Start Wax Tape

Anyone use the Start Wax Tape? Opinions?

fkj

"K Jobba" wrote in message
.. .
Anyone use the Start Wax Tape? Opinions?

fkj

I put some on a pair of skis about a month ago. Haven't had real good test
conditions because it's been pretty darn cold - I think the tape is better
when it's warmer.

A couple of observations so far:

1. Its very easy and straight forward putting it on, if you're used to
thorough prep of the kick zone: thorough cleaning, slight roughing up with
sand paper. Just the same as "serious" kick waxing (e.g. for a long outing
or race where durability is essential). Once the base is prepped, the tape
is easy to apply correctly, imho, if you follow the directions.

2. I think one would have to mess with the length of the tape. It is
pretty thick stuff, compared to normal layers of kick wax. It is thicker
than a proper layer of klister. In addtion, one can feather kick wax - put
layers full length of kick zone, then build up some additional layers in a
shorter zone under the foot, for example. This isn't possible with the
tape. I put mine on what I call my "klister zone" (I really don't have
dedicated klister skis, but have had good luck with shortening the kick zone
with klister). This seems still too long in the cold snow (very draggy).

3. I've only skied about 10 or 15 km on the tape, but see no wear at all.
I also see no problems with adherance so far.

So, it's not working great in the cold conditions - but that's OK because
it's so darn easy to wax for cold weather. In spite of the temp range
given, my guess is that it would be oriented towards warmer temps and /or
freeze/thaw transformed snow. I'll withhold judgement until I get a chance
to try it at 15F and above or on icy tracks.

I think it cost me around $10? (can't remember) so I think it was worth
experimenting with - since I have two pair of decent striding skis and can
dedicate the one pair to the experiment while still being able to use the
other.

Cam

K Jobba wrote:
Anyone use the Start Wax Tape? Opinions?

fkj


I have used it several times this year. Doesn't wear much, grip in wet
snow is decent.
gr

K Jobba wrote:
Anyone use the Start Wax Tape? Opinions?

fkj

See John O'Connell's review:
http://www.nordicskiracer.com/Equipm...rtGripTape.asp .
Pretty positive.

Originally Posted by K Jobba

Anyone use the Start Wax Tape? Opinions?

fkj

I've used it in very cold/dry, 38 degrees, and 25 degrees/powder. It was fair, but never as good as a decent wax job.

I used a length similar to what I would with klister because I had heard that it was too grippy in dry snow. I think if I experimented a bit more with that length it would improve, and I could see using it on an old pair of skis that I leave next to the door when I want to get in a quick workout but don't have time to wax.

"Whit" wrote

I've used it in very cold/dry, 38 degrees, and 25 degrees/powder. It
was fair, but never as good as a decent wax job.

I used a length similar to what I would with klister because I had
heard that it was too grippy in dry snow. I think if I experimented a
bit more with that length it would improve, and I could see using it on
an old pair of skis that I leave next to the door when I want to get in
a quick workout but don't have time to wax.

Is 25 degrees considered "very" cold? I consider that on the warmish side.
38 is hot!

Cam

Centrigrade?
"Camilo" wrote in message
...

"Whit" wrote

I've used it in very cold/dry, 38 degrees, and 25 degrees/powder. It
was fair, but never as good as a decent wax job.

I used a length similar to what I would with klister because I had
heard that it was too grippy in dry snow. I think if I experimented a
bit more with that length it would improve, and I could see using it on
an old pair of skis that I leave next to the door when I want to get in
a quick workout but don't have time to wax.

Is 25 degrees considered "very" cold? I consider that on the warmish
side.
38 is hot!

Cam

"FITZGERALD" wrote in message
...
Centrigrade?
"Camilo" wrote in message
...

"Whit" wrote

I've used it in very cold/dry, 38 degrees, and 25 degrees/powder. It
was fair, but never as good as a decent wax job.

I used a length similar to what I would with klister because I had
heard that it was too grippy in dry snow. I think if I experimented a
bit more with that length it would improve, and I could see using it on
an old pair of skis that I leave next to the door when I want to get in
a quick workout but don't have time to wax.

Is 25 degrees considered "very" cold? I consider that on the warmish
side.
38 is hot!

I was talking F.

Cam

Bruce Mardiney and I seem to have very similar Atomic ARC skis.
This past weekend we switch off skis- left, right, full set.
Mine had Toko Old Snow Red. His were set up with Start Tape in the klister
pocket.
Our skis had comparable glide, and my skis had better kick.

I have been giving my friends Start Tape as gifts. I've never applied it to
my skis, but will.


Gary Jacobson
Rosendale, NY

We put Start grip tape on a pair of test skis while wax testing for a race
on wet, old snow last weekend. It didn't come close to Start flouro red
klister over Chola for either grip or glide. We talked to several other
people who had tested and found that it was not as good as other
combinations of klister.

We went with the klister so I have no idea how it would have lasted.

We put some Start grip tape on my wife's skis. She is a recreational skier.
She did not find that she got as good grip as she would have with a good
klister job, but was happy she did not have to fool around with klister
while I was too busy getting the race ready to help her with waxing.

Scott