[onefutui2e]

Hey guys, not snowboard-related, but since I've been a part of these forums for 3 years I've received lots of helpful advice. This probably belongs elsewhere but I figure there'd be more visibility here.

A friend recently bought a a pair of skis dunno from Backcountry and it came as scheduled. He unwrapped it and we inspected it, giving it the once-over. I noticed that as I followed the edge around one of them, I came to a point near the tip where there was about a 1/8 inch gap (maybe even a little less). Picture someone wrapping the edge around the ski and coming up just a bit short. It was present on the other but not as pronounced.

Since it's at the tip I don't think it matters much but the worst thing that can happen is if something like a rock or tree snags it and rips the sidewall out. We hopped online and spoke with a rep. He told us it's actually pretty normal and shouldn't be anything to worry about. He said if it really bothers my friend that much, they'd be happy to replace it and also mentioned that if anything, they do have a lifetime return policy backing it.

My friend figures that if they're confident enough that they're basically saying, "even if anything should happen, you can always just return it to us", it's probably nothing to worry about, but still, he'd rather not have to take advantage of a generous policy and head off a potentially unpleasant situation if possible.

So the questions:

1. Is this something to worry about?
2. If it does bother him but he doesn't want to go through the hassle of returning it, is there something we can do to close/seal the gap? Either through a shop or a DIY method.

 

[linvillegorge]

It's just where the ends of the edge come together. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Varza]

My board has that in the very center of the tail. The metal edgehas a small gap, but it is filled in with a clear substance (epoxy, resin, something ? :dunno. I figure they can't get the metal to match exactly, and this is better than an overlap. I wouldn't worry about it.

I don't really have an answer to question 2... Maybe try sealing it with epoxy or something of the sort. That's one for the experts on here.

 

[PDubz]

What brand is it?

Some use a single piece around the tip, second piece around the tail and the two side pieces. Some use a one piece that comes together in the tip.
Depends on the equipment you bought, some brands just press.clamp them in while others make it seamless. They're typically pretty tight though. I wouldn't worry about it TBH.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn191/sammer_album/edge.jpg

I'm not sure if I'm on point, so take it with a grain of salt.

It's most likely sealed already, but you can fill it up with expoxy and file it down.

 

[poutanen]

My board has about 8" on the tip and tail with no metal edge! :dizzy:

 

[trapper]

I think what you are describing is exactly what my wife's skis have. I bought them new for her 2 seasons ago and the first season she rode on it without any problem. This year I decided to slap some general epoxy in it just for piece of mind and still no issue whatsoever.

Like linville said, it's probably nothing to worry about. If you're worried about it though, I echo what others said and what I did which is just epoxy it up and call it good.

 

[onefutui2e]

Thanks for the insight, guys.

poutanen, what kind of board do you right? I'm thinking a Mervin? :icon_scratch:

PDubz, that picture is kind of right. I'd say the gap is a bit larger (about 1/8 inch) and they're properly lined up instead.

 

[Lamps]

Thanks for the insight, guys.

poutanen, what kind of board do you right? I'm thinking a Mervin? :icon_scratch:

PDubz, that picture is kind of right. I'd say the gap is a bit larger (about 1/8 inch) and they're properly lined up instead.

poutine rides a transyvanian voodoo board that is 2780 cm long, stiffer than a teenage hard on, is made of unobtanium with carbon fibre stringers and costs 87 zillion dollars and has a square front and back

 

[poutanen]

poutine rides a transyvanian voodoo board that is 2780 cm long, stiffer than a teenage hard on, is made of unobtanium with carbon fibre stringers and costs 87 zillion dollars and has a square front and back

What he said! But without full wrap metal edges?!? :blink:

I can get a pic of the tip/tail if anybody wants. After seeing/riding this board I wouldn't be worried about a small gap in a full wrap edge.

 

[onefutui2e]

interesting. is it powered by the blood of orphans, or tears?

and sure, i'd love to see a picture. i can also upload from my phone once i get home later.

 

[poutanen]

Powered by liquified virgins! Or the liquid from virgins... :tongue4:


Here's the tip, you can clearly see how the metal wraps just a couple inches past the contact point. The white fibres you see coming out of the tip are either kevlar or FG, I was debating about trying to burn them off but they don't seem to be hurting anything?!? :dunno:

 

[onefutui2e]

hahaha. wow. but i mean, what would happen if you were in the trees and you swing your board around, then your tip slams into a tree?

i only ask because that's pretty much what happened to my rider's choice, which has no edge on its tips. after a weekend of 90% ripping through the woods, there were dents all along the nose and tail. Nothing that some work with pliers couldn't fix.

edit:

this is what the gap looks like, FYI:


it's a close-up shot so it looks worse than it really is, but that should give you a solid idea.

 

[poutanen]

hahaha. wow. but i mean, what would happen if you were in the trees and you swing your board around, then your tip slams into a tree?

Yeah I was a little surprised myself when I received the board. On the other hand I don't take it easy on it at all, and so far it's been handling abuse better than any board I've owned since the 90's! :yahoo:

 

[OU812]

Are boards usually wrapped fully with a metal edge? My TRS is not, the tip and tail are bare. I've noticed cheaper boards are fully wrapped mostly, I dunno :dunno:

 

[onefutui2e]

I think Mervin boards are by design like that, my GNU Rider's Choice is the same.