Take a Seat: Built to Rip
Features
Weight:
30-35 lbs.
Price:
$2,500-$3,600
A monoski breaks down into four main components, says Jeff Goodman of Radventures, Inc., maker of Yetti brand monoskis. There’s the
seating system (1)
, which consists primarily of a fiberglass seat, which may be reinforced with Kevlar or carbon fiber to improve its strength-to-weight ratio. Next comes the
frame (2)
, constructed of chromoly steel or aluminum. “Much like a bicycle frame,” says Goodman. A
suspension system (3)
cushions the ride, and typically uses a stock motorcycle shock absorber, though pricey suspensions may feature customized shocks. Finally, there’s the
binding system (4)
, really a high-end conventional race binding, modified to prevent release, which accommodates a boot-shaped adapter. As for the ski, Goodman says just about any traditional ski will work, but “stiffer boards are better.”
JANUARY 2005