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PVC better for your skis?

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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
So I've wondered this for a while. Is PVC better on your skis than metal? Obviously grinding metal isn't good on skis but how does PVC compare?


Also, which do you find easier to slide? Some people say metal, others say PVC. What's easier?
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Aug 20 2014 8:16PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
pvc is easier to slide and easier on your skis
Aug 20 2014 8:19PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
.FRY.pvc is easier to slide and easier on your skis


It's cheaper than metal too. Why don't ski resorts use this then?
Aug 20 2014 8:27PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
.LincolnIt's cheaper than metal too. Why don't ski resorts use this then?


not as durable as metal. the park crew would be replacing the pvc several times a week.
Aug 20 2014 8:32PM
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
yeah it's softish plastic, it won't do a thing to your skis, at least compared to metal

but yeah like he said, it's nowhere near durable enough to put in a real park. makes great backyard rails tho
Aug 20 2014 8:36PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
.FRY.not as durable as metal. the park crew would be replacing the pvc several times a week.


RubberSoulyeah it's softish plastic, it won't do a thing to your skis, at least compared to metal

but yeah like he said, it's nowhere near durable enough to put in a real park. makes great backyard rails tho


Okay so I understand it's not as durable but several times a week to replace? My PVC rail has lasted since the beginning of winter til now. Only a few others have ridden it but still. And how much does the average PVC rail cost compared to the average metal rail?
Aug 20 2014 9:03PM
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Scotty_Boy
Posts: 777 - Karma: 1,449
.LincolnOkay so I understand it's not as durable but several times a week to replace? My PVC rail has lasted since the beginning of winter til now. Only a few others have ridden it but still. And how much does the average PVC rail cost compared to the average metal rail?


If you buy all the wood and pvc they can be somewhere from $20-$40 depending on the size. And as for the replacing issue, tons of people would be sliding the rail compared to the few that use a private pvc rail at your home.
Aug 20 2014 9:15PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
Scotty_BoyIf you buy all the wood and pvc they can be somewhere from $20-$40 depending on the size. And as for the replacing issue, tons of people would be sliding the rail compared to the few that use a private pvc rail at your home.


Yeah that's true. I'm just suprised I've never seen a PVC at a resort for some reason. PVC for sure looks tackier if you don't have a nice setup so maybe that's a reason too.

The referenced post has been removed.


Also I forgot about the temp. One of my PVC chipped when I dropped it after it froze haha.
Aug 20 2014 9:26PM
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BungHole.
Posts: 698 - Karma: 1,422
People would be slamming down harder on the rail in the park compared to a backyard setup.
Aug 20 2014 9:54PM
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jacklong27
Posts: 184 - Karma: 485
.LincolnYeah that's true. I'm just suprised I've never seen a PVC at a resort for some reason.


come to hidden valley in Ontario they had to cut the pipe in half because it broke on one end and there's still a huge chip at the end. is it being replaced? nope they rather would have a 2 foot pvc rail
Aug 20 2014 9:57PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
JosephRikysPeople would be slamming down harder on the rail in the park compared to a backyard setup.


Maybe not at my resort haha.
Aug 20 2014 10:23PM
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AKgnarshredder
Posts: 11 - Karma: 129
I have 6 backyard rails all of them at least 10 feet long. I have had them for at least 2 years and slammed so hard on them. havent scratched my skis a bit. so awesome. pvc for days man.
Aug 20 2014 10:33PM
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BillWumb
Posts: 18 - Karma: 9
One thing I have noticed is that after a day of hitting my PVC rail, on the base under foot of my skis it turns white and after awhile snow sticks to it. Kinda sucks when you try and get speed.
Aug 21 2014 12:05AM
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Negromancer
Posts: 1014 - Karma: 1,499
BillWumbOne thing I have noticed is that after a day of hitting my PVC rail, on the base under foot of my skis it turns white and after awhile snow sticks to it. Kinda sucks when you try and get speed.


Grab a wax scaper and give it a good scrape should come off.
Aug 21 2014 12:48AM
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daOyster
Posts: 329 - Karma: 298
My home mountain used to have a large diameter pvc pipe that was just dug into the snow. It was one of the funnest features being a small hill. Then a Cat ran it over and broke it while grooming since he didn't see it. Many feelings were had that day.
Aug 21 2014 7:28AM
2 0
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RubberSoul
Posts: 11249 - Karma: 14,642
.LincolnOkay so I understand it's not as durable but several times a week to replace? My PVC rail has lasted since the beginning of winter til now. Only a few others have ridden it but still. And how much does the average PVC rail cost compared to the average metal rail?


well several times a week was a huge overestimate by that guy but yeah with hundreds of hits in the cold, PVC wouldn't hold up nearly as well as steel
Aug 21 2014 10:35AM
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gingaskier
Posts: 623 - Karma: 263
I built these rails last summer and during our winter, they stood up great. I was amazed since the temperature never went above -25 for several weeks this winter. However, my friend found out that these PVC rails can only take so much abuse. Here's the evidence from his findings:

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/706280/I-just-want-to-go-viral
Aug 21 2014 12:09PM
6 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
gingaskierI built these rails last summer and during our winter, they stood up great. I was amazed since the temperature never went above -25 for several weeks this winter. However, my friend found out that these PVC rails can only take so much abuse. Here's the evidence from his findings:

https://www.newschoolers.com/videos/watch/706280/I-just-want-to-go-viral


What the?? Haha how thick was that PVC?
Aug 21 2014 2:48PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
.LincolnWhat the?? Haha how thick was that PVC?


he bought the shitty pvc. fucking cheap ass.
Aug 21 2014 2:51PM
6 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
.FRY.he bought the shitty pvc. fucking cheap ass.


Yeah it looked really thin. Haha it's probably worth it to spend a but more and not have that probelm.
Aug 21 2014 2:54PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
.LincolnYeah it looked really thin. Haha it's probably worth it to spend a but more and not have that probelm.


if you're gonna get pvc make sure it's about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick. that thin crappy pvc doesn't last long.
Aug 21 2014 2:56PM
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suup
Posts: 1485 - Karma: 4,367
The plastic on boxes is made of pvc just not the pipes
Aug 21 2014 3:12PM
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.FRY.
Posts: 5620 - Karma: 22,861
skisocksThe plastic on boxes is made of pvc just not the pipes


no it isn't
Aug 21 2014 3:23PM
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PKchu
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 5,943
skisocksThe plastic on boxes is made of pvc just not the pipes


Fiberglass...
Aug 21 2014 3:39PM
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Willskiforfree
Posts: 929 - Karma: 3,167
For summer jibbing no doubt that PVC is the best. But when im on the slopes and there is a PVC feature, its not nearly as pleasing as Metal. Metal hand rails to be specific
Aug 21 2014 3:41PM
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nate4500
Posts: 41 - Karma: 45
I prefer metal rails. If you hit it right your skis will be just fine.
Aug 21 2014 3:44PM
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CharlieTurchetta
Posts: 316 - Karma: 839
If you are building a PVC rail, the best and safest way to do it is to get a few really small diameter ones and line them up next to each other. They will never crack.
Aug 21 2014 4:26PM
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BROLF
Posts: 1598 - Karma: 5,098
RubberSoulwell several times a week was a huge overestimate by that guy but yeah with hundreds of hits in the cold, PVC wouldn't hold up nearly as well as steel


I actually think they would break multiple times a week. In cold weather with people doing 2's on and stuff they would crack pretty easily.
Aug 21 2014 4:49PM
2 0
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
BROLFI actually think they would break multiple times a week. In cold weather with people doing 2's on and stuff they would crack pretty easily.


Yeah also I overlooked the cold cuz this year I didn't really have a cold day at my mountain. Well I had cold days but not overly cold days.
Aug 21 2014 6:20PM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
Ever dug an edge into your backyard setup? Thats why parks do not use PVC. Those things will stop you dead in your tracks if you lean the wrong way too hard.
Aug 21 2014 6:52PM
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PKchu
Posts: 1158 - Karma: 5,943
PKchuFiberglass...


Sorry, I really do have no idea what I'm talking about
Aug 21 2014 7:00PM
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Dabid
Posts: 133 - Karma: 170
PKchuFiberglass...


PKchuSorry, I really do have no idea what I'm talking about


I always thought it was HDPE but I might be wrong
Aug 22 2014 11:43AM
5 0
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gingaskier
Posts: 623 - Karma: 263
.FRY.if you're gonna get pvc make sure it's about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick. that thin crappy pvc doesn't last long.


That PVC was schedule 40 (1/8" thick). It cracked due to our cold af winter

skisocksThe plastic on boxes is made of pvc just not the pipes


The plastic used for boxes is called High Density Poly-Ethylene (HDPE for short) it's more commonly known as puckboard
Aug 22 2014 1:10PM
1 0
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ANDR3WNEWELL
Posts: 96 - Karma: 88
You fucking retard. That's what I have to say to the idiot that got like schedule 10 PVC and expects it to hold. Schedule 40 works well, but 60 and 80 are fucking bomb proof. Get 100 and it'll never break, but it will hurt your skis more than normal PVC. Bottom line get schedule 80 PVC.
Aug 24 2014 8:39PM
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qc_riders
Posts: 103 - Karma: 193
pvc all the way
Sep 26 2014 10:11PM
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Mr_Mistur
Posts: 228 - Karma: 232
.LincolnSo I've wondered this for a while. Is PVC better on your skis than metal? Obviously grinding metal isn't good on skis but how does PVC compare?


Also, which do you find easier to slide? Some people say metal, others say PVC. What's easier?


PVC is cheaper and also in my opinion easier to slide.
Sep 26 2014 10:36PM
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whackhouse
Posts: 736 - Karma: 939
For a back yard setup pvc is the shizzle. Easy to build with, slides good, doesnt need wax ect. but its not durable enough for a park feature
Sep 26 2014 11:16PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51652 - Karma: 162,345
Metal isnt bad for you skis. Rails are smooth. They arent good for edges but dont hit rails with sharp edges anyway. Falling on jumps and crossing skis will beat up you skis hitting raiks not really.

Also to other comments. Hdpe is the most common topsheet these days.
Sep 27 2014 1:34AM
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NH_OPERATOR
Posts: 1070 - Karma: 2,883
theabortionatorMetal isnt bad for you skis. Rails are smooth. They arent good for edges but dont hit rails with sharp edges anyway. Falling on jumps and crossing skis will beat up you skis hitting raiks not really.

Also to other comments. Hdpe is the most common topsheet these days.


No hitting metal rails is bad for your skis. Its the primary reason why we generally get 1-3 seasons out of a park ski and everyone else gets 10+.Metal rails + hard impacts + skis = bad for skis.
Sep 29 2014 7:20AM
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Rskrny
Posts: 26 - Karma: 58
Im planning on experimenting with mounting a metal pipe tightly fit inside a pvc for a more stable reinforced smooth rail
Sep 29 2014 1:27PM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
.FRY.not as durable as metal. the park crew would be replacing the pvc several times a week.

Depends on the pvc they have. My backyard rail is 1/2 inch thick pvc. It will never break from skiing, however it is still not as durable as metal
Sep 29 2014 5:31PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51652 - Karma: 162,345
NH_OPERATORNo hitting metal rails is bad for your skis. Its the primary reason why we generally get 1-3 seasons out of a park ski and everyone else gets 10+.Metal rails + hard impacts + skis = bad for skis.


I mean technically it's not good but it's really not that bad.

RskrnyIm planning on experimenting with mounting a metal pipe tightly fit inside a pvc for a more stable reinforced smooth rail


Why would you put a metal pipe inside pvc? Buying a metal pipe simply to not slide a metal rail. What's the point. PVC is dirt cheap, just buy extra if you're worried about it breaking.
Sep 30 2014 1:47AM
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kung_powpow
Posts: 1990 - Karma: 3,671
RskrnyIm planning on experimenting with mounting a metal pipe tightly fit inside a pvc for a more stable reinforced smooth rail


Use sand instead, and cap both ends of the rail with some pvc cement. If you're going to use metal, just slide that instead
Sep 30 2014 2:09AM
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Rskrny
Posts: 26 - Karma: 58
theabortionatorI mean technically it's not good but it's really not that bad.



Why would you put a metal pipe inside pvc? Buying a metal pipe simply to not slide a metal rail. What's the point. PVC is dirt cheap, just buy extra if you're worried about it breaking.


The point of putting the metal inside pvc is so that the ski gets less damaged. Pvc is a lot softer than metal
Sep 30 2014 12:13PM
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theabortionator
Posts: 51652 - Karma: 162,345
RskrnyThe point of putting the metal inside pvc is so that the ski gets less damaged. Pvc is a lot softer than metal


Really isnt worth it. Metal is a better rail if yoire using metal slide on that. Your skis will get beat up riding park but most people's skis hold up alright. Pvc is softer than metal which meand youre more likely to dig in an edge. Also though pvc does break your chance of smashing your rail with just pvc arent very high.
Sep 30 2014 8:24PM
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