I currently have a 174 that I like, however I do 60% mountain riding and 40% ditch banging on the flatlands. The 174 isn't really practical for the non-mountain riding that I do, especially since I need to add ski scratchers, idler wheel and possibly even hyperfax sliders to keep the sliders from wering out stupid quick. Im thinking about dropping back to a 154,maybe even a163 summit. Im also considering the 154 freeride because it is built a little beefier for some jumping and the style I ride on the flatlands. Im more into boondocking an not so much high marking when in the hills to. I even considered switching to crossover but I think id like more mountain capability than a cross over allows. Thoughts?
Summit vs Freeride
- Thread starter Mikeo2
- Start date
Ha I am in the same boat as you have had my heart set on a freeride but now doo threw a curveball with the 3" track. Anyone else have a 14/15 freeride that can comment? I really dont wanna spend 2k on shocks on a summit x or sp. I do know the pro 40s that come on the freeride are pretty nice and if need be I can get them revalved. The x shocks & sp shocks are pretty lame.
D
dougdiggler
Active member
I have a 13 SP 154 an a 15 FR 154. I bought the FR as the future wife's sled, down the logging road it is stable an is not as "tippy" in the powder. It was 900 more than a summit X when I ordered an I figured can't buy shocks for that price! Rode some 2-3' moguls in MT last week an I wouldn't go back to a narrow SP after that trip. I ride in southwest WA, our snow is hard an wet. I would really try to ride one, I like it!
P
powdermuncher
Well-known member
154 SP set the skis wide and give'r **** .
Love mine as is unless all you do is big air.
Love mine as is unless all you do is big air.
T
tillyman3
Member
my 15 free ride is hands down better than my 14 m8000 162 snopro and my buddies 14 163 polaris pro.
its just so easy to ride and the shock package is second to none.
even said by my buddy who owns the polaris, where his track has " folded over"
i notice the track spin, where the doo track digs and you can lift the skis when you want.
the whole package of the free ride is heavier, but the suspension makes up for it big time IMO.
its just so easy to ride and the shock package is second to none.
even said by my buddy who owns the polaris, where his track has " folded over"
i notice the track spin, where the doo track digs and you can lift the skis when you want.
the whole package of the free ride is heavier, but the suspension makes up for it big time IMO.
NorthMNSledder
Trail Coordinator
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I have been reading very mixed opinions on the freeride shocks in the past few months. Some love it and some say there are better options for the money. But since I don't want the lighter colors on my tunnel I decided to just go with the SP 154 knowing I will upgrade the rear skid and put a wider front on it. i want the 3" for out west but I will switch to a shorter track when riding here at home. Most likely the 1.6" cobra. I just think that the 3" will take a beating with the low snow we have had the past couple years and there is no place here in the Midwest (including MI) that a 154 summit with a 1.6" cobra wont go.
M
midwest division
Member
I'd suggest the SP and build It how you want it with the money you save. I'm the type of rider that came from a race sled, ripping snocross tracks for fun, hitting road gaps, and riding some ramps back in the day. This was around 8 years ago. Took a few years off and now back in it to have fun in the trees. I ride aggressive...love to ride the whooped out trail as hard as I can on the way to our playing spots in the trees. Once we get to our riding spots, it's a day of tight tree lines and jumping off of any natural feature we can find.
I started the season on a 2015 146 Freeride. I installed grip n rip braces, removed the mtn strap, and setup the clutching. I set all of the KYB's to nominal for a good starting spot for shock tuning. First off, I thought the color was sick and looked insane on the snow. But it was a pain in the rear to keep the sled clean...it showed everything from exhaust soot to brake dust. I also wasn't impressed with the shocks. I played with the rebound and compression a few times and I could never get them stiff enough. I am an average sized guy...around 170lbs. They definitely could've used a revalve. The 146 was a pure wheelie machine as I was using the "boondocking" position on the limiter straps. I had the ski stance on the narrow setting (38") and found that the combination of the wider front end and wide running boards caused the sled to hang up on sidehills and took some effort to maintain the sidehill. I ended up totaling the sled from a rock impact.
I decided to pick up a 2015 154 Summit SP the second time around. I was able to save quite a bit and it left some cash for me to play around with. I ended up installing fox float 3's up front with the expectation to upgrade to the evol chamber when I'm due for a rebuild, fox float 3 front track shock, and the kyb pro 40 rear track shock. I also installed grip n rip braces (which btw have saved my summit more than a few times from tree impacts), rsi risers and freeride bars, rail braces, and clutching. Running the fox float's at 68psi, rear torsion spring at 3, and the rear KYB compression clicker 3 clicks stiff from the nominal position; the sled eats the big bumps and landings much better than the Freeride did. The ski stance at 36" and narrow running boards make sidehilling effortless, and the black colorway allows endless options for wraps. I am much more impressed with the summit setup this way over the Freeride. It's just works better for the type of riding I do...ripping the trail hard on the way in, and then pulling sketchy lines through the trees and jumping natural features.
Hope my experiences help you out!
I started the season on a 2015 146 Freeride. I installed grip n rip braces, removed the mtn strap, and setup the clutching. I set all of the KYB's to nominal for a good starting spot for shock tuning. First off, I thought the color was sick and looked insane on the snow. But it was a pain in the rear to keep the sled clean...it showed everything from exhaust soot to brake dust. I also wasn't impressed with the shocks. I played with the rebound and compression a few times and I could never get them stiff enough. I am an average sized guy...around 170lbs. They definitely could've used a revalve. The 146 was a pure wheelie machine as I was using the "boondocking" position on the limiter straps. I had the ski stance on the narrow setting (38") and found that the combination of the wider front end and wide running boards caused the sled to hang up on sidehills and took some effort to maintain the sidehill. I ended up totaling the sled from a rock impact.
I decided to pick up a 2015 154 Summit SP the second time around. I was able to save quite a bit and it left some cash for me to play around with. I ended up installing fox float 3's up front with the expectation to upgrade to the evol chamber when I'm due for a rebuild, fox float 3 front track shock, and the kyb pro 40 rear track shock. I also installed grip n rip braces (which btw have saved my summit more than a few times from tree impacts), rsi risers and freeride bars, rail braces, and clutching. Running the fox float's at 68psi, rear torsion spring at 3, and the rear KYB compression clicker 3 clicks stiff from the nominal position; the sled eats the big bumps and landings much better than the Freeride did. The ski stance at 36" and narrow running boards make sidehilling effortless, and the black colorway allows endless options for wraps. I am much more impressed with the summit setup this way over the Freeride. It's just works better for the type of riding I do...ripping the trail hard on the way in, and then pulling sketchy lines through the trees and jumping natural features.
Hope my experiences help you out!
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Same opinion that I have. If you are aggressive in bumps, neither the Freeride or Summit will work, so if you have to change shocks, get the Summit. I learned that the hard way this year. Only benefit of the Freeride is that you can sell the Freeride shocks for darned near what it cost to put aftermarket shocks on. That being said, I am replacing my 2015 Freeride (with aftermarket suspension) with a 2016 Summit 154 that will have aftermarket suspension.
Thanks for the info! I guess my plan is to get an x and put either exit or fox floats, I had exits x1s on my 13 xm and loved them. Anyone have any luck revalving the stock x shocks. Too bad doo doesnt have more shock options on snowcheck.
i have a 14 freeride 137 and a 15 freeride 154. the 137 with the r motion is awesome for the flat land stuff (trail, ditch banging, screwing around). But that's why i have the 154 as well, i beat that one pretty hard as well and it's taken it well. I didn't get to take it out west this year but i did go to upper michigan quite a bit and it was awesome. I haven't ridden a newer summit so i can't comment on that but i've had great luck with my freerides. one thing i loved as well is when i changed out my rails to the ice age bombers i had a little over 200 miles on the stock ones. the hyfax looked brand new, and that was surprising from what those ones went through without scratchers, i even had to ride down a plowed logging road early in the season and my temp gauge never went up, all of the poo's behind me were over heating. They were all stock and i was running a turbo on mine and it did great. another bonus is the extra bracing on the freeride for ditch banging and jumping, little more ease of mind.
If i were to do another sled i would do the freeride again. if i did the summit i would do shocks and probably the new ras2 from the freeride, i'm 5'7'' and 160 and the wider freeride stance has made that sled a dream to ride for me. that's my two cents, either way they're both great sleds.
If i were to do another sled i would do the freeride again. if i did the summit i would do shocks and probably the new ras2 from the freeride, i'm 5'7'' and 160 and the wider freeride stance has made that sled a dream to ride for me. that's my two cents, either way they're both great sleds.
Summit has ras 2!
correct, i like that the new 16 freeride has the ras2 on the wider front end, having the 40" works better for me but everybody's different.
My Freeride now has RAS2. 
Much better front end.
I think if you are a lighter guy, the Freeride valving might be good. But I am 190+ out of the shower, add gear, 15 pound pack, and 15 pounds in the tunnel bag, and it just doesn't cut it.
Much better front end. I think if you are a lighter guy, the Freeride valving might be good. But I am 190+ out of the shower, add gear, 15 pound pack, and 15 pounds in the tunnel bag, and it just doesn't cut it.
R
RevXRider
Well-known member
I bought a Freeride when my other buddies purchased summits. We ride the east coast, with not much for climbing, but a lot of technical stuff. If I had to do it all over, I would opt for the 154 Summit. The Freeride is a nice sled don't get me wrong, but its basically 2k more by the time you get out the door and about 35lbs heavier. If your doing a lot of banging and need the additional bracing, go for the Freeride. My vote would be for the 154 T3. That's what I am checking.
On another note, I purchased the Freeride, due to resale value. I will be able to sell that much easier than the boys with the plain jane summits.
On another note, I purchased the Freeride, due to resale value. I will be able to sell that much easier than the boys with the plain jane summits.
Freeride is only $4-500 more then summit now on snowcheck.
