Skip to main content

Black Diamond FlickLock vs Push Button Lock Review

 Black Diamond Contour Trekking Poles


I have two pair of the 2003 version Black Diamond Contour Trekking Poles with the push button locking button and FlickLock system. I love them as they are strong, light, adjustable and I have never had an issue with slipping. 

 Photo shows the FlickLock at the top of the pole and the push button lock at the bottom section.

The problem I had with the push button lock, was after a drenching rainstorm hike the poles were packed in the car for a 600 mile trip home, then stored away for several months. I forgot to pull them apart to dry out. When retrieved for the next adventure, the push button internal mechanism had corroded and was unusable.

The Fix

I had to bolt the lower unit fixed on three of my poles so I could use them. I went to the local hardware store and found some nuts and screws. My objective was to use a screw that was the same size as the locking pin with as little projection beyond the pole as possible. I found screws that had a nice rounded head with hex recess and they fit the pin hole only slightly larger. 

I had to drill  the hole out just a fraction. 

 The nuts I used were nylon inserted, self locking, so there was no need to use a lock washer. I have continued to use these pole for years and have not needed to tighten the locking nuts at all. This fix has worked great, except I can't collapse the poles totally as originally designed.

The pole manual says not to put them away wet, so take their advice. 
Black Diamond may have installed non-corrosive springs now, so give them a call before buying poles with push button locks.

I would highly recommend poles with the double FlickLock style, top and bottom, by Black Diamond as I have never had any issue with this type of lock on my poles.

 Here is my video explaining the problem on YouTube:

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review of Crocs Men's Modi Flip Flops

Review of Crocs Men's Modi Flip Flops As a result of an injury and suffering from Plantar Fasciitis and a heel spur, I needed some comfortable flip flops that offered support and heel comfort.  I previously had some Croc knock-off, slip on shoes and they felt comfortable, so I did some online research, reading reviews about various Croc shoes, and determined that the Croc Modi Flip was highly regarded. I went to my local sports store and tried on half a dozen flip flops to see which were the most comfortable, comparing them to the Modi Flip, and determined I like the Modi the best as they seemed to provide the best comfort for my heel. As an added bonus they have nice foot massage bumps. I first bought size 11 thinking it fit the best, but once at home, sitting and walking in the house, I decided they were a little snug across the top of my foot, so I exchanged them for size 12. They fit perfect, not too tight when sitting in a chair, yet snug enough when walking. ...
8 comments
Read more

Chic BOHO Poncho Top

  Multicolored Pattern Print Poncho Style Top This flirty poncho top will capture your BOHO style with flair!  Looks great with jeans for that easy, relaxed evening mood.    
3 comments
Read more

Long-term review of The North Face Hedgehog GTX XCR III hiking shoe

THE NORTH FACE HEDGEHOG GTX XCR III Recently I switched to a lighter boot / shoe for backpacking since most of my hiking is geared toward ultralight. My first hiking shoe was a Merrill brand. It was light with a Vibram sole with Gore-Tex outer waterproof shell. I liked the shoe. Besides backpacking in it, I wore it daily and went on 4 mile trail runs a few times a week. Eventually, the shoe wore out and I went on the search for a replacement. I  basically wanted the same features, but I decided to try another brand so I could compare performance for future purchases. I decided on The North Face  Hedgehog GTX XCR III. This shoe is superior to my Merrill in terms of insole padding, aggressive Vibram sole and lacing eyes. It provides better support and the fit size is accurate. I wore it a daily for a few weeks, then went on a vacation and hiked 13 miles in the Smoky Mountains. No blisters, not issues. The Gore-Tex served me well due to the many wet areas I had to cross....
3 comments
Read more