First Handle

[bowty]

I am in need of my first actual slalom handle. I learned to ski slalom last year, and this year have started practicing for competition. I had always just used a wakeboard rope/handle, but now need a slalom handle. I have been looking into In Tow Handles and like them, but don't know what measurements I want. I have used a bent handle and liked the feel of it, so I'm thinking I want one of those. I would say I have big hands (I wear XL gloves) and am still growing, so what length and diameter of handle is recommended?

[gregy]

I'm using a 13" US Gear bent with radius ends which I love, but US Gear has had some delivery problems recently. I went from a 12" to 13" handle a few years ago and it was one of the best things I've done it really helped with missed handle grabs. The bent handle almost eliminated my elbow problems, I'll never go back to a straight handle.

 

I've never used In Tow but I've always heard good things. Horton did an unboxing a few weeks ago of some In Tow handles. I've had several Masterline handles and can high recommend them for both service and quality.

[Waternut]

Handles are fickle things and you really need to just try a few and see what you like. Some like wide, some like narrow. Some guys with small hands like a large diameter handle and other guys with large hands like a small diameter handle. I only like to use elliptical handles and have recently been using Radar's ext-end triangle handle exclusively.

 

Anything will be better than a wakeboard rope/handle as they don't stretch or a walmart rope/handle because the quality is terrible.

[bowty]

Thanks for the feedback. Also, I saw In Tow has an option for tubing to protect the rope, is that worth it in terms of how long the handle will last? Last thing, is it worth it to have the head guard bar they offer (does it really work)?

[gregy]

http://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/10569/in-tow-ropes-and-handles-unboxing

[MrJones]

If you tend to lay your ski against the rope as you get up and the ski has a relatively sharp top edge, you may want the tubing cover. If you don't notice any fraying on your current handle then it probably doesn't matter.

 

Most of the guys I know run a 12" handle with a diameter between 1.062 and 1.092. There are exceptions, but that probably covers 80% of it. If you are just starting out get a straight round handle. Again, that's the norm.

 

If you have any more questions call Brenda at In Tow. She can probably ask you a couple of questions and direct you to a handle you will like.

[crashman]

Also consider masterline at. http://www.lakesatcottonwood.com/cottonwood_shop.htm

Like waternut said buy one that's pretty standard then fine tune from there.

[ToddL]

Handles are really a personal item at the tournament level. People gravitate towards various sizes and styles of handles.

 

The links below are to the most popular handles these days.

 

I think the standard is between 1.0 to 1.1 diameter straight 12" bar type of handle. People who have tendinitis in their elbows tend to prefer a handle that is "bent" or radius.

I am currently using a US Gear handle that is 13", elliptical and radius. It's pretty unique, but I like it.

I think the InTow and Masterline handles are by far the most popular ones on the dock.

 

http://www.jlbmfg.com/InTowTournamentHandles.html

http://www.masterlineusa.com/Masterline/Masterline-Handles/

http://www.radarskis.com/#!-/ropes

http://usgearonline.com/prod_slalom.html

http://www.slsports.com/ski.html