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Urban rails

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Blynch2
Posts: 480 - Karma: 1,006
I was planning on hitting some urban this winter for the first time, but I'm worried about one thing. That is catching an edge and eating shit on a sticky rail. For anyone that's hit urban, do rails stick a lot or do they slide like rails in a park? If they stick is there a way to make them less sticky?
Dec 7 2016 11:15AM
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SKRockies
Posts: 606 - Karma: 1,689
wizard wax
Dec 7 2016 11:46AM
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fredyferl
Posts: 2903 - Karma: 14,373
Urban rails slide way better than rails in the park. I've never stuck on a handrail. Just make sure they're not made of aluminum. If a rail happens to stick, I use PAM oil, which is the thing you put on your barbecue. It works really well for sticky rails, and it actually stays
Dec 7 2016 12:00PM
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TrickyDick470
Posts: 443 - Karma: 2,346
What if a rail appears painted and somewhat rough? I was actually thinking about going out today but that is my only concern. Don't wanna break myself off early in the season...
Dec 7 2016 12:19PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8890 - Karma: 57,130
this is why you've seen ten too many cliche shots of a dude running his ski along a rail before hitting it in movies. run your ski over any parts youre worried about (with a lot of downward pressure) to find any spots that might hang you up, and wax/file/deal with em accordingly
Dec 7 2016 12:49PM
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Tamas
Posts: 550 - Karma: 842
The only times I've ever really "stuck" on a handrail was when I've landed on the rail awkwardly.

But like mentioned before, stay clear of aluminum rails.
Dec 7 2016 2:27PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8890 - Karma: 57,130
Tamasstay clear of aluminum rails.


well, unless you like eating shit
Dec 7 2016 2:28PM
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thepastapalace
Posts: 67 - Karma: 384
Just make sure they're not made of aluminum.

why?
Dec 7 2016 5:56PM
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TrickyDick470
Posts: 443 - Karma: 2,346
fpushbroJust make sure they're not made of aluminum.

why?


Aluminum is softer than other metals and your edges will dig in easier. I made a skateboard box with aluminum coping once and sometimes if you landed too hard on it on your trucks you would hang up and fall off.
Dec 7 2016 7:00PM
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LivingDaLife
Posts: 352 - Karma: 1,349
Some urban rails stick more than others...sometimes it helps to scrape the paint off if the rail hasn't been slid before, otherwise the first few hits you'll be peeling paint. Usually paint doesn't really stick, but it will slow down your slide.

Square bars will have a tendency to stick more than round bars. How soft the metal is will also determine whether you might hang an edge into something...as others noted, aluminum is a definite no go. Run your skis along it, dig an edge in to see if it catches.

Most rails should be fine though and feel like a park rail.
Dec 7 2016 9:33PM
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SofaKingSick
Posts: 8890 - Karma: 57,130
fpushbroJust make sure they're not made of aluminum.

why?


Aluminum is softer than your edges and it's extremely hard to slide without catching an edge..like so hard it's not worth even trying
Dec 7 2016 10:44PM
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John18_6
Posts: 7313 - Karma: 49,158
Just depends on how smooth the surface is. If you can see the metal and it's shiny you'll be golden. Rust is a little slower but definitely not sticky. most rails are perfect. corroded handrails don't slide well, but if it's cold you can put water on the rail and it'll slide just like a park rail. if a rail does feel sticky just toss some wax on it.
Dec 8 2016 12:17AM
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