Speed Lock Pacer Poles

E

EM - Ross

Thru Hiker
After retiring a broken pair of twist-lock poles last year (couldn't be bothered to repair) I got some flick locks. I much preferred the locking mech. However, in December I decided to order a Trekkertent Edge 1 which pitches with any trekking pole of the right length (135cm). The website shows the tent pitched with Pacer poles & I liked the way the handle fit on the ridge pole & decided to get a pair.

http://www.trekkertent.com/home/home/1-edge.html

They arrived a lot sooner than the tent & on using them for a weekend I already think they are more comfortable & natural to use. So as great tent poles & great trekking poles I was willing to fore-go the flick-locks.

Then the tent arrived. The Pacer poles fit just great as shown on the website but tighening them off was a bit of a fiddle. Pacers seem to take a bit more effort to lock off than other twist-locks I've had & with the pole tensioned between the ridge pole & pegging ring it was a bit of a chore. I'm sure it would get easier with practice but that first pitching session let me wanting a better solution.

006.jpg

Flick-lock Pacers. Not available to buy of course & likely never will be, but from past experience I've found removing pole grips very easy. A 5 minute dunk in boiling water & most grips just pull off. The Pacers & my donor Leki Cristallo's were no different!

The Leki's use a similar system to BD called Speed-Lock.

Pacer grip (L) - Leki Cristallo grip (R)
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Pacer twist-lock (L) - Leki Speed Lock (R)
002.jpg

Pacer grip removed.
003.jpg


Leki grip removed
004.jpg


To refit a smudge of shoegoo was put on each pole (still hot) & the grip slid on. Once dried I can't shift them.

Viola - Speed Lock Pacers & a pair of quality poles for the other half.
005.jpg

If you want to do this yourself ensure your donor poles have a top section of 18mm diameter. A lot of 'lite' poles are only 16mm. If you use your poles as tent poles you also need to make sure the donor poles are long enough as they are not all the same max length.
 
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gixer

gixer

Thru Hiker
Fantastic.

Looked at pacers a while ago but the twist lock and weight put me off.
I'll be measuring the diameter of my Locus hiking pole later.

Although it's a bit pricey to buy the pacer poles just for the grips.
 
E

EM - Ross

Thru Hiker
It was a bit spendy. I have some BD flick-locks but they are the contour model with a tear drop rather than a round profile so I couldn't use them as donors. They are nearly new & only used once so I may sell them to offset the cost.
 
rorymax

rorymax

Section Hiker
Ross said:
After retiring a broken pair of twist-lock poles last year (couldn't be bothered to repair) I got some flick locks. I much preferred the locking mech. However, in December I decided to order a Trekkertent Edge 1 which pitches with any trekking pole of the right length (135cm). The website shows the tent pitched with Pacer poles & I liked the way the handle fit on the ridge pole & decided to get a pair.

http://www.trekkertent.com/home/home/1-edge.html

I do like innovative and useful modifications, pleased that your mods worked out for you and a nice tip to share.
Click to expand...
 
edh

edh

Thru Hiker
When you insert a quote make sure additional comments are written after this [/QUOTE]
 
Mole

Mole

Thru Hiker
They only make a propulsion difference at all if you don't use standard poles and straps properly to start with;)

Apart from being less versatile as have less degrees of movement than a pole on a strap.
And, may possibly hurt your hands in use as one size can't fit all - unlike an adjustable soft strap

(ducks and runs:p)



Not to knock Ross's modification (which is an improvement) or anyone who uses Pacers. I just don't find that they are the wonderful 'revolutionary' thing that a lot of folk claim. It's a preference, is all.
 
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E

EM - Ross

Thru Hiker
Mole said:
They only make a propulsion difference at all if you don't use standard poles and straps properly to start with;)

Apart from being less versatile as have less degrees of movement than a pole on a strap.
And, may possibly hurt your hands in use as one size can't fit all - unlike an adjustable soft strap

(ducks and runs:p)



Not to knock Ross's modification (which is an improvement) or anyone who uses Pacers. I just don't find that they are the wonderful 'revolutionary' thing that a lot of folk claim. It's a preference, is all.
Click to expand...

Once of my bug-bears is folk gayly tapping along a path with trekking poles to no useful end what so ever. I ski & XC ski so think I know how to use poles pro-actively. I couldn't see the point of Pacerpoles until I took the gamble & tried them for myself. I've since read Chris Townsend even uses them XC skiing. He was one of my instructors when I started out & I put a bit of store in his opinion.

I've had a few tricep injuries from falling with regular poles. Not going to happen with Pacers

Soft strap? WTH? I don't get what they are all about. A plain simple leather strap as per my Swix Mountains or nylon strap like on Mountain King Expeditions is all that's needed.

Bottom line is I'd use regular poles quite happily. It's just in the limited use so far the Pacers seem more comfortable & the clincher was that they fit my tent better.
 
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Hedley Heap

Hedley Heap

Section Hiker
I don't have pacer poles, what I have is seriously F!*6$"$ thumbs from my previous sporting life.
A normal pole used as recommended with the strap is usually OK for a day or so but four+ days in a row is agony. The strap pulls across my thumb joint and puts pressure where I can't stand it. So I go without the straps and to be honest I'm happy with it, holding the pole is not a chore.
I may try pacer poles though as they look like a possible solution to my issues.
 
Owen

Owen

Backpacker
Heather Rhodes reply about why flick locks not available on pacers
Thank you for the email re the Lever lock types. Pacerpoles are designed as the equiv of an add-on body part, keeping the weighting as near to the elbow pivot point as possible - as the body aims for minimum in-put for maximum effect.
The problem is that the weighting of the lower lever lock affects the action of the pole, stride after stride - and that the weight isn't central - especially noticeable at the weighting of the lower section. Perhaps you can get a better idea of why the 'weighting' is so important - then set your pacerpole (if you have them!) so you're ready-to-go; have it in your hand and gently swing the shaft off the ground forward-and-back a few times ....then turn it upside-down and grab the rubber ferrule/carbide tip and swing the pole again a few times. You'll notice that it will take more effort i.e. it's still the same pole - but it's where the weight is, which has an impact on the handling and therefore 'performance'; having a lower lever-lock affects the weighting. I wrote this in response to someone who was asking about putting lever locks on his pacerpoles - and then there was the follow-up ...and you'll notice the last sentence. So it depends if you are wanting to either maximise your walking potential, or your tent support....
"I managed to pick up a 2nd hand pair of Leki flick locks and gave them a go this weekend, boy what a difference, I just couldn't get on with them at all. It was the strap and conventional grip which didn't feel right, I put pressure back onto my legs and I tired so much faster than I'm used to with my Pacers. After coming over Scandale and onto Dove Crag we thought we'd have a look at the Priest Hole before continuing, on the way down the slope I slipped on a moss covered rock and went a cropper. In the process I'd managed to jam my pole into a gap in the rocks and couldn't free it as I went down, that really jarred my shoulder and arm but it also bent the middle shaft of my Leki clean in half. I think if I'd slipped on that same rock with my Pacers I'd have just let go, no aching arm and no bent pole, those straps on normal poles are useless to me now. I also realised how unbalanced the pole felt with the heavy flick-lock mechanism, I now understand what you told me about this."
It would seem that the new-to-pacerpole user with the tent scenario hasn't had time to experience the full benefit of how the Pacerpoles become part of the body, so you can flow along (check the animations and film clips etc on the website ....) on slopes or level ground. Perhaps think of the weighting/handling, as having an extra weight around your knee - so you won't be performing at your best.
Hope this has been helpful.
 
gixer

gixer

Thru Hiker
Owen said:
Heather Rhodes reply about why flick locks not available on pacers
Thank you for the email re the Lever lock types. Pacerpoles are designed as the equiv of an add-on body part, keeping the weighting as near to the elbow pivot point as possible - as the body aims for minimum in-put for maximum effect.
The problem is that the weighting of the lower lever lock affects the action of the pole, stride after stride - and that the weight isn't central - especially noticeable at the weighting of the lower section. Perhaps you can get a better idea of why the 'weighting' is so important - then set your pacerpole (if you have them!) so you're ready-to-go; have it in your hand and gently swing the shaft off the ground forward-and-back a few times ....then turn it upside-down and grab the rubber ferrule/carbide tip and swing the pole again a few times. You'll notice that it will take more effort i.e. it's still the same pole - but it's where the weight is, which has an impact on the handling and therefore 'performance'; having a lower lever-lock affects the weighting. I wrote this in response to someone who was asking about putting lever locks on his pacerpoles - and then there was the follow-up ...and you'll notice the last sentence. So it depends if you are wanting to either maximise your walking potential, or your tent support....
"I managed to pick up a 2nd hand pair of Leki flick locks and gave them a go this weekend, boy what a difference, I just couldn't get on with them at all. It was the strap and conventional grip which didn't feel right, I put pressure back onto my legs and I tired so much faster than I'm used to with my Pacers. After coming over Scandale and onto Dove Crag we thought we'd have a look at the Priest Hole before continuing, on the way down the slope I slipped on a moss covered rock and went a cropper. In the process I'd managed to jam my pole into a gap in the rocks and couldn't free it as I went down, that really jarred my shoulder and arm but it also bent the middle shaft of my Leki clean in half. I think if I'd slipped on that same rock with my Pacers I'd have just let go, no aching arm and no bent pole, those straps on normal poles are useless to me now. I also realised how unbalanced the pole felt with the heavy flick-lock mechanism, I now understand what you told me about this."
It would seem that the new-to-pacerpole user with the tent scenario hasn't had time to experience the full benefit of how the Pacerpoles become part of the body, so you can flow along (check the animations and film clips etc on the website ....) on slopes or level ground. Perhaps think of the weighting/handling, as having an extra weight around your knee - so you won't be performing at your best.
Hope this has been helpful.
Click to expand...

Biggest nail in that coffin i can see is that there are many flick-lock type poles that are far lighter than twist-loc.
I don't own a single twist-loc pole (and will never buy another) so can't do a weight comparison, but the twist-loc mech isn't exactly light weight, you've got a fair chuck of material needed to make it work effectively.

The other thing is, if balance is THAT important why do they sell heavier aluminium poles.

If they believe so much in that ideal then why compromise it with the heavier material.
Only answer i can think of is that because it's cheaper they went with customer demand, if customers are asking for flick-locs how is that any different?
 
edh

edh

Thru Hiker
Where do you get the info that flick-locks are often lighter than twists - I'd have thought heavier in many cases?
 
gixer

gixer

Thru Hiker
edh said:
Where do you get the info that flick-locks are often lighter than twists - I'd have thought heavier in many cases?
Click to expand...

No evidence mate, other than some of the lightest poles are flick-locks, so there can't be much in it.

But to be sure i'll happily try and weigh my flick-locks if someone can weight their twist-locks.
 
Shewie

Shewie

Chief Slackpacker
Staff member
Owen said:
Heather Rhodes reply about why flick locks not available on pacers
Thank you for the email re the Lever lock types. Pacerpoles are designed as the equiv of an add-on body part, keeping the weighting as near to the elbow pivot point as possible - as the body aims for minimum in-put for maximum effect.
The problem is that the weighting of the lower lever lock affects the action of the pole, stride after stride - and that the weight isn't central - especially noticeable at the weighting of the lower section. Perhaps you can get a better idea of why the 'weighting' is so important - then set your pacerpole (if you have them!) so you're ready-to-go; have it in your hand and gently swing the shaft off the ground forward-and-back a few times ....then turn it upside-down and grab the rubber ferrule/carbide tip and swing the pole again a few times. You'll notice that it will take more effort i.e. it's still the same pole - but it's where the weight is, which has an impact on the handling and therefore 'performance'; having a lower lever-lock affects the weighting. I wrote this in response to someone who was asking about putting lever locks on his pacerpoles - and then there was the follow-up ...and you'll notice the last sentence. So it depends if you are wanting to either maximise your walking potential, or your tent support....
"I managed to pick up a 2nd hand pair of Leki flick locks and gave them a go this weekend, boy what a difference, I just couldn't get on with them at all. It was the strap and conventional grip which didn't feel right, I put pressure back onto my legs and I tired so much faster than I'm used to with my Pacers. After coming over Scandale and onto Dove Crag we thought we'd have a look at the Priest Hole before continuing, on the way down the slope I slipped on a moss covered rock and went a cropper. In the process I'd managed to jam my pole into a gap in the rocks and couldn't free it as I went down, that really jarred my shoulder and arm but it also bent the middle shaft of my Leki clean in half. I think if I'd slipped on that same rock with my Pacers I'd have just let go, no aching arm and no bent pole, those straps on normal poles are useless to me now. I also realised how unbalanced the pole felt with the heavy flick-lock mechanism, I now understand what you told me about this."
It would seem that the new-to-pacerpole user with the tent scenario hasn't had time to experience the full benefit of how the Pacerpoles become part of the body, so you can flow along (check the animations and film clips etc on the website ....) on slopes or level ground. Perhaps think of the weighting/handling, as having an extra weight around your knee - so you won't be performing at your best.
Hope this has been helpful.
Click to expand...

That quote was an email from me to Heather last year, I was tempted to switch my pole sections as one of my Pacers has a habbit of jamming every now and then, after Heather came back with the above I didn't bother pursuing it any further.

I'll be interested to hear how you get on with them Ross, and if you think they feel "off" with the added weight
 
Owen

Owen

Backpacker
Must be a standard reply Rich that is what I received when I forwarded the interest in flick lock pacers to Heather Rhodes
 
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