lookin to buy a new set of paddles. I'm not looking for just straight line performance, so I need opinions on whether to go with Gehko's, or sometype of V paddle. Rite now I have 20X10X10 Edge paddles, but they suck for hillclimbs, the DS just spins them for the 1st 50 yards before they finally hook up. What tire and should I buy?

 

I can't say from experience cuz I've never ridden sand...

But everybody seems to be using Haulers/Extreme Haulers.

 

Yep there is no other choice, go with the Haulers.

Or you can try the sand skate II's

Are you going to head out to the Hayumpa river this sat night for some drags?

 

the problem might be the 20" tires not the edge i'd try them in a 22" 9 or 10 paddle stay away from the gecko, they are really bad

 

I've used Skat Trak Edge, Maxxis Roosters, and Sand Skate IIs - all v-paddles. (I don't like Haulers or any other straight paddle because I do more than just hill shoot all day long.) There simply is no comparison between these three v-paddles - Sand Skate IIs give you the best hook-up. I'm able to climb much steeper hills in higher gears with them than with the others, hands down.

The paddles on the Edge are too flimsy, and the Roosters are completely insensitive to tire pressure (way too firm no matter how little air you put in them) and their paddles are too small. I'll never go with any other paddle! (That is, until Sand Skate IIIs are introduced!)[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I would try a set of 22" edges (8 or 9 paddle). I have both a set of 22" extreams (9 Paddle) and the edges in a 8 paddle. I have a tough time telling which tire climbs better, they are both really close. The edges are fun for playing around but still do not turn or spin around as much as a cheap set of paddles. I bought the edges because I thought they might turn and spin like a set of 20" dune Trackers I had. The trackers did not climb anything but were fun for screwing around.

Try a set of 22" edges and gear down to a 15 or 14 on the front.

 

Stay away from the Geckos. They are probably the worst design of paddle ever made. 0 hook up on the dunesled

 

scottsdalebomb.i would also recommend that you go with a 22" tire as opposed to a 20" .last weekend at the dunes i tried a set of 20" 8 paddle haulers on my stock baja and they would just dig a hole and spin with not much forward momentum.once i got the 20" tires going they did alright but i am going to swich to 22" and from experience with other quads i am sure that will help.i wonder why some people think that a straight paddle is only for climbing ?i have always found that if you use the power correctly you will have no trouble getting the straight paddles to turn.if you choose a straight paddle design i dont think that you can do much better than a hauler and then all that is left is to choose the right amount of paddles for your quad.i have been riding one machine or another in the dunes since 1976 and that experience has taught me that if you have enough power(like a ds has even stock)that a straight paddle is the way to go.

 

My personal opinion on this is that the Skat Trak Haulers with the Extreme Edge sub-label, are the best for sand. You'll be able to find them at Rocky Mountain ATV. Personally, I am a believer in the stock sized rear tire, simply because the front tire needs to be taller in the front than in the rear for good stabilization. However, for the best traction, you'll need to go to a taller tire in the rear and probably re-gear. In either case, the 9 paddle tire would be best in my opinion. However, that theory comes from the idea that a little wheel spin is a good thing, especially in drag races. If you dont like wheel spin, you might want to consider a tire with a 10 paddle design - Stat Trak also makes those in the Extreme Edge as well. However, if you go with a taller tire (22"), and get taller rims, and go with the 10 paddle design, you will then probably need to regear. Check out the many gearing calculators all over the internet to try and keep your gearing the same as stock.

 

ironrod - i forgot to mention that scottsdalebomb will probably have to change gearing with the taller tires but with the way the stock rev limiter kicks in so soon on a ds the 22" tire may help to keep it from coming on so quick.