"THE PLANTED WITH A STICK"
Think you know everything about sticks?
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Immortalized forever in Les Bronzés, this accessory has since had the place it deserves in the skier's equipment. Carole Barril
The choice of stick depends on the importance you place on it.
The kids coming out of the "Piou-Piou" are so happy to finally have the right to the sticks, that in the child who sleeps in you there must be something left...
We prefer to leave the choice of color or graphics to your initiative. Moreover, the label will speak for itself.
We will therefore limit ourselves to discussing the choice of length and material.
Choosing the length is relatively easy: Holding the stick in front of you by the handle, legs straight, your elbow should make an angle of approximately 90°.
Some recommend turning the stick over and holding it under the puck. Give it a try, it's about the same (except you have to flip the stick).
Some will say that the stick sinks into the snow, others will point out that theoretically when skiing the legs are bent...
In short, let's stick to 90° especially since all this remains relative when we know that the sticks only exist anyway from 5cm to 5cm (from 2 inches to 2 inches exactly): 120, 125, 130cm.
The most common sizes are:
- 110 cm for a person between 160 and 165 cm
- 115 cm for a person between 165 and 170 cm
- 120 cm for a person between 170 and 175 cm
- 125 cm for a person between 175 and 180 cm
That being said, some like to have slightly larger poles than others.
In short, if you cannot follow the current monitor, you will have to find another argument than the length of the stick.
Your size being a fixed factor, if the result makes you hesitate between two sizes, you will take the larger size. Why ? Not for the sake of economy, even if nowadays it is rare that you are given more for the same price. If by chance, you had the feeling that a few centimeters present a hindrance in your practice, it will always be time to shorten the said stick (wanting to lengthen it is more risky).
Avoid cutting the tip of the lower part, it will be more elegant to cut the top of the tube after removing the handle. It is an easy operation.
The choice of stick material is quite simple too.
The price of a stick depends essentially on the quality of the tube that composes it.
5083, 5086, 7000... for aluminum alloy tubes, the most common:
- A first prize (category **) will twist quickly, but can straighten. At the very least, twist in another direction as it is true that a twisted tube never comes back straight.
- A category *** tube will bend less easily, but will be a little more expensive.
- A category **** tube will be very difficult to bend... but will be more brittle once its elastic limit has been reached.
For tubes made of composite material called "carbon", there too we will find a whole range of prices.
Good to know, sticks made of composite material are very sensitive, that is to say brittle, when edging above the puck. Some manufacturers equip the lower part with a metal protection about twenty centimeters above the washer. The higher price suffers slightly.
Other secondary elements: handle, washer strap will be considered. Concretely, manufacturers rarely offer a bad grip on a good stick and conversely a first price will often be equipped with a basic grip.
Telescopic poles could be an attractive alternative if they were not more fragile during falls. On the other hand, their use is essential in ski touring, and practical in telemark.
Finally, when you finally hold your brand new stick in your hand, make sure that the seller has not omitted to add the metal clip that slides under the washer. This will prevent you from losing the puck from the first day, even the first hour, which is still too common on new sticks.
With us, you will find customizable sticks: their design is unique and very colorful, the washers are interchangeable (round, rock, etc...), as are the handles (transparent, pink, green,...).
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