Paricon Classic Flexible Flyer Steel Runner Sled (48-Inch)

I grew up with the original and remembered the sled to be fast, steerable and very durable. The sled made by Paricon is decent for the price and its overall performance matched my memory. A couple things to know about this sled for those who are unfamiliar with it. 1. This sled is designed for use on "packed" snow. Unpacked or powder snow will cause the sled to sink through the snow and even stop. 2. Steering is more than just using the steering handle at the top. To be truly effective (especially as you attain greater speeds), you must shift your weight over the runner (I.e. direction) that you desire to turn the sled toward. 3. The runners come painted. Through normal use this paint will wear off. This is fine and it should be noted that the sled will actually perform better without the paint. What this means though, is that the metal does become exposed to moisture and subsequently the sled runners can rust if left wet after use. A good practice is to dry the runners after each use. I also take the additional step of treating the runners with wax (just as if they were skis). My last point concerns quality. Although the quality is OK, the new sled has aluminum rivets as opposed to the original which used steel. After a number of runs, one of the rivets gave way. I have since replaced the aluminum rivets with steel bolts and have had no problems. Overall, a good sled that my children will enjoy for years to come.