Flat Top - Innovation? - NOT! Bergstrom Skegs, Inc.

Flat Topped Bars

Flat Top - An Innovation? - NOT!

The 1970's Kalamazoo Engineering Karbide is the perfect example of why we do not use a flat topped bar. It was replaced while it still had 17 plus inches of carbide. Why? Because the 1/4" thickness of the worn host bar was not enough to protect the ski or help turn the sled. We consider a wear rod worn out when it is worn halfway through at any point. A 1/2" round rod would be replaced after .250 of material has been worn away. To match that performance a 1/2" flat topped rod has to lose only .170 or 32% less material. The .080 thinner profile also diminishes turning in snow from the beginning, because resistance is needed to turn. Your ski starts out .080 closer to the ground before the sled travels one inch.

What about bar rollover? We guarantee our rods not to roll over as long as you put the bolts through the ski and tighten the nuts (Our secret - we weld the bolts onto the rod). The ski would have to deform in order for the bar to rollover.

Another feature is that we've used flange locknuts since 1985... with a 5/8" base. See wear rod models. Think about it. Is today's 100 mph any faster than yesteryear's 100 mph? Of course not! Flat topped wear rods were not reintroduced until 1996 by Bottom Line.

For more information check out:

First flat topped trail wear rod
Typical carbide wear rod wear patterns
Woody's flat top history

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