It is thrilling when we give our all-out when snowboarding. However, you should know the limit of your snowboarding that it can handle.
If you’re an owner of a snowmobile, you knew that the sled’s traction requires frequent changing. Carbide is one of the crucial components of setting up your sled’s traction correctly and you should select the right ones or else—accident might happen.
The best carbides for trail riding weren’t focusing on the size itself. The truth is that its size and the shape should have just as much – if not more – to do with your sled’s running.
Select the best carbides for snowmobiles by reading this article.
Comparison of Snowmobile Carbides
| Ski-Doo Executive Ski Carbide | Woodys Dooly Carbide | SnowStuds Snowmobile Ski Carbides | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | 1/2″ round preformed material | Durable 3/8 in.-16 mounting studs | Large 2″ pieces of 60 deg Turning carbide on a 1/2″ host bar |
| Design | Swedged ends | Turning surface for enhanced handling | Exclusive leading edge wear pad |
| Weight | 2 pounds | 3.02 pounds | 3 pounds |
| Dimensions | 27 x 4 x 7 inches | 18 x 1.25 x 7 inches | 36.5 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches |
| Perks | Provides proper balance with a studded track | Dramatically decreases darting | Front and rear wear pads promote longer bar life |
| Our Score | 97/100 | 96/100 | 96/100 |
| Price | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Snowmobile Carbides
Ski-Doo Woody Executive Ski Carbide
This 8-inch carbide is ideal for sleds with maxed-out studs or those who have 144 studs and up. This is also perfect for heavier riders and those who ride aggressively to provide protection while on the road. It provides more bite to your snowmobiles so you can get around the corners safely despite the weight and the way you ride your snowmobiles.
The 1/2 inch round preformed material attached at each end helps to give the best fit for your snowmobile.
It has 60 degrees turning carbide which gives more bite to your snowmobiles by focusing the weight on the carbide when making a turn. The 60 degrees sharpness provides proper balance to your studded track. This feature makes it excellent when you prefer race riding or more aggressive snowmobile rides. It is also popular among performance trail riders where the sleds are pushed to their limit while still providing aggressive bite for a safe ride.
The Woody Executive features provide fast corner speeds with a lot of control to ensure safety and prevent accidents while on the trail. However, since the weight is focused on the carbide, it wears out more quickly over time.
Woodys Dooly Carbide Wear Rods
The Dooly wear rods feature four parallel traction lines that help decrease darting in your snowmobiles for better control and enhanced handling while riding. This reduction in darting gives you efficient front control to your snowmobile giving you your own groove on the trail.
The Dooly has two 7/16” flat-top runners mounted on a plate for each ski. This construction gives the carbide excellent turning power on the sled. This feature also provides a bite to your snowmobiles for sharp turning points.
The Durable 3/8 inch – 16 mounting studs provide a secured fit to your snowmobiles. It also features a hard weld at front of the wear rod and a 1.5-inch carbide pad at the back.
When making a turn, only one of the bars will be in contact with the snow or ice. This process makes a Dooly with 6” of carbide on both runners have the same turning power as a single runner with 6” of turning carbide. This also tends to wear out one of the carbides faster than the other.
SnowStuds Snowmobile Ski Carbides
Known as the industry’s most aggressive carbide runner is the SnowStuds Magnum 89 Series Carbide Runners.
These carbides have 60 degrees turning carbide on a ½ inch host bar. It gives you more control over your snowmobile when making a turn and more steering control for a safe snowmobile ride. It also features 2-inch sections of 60 degrees turning carbide for a tight grip to the bar, ensuring it is securely in place.
The carbide is brazed on four surfaces to ensure maximum adhesion to the trail. It features three wear pads, full-length hard-weld filler, and your choice of steering carbide for maximum durability. It also has front and rear wear pads to provide a longer bar life.
These aggressive carbides demand more steering effort. Nonetheless, it provides a durable and excellent turning power for aggressive rides.
What are Snowmobile Carbides?
The snowmobile carbide is primarily a durable wear surface and a sharp edge that is occasionally helpful on any icy surface. These are also known as the ski-runners. The carbide runners are available in three styles varying in length to satisfy the demands of the riders.
Most ski runners come with a sharp carbide blade. This blade comes in multiple lengths from a couple of inches up to 14 inches that depend on the application. Like the runner itself, the size of the carbide on the runner changes the surface area in contact with the snow. More extended carbide will provide a more aggressive, positive steering feel than the shorter one.
Just like the tread of the tire, the runners of your skis are the contact patch that keeps our snowmobile pointed in the right direction. Finding the right combination of carbide for your sled can improve handling and also makes a great ride too!
Snowmobile Wear Bars vs. Carbides
The wear bar is the bar that holds the carbide. It protects the ski and helps steering by creating a keel.
The carbide is a hardened metal that is sharpened to cut ice and aid steering. This helps with hard snow, ice, and pavement.
Wear bars are great when there is a lot of snow and no ice. Carbide runners are great when there is a lot of ice or bare-ice corners.
Carbides come in different lengths, thicknesses, and designs. When compared to the wear bars, carbides make it easier to turn on bare ground, ice, and packed snow. Whereas, the wear bars will usually slide straight across even when cranked all the way to the right or left. Carbides have a metal carbide ”piece” that is connected to the bottom of the wear rods.
The 60-degree carbide point is more aggressive when new as it penetrates deeper into the ice. The 90-degree carbide point shares the load closer to the point. It is not aggressive when new but will etch the ice longer as the point dulls slower.
The wear bars hold up through many paved road crossings, inadequate snow cover, and close encounters with the rocks. The object here is to keep the carbide shattering and chipping. However, proper and complete gear will keep the rider safer despite all of this.
Things To Consider Before Buying Snowmobile Carbides
Buying your own snowmobile carbides can be a considerable investment, but this can offer big rewards on the slopes. Here are a few essential tips to know before buying snowmobile carbide.
Use Recommended Snowmobile Carbide
There are various lengths of the snowmobile carbide, depending on what the rider requires. If you are a flat-lander, you can use the short track without studs, a short track with studs, a long track without studs, a long track with studs, etc. If you are a Mountain-rider, a minimal carbide of 4”- 6” will be sufficient. However, it is always good to talk to the professionals on this and use the carbide recommended by them that suits your snowmobile.
Carbide Length
The carbide length plays a significant role in how aggressively snowmobile works. Most of the carbide comes with a sharp blade with multiple lengths from a couple of inches up to 14 inches. The size and length of the carbide on the runner will change the surface area in contact with the snow. The more surface area will give an aggressive and positive steering feel than the shorter carbide.
Carbide Runner Mounting Tip
Make sure the front end of the runner fits tightly into the opening or recess of the ski that is designed to accept the carbide runner. Any failure to follow this procedure will result in injury or sled damage.
Know The Discounts
It is no surprise that various shops offer great discounts. But something you need to keep in mind is that always plan to do your shopping over the summer or you can also look out for the end-of-season discounts. This also applies to other winter sports gear.
Demo Your Carbide
Always make sure to have a demo with your snowmobile carbide as any issue in it can be immediately returned and exchanged.
Smart Choice of Buying Second-Hand Accessories
For budget-conscious snowmobile riders, buying second-hand snowmobile carbide can be an excellent way to save a bit of cash. Always find someone selling these accessories that they have used on a couple of holiday trips rather than the actual second-hand buyers that have been used on the snow for the last three seasons.
Best Snowmobile Carbides
6” Round Bar (1/2”) Snowmobile Ski Carbides (Pair) – Gripper Ski
This is the most aggressive carbide runner on the market. It has most wear pads and hard weld filler for extended life. This is a large 2” pieces of 60 deg turning carbide and 1/2 ” host bar. The carbide is brazed on 4 surfaces.
The model of this carbide is available for all makes of snowmobiles and is sold in pairs.
Conclusion
These are, of course, the general guidelines on knowing a few things about the snowmobile carbide. Applications will vary depending on the size of the rider, the aggressiveness of the rider, the snowmobile setup like the number of studs, track and lug length, ski pressure, the type of terrain that you will be riding on, etc.
In the end, all of us want to return home safely. Sometimes the simple things get overlooked, and the carbide also lands in the same category. We hope the above snowmobile carbide guide has helped our riders to have a safe and enjoyable ride in their snowmobile.
