Snowmobile ski runners, wear bars, and skegs are commonly overlooked by snowmobilers who often think that "carbides" are all that steer the sled. In reality, the length and depth of the runner are what steer the machine in most trail conditions. The carbide section primarily serves as a more durable wear surface, providing a sharp edge that enhances control on icy surfaces, especially when new.
While many snowmobilers refer to them as "carbides," the snowmobile manufacturers call them ski runners. Since many snowmobilers have no idea what a ski runner is we also call them “carbides” for some of our sales information but we call them “runners” at the shop.
Snowmobile carbides are sharp wear surface areas connected to the bottom of the skis. They are also essential as a security issue.
Maintaining safety and security in mind, you need to change the carbides on your snow sled when they wear. This doesn't just cause bad riding performance yet may end in dangerous scenarios.
The most obvious indicator of worn-out carbides is if you blow up your sled an increasing number of often. If you feel that your sled begins wandering or rushing, right away examine the carbides.
Because of excessive wear, not only the carbides, however likewise the wear bars can completely disappear. If this happens, your sled will certainly be riding on bare skis.
Fortunately is that you don't need to replace the carbides in every instance, as they can likewise be honed if they are not entirely broken. Another normal trouble is blunting, which can happen because of skiing on a really rough surface area for a prolonged period. This is similarly simple to repair, just utilize an angle grinder and sharpen them up.
So, the bottom line here is, that if you are getting either from the manufacturer or acquiring custom-made ones, there are no concerns.
Wear bars are constructed of normal steel. More traction means more control over the snow sled and more pleasurable the trip will be. Wear bars have various types, such as difficult bars and also carbides.
There are two basic types of ski runners:
- Factory-installed runners: These are best suited to beginner or less aggressive riders who want very easy steering. They are also the least expensive to build.
- Aftermarket High-Performance runners: These are designed for experienced riders who want more steering control or ski grip for a more aggressive riding style and who are able to manage the extra steering effort required.
Factory vs. Aftermarket Runners
Typical factory runners are made with 3/8” square or rounded shape steel rods bent to fit the ski. The runner normally bends to match the shape of the ski when it’s installed. Usually there are 3” to 4” of sharp carbide which is about 1/2” below the ski or depth into the snow at the carbide sections. Sharp angle carbide sections in the runner improve the steering control on an icy surface when they are new & sharp but are also the primary wear surface which dulls the sharp edge very quickly. Experienced Factory test riders decide what runners best fit the needs of beginner or average snowmobile riders on their brand of machines without studs in the track. Usually these are the easiest steering runners you can buy and may be what fits your riding style best.
Aftermarket High Performance runners are usually 1/2” rounded or aggressively shaped steel rods that are 5/8” below ski or depth into the snow at the sharp carbide sections. The stronger rods which vary in bend shape may cause the ski to bend to fit the runner when installed. This can have a negative effect on the steering feel to the rider. Adding length to the sharp carbide section is the most popular way other runner builder’s rate their products performance, more carbide equals better steering. Unfortunately, the length of the carbide on the runner is also the primary wear surface on the ground.
Remember seeing brown snow trails? Guess what you’re riding in, “SNIRT”. What about going to the gas station or on the road shoulder? The runners take a beating in those conditions and we ride on them often. Sharp carbide edge sections are the first thing to wear out and it doesn’t take very long. Once the sharp edge is gone most runners loose steering control very quickly since they rely on the sharp carbide sections to do the steering.
The only way to significantly improve the steering control or ski grip on a trail snowmobile is to increase the length & depth the runner is into the snow. The common solution is to increase the length of the carbide sections on the runner as done by other High Performance runner manufacturers. The down side is highly increased effort from the rider to steer & control the sled and loss of steering control when the sharp carbide edge is worn away or dull.
Pro-File TR Snowmobile Runners: Design and Manufacturing
Pro-File TR ski runners are designed with a totally new concept visually & functionally. We start by using computer aided design “CAD” technology to accurately measure the shape of a brand new ski. Next we build the runner model to fit that ski exactly. Pro-File TR runners are designed not to bend or flex, this keeps the ski & runner always at the desired shape or profile for optimum steering performance in all conditions.
Next we design the “Keel” profile to fit the machine. Pro-File runners arched keel shapes are deeper into the snow at the center and less into the snow at the ends than bent rod runners. This unique design allows the center of the runner to penetrate deeper into the snow for improved steering control. Tapering off the ends of the runners allow the skis to turn easier with less muscle effort by the rider. Pro-File keels are also wider across the runner face with square corners which allows the runner body to do more steering than the carbide pieces. This unique feature greatly improves steering control in loose snow trail conditions.
Pro-File TR runners are carbon steel with 6” of sharp carbide at center of the ski. This length of carbide provides long mileage life to the runners and good steering on icy trails. Even after the sharp edge of carbides is gone there is very little loss of steering control because the runner body is steering the sled, not the sharp edge of the carbide pieces.
Our unique design & manufacturing process also allows us to reshape the keel profile to correct drivability issues like Darting or Over steering. Darting happens when the runners follow groves in the trail from other sleds. Over steering happens when the skis turn by themselves with no effort from the rider. Both conditions are very uncomfortable for the rider. Pro-File runners are test driven and reshaped until the runners perform properly on the machines they were designed for. Testing & tuning is done by experienced snowmobile riders who know how trail sleds should drive for long distance trail riding in a wide variety of trail conditions.
As you can see this process is much more involved than bending a steel rod to fit a ski. The cost of Pro-File runners reflects the added value to our customers both in performance and comfort after a long day on the trail.
C&A Pro Skis: Additional Information
All C&A Pro Snowmobile Skis are sold per pair and include handles.
Yes, you will need a C&A Pro mounting kit to install our skis on your sled. The mounting kit includes the rubber dampeners and all the hardware you will need to install the skis. Your snowmobile make and model will determine which mounting kit you need.
The holes are for ski tip height adjustment. The furthest forward hole is for drag racing applications. The middle hole is preferred for Snocross and most trail applications and is the factory default. The farthest back hole is for deep snow and mountain riding. Refer to our video explaining this in more detail.
The XCS ski by nature is a very aggressive ski. In turn, it will increase steering effort over your stock skis. You may want to try a less aggressive carbide if you haven’t already. Also, you may want to decrease your ski pressure a little by adjusting your shocks and limiter strap. We do recommend if you are going to make changes to suspension, that you do it in small increments.
Yes! C&A Pro Cornering Kits are designed for Snocross racing and snowmobiling in deep snow. Cornering Kits deflect snow, allowing you to make tighter corners and stay on the inside line without additional drag or resistance with your straight line tracking.
Due to the flexibility of the ski, it can be a challenge to replace our handles. Start by installing the tip of the new handle onto the tip of the ski. Once that is bolted in place, our advice is to use a ratchet strap off the A-Arm for leverage to pull the ski tip back to the desired bolt hole in the saddle.