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Post by johntpenca on Sept 9, 2016 10:42:17 GMT -8
As a post note, the good thing about the rubber tips is that on rock, cobblestones, concrete/rock steps is the rubber helps to prevent the poles from skittering around. Plus they are more quiet.
Never had a problem with twist lock poles in 30 years of using my Lekis for skiing and hiking, but agree flick locks are more user friendly.
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texasbb
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Post by texasbb on Sept 9, 2016 10:43:20 GMT -8
All trekking poles or most have the same grip. That is decidedly at odds with my experience.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 10, 2016 21:59:21 GMT -8
Another "no" vote for antishock. I don't like the noise or the extra weight. Their give can sometimes make the plant a bit less secure in an emergency self-arrest. I like cork handles, flick-locks and light weight. However, any decent pair of poles is a hundred times better than doing without.
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Sept 11, 2016 7:02:34 GMT -8
i have a cheap pair ($20 per pole) of some knockoff pole I got on Amazon, that has a flick lock and four of the pull-apart joins that some of the new poles feature, sort of like a tent pole. And I have a pair of Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4s that I vastly prefer. I use the cheap poles when I think I will be off trail and may need to quickly stash the poles in the pack.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 11, 2016 9:37:54 GMT -8
I have a cheap pair that came for free with my Mountainsmith backpack, so I don't expect they would be expensive on their own.
I like them okay, but would echo what the others have already said about extra tips; they definitely do come off from time to time, and spares may not be easy to come by in retail outlets near where you'll be hiking.
I've been lucky that I noticed quickly and managed to retrace my steps and retrieve them most of the time, but have lost one or two.
Ordered a bag of several on the web. The size is pretty standard.
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mano
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Post by mano on Sept 12, 2016 9:11:50 GMT -8
Thanks all for your kind words, support and recommendations. I just bought the Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles. They were $42.00 for the cork handle version. Quick lock and no anti-shock.The expert and buyer reviews are all very positive. I'm optimistic that I got a set of affordable utilitarian poles that are just what I need.
I'll get a set of extra rubber tips, too.
Best regards,
Craig
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Sept 12, 2016 18:03:07 GMT -8
Besides working well on pavement and slickrock, the fat rubber tips are great for protecting things from the tips in transit.
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rebeccad
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Post by rebeccad on Sept 13, 2016 7:35:18 GMT -8
Besides working well on pavement and slickrock, the fat rubber tips are great for protecting things from the tips in transit. Since I never think of taking my tip protectors when we're hiking, all I've used them for is to protect the tips in transit (or rather, to protect my luggage) I should try to remember them because the metal tips do slip on rock.
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Post by UpperPeninsula on Sept 13, 2016 8:12:05 GMT -8
Thanks all for your kind words, support and recommendations. I just bought the Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles. They were $42.00 for the cork handle version. Quick lock and no anti-shock.The expert and buyer reviews are all very positive. I'm optimistic that I got a set of affordable utilitarian poles that are just what I need. I'll get a set of extra rubber tips, too. Best regards, Craig Craig, I bought the same poles last week based on a recommendation from Skurka's blog. When I'm looking for gear I go to his blog first. Then I come here and double check it. In this particular case the users here were all over the map. I went with the concise recommendation, as did you, whether he was one of your resources or not. Anyway, you did well!
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Sept 14, 2016 8:39:39 GMT -8
I have used Leki poles a lot. Greatly improve my range and reduce how beat up my knees are. The biggest plus is the extra security of reducing fall chance. I am currently using a cork handle Super Makalu's.
I personally think the anti-shock is useful. Not for reducing shock to me but to the adjustment clamps. Keeps them from sliding under high impact loads.
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gabby
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Post by gabby on Sept 14, 2016 13:51:45 GMT -8
Given this, I would have gone for the beefiest pair I could find in aluminum. Carbon fiber has a reputation for snapping unexpectedly, especially if the pole surface is abraded, whereas aluminum would possibly give at least some warning. (This may be an attribute that may perhaps has been resolved since I last delved into this subject.) Anyway, I'd be careful to avoid surface scratches and such - I've noticed at least some abrasion on my Leki carbon fiber poles even though I attempt to treat them carefully, especially around hard, abrasive materials like granite. ETA: I understand that CF is susceptible to UV and heat degradation as well, but I don't have any idea to what extent this is a real problem. The primary disadvantage of CF is lack of flex before breaking. Of course, the poles you bought are a pretty good deal, so maybe none of this is a really big deal.
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driftwoody
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Post by driftwoody on Sept 17, 2016 6:39:17 GMT -8
Highly recommend trekking poles with external lever locks. Twist locks, push-button locks and combination locks have a high percentage of catastrophic failure in the field ^^THIS^^ I have a pair of Black Diamond elliptical cam locks, and will never buy twist locks again. They slip if you don't tighten them enough and get stuck when you tighten them too much.
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tigger
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Post by tigger on Sept 17, 2016 6:51:29 GMT -8
I have a pair of Black Diamond elliptical cam locks, and will never buy twist locks again. They slip if you don't tighten them enough and get stuck when you tighten them too much. Yep. I've got a pair of twist lock Leki poles that were pretty highly recommended. They worked good for the first two years or so but then the twist locks started randomly failing. They wouldn't lock, or locked so tight I couldn't get them unstuck. Now, I just leave them locked in the position I like because I'm concerned that I couldn't get them right again if I did loosen them.
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markskor
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Post by markskor on Sept 17, 2016 9:43:30 GMT -8
Been following this for spell... thoughts -
Not a big fan of those ellipticals (had the Black Diamonds), as while stronger along the N/S axis, the side-to-side (E/W) susceptible to easy bending...(not a long story)...back to REI.
Traded them in for some CF BDs. Off-trail, talus, granite, second summer of heavy use, one bottom section separated...spider cracks?, (just fell off!) just a few inches above the basket.
Also dislike (cannot see the reason for?) the anti-shock. Makes noise, and no immediate feel for a secure purchase...not there when you really need it.
As to twist vs. flick, as well said above -"Twist locks worked good for the first two years or so but then the twist locks started randomly failing. They wouldn't lock, or locked so tight I couldn't get them unstuck."
Cork vs plastic grips...Like the feel of cork better (non sweaty?), but also the night critters too. Chew-marks - Salt?...make sure to stick them in ground, upright at night (good way to dry socks too, hung over poles), or poles stashed under tent.
Many users seen have no idea how to use the straps correctly.
Wish they made 3-section poles...non-ellipticals, CF on top two sections, aluminum bottom section, cork grips, flick locks, no anti-shock. BTW, right now using BD's Ergo corks. just my 2¢
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almostthere
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Post by almostthere on Sept 19, 2016 21:11:39 GMT -8
The big exception to the twist lock failure problem would be my Gossamer Gear poles. The twist lock is substantially different, and field fixable. I've done it many times over the past decade.
Yes -- ten years. I replaced two sections due to my own stupidity -- they take immense punishment when used as they should be, but putting them in a trunk of a car, letting people pitch in backpacks, and driving home led to them cracking all the way through. All load bearing should be in the vertical axis - never horizontal. Otherwise they would have lasted this entire decade without so much as a splinter. Wore off the 'Gossamer Gear' label and replaced the faux cork handles once after marmots chewed them.
LOVE the only poles on the market with actual people answering the phone and actual replacement parts available. I never so much as found a phone number when trying to fix the Komperdell poles I started with -- good luck with parts for those.
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