THE TRUTH ABOUT TRACTION

QUALITY STUDS AND WEAR BARS CAN HELP CREATE A BETTER RIDING EXPERIENCE AND HELP SAVE OUR TRAILS.

he debate over studs and to a lesser degree, high-quality carbide wear bars has ebbed and flowed over the years. In fact, older riders will recall a period of time when there was a serious push to ban traction products for fear they would eventually destroy the growing popularity of paved recreational trails. Fortunately, those days are long past, and the traction industry continues to thrive. However, as track lengths, lug height, and track technology in general continues to improve, there’s a growing contingent of riders who don’t feel traction products are necessary. Additionally, as more new riders come into the sport, many are unfamiliar with the benefits traction products can deliver. Obviously, the category is named traction products due to their ability to deliver increased traction across a wide variety of snow and ice conditions. While this is certainly an attribute that appeals to performance riders, the truth is traction products can help to deliver a more enjoyable and safer ride for all types of snowmobilers regardless of their experience.

Increased Safety

Nearly three decades ago, when the stud ban was front page news, avid traction proponents and the traction industry succinctly thwarted the effort by illustrating the increased level of safety traction products can deliver. From more precise and quicker steering to decreased stopping distances, traction equipped snowmobiles are safer, especially in icy or unpredictable conditions. This is reason enough alone to consider traction products on your sled.

Increased Comfort

With increased control and safety, your confidence will also increase with every ride. When you’re more confident, you are also more comfortable. No one likes to ride with sweaty palms and tense forearms due to icy conditions or a snowmobile that is unpredictable. Traction products can dramatically reduce that uneasy feeling, and in return will have you and your passenger (for you two up riders), feeling more relaxed. Instead of worrying about making that next turn, you’re enjoying the winter landscape.

Less Trail Damage

This last benefit of traction products is one that the “old guard” often wants to disregard. Afterall, for years traction products, especially studs, have been associated with racing and highperformance enthusiasts — the same folks who often take the fall for “tearing up the trail.” However, traction products often reduce the amount of unnecessary track spin that often accelerates trail degradation. With a properly studded track and fresh wear bars, track spin is reduced, and you’ll hold more corners instead of pushing the berm further and further off the trail. The end result is less trail damage, not more.

So, is time to experience more control, more comfort, and more safety on your next ride? Here is just a sample of some of the more popular traction and control products available today. As always, do your research, ask questions, and support those companies who support our sport.

STUD BOY - Deuce Wear Bar

There are a lot of wear bars on the market, but Deuce bar from Stud Boy is one of our favorites. Based on the company’s unique “Shaper” host bar, which features a concave shape versus a typical round bar, the Deuce bar is a dual runner that delivers no darting while cruising down your favorite trail by creating its own groove — versus following others. This one-piece design is also durable and has proven its long life won’t clog with snow, ice, or rocks, and it also won’t snag obstacles like other dual runners. The Deuce is available in 4.5”, 6”, and 9” of 60º cutting carbide to fit most current snowmobiles. Note: Deuce bars are packaged and sold individually, so order a pair. studboytraction.com

WOODY’S - Gold Digger Traction Master

Woody’s Gold Diggers are the Kleenex of push through snowmobile studs. For decades these studs have proven they are incredibly durable and hook-up time and time again. Featuring a robust carbide tip that won’t “break-out” and holds up to abuse, the Gold Digger has long been the stud of choice for cross country racers. This convenient kit gives you everything you need to ensure your sled hooks up this winter. Not sure what stud length you need, how many, or what pattern to use? Simply visit Woody’s website and check out their Hookup Traction Guide. woodystraction.com

SNOW STUDS – SledShine

With your buggy in the shop getting the full traction treatment from your favorite brand of studs and wear bars, it’s also a great time to give it a shine. Snow Studs is another quality manufacturer of studs and wear bars. More recently they also branched out their offerings when they introduced SledShine, an allin-one cleaner/polish designed by snowmobilers for snowmobiles! Now is the time to shine up your buggy for the season. SledShine contains no abrasives and is safe on all non-porous surfaces including paint, chrome, glass, fiberglass, acrylic, aluminum, plexiglass, plastic, Lexan, vinyl, and even leather.

FAST-TRAC - Air Lite Backers

Aside from the stud itself, another critical component is the backer plate. This plate ensures the stud penetrates the snow or ice surface, versus folding over. Many manufacturers use aluminum backers, but the Fast-Trac Air Lite is a polymer backer that is both strong and lightweight. This is no ordinary plastic, but instead a proprietary DuPont blend that went through many years of development before being released to the industry back in 1998. Not only do they reduce rotating mass, but with several colors available, you can add style to your traction as well. fasttractraction.com

Traction products not only deliver a more confident and comfortable ride for the driver, but for the passenger as well.

BITE HARDER – Carbide Sharpener

Here’s a great way to extend the life of your carbide wear bars and keep that edge for optimum control. With Bite Harder, you’ll enjoy that sure-footed feeling and cornering assurance of a fresh pair of carbide wear bars by giving you the ability to sharpen your existing runners. When used with a cordless drill, you can sharpen your bars anywhere, even trailside. With