Another MYOG Trek Pole thread – 3.3oz per

[Michael Ray]

because it looks cool, duh.

[Ryan Smith]

They do look cool. Plus, a basket will help keep the shaft from getting lodged down in crevices, and thus less chance to break your fancy CF pole. At 7g, I figure why not. Unless Skurka hikes with 3oz poles probably not apples to apples.

Ryan

[Christopher *]

Small baskets kept my LT4's from dropping into small crannies and snapping countless times along the PCT. IMHO, for a few scant grams, baskets are a no-brainer.

[Michael Ray]

i see a market for a new bracelet… "WWASD"

[Jake D]

No baskets unless there is snow for me. Not using straps allows me to let go if i get stuck. They fit in my Osprey storage bungee better with no baskets.

Re: using straps like xc skiers.. problem is that while your foot is down you are a stationary object that pushing with your arms does not move. Unlike skiing where you are gliding. on flats poles are for balance.. like a mogul skier.. tap and step. on uphills I use them like extra hand holds to pull my body up so i don't have to push as much with my legs. downhill i tend to use the very tops of the grip and lower myself down or slow my momentum.

maybe it's the rock climber in me but i did 500mi last summer with no hand fatigue from hiking poles.. and the Whites and Greens have some of the toughest ups and downs you can find so it isn't for not trying.

Michael, I'm curious how you found shafts on Craigslist for free..

[Michael Ray]

it took about a week, but someone contacted me with some used clubless shafts taking up space in his garage and said I could have them. They ended up being a little longer than 42" (good thing) and my total trekking pole length is 47", about an inch short of a perfect 90 degree elbow bend. not a deal breaker.

here's the ad i posted:

wanted: ~42" graphite club shafts (pair)

Looking for a pair of shafts to use in a trekking pole project. Either bare shafts or junk clubs with good shafts. Want to spend as close to $0 as possible, price negotiable.

[Jake D]

Nice, I'll give it a shot. do you remember what the shaft length was? i'd be aiming for 45-46" total for my "happy medium" 116cm length.

i wonder if BD or Leki would sell a spare grip.. i have one spare grip from a broken pole with an ID of 18mm.. not sure if that will be too wide or not.

[Michael Ray]

i think they were right around 45". The GG grips and tips fit almost entirely on the shaft, so not much buffer length is added by those pieces.

you'd be surprised what people are willing to do if you just ask. craigslist is that perfect medium with which to ask. :)

[Jerry Adams]

"you'd be surprised what people are willing to do if you just ask. craigslist is that perfect medium with which to ask. :)"

hmmm… I always just leave stuff on the street and put a "free" sign on it

[Jake D]

if you want it gone faster, put a curb alert on CL and POOF gone.

[Gregory Allen]

I went to the local Golfsmith store, offered to buy a couple of old used shafts, and the guy gave me two for free. I added $3.50 Leki replacement tips from the REI discount bin with gorilla glue. I've hiked with the golf club grips, but will probably replace those this summer if I get around to it. Added straps from an old lanyard with a small screw. Don't collapse, aren't adjustable, no baskets, no idea of flex amount, and i havent painted or weighed them, but they work for me. They are just stupid simple and cheap.

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