Handle wear.

[Wish]

Any suggestions on what to do when the handle peals like this to stop it from getting worse or slowing it down? Won’t mention the brand but it’s the first time it’s ever happened for me. 

[S1Pitts]

I have used AquaSeal wetsuit repair  smoothed into the wear area with some success. It holds for almost a season.

[vtmecheng]

I’m fairly sure many will know the brand by the color. Mine is likely to start doing this within the next year. You could send it back to the company or get a new handle from a competitor. I’m not too happy about it considering the cost. It didn’t last as long as others I’ve seen at this price.

[Killer]

buy a new one

[Wish]

@Killer if it was old I would. I’ve had handles restrung because the rope wore out before the handle. Not this to time. 

[jpwhit]

If it's worn pre-maturely, I'd contact the manufacturer and see what they'll do for you.  

[liquid d]

When you restring it, turn it over.

[dave2ball]

@jpwhit there is no warranty for that wear.   

[Wish]

@dave2ball exactly. Which is why I’m asking and hopefully it will help others with any handle doing this. 

[dave2ball]

@Wish  The wear depends on the type of gloves used and how soft the rubber is. The Kevlar gloves will wear a handle down quicker than Amara gloves. The soft rubber will give more thus wearing out sooner.   How many sets are on that bar?
 

[Wish]

Not Kevlar gloves and not sure. I don’t keep track. Ski 2-3x a week. It’s maybe a year and some change old. I’ve warn a handle down before and back in the day when handles were reasonably priced I’ve had them peal. It’s bean a loooong time since I’ve seen one peal. 

[dave2ball]

@Wish if your not happy with the handle don’t purchase from that MFG. 

 

[Wish]

@dave2ballits not about happy or unhappy. It’s about maybe helping the guy that can’t afford a $120+ handle find a way to make that handle last a bit longer with a potential fix or temporary repair. Skiers on a budget. So thank you @S1Pitts for your suggestion. Will give it a shot. Any other helpful suggestions are welcomed and appreciated. Go buy a new one or don’t buy again just isn’t what this thread is about. 

[Golfguy]

I think that the concept is the same as with track tires on a sports car. The rubber is soft so they will have improved grip. They wear fast. On the family cruisers one might chose a harder, less grippy tire for longer tire wear (milage). The same applies to ski handles IMO. I like my handle best when I have worn what look like finger grips in the bar. I will generally keep a handle for two years paying more attention to the line from the handle to the main rope. Just a thought and different than the problem that started this post. Grip it and rip it. 

[dave2ball]

@Wish if you pay 100.00 for a handle and it wears out quickly and you have to buy a new one the that 100.00 handle is not much of a bargain. You get what you pay for. I am using a handle with 100 plus rides on it. 

[thager]

@Wish If it were me I would repair as earlier suggested, then restring it after flipping tear to opposite side. Is not that hard to do yourself.

[vtmecheng]

Everyone is so touchy when it comes to a product wearing down fast or failing quickly.  I am fairly sure that I have the same handle as @Wish and it cost a lot more than $100. I use Amara gloves and mainly ski at 15 off 2-3 times per week. Mine is still okay after a year but the rubber has little tags from where it has started to separate just the smallest bit. All others in my ski group use the big name (I dare not say brands) that is the same price as mine and they ski as much or more than I do from 28 to 38 off. Those handles last multiple years with Kevlar gloves. I'm going to keep a close eye on mine and get a different brand once it gets to the point where @Wish is.

One thing I know from experience is don't mess with handle grip. I tried to push it on one a few years ago and injured my wrist from a loss of grip that I overlooked. That took 4 months, a brace, and lots of PT to recover from.

[dave2ball]

@vtmecheng you just answered the question. S line handle 135.00. ML handle 170.00. 35 dollar difference.  So in the long run which is the better deal?  

[vtmecheng]

Just now, dave2ball said:

@vtmecheng you just answered the question. S line handle 135.00. ML handle 170.00. 35 dollar difference.  So in the long run which is the better deal?  

I didn't realize that I asked a question. What question did I answer?

[buoyboy1]

@Wish I have handles do that over time and have been using IC-2000 extra strength glue from Bob Smith Industries.  Works well on rubber.  It dries a bit hard but I do not notice much difference while skiing. 

 

[dave2ball]

@vtmecheng your correct about the question but it boils down to a cheaper handle has softer rubber quality may not be wear and will wear quicker and therefore cost more in the long run.    
your post says a lot.   

[vtmecheng]

2 minutes ago, dave2ball said:

@vtmecheng your correct about the question but it boils down to a cheaper handle has softer rubber quality may not be wear and will wear quicker and therefore cost more in the long run.    
your post says a lot.   

My handle, which I believe is the same as the one @Wish posted, cost me $200. That isn't a cheaper handle so I don't understand what you are getting at.

[jpwhit]

2 hours ago, dave2ball said:

@jpwhit there is no warranty for that wear.   

Of course there is no warranty, but often a manufacturer will help you out for the good will. My view is it can't hurt to ask nicely..... 

[mike_mapple]

@Wish is it just the top layer, or down to the metal? if its the first some gorilla super glue works well for a while to pro long life.
 

[DW]

From the picture there is a small nick above the area in question, I would not be surprised if the actual tear started from a tiny nick in the handle and that is exactly where your hand grips the handle.  Handles live an abusive life.  The Aqua seal suggestion is a good one, not sure if some sort of handle wrap (aka golf club) could even withstand the grip / twist abuse we dole out on a ski handle.

Personally, I have relegated myself to go with a $50-$60 handle and only expect to see less than a year out of it, I do ski a lot which translates to a life span of 200 sets to see the rubber worn off in the high grip areas.  The other bummer for me, I use a radius handle so the flip thing won't work.  It is that balance of rubber durometer to durability to end up with a handle with good grip, feel and long life.

I keep looking for a way to simply find / buy / recoat an aluminum handle or bar to salvage more life out of the handles.  Would love to see ski handles on an episode of "How they do it"

[Wish]

@DW ya, mine is not flippable as well. I’ll have to look closer to see if it’s a nick or photo anomaly. 
@mike_mappletop layer only. If it was down to the metal, to me it’s trash and not to be used do to safety, so I’m glad it’s just top layer(s). I’ll look into that glue as well @jpwhit Your right. I may try a call. Worst that can say is no. @dave2ballNot a cheaper handle by any stretch of the imagination. With it being a radius plus the added protective sleeves and such, it’s the top of the top of the line. @buoyboy1 I’ll look into that. Thanks 

 

any thoughts to sanding it down so it’s more like a worn area? 

[dave2ball]

@Wish  cheaper does not always mean price.   
is that a blue bomber?  Is so that handle has been trouble since day 1.  I’ve seen multiple bombers have issues from quick wear such as yours to rubber coming loose from the bar.    

[Wish]

@dave2ball true but not in this case. I’ve only used one brand for a really looooong time. I was surprised by this type of wear. Gonna try to fix it first 👍 and see how it goes. Maybe someone else will benefit having the same issues with any brand. 

[dave2ball]

@Wish that bomber is soft. It will grip  but wear poorly. That blue handle is poor quality rubber compound plain and simple.  If you can fix it great.   

[jedgell]

I know someone using a Blue Bomber and has worn very quickly, with amara gloves.  I've been using In-Tow handles for 15 yrs or so and they usually last 3-4 years with Kevlar, not sure I'll be getting one of the new ones.

[Wish]

Blue bomber??? 

[vtmecheng]

13 minutes ago, Wish said:

Blue bomber??? 

The InTow handle that is blue was called the Blue Bomb handle.

[BrennanKMN]

Assuming it is the same brand as mine. I had a handle from them for 5-6 years with no 'peeling' wear like that. Only hand pressure wear. 

I got a new handle (same manufacture as the previous one) 2 years ago and by the end of the first year it had several nicks and peels like you have pictured. I have still been using it and it doesn't seem to be getting worse. 

I can say that when it comes time to re-string this handle I will be moving to another manufacture. I cannot justify the cost for them anymore. 

[Wish]

Mine is not InTow

[dave2ball]

Then it’s a n S Line  handle. Is my guess.   

[vtmecheng]

13 minutes ago, Wish said:

Mine is not InTow

I'll tuck my tail and say that I was wrong. The picture really looks like that rubber is blue and your wear is exactly what a lot of the blue bomb rubber ends up looking like. Sorry for the confusion.

[Wish]

@dave2ball wrong again. Keep guessing and everyone will know and it won’t be on me for naming the manufacturer. Not sure you want that . But again…not the point of the thread. 

[dave2ball]

@Wish honestly I don’t give a shit.  

[Wish]

@dave2ballThought with all the guesses u were interested. My bad. 

[skibrain]

I’ve tried Shoe Goo on handles. Cleaned first with carb cleaner. It lasts about a week and then peels off. I would try instead trimming off any kind of flap or excess material from slit, and just use it.
 

alternately, wrap with black electrical tape, skip gloves and apply sunscreen to hands before each set. Handle will last forever. 

[foxriverat]

How @dave2ball feels about brands he doesn't use. 

 

[dave2ball]

@foxriverat I would stop there you know nothing about me or my knowledge  of ropes and handles.  
 

[foxriverat]

@dave2ball likewise. You know nothing about me either tough guy. Lol

[dave2ball]

@foxriverat I’m not throwing personal attacks.  

[Horton]

I do not have the interest to read all of the back and forth in this thread but you guys seem getting grumpy with each other. If it continues I'll just put a couple of you on time out for a week. Please please please don't make me be an real administrator....

[Drago]

[Drago]

15 years. It's a Z-Line, oops, MasterLine. I could probably sell it for more than I bought it for. 

[Slalom.Steve]

..still so mad about S-Lines lol. And it seems @Wish's handle in question may actually be a Masterline, by process of elimination.

[Drago]

10 hours ago, Slalom.Steve said:

..still so mad about S-Lines lol. And it seems @Wish's handle in question may actually be a Masterline, by process of elimination.

Huh?

[Slalom.Steve]

1 hour ago, Drago said:

Huh?

@dave2ball seems to still be mad about S-Lines. Right when S-Lines came out (and then the bizarre appearance of ZLine), there was some contentious exchanges in a couple threads.