to wet for steel to go fast. And as far as i know Torggler rodel dont come with Stainless steel runners. They heve two types ( standard for FM and T And Renn For TS and S ) The only company that uses stainless steel ( as far as i know )is German Luge. However when it comes to steel Torggler runners are the best. But i like to learn more about your winter climate as i think by watching your videos is completely different than ours.
Regards Marco
Snow conditions will almost always be the determining factor. But I will also add, the skill of the Rodeler. All of my Torggler Sportrodels and my one T115 (the one I used for the Table Mt. descent) are equipped with Torggler's racing stainless steel. Of the estimated 20-25 Torggler Sportrodels in the Basin all have the stainless steel. Easy to verify, my 25 lb. magnet is not attracted to them. If it is ferrous metal (steel) a magnet will be attracted. The hardness is considerable and makes sharpening more challenging. Chrome is a very hard component of the stainless steel alloy. So called carbon steel (such as on my Davoser Schlitten) is a piece of cake to sharpen and a magnet is attracted. As I have said elsewhere, I noticed that the Belagchienen are less precise in edge-holding in our conditions. The difference was apparent right away. I'm not alone on that observation. It's not horrible, it's just a characteristic that should be noted and adjustments made.
A big guess in the difference in snow conditions between us is our lack of sophisticated tracks (groomed roads). Most (not all) of the snow surfaces here are very hard, ice and what we call boilerplate (compressed and re-frozen snow). Then there is Spring crust which may or may not be impregnated with frozen rain and wind slab. We are take-what-we-can-get, wild and woolly here. We tend to make very tight, quick turns to get around obstacles which you don't have. It's a little like skiing an Aspen glade in the backcountry. My videos don't show it too well because usually I'm following someone to keep them in sight of the helmet cam. That tends to compromise my own turns.
There is more of a rock threat here because often we are running on a surface (roads) that is only 2-3 cm. thick. In your conditions, Belagschienen would definitely be the choice. But here, as I have said in the videos, stainless steel is the best option for beginners. Very little maintenance worries. Threat of damage is less. The edges are so tough and wide that it's a lo-o-ong time before the edges must be sharpened. Though Belagschienen are also stainless steel (it appears), structurally there is less of it for stiffness. There is a lot of stress been placed on a very narrow area. It's only a theory, I can't prove it, but it would seem there may be more on snow-contact flex in Belagschienen which could also contribute to a difference in handling. The flex difference (especially, laterally) is obvious when installing them, compared to the racing stainless steel. I'm not saying any of this is good or bad, just different.
Good to read your observations. Questions?
Thank you. I was mistaken as i thought stainless steel would mean that it doesent rust. And Torggler schienen rust very fast. Crazy how many snow conditions there are. Im from the Netherlands and when it snows here snow is very heavy and wet in comparison to the Alps. The conditions you have we dont get here. I made a video on my channel where im on steel an my friends on Tiplex belag on the Astberg rodel track wich is very curvy and fast wich give you view of alpine conditions with fresh snow. Would be nice if i only got the chance to test your conditions for myself.
Regards (servus) Marco
@@marcovandeneinden I thought there might be a translation or definition problem. I try to be accurate. Yes, where you are, I wonder if there is a little salt in the air, even far inland. We are very dry here compared to most of Europe and much of the USA, but I'm only referring to my immediate area. Here it's also a matter of altitude. It's quite variable (snow). In the 40+ years I have been here. I've made sure to learn as much about snow forms as I can, the crystal types and how they will change. Even Karen is learning to identify certain snow types and she's no geologist. It all helps with wax choices. Around here I keep telling people, if the snow is right, don't wait for a more convenient time. Snow waits for no one. We don't have the luxury of freshly maintained and rejuvenated snow surfaces. Count yourself fortunate. Happy Rodeling.
Thank you for the information about Stainess and P-tex belagschienen. Currently I am a sled builder and sledder. I should have some of my rodels ready this fall for the 23/24 sle3dding season. I fear that I used the wrong terms with this chain sorry about that.
You're welcome. No worries. I understood what you were saying.