Baller bowty Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 Which Sportube do you all use? I ordered a Sportube 2 and it wouldn't fit my Strada with Vapor bindings. Does the Sportube 3 fit a ski with hardshell bindings? Wayfair.com has free return shipping so no big deal if I need to exchange it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DmaxJC_ski Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yes the 3 does, I have the same set up and I can fit ski in bag, vest, handle and all in mine, had flown if multiple times, strapped it to the roof of rental cars and SUV's and it holds up great, also fits 3 sets of downhill skis and poles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Commuterfisher Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 I use the sport tube 3 because I can fit 2 to 3 skis. The 2 will only fit 2 jammed in tight. Wayfair sent me a 2 by mistake. I used it kept the box and stickers and sent it back and got the 3. They paid for return shipping and wrote off the shipping. Great company. I bought a beast duffle roll around luggage for Europe. By the time I got around paying for it the price drop and they gave me the discount even though it was in my cart for the higher price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller CowboyTroy43 Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 @bowty PM sent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 I used a Sports Tube 3, but went back to a roller bag, basically I found travelling around airports the sports tube, not that good, does not ride well on trolleys, slides around, packing it with gear was a pain and when you put the ski in, there is not a lot of padding on the side, just you ski bag, I also found it heavier than the roller bag, with the same amount of gear. You can get more gear in the roller bag and it is easier to pack. I know a lot of people really, rate the sports tube, it comes down to personal preference, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 The difference between the bag and a sportube is that the tube is pretty near indestructible when the baggage monkeys are literally tossing your ski carriers onto the ground - sat and watched them do it to 3K worth of my snow skis one trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted July 31, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted July 31, 2014 Down side to Sprotube is the inability for the TSA to put the thing back together. Watched them crash mine into a rolling shelf of stuff as two of them were forcing it back together and one let go.....zing across the floor it went....CRASH !! Highly recommend taping a set of assembly instructions to the outside along with marking alignment points on the tube itself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 Yup - draw a line on it in sharpie and put a label explaining that they need to make sure that the pin actually goes through the inner piece. And always make sure to check it before you pick it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bowty Posted July 31, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 Thanks everyone. I wish they made one that was as long as the Sportube 2 but as wide as the 3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 I wish they made one that opens clam shell style Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bowty Posted July 31, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 @6balls but then it wouldn't be adjustable. I need one for my snow and water skis, currently my snow skis are 168cm so they will fit in the Sportube 3, but if I ever want longer snow skis I will need the 2. I'm going to call Sportube today and recommend a Sportube 4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted July 31, 2014 Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 @bowty - how short do you think the 3 is? My race skis are 180's and they fit in a Sportube 3 along with a 180 Monoski. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bowty Posted July 31, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted July 31, 2014 @oldjeep Mine are 178, I'm just not sure if I would ever get skis longer that 183. I bought my skis after last season, so I guess I won't have to cross that bridge for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Zman Posted August 1, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 1, 2014 Like @Wish said, and I know many others do, tape instructions on the tube for TSA. I also use a light weight ski travel bag to put almost everything in it first. Makes it a ton easier for TSA to inspect and get it all back together. And, keep an extra lynch pin, or machine bolt handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller wtrskior Posted August 1, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 1, 2014 I have a series 3 as well. The 1 thing that swayed me to go the tube route is many airlines say they won't cover damages if your ski isn't in a hard case. I rigged up bungees that hold the 2 pieces together after picking up my case on the carousel at MCO missing the pin and seeing my ski gear lying there. Luckily I didn't loose anything. Haven't had an issue with the bungees yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted August 1, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted August 1, 2014 @Zman I do the same. Light nylon bag with all the little stuff inside. I purchased my Sportube used so maybe the new ones are not like this but my lynch pin was chained to the bag so it cant get lost. It also has a small hole at the end of the pin where a TSA lock can be placed. @wtrskior Bungees? Gotta pic of that? Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Commuterfisher Posted August 2, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 2, 2014 The problem with bags and soft cases are when your ski gets sideways on the conveyor it can get jammed. Then it can get T-boned by luggage and snapped in half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Deke Posted August 4, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 4, 2014 I don't know if mine got dropped from 20,000 feet, run over by a truck or t-boned in the conveyor system. But, you are still at the mercy of the airline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Commuterfisher Posted August 4, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 4, 2014 If that happened to a bag. That would have been your ski in two pieces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bowty Posted August 4, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted August 4, 2014 @Deke Did the airline replace it for you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Marco Posted August 4, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 4, 2014 @Deke - Yikes! That's a big part of the reason I am driving for 2 days instead of flying to Nats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Deke Posted August 4, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 4, 2014 @Marco that happened a few years ago on the way home from @Sethski . Luckily, we were headed home and damage was minimal with only a slightly bent fin. Unluckily the airline refused to help out with either the fin or the SportTube! I haven't travelled with a ski since and I'm not sure what I'd do now other than have good insurance. Good luck at Nationals to both you and Sarah. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DanE Posted August 5, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 5, 2014 Based on @Deke story I begin to wonder if it's worth the hassle packing the Sporttube. A soft bag is alot easier to pack and it wont break in half either. Since the arline seems to not pay for either the destroyed Sporttube or its content. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DaveD Posted August 5, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 5, 2014 I don't know if it's safer but I've been shipping mine in it's original box instead of flying with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Stevie Boy Posted August 5, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 5, 2014 @Commuterfish he got lucky, crushed on the wrong side, there would have damaged the ski, if that happened with a bag, there is a chance that the bag will move around a bit and the ski may not get damaged, I find with a slalom ski, in a slalom bag with bindings on, it is tight on one side of the sportstube, I am happier putting my ski in a bag and wrapping it with towels and ski gear, gives it plenty of padding, and the opportunity to move around a bit, just my personal preference, travelled with the sportstube a couple of times, used to tie the ski and gear onto a piece of hardboard and slide it in, the sportstube does not like riding on airport trolley's, or leaning up against lift sides or walls, it just slides around. Pro's for me, as far as the roller bag goes, It doesn't slide around, It is easier to pack, I can get more stuff in it and it allows me, to travel on onboard with a rucksack with the stuff I cannot get into the Roller bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller wtrskior Posted August 5, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 5, 2014 @Wish will try to get some pics tonight, but essentially I used 2 bungees (in case 1 is broken or not attached.) and attached them to a shackle bolt (sailing hardware) that is through one of the holes in the inner piece. the shackle bolt acts as a stopper and clip for the bungee. I tied small metal carabiners on the bungees so they lock on but are easy to operate for the TSA staff. I also put a simple wing nut and bolt through the 2 pieces as well, but the bungees make it easy for staff to not screw it up. Good so far! http://www.riggingshoppe.com/prodimg/im503.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ The_MS Posted August 5, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted August 5, 2014 Dont fool around and get a sport tube. There is a lot less chance of it getting damaged. I have 28 years of airline ground ops and have seen lots of damage to skis, golf clubs and other weird sized items. The hard shell case damage claims are much less then any soft side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bowty Posted August 5, 2014 Author Baller Share Posted August 5, 2014 @MS I called up Sportube because I had a question about returning one because I got the wrong size, and I ended up pre-ordering the new Sportube 3 special edition. It should arrive in September. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ The_MS Posted August 5, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted August 5, 2014 Well worth the money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted August 5, 2014 Baller_ Share Posted August 5, 2014 @OB that is good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller colo_skier Posted August 5, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 5, 2014 I am intrigued by the bungee idea. I can honestly say I have no idea what you are doing from the explanation. The pictures will quell my curiosity as I to worry about the intelligence required to put a sports tube that you just undid back together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller wtrskior Posted August 5, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 5, 2014 @wish @colo_skier The shackle I used is smaller than I'd like but all I could find locally. It works http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u579/klrr27/2014-08-05%2018.43.14_zpsubw4edq4.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller colo_skier Posted August 6, 2014 Baller Share Posted August 6, 2014 Ah grasshopper understand now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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