rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 7, 2016 8:31:58 GMT -8
Coolkat, I haven't had the same poles, but I did dismantle and clean my old REI poles, after getting sand in the works. Look online and see if there are any instructions (yes, my newest set of poles DID come with instructions--not for use, but for maintenance). I notice that my current poles, which have flip-locks, occasionally require tightening the screws so they won't slip. But my old twist-lock REI poles could not be tightened enough to prevent some slipping. Neither has ever collapsed, just gotten shorter over the course of a few miles BTW, we have gone through a few pairs in the 16 years since I started using them, but almost all because we (and for 'we' read 'my husband') bent them. One of the original REI twist-lock poles did simply fail. Our son was using it, 3 1/2 years ago (so the pole was about 12 years old at that point), and the twist-lock broke so that it could not be tightened. He wasn't abusing it. I think the plastic just gave up, which shouldn't be shocking after 12 years).
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Jan 7, 2016 9:12:16 GMT -8
I called REI and asked the person on the other end of the line- perhaps a blond?- do you fix Leki (I pronounce it Lee'key) poles?
And she said to me, "Your trekking poles are leaking?"
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Post by JRinGeorgia on Jan 7, 2016 9:42:21 GMT -8
I always thought it was LEH-kee (rhymes with Becky).
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 7, 2016 10:04:32 GMT -8
I called REI and asked the person on the other end of the line- perhaps a blond?- do you fix Leki (I pronounce it Lee'key) poles? And she said to me, "Your trekking poles are leaking?" Customer service humor after countless calls from people mispronouncing the products? You might have hesitation but she KNEW she was speaking to a "blonde". Personally I would have gone with an anthroplogy/paleontology joke. "Did you purchase those at our Hadar* store?" Maybe work in a Lucy** and Beatles riff. . www.leakey.com** en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hadar%2C_Ethiopia
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Jan 7, 2016 10:22:15 GMT -8
I stored my poles with the flip locka loose. A little bit of research shows that the flip locks should be stored with the flip locka loose. I picked up that advise on the forum a year or two ago and have been doing so ever since. Makes sense and one of those hiking jewels you can takeaway from this side of the forum. Concurrently we began the transition to flip lock or external locks for our hiking poles. The twist-lock internal configurations seem a bit more maintenance prone. The design issue is the nylon split dowel expands and contracts depending on the twist, clockwise or counter-clockwise. Repeated use weakens the material and can lead to failures in the field, which we have experienced over an extended period of time. The other condition mentioned was temperature changes, especially when used in crossing cold streams in hot weather. The colder temperature can and has caused the dowel or "expander" to contract on the outside diameter thus loosening the shaft tightness increasing risk of unintentional collapse. The most memorable was a full pack face plant into the Obstacle Pool, Jumpup Canyon, GCNP. Who has experience with the carbon, graphite or aluminum collapsible trekking poles such as BD Z series, Leki Vario, etc.? Lighter weight and smaller length footprint when not in use. Scared more by the robustness uncertainty of the concealed inner cord than the price.
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Jan 7, 2016 10:26:02 GMT -8
so I got Lekis at an REI on the way. I've had a similar experience. I have Lekis and I've never had them fail on me. I went on a multiday trip last year and one of my friends had their BD flip locks fail on them. My Lekis are probably 8 years old or so and I've never had a problem with them collapsing on me. However, recently I've had issues with them not engaging after they've been loosened and collapsed. I've been told their is maintenance one can perform on these poles but I've never had them apart. Can they actually be taken apart? I'd really rather not spend money on another pair right now. I take apart and put together my Gossamer Gear poles repeatedly, as needed, over the past 7-8 years. They have never failed to work. I have had Komperdells, Lekis (for three days), and Easton poles as well. The Eastons were for snow use, heavy with snow baskets, and have not failed. The Komperdells and Lekis failed. Mass manufactured poles are not made to be user fixable. Yes, the Lekis have screws on the flip locks - these are quite familiar to me as I have similar locks on the Eastons. The screws were tightened before use. Failed. My boyfriend lost his poles - left them in a parking lot - and used my GG poles, and now he is buying me new ones because he wants my poles! He really enjoyed using 4 oz poles instead of 16 oz aluminum ones. He is very tall and evidently they worked for him really well....
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jan 7, 2016 10:30:53 GMT -8
After a bit too long of no use (my bad) I did have a tightening problem with the locks on my Gossamer Gear LT4s, but with a bit of adjustment they returned to full function and count me too as a huge fan of the weightless nature of those poles versus my BD alloy ellipticals.
My only "failure" as such was a pair of Leki's (IIRC) with twist locks that I found frozen in place at the end of a long route and decided to abandon rather than try and talk my way onto an aircraft with them....
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Westy
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Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,960
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Post by Westy on Jan 7, 2016 10:36:15 GMT -8
my Gossamer Gear poles repeatedly, as needed, over the past 7-8 years. They have never failed to work. Which Gossamer product model do you have?
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RedDoug
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Post by RedDoug on Jan 7, 2016 20:44:01 GMT -8
I have had my leaking Lekis for over 20 yrs now. They are the ones you twist to tighten or loosen. I can tell they are not as fail-proof as they once were, but they are still in very good shape. BTW, I can't even begin to tell you how many branches I have wacked with those poles- no bends in them yet. The paint is quite worn on the bottom 1/3, handles have a lot of wear, poles work great. I am on my 3rd set of tips, however.
And the bears I have cleared off the trail by going into the joust maneuver is beyond count now!!
Just in case, the top part of this post is all true, about the poles. Some may doubt the joust part, but I guess you would have had to been there to believe it.
PS. Redheads are not blonds. Redheads are in their own class. Also, my avatar looks so much like me I decided not to post a picture. Didn't need one.
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rebeccad
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Writing like a maniac
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Post by rebeccad on Jan 7, 2016 21:47:48 GMT -8
Redheads are not blonds. Redheads are in their own class. Preach it, brother! <-----NOT a blonde
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almostthere
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putting on my hiking shoes....
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Post by almostthere on Jan 8, 2016 8:14:19 GMT -8
my Gossamer Gear poles repeatedly, as needed, over the past 7-8 years. They have never failed to work. Which Gossamer product model do you have? Lightrek 4, no straps (got them before wrist straps were offered). I have used them to hold up tarps and tents since I got them - they keep me upright in deep water, saved my face many times over. I replaced two sections - because I was careless and left them in the trunk before everyone threw in backpacks. They do NOT handle horizontal stress - but they are bomber when used in the manner intended. My bf believed that they would be too fragile for him. Now I get new poles. Not letting him use my hammock.... I also had to replace the handles after marmots had their way with them. But, that is possible! Go on the website and order parts. That was not possible with other poles I have had -- handle chewed off, buy a new set of poles. One section cracks, buy a new set of poles. Not so with Gossamer Gear. I could replace a handle, a twist lock, a section. And the customer service is exemplary -- never found a contact email or phone number for Komperdell, but send an email to GG and get a response the same day -- for me, within five minutes.
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snappypepper
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Post by snappypepper on Jan 9, 2016 19:56:58 GMT -8
I always bring them and often use them on long stretches downhill or even just when I start getting fatigued, as that's when my injuries tend to happen. I find that when the trail acts as stairs, stepping down sideways rather than facing forward also helps preserve my bad knee (ACL replacement has made it prone to anger, lol). It took me a while to become a believer, but I wouldn't go backpacking without them. I'm generally fine on day hikes with a light pack, but if I know the terrain is particularly slippery or challenging, I bring them then too.
I really like the feedback here about twist lock vs. flip lock. I'd like to get a lighter pair, my current poles are Eastons which have served me well, but are rather heavy. Thanks, everyone!
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Post by cheaptentguy on Jan 10, 2016 11:01:43 GMT -8
Did a short hike this morning on some very muddy trails. The poles were fantastic help for stability in the slippery conditions.
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