NEW leather grip wakeboard handle

[jsz]

I just got a new Proline handle with a leather grip. I haven't used it yet but I'm already having second thoughts about how long it will last (stay soft) after water contact. Do any of you guys have a leather handle that can help me with some info here???

Also it does not have any foam floats and I'm conserned about that as my last one was "propped" after it sank. Have any of you had problems with a handle that did not come with floats???

[rushin]

Wouldn't the leather be slippery when wet? Hey that's an album

[zany]

I have that handle and I love it. I wear gloves and it works great. This only my first season with it, but so far it does not show any signs of wear. As far as a non floating handle it is not a problem.

Funny story about that handle. I was teaching friend to wakeboard for the first time. After I went through the normal instruction for a begining wakeboarder, I gave him one last instruction that I regreat. "Hold on tight to the handle, don't let go". Thats the wrong instruction to give someone whos arms are bigger than my legs. On his first try, my tower mades this great creaking noise and the handle pops out of his hands. Upon inspection of the handle, I find out the he bent the handle into a nice arc. This handle appears to have a aluminum core. I have not been able to staighten the handle. Be careful on the the instruction you give first time wakeboarders.

[jsz]

Unless he weighs 400 lbs. I'd think a handle shouldn't bend just by pulling someone. I'm glad to hear it floats but now you gave me another concern... thin easily bent aluminum.

Anyone else with pros or cons on this handle???

[zany]

Originally posted by jsz
Unless he weighs 400 lbs. I'd think a handle shouldn't bend just by pulling someone. I'm glad to hear it floats but now you gave me another concern... thin easily bent aluminum.

Anyone else with pros or cons on this handle???

He only weighs about 240 but he can probally bench 400 lbs.

[jsz]

A handle bending from someone hanging on to it??? Does that sound weird to anyone else? Has it happened to any of you other guys? I know they're trying to make handles lighter but breaking one's got to suck more than an extra ounce or 2.

[Gschmidt1]

Get it. It is widely regarded as the best non-carbon handle out there. The original runs had some issues with the eva stuff underneath the leather bunching, but it has been sorted out.

[teachercop]

Contact/email Proline with that story. Sounds like a warranty issue as it occurred during normal wakeboarding conditions.

[zany]

Originally posted by teachercop
Contact/email Proline with that story. Sounds like a warranty issue as it occurred during normal wakeboarding conditions.

I plan to contact them, I well let you know what they say.

[zany]

I have talked with Proline and they have no problem replacing the handle, they plan on testing the handle to find out if there is a thickness issue that allowed it to bend. They have not had any returns on the LG1 due to bending. They have had some issues with the material under the leather and will be changing the type of material to prevent bunching (I didn't have that issue). The new handle will not be in until October.