homemade heel lifters

[Ricardo_Montalban]

i heard a while back of a method to make heel lifters with PVC, but i cannot visualize the 'strap' system.

any suggestions on the following will be greatly appreciated.

-height

-cord material (elastic cord would have benefits, but what about freeze up?)

-duct tape around rims to prevent slippage?

thanks all!

[cj001f]

Copy the design of the Voile Climbing Post

http://www.offpiste.com/Pages/Shims.html

[luwayo]

I have em. Approx. 4-5cm diam PVC. Each piece sawed off to boot width. Thread some sturdy shock cord & tie. Shock cord should accomodate pulling the gizmo on/off over your boot & gator. That simple!

If you want to use tape, it only serves to block snow from catching a ride; makes little dif if you're gliding, but wt. freaks might tape off ends for lifting those snowshoes. Choice of tape doesn't matter much. That clear red tape for insulation (just in Canada?) is more durable than duct tape for this (& many applications). Freezing is not an issue with this device. While you're making them this rainy Saturday, hack off a few more for your friends.

[Steddy]

i dunno if this is how luwayo describes them, but here's a low-brow way i did it a long time ago. (the tube goes across the ski, bungy just simply loops it with a simple knot ). it seemed to work ok, but you're not going to get super lift unless you use a large diameter.

looks a little hokey, but they work.

my real 2 cents is get some modern heel pads with wire lifters built in (but that of course would defeat the purpose of cheapo homemade craftiness).

Edited February 15, 2005 by Steddy

[Ricardo_Montalban]

thanks for the tips all!

 

cj001f's link is what i was looking for...the strap wrapping around the heel was what i was missing. it turns out, i don't need it b/c the lifter doesn't seem to slide forward on the sole of the boot. i may need to add this option as i haven't put it to a real test.

 

i couldn't use a premade wire bail b/c my binding is already ~1" off the ski and i would lose too much height. (btw, this is for a clicker approach ski w/ stiff sector boots)

 

the lame pic show's my final design with the red dashes being the heel strap. i cut the length of the pvc so the lift/angle would be just over 20 degrees. coincidently the angle of the cut is about the same. drilled two holes and set the hooks of a 10" bungee and clamped the hooks to prevent them from falling out.

 

total cost:

pvc (2"), $0 (leftover scrap)

bungee, $1

a little time

[luwayo]

Steddy, you reproduced it exactly!....and i have more pride flashing my hocky equipment than being resplendant in my most crispy arcteryx or toting the shiniest of climbing bling (except for my quarks ).

[snoboy]

Close...

 

If the purple line was shock cord, and it went around the heel and then down and through the tube underfoot, and then you put a strap with a snap buckle (triangle thingy) over the arch of your foot, you could snap them on and off real easy like...

 

Gosh I am so glad I don't use those anymore...