Smith "Guys" PLEASE Bring Back the Z-Bend Poles

[Choucas]

Reliable Racing does have Swix WC SL poles on closeout for $29.95. Heck of a deal even with shipping. Mine got swiped this week (paid more than that for them on a pro deal last year) so this was a less painful way to replace them. Basic 7075 aluminum pole with a great grip. Reliable Racing also sells the (very nice) powder baskets (and other replacement parts) for Swix poles.

[beaterdit]

And I have pairs of skis that used to retail for $1000+, but I usually find them one season later for $400 or less. Every spring for the past six or seven years Reliable Racing has had Scott WC poles for about $40--I've posted about it here, as have a few other people (that's how I found them at first--mighta been 13 who first posted about 'em). Right now Reliable Racing only has Swix poles, but I imagine they're basically the same and I think they're about $57. I would guess that at the end of the season whatever poles they have will go for around $40.

Retail?? You're doing it wrong.

And I'd agree with you that Scott poles (aluminum) seem to be quite durable.

Well I paid $44 for my last pair. Just saying, your average Joe skier can't just walk into the local shop and score top of the line Scotts for $40. Deals can be found if you're persistent though.

[dk_alaskan]

The Flexon/TT binding analogy is indeed a very good one. For those of us who have used they poles, many have fallen in "pole love" with them and a regular pole just doesn't feel right. It is kind of like the sleepy stranger grip when you are pulling it, yeah, it kinda feels alright, but damned if it gets you off the same was as Rosie does, it just isn't the same pleasurable experience

[Professor]

Just pointing out something here which many of you already know, but I keep seeing it pop up in this post. Please note, The Smith poles were not a GS bend. A GS bend is designed to go around your body when tucked. The Smith poles actually went the other way. They were designed to give you a longer reaching pole plant. Same sort of idea as old Kermas and Lekis and even current Scott grips. Just pointing this out to people that dont realize the difference.

[nick > jesus]

Could you just rotate the grip on a GS bent to achieve the same thing?

[Professor]

Rotating a GS pole doesnt do the same thing. A GS pole is designed to be a "straight" pole with a bend in it. So the grip should be directly over the basket when the pole is straight up and down. The Smiths had a bend in them to move the basket farther downhill from the grip. The theory is it gives you a better pole plant and gets your weight more forward than a standard pole.

[Garrett]

A GS pole is designed to be a "straight" pole with a bend in it. So the grip should be directly over the basket when the pole is straight up and down.

DH poles are built that way but GS/SG poles aren't. GS poles place the basket behind the grip when held vertically.

[unpossible]

Does anyone happen to have a pic of these poles handy? Google doesn't seem to be able to dig anything up.

[beaterdit]

Bump since the Rev's gonna kill his Z-bend thread.

Here is a deposit of [some of] the Z-bend love around here.

Also, I got my Z-bends out yesterday and yeah, I still really like them.

OH and Rev, Z-bend Love for posterity:

Smith "Guys" PLEASE Bring Back the Z-Bend Poles

Best way to straighten/bend poles?

just curious...

Need: one z-bend pow basket

WTB- Smith Z-Bend Powder Baskets


Anyone have Z-bends?


Z bend powder baskets


WTB: Single 48" z-bend

WTB: Smith Z-Bend powder basket


WTB: one Z-bend

Does Anyone have old Smith poles?


WTB 54" Smith Z-bend

Help! Needed: Smith Z-Bend Baskets in Utarr

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1 Attachment(s) WTB: Smith Z-bend Powder Baskets


Smith Poles powder basket!!!

WTB: Smith Z-Bend Poles

This was just a quick broad search, prolly lots more. I think I started one myself at one point but I can't find it.

[waxman]

if you want something similar to the Z-bend but in a bombproof almost unbreakable (6 seasons for me, after breaking at least a pole a season prior to that)
try to find a Dynastar/Rossignol/Kerma CFK gs pole (the bends are almost identical to the smith....

carbon fiber goodness, a little more $$$ but when they don't break what's the big deal?

[Professor]

if you want something similar to the Z-bend but in a bombproof almost unbreakable (6 seasons for me, after breaking at least a pole a season prior to that)

Dont you know you should NEVER say things like this. Willing to bet a beer that these will now break within a month. Not rooting against you, just the way it seems to work

[waxman]

careful, it's not like i said "this is the last run...."

[RShea]

Does anyone happen to have a pic of these poles handy? Google doesn't seem to be able to dig anything up.

These are both closed auctions, I believe, so no worries about sniping.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
probably should have bid and gotten these just for the parts- too short for my needs, but the price was right and shipping reasonable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...=STRK:MEWAX:IT
second shot is not of the full poles just the tops...

[RShea]

if you want something similar to the Z-bend but in a bombproof almost unbreakable (6 seasons for me, after breaking at least a pole a season prior to that)
try to find a Dynastar/Rossignol/Kerma CFK gs pole (the bends are almost identical to the smith....

carbon fiber goodness, a little more $$$ but when they don't break what's the big deal?

I don't know about the nearly identical bend (but I have not seen the CFK poles in person only on Ebay or internet shopping sites. They look much like the Atomic GS poles (and Swix too)

There are 2 distinct Z-Bend poles we are talking about- the Z-Bends in aluminum are not as radical of a bend afaik as the carbon models. If I get a chance I'll shoot an actual photo of my carbon models.

[beaterdit]

BUMP!

I was moving last week and came across a pair of Smith powder baskets.

Any local SLC mags want 'em they're yours for a sixer.

If I don't get a response here I'll put 'em up for grabs in gear swap.

[Eluder]

any interest in mailing these?

[dk_alaskan]

BUMP!

I was moving last week and came across a pair of Smith powder baskets.

Any local SLC mags want 'em they're yours for a sixer.

If I don't get a response here I'll put 'em up for grabs in gear swap.

Second Dibs. Can arrange local. otherwise, i will be local in a month

[beaterdit]

Sorry ludes, really trying to avoid mailing these I'm just too busy right now. DK I'll hold them for you or we can arrange for your friend to pick them up.

[dk_alaskan]

Any updates?

[dk_alaskan]

Starting off 2012 in proper fashion by bumping. I am on my last pair of z bend smiths, they are on their last legs, beat up, duct taped and glued. They flex like no other, but since i can't find them anywhere, I have to do what i can to keep them going until Smith comes back out with them again. Any news on these Smith folks?

[fat yeti]

Picked up a pair of 52s at a PC swap for $5 and choped them to 46. I hope they bring them back.

[ARL67]

Z-Bends make me look extra steezy performing my Gaper-Tuck !

- Gaper

[dk_alaskan]

Picked up a pair of 52s at a PC swap for $5 and choped them to 46. I hope they bring them back.

you just made me cry. That is the EXACT size i am looking for. 54's or 50's if i can't find any others.

[Shorty_J]

JONG away, but I've never understood why these poles are the shit. They're not just poles? Clearly I'm doing something wrong.

[Bandy1080]

I've got a pair of brand new 52" without powder baskets. They are the yellow competition ones with a couple of scuffs from sitting in the basement for all these years. Was saving them for a rainy day, but I need the money. PM me an offer.