We're Flattered

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

Pavement Drag test 1990

After four years of development, Bergstrom Skegs came onto the snowmobile market in 1976 with the first commercial hardsurfaced wear rod. Dealers dubbed them "the poor man's carbide" because they outlasted three to five sets of standard rods. They also outlasted the carbides on the market. However, they did not turn on ice like carbides. Even though the hardsurfaced rods were the best value dollar per mile, we added carbides in 1992 after many requests.

Roetin Industries introduced Masterwear hardweld in 1982 and incorporated Masterweld into their carbides in 1985.

Their literature reads as follows: "For improved wear, control, performance, Roetin Industries was the first company to manufacture and sell carbide runners. We've been in the business longer than anyone else and we've learned how to make the best products on the market.  Several years ago, we found out that replacing two short carbide "wear pads" with Masterweld filler, doubled the life of the Masterweld Carbide Runners. While other manufactures have stayed with the obsolete wear pads, we now use Masterweld in all our consumer carbide runners to give the customer more value for the money. Roetin Carbide Runners set the standard." See the actual literature at: Roetin advertising history.

Koronis, Sno-Stuff introduced their Hardbar in 1987 and incorporated hardweld into their carbide line.

Their literature reads as follows: "Hardbar-Penetrating weld runs the full length of the bar offering exceptional wear resistance for you trail riders. This bar is in a class by itself. X-calibar I - Five full inches of penetrating hardweld reduces wear on the front and back of the bar's surface.  X-calibar III - Penetrating hardweld is added between carbide in both the front and back providing you with high quality wear resistant carbide runner."

In 1989 the Good-Stuff Newsletter says: "After it's introduction during the 1987-88 season, the Sno-Stuff hardbar did not perform as expected."   "Sno-Stuff Discovers Family Secret! Sno-Stuff is very proud to have discovered the family secret and be able to provide a quality, long wearing hardbar." See the actual literature at: Sno-Stuff advertising history.

International Engineering - Woody's consumer carbides first appeared in a distributors catalog in 1988. "Trail Blazer - Designed for the demanding trail rider. Four inches center carbide and outside hard surface weld for longer lasting life."   The Trail Blazer went without carbide wear pads through 1994. Their display card stated "Long wearing hard-welds protect carbides."  1992 catalog - "Quality of construction and design compliment performance, safety, and reduced expenses due to additional wear." See the actual literature at: Woody's advertising history.

Arctic Cat - Polaris - Yamaha - have incorporated hardweld into their wear rods.

We do not think it is unreasonable to conclude that six out of seven wear rod manufacturers chose the more expensive method because of the results Bergstrom Skegs was able to achieve and because of the consumer response. They all had been selling carbide wear rods with wear pads for years and knew that snowmobilers were finding out that Bergstrom Skegs hardsurfaced rods were outwearing their carbides. When it became widely known that their hard-weld did not measure up, they reinstated carbide wear pads along with their hardweld.

The dates in these manufacturers' advertisements are not big issues, but intentional or unintentional misinformation, inaccuracies and inconsistencies show an ineptness that can bring up some very huge issues... issues that can directly affect your trust, your wallet and your safety.

For more information check out:

Drag tests Hacksaw and file tests Roetin advertising history Sno-Stuff advertising history Woody's advertising history Traction history page Factory carbides