knee pucks, soft vs hard?
 

So I go to buy knee sliders for the first time today, and they ask me: Soft or hard?

I tried to google it, but I really cannot find out what the difference is, other than the price.

Does anyone know?

Softer sliders will pull you into a turn. Harder sliders will help you get through a turn faster.

Skill level is important here. The smoother and faster you are you can use a harder puck. When you're less experienced having a softer puck helps pull you down into a turn when you have come in a bit hot. Also helps you keep the bike in the groove by providing a physical distance between you and the edge of your tire.

Sit on your bike. With the help of a couple friends lean the bike over until you are at the crest of your rear tire. Put your knee down and put your elbow down and remember these measurements.

Be reminded that when you're that far down you have to be in complete control of the power band and what's going on at the other axle.

That's why I watch these guys on TV. Practice at track days can help you get better like these guys.

This is not an exact science. Ever see Nicky with his knee hoovering but his elbow armor firmly on the racetrack?

Thats some good info. I just started dragging my knees and I have the hard pucks on my leathers. I might get some soft ones and try those out too.

well thats the first i've ever heard of pucks helping you turn ???

i've been through / tried a LOT of pucks and can tell you hands down that klucky pucks are the best i've used. they were bought out by woodcraft but the product is the same.

as far as hard or soft... it's more a matter of the track surface & how you drag your knee. some people keep their knee down & some will pick it up a bit.

some pucks will pull a bit more than others but the difference isn't that big.

#1 klucky

then joe rocket, dainese etc. i even tried some from ebay... sumo iirc.
i've ran a*'s and they were ok but the last pair were hollow !

http://www.pacifier.com/~trinc/image..._trackday4.jpg

since it's your first set buy the thickest you can find... easier to deck them
;)



tim

I use the hardest ones I can get. I like the knee to just skip across the ground and not really 'rub', if that makes sense. My buddy used soft ones for a while and seemed to like them. I've always been paranoid about the puck putting forces back into my leg which could alter my body position. It's not like I have perfect body position to begin with, it's just that I would prefer that it not randomly change mid-corner.

actually your first question is your riding style. do you drag your knee and put a noticeable amount of weight on it? or do you ride with it just barely touching and use it as a 'just in case'

you dont actually NEED to put weight on it. and you dont NEED to hit the very harriest edge of your tire, its all in your body position. i can ride a corner, scrub the edge off the tire, and drag my arse on the ground, does not meen its the fastest way through said corner.

the more you get off the bike the more vertical the bike will be in the corner.

I prefer the feedback I get from hard sliders.

the 'hawk has such a limited lean angle hanging off is required to get any corner speed... i only wish i was a bit younger/flexable i'd hang it out even more ! :D

tim

yeah something like this...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j85pqTv6TTc