Bearing Style Steering

[paczowski123]

Just curious as to what people are having good luck with on bearing style steering systems. I checked out the review section and did some google searching, but most of the topics I found were a bit older and new systems are out. I know it seems some of the popular ones are the RRP, ATP, and Titan. Right now I have the CF style and overall it seems to be a good system, but I really have been wanting to try out a bearing style system. I ride fresh water mainly so not worried about the whole saltwater problem. My main two requirements for the system are comparability with riser bar/fatbars, and I will eventually be going with a X-metal style pole (I currently have a RN pole). I have read some need modification to the pole to work on x-metal, and I really would hate to have to grind on a 800.00 pole. But, if modifications are slight it shouldn't be a problem. What have y'all had good luck with?

 

[whitca]

I've been running the umi/blowsion style system with the phat clamp for riser/fat bars. I haven't had any bearing issues but did struggle with the system loosening itself after a day of riding when new even with the "locking" collar nut with set screw. It hasn't happened for awhile so I'll keep my fingers crossed. I do regularly take it apart to grease bearings and keep it working smooth. I ride primarily flat and hit surf a few times a year. I did have to grind a notch in the steering stop on the x metal pole to make clearance for the turnplate. You can order the slide from x metal Pre drilled and tapped for the base plate. I also ran into issues with not having enough clearance from the top clamp of the bars and AST pad hitting the chin pad so I used nylon spacers on the chin pad bolt to get the needed clearance.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

 

[paczowski123]

That's the whole issue I'm worried about with the loosening. I cannot stand the wobbly bars, even the slightest bit will drive me insane. It seems with the CF setup, in order to have good solid bars, the steering needs to be run fairly tight. It is very hard to find the sweet spot between the tightness of the tension nut and the lock nut. I was hoping a bearing setup would help alleviate all the adjustment, so I was looking for a system many have had good luck with. Although, it does seem after the initial ride an adjustment is needed, then after that, the system stays pretty adjustment free with the bearing setups. Almost like it has to break in.

 

[JetManiac]

I run the RRP fatbar steering setup and like it.

 

[paczowski123]

Chris was there any modification needed for the x-metal? Much adjustment needed with it?

 

[Kohldanielzimmer]

I'm pretty sure the center hole needs to be slightly enlarged for the bearing hub to fit through. The newer x metal poles are pre drilled/ tapped for the four smaller bolts. My steering stop also had to be made a bit skinnier for full throw. I like the system overall though.

Edit- I had to trim the pole pad too.

 

[paczowski123]

Awesome, I don't mind a bit of modification, but don't want to be hacking up an expensive pole. What about putting the system on a stock RN pole? I'd assume the 4 holes need to be drilled?

 

[Kohldanielzimmer]

I have only done a squarenose pole with RRP setup. The four holes need drilled and extensive modifications to chin pad.

 

[paczowski123]

Yeah even with the CF setup my chin pad on my SN was hacked to hell, especially with risers. On the RRP setup, does the system include all the hardware/bearings, or is that purchased separate?

 

[BruceSki]

Spot on with the Xmetal pole adjustments.

Mine is currently for sale with RRP installed already.

 

[OCD Solutions]

I just installed an ADA system on my ski and am liking it so far. Install was dead simple with no mods required. It has loosened up on me but the blame is on me for rushing the install before buying some more red loctite. It was awesome when it was tight and I'm looking forward to installing the second one on my wife's ski, with Loctite on all threads right from the start this time.

 

[paczowski123]

Was the ADA system installed on an stock pole or aftermarket? So with the ADA no holes or drilling was required?

 

[OCD Solutions]

I put it on an RRP pole that had previously had a UMI installed so it was a simple unbolt the old and bolt in the new. Literally took less than 15 minutes.

I should mention that I did decide to replace the bolt that came with it, with a stud and locking collar. I just wasn't confident that the bolt would stay put. Ironically enough, the majority of other systems all come with a stud and lock collar as well so it was kind of a no brainer.

 

[paczowski123]

I see, one thing I just notices about the ADA which I like is the zirk on the plate for greasing. Does the RRP feature this? Seems that would be a nice feature for ease of maintenance?

 

[OCD Solutions]

If they don't have it, it certainly wouldn't be hard to add it. That was one of the selling features for me as well, beside the fact that the ADA is also cheaper than the other systems. It also helps that it was developed by friend and fellow rider, Jeremy Parr. I decided to buy them the second he dropped one in my hand at Daytona earlier this year.

 

[JetManiac]

I see, one thing I just notices about the ADA which I like is the zirk on the plate for greasing. Does the RRP feature this? Seems that would be a nice feature for ease of maintenance?

Yes

 

[OCD Solutions]

I need to pull my ADA today and clean all the grease off it to apply loctite if you want any specific pics.

 

[paczowski123]

Thanks Chris!

I have been looking around online at some pictures. I appreciate the offer, but you don't have to do that! It seems many systems nowadays utilize the same overall designs, with slight variations. Doesn't seem like you could go terribly wrong with either setup.

 

[OCD Solutions]

Not really, that's why I say just get what you can get the best deal on.

 

[Bob750sx]

I'm running the new ATP on my xmetal and never had one problem. I did have to make the whole where the steering mounts larger donit would fit in the pole