Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

Urban rails

profile picture
Blynch2
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,006
I was planning on hitting some urban this winter for the first time, but I'm worried about one thing. That is catching an edge and eating shit on a sticky rail. For anyone that's hit urban, do rails stick a lot or do they slide like rails in a park? If they stick is there a way to make them less sticky?
Dec 7 2016 11:15AM
4 0
profile picture
SKRockies
Posts: 606 - Karma: 1,689
wizard wax
Dec 7 2016 11:46AM
2 0
profile picture
fredyferl
Posts: 2943 - Karma: 14,828
Urban rails slide way better than rails in the park. I've never stuck on a handrail. Just make sure they're not made of aluminum. If a rail happens to stick, I use PAM oil, which is the thing you put on your barbecue. It works really well for sticky rails, and it actually stays
Dec 7 2016 12:00PM
1 0
profile picture
TrickyDick470
Posts: 443 - Karma: 2,350
What if a rail appears painted and somewhat rough? I was actually thinking about going out today but that is my only concern. Don't wanna break myself off early in the season...
Dec 7 2016 12:19PM
0 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9292 - Karma: 60,997
this is why you've seen ten too many cliche shots of a dude running his ski along a rail before hitting it in movies. run your ski over any parts youre worried about (with a lot of downward pressure) to find any spots that might hang you up, and wax/file/deal with em accordingly
Dec 7 2016 12:49PM
1 0
profile picture
Tamas
Posts: 550 - Karma: 842
The only times I've ever really "stuck" on a handrail was when I've landed on the rail awkwardly.

But like mentioned before, stay clear of aluminum rails.
Dec 7 2016 2:27PM
1 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9292 - Karma: 60,997
Tamasstay clear of aluminum rails.


well, unless you like eating shit
Dec 7 2016 2:28PM
0 0
profile picture
thepastapalace
Posts: 67 - Karma: 386
Just make sure they're not made of aluminum.

why?
Dec 7 2016 5:56PM
0 0
profile picture
TrickyDick470
Posts: 443 - Karma: 2,350
fpushbroJust make sure they're not made of aluminum.

why?


Aluminum is softer than other metals and your edges will dig in easier. I made a skateboard box with aluminum coping once and sometimes if you landed too hard on it on your trucks you would hang up and fall off.
Dec 7 2016 7:00PM
0 0
profile picture
LivingDaLife
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,349
Some urban rails stick more than others...sometimes it helps to scrape the paint off if the rail hasn't been slid before, otherwise the first few hits you'll be peeling paint. Usually paint doesn't really stick, but it will slow down your slide.

Square bars will have a tendency to stick more than round bars. How soft the metal is will also determine whether you might hang an edge into something...as others noted, aluminum is a definite no go. Run your skis along it, dig an edge in to see if it catches.

Most rails should be fine though and feel like a park rail.
Dec 7 2016 9:33PM
0 0
profile picture
SofaKingSick
Posts: 9292 - Karma: 60,997
fpushbroJust make sure they're not made of aluminum.

why?


Aluminum is softer than your edges and it's extremely hard to slide without catching an edge..like so hard it's not worth even trying
Dec 7 2016 10:44PM
0 0
profile picture
John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,163
Just depends on how smooth the surface is. If you can see the metal and it's shiny you'll be golden. Rust is a little slower but definitely not sticky. most rails are perfect. corroded handrails don't slide well, but if it's cold you can put water on the rail and it'll slide just like a park rail. if a rail does feel sticky just toss some wax on it.
Dec 8 2016 12:17AM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)