For those of you who wax or tune...

[volklgirl]

If you're still using rubber bands/strings/whatever to hold your binding brakes back, STOP!

I found the neatest little gizmo (ok, so hubby actually found it - we even had to have the dreaded "you were right honey" conversation today!). It's a brake retainer by SKS. Here's a pic:


It's just so cool! When he first decided we had to have them at a whopping $1.95 plus tax, I just rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders. OK, whatever. Then, since I had to tune and wax 6 pairs of skis today, I gave them a try. They're awsome! With the rubber bands, I'm always getting my finger stuck, breaking the rubber band, and fighting with trying to hold the boot pad down while keeping the rubber band on one side and stretching it over without having it slide off. This little gadget eliminates that whole hassle. Just slide the brake arm through the black rubber loop, stick your finger in the orange hole and hook the orange hook on the other arm. The finger hole gives you anough leverage to pull the brake up without having to push down on the boot pad, the rubber is strong enough not to break, and the finger hole keeps your fingers out of harms way. Yay!!

Worth every penny of $1.95!!! :D :D

 

[Cambridge Kate]

thanks!

This is a great find! I will definitely pick one up. And I don't even have to say, "You were right, honey" !

 

[skigirl]

I had to laugh when I read this one!! Just this morning my husband was sharpening his skis and the rubber band broke! We had already broken one so now we have no rubber bands left and had to use his boot to hold the brakes down. Thanks for a good find we will look for those at our local ski shop.

 

[Calgal]

I will be looking for this when I go out today. I currently use an old shoelace and it is awkward at best to get it done up . Was thinkin' that one of those wrist bands (similar to the Hope bracelets) might work well.

 

[Jilly]

Calgirl - so much more stuff is available south of the border. But you might be able to find it as you're in a bigger centre. Watch out for a SkiDiva fav website called "Steep and cheap". It almost "thank god they won't ship that to Canada"!!

 

[ski&bfree]

I was reading through your "What you need to know about gear care" thread and saw how this worked. Really cool!!!

Pic from vg's post:
https://www.putfile.com/pic/7231750/?action=zoom

$2...can't go wrong! Who sells these anyway? I've never seen them on SAC or tramdock.

 

[volklgirl]

Dr. D has them here

And don't forget your Ski Diva discount!

 

[ski&bfree]

Ty:D

I'm going to attempt to wax my own skis. I want to make sure I have all the necessary tools!

 

[volklgirl]

Beware......it's addicting!

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

But how can a geographically challenged diva get some, say a dozen or more?

 

[volklgirl]

How 'bout this? https://www.snowshack.com/detail/SNW+FK-00987_20pcs+Brake+Retainer

 

[snowski/swimmouse]

Thanks, VG! I'm going to put my order in now; my race team will love these!

 

[missyd]

Nice gadget .... but I use the rubber bands .... cheaper and as easy to use as the gadget if you know "how to do it"!

 

[volklgirl]

I've used rubber bands for the last 20 years. After trying these out, I'll never go back. Hubby has now broken 3 sets of rubber bands since we bought these, and they still look and act like new.

 

[wave_spice]

THANKS VG!!!! What an awesome find...I've been having some fights with the rubberbands-this thing is genius! Just wish I would have invented it :-)