Aligning Paddles

[desdak4]

I have always heard about aligning paddles mostly straight paddles. I am going to be running Haulers for the first time next weekend and the paddles are close to aligned and I would rather not take my nice and tight aftermarket hubs off for a couple of inches.

So, how big of a deal is it? This is just a 5 day trip to St. Anthony's.

Thanks,
Jay

[Colorado700R]

no big deal at all, unless you have perfect track like groomed sand, you'll never notice since on regular sand you will never have pefectly even traction anyway.

[desdak4]

That is kind of what I was thinkin. I have never ran a straight paddle and wanted to check. They are very closethough.

Thanks,
Jay

[Warren]

no big deal at all, unless you have perfect track like groomed sand, you'll never notice since on regular sand you will never have pefectly even traction anyway.

+1 to what he said. i rotated mine only for the look of having them straight across from each other. but i could notice a difference in drive ability.

[Peelz]

I turned mine, no biggie. Forgot to realign when we fixed carrier bearing at dunes. don't care that much...Drag racers might care..

[NVMYZ28]

I notice it only when ridding up REALLY steep loose stuff.... otherwise its only for aesthetics (and I do keep mine aligned - and have to readjust occasionally, they slowly slip =/ )

[robkd]

I am one of those guys that likes them aligned.   You don't have to move the hubs to align them though.  Best way to align a paddle is to have one of them mounted on the bike and then mount the other wheel with the tire still loose on the bead so you can spin it then align the paddles, inflate til the bead pops on and drive it like you stole it.  I have heard that it can actually rob power from your bike if there off by a lot.(not sure if there is any truth to that but who knows)

[Onelunglow]

I spent a good hour trying to get mine lined up for my last trip! Then after the first ride they were off again.  :'( Then after every ride I would check them out and see that the tires constantly move on the rim.  So I just leave them alone now and they do what they want...

[Colorado700R]

let me guess, 8" rims with 21-22" tires?

[Krandall]

I try to allign mine the same as close as possible, I think of it like the olympic row boat competition. There's a reason why they all paddle @ the same time.

[Onelunglow]

let me guess, 8" rims with 21-22" tires?

I can't remember but I think they are 21x11x8 with a 7 paddle.....

[Colorado700R]

yeah, mine are 22"x11x8 and the do spin a little.  Big sidewalls on a little rim I guess

[desdak4]

They are only off enough that if you look across from one paddle to the other you can just see the on the other tire behind the paddle you are looking from. A few inches at best and this is only a 4 day trip that I get to go on maybe every two years. I figure it's fine as my hubs are nice and tight and I do not what to mess with a loose aftermarket hub in the dunes.

Thanks,
Jay

[Colorado700R]

I try to allign mine the same as close as possible, I think of it like the olympic row boat competition. There's a reason why they all paddle @ the same time.

Water surface is always relatively level for rowing.  Plus the consitancy of the water is always equal.

Not always true for sand

[07lightning]

you might notice pulling while riding wheelies if you do that? mine were off and my bike would pull to one side. otherwise i noticed absolutely nothing.