Ridgeback Rails has a new product, and I have it!!!

[jhanso18]

So I had heard nothing but rave reviews about Ridgeback products. I originally called looking to get a custom set of rails made to tighten up my Valley table. I talked with Kerry and he said that they were going to be starting production on what they are calling their "Professional Series" rails. They are rails to be produced in quantity, that will have better sub rail material, tighter pockets, etc. I said I'd be patient and wait a couple weeks for those.

I got my new rails and cloth yesterday. Rails installed easy as can be. No modification what so ever. Pics below of installed rails, about 4.25" opening at the front of the cup. It also changes the angle of the opening slightly. The pocket faces are now more parallel and less forgiving. (kinda like a Diamond or GC pocket.)

I will be righting up a full review at some point today when I get a little time.

 

[Treyf123]

Ridgeback rails

The pool hall i play at has ridgeback rails on there valleys and i like them a lot. They do make the table a little tighter. I think they make the table play kind of like a diamond. IMO #1 rails for a valley bar box

 

[jhanso18]

So I have to start by saying that Kerry at RBR is insanely thorough with his description of product, explaining why they do this vs. that, and takes all the time necessary to answer any question you may have. (I had a bunch, and he was great!)

If your impression of the company is anything like mine was, it’s that they make a product that is far superior to standard Valley rails, and can’t seem to find a bad review anywhere. That’s with good reason; I couldn’t find one thing to complain about with my whole experience. My rails were set to be done on a Friday but might not ship until Monday. I inquired to 3 day shipping so I could get my table together by the weekend for a little party I’m throwing. Kerry then offered to make sure and work double hard, so as to try and get them shipped by Friday evening. Thanks again for that Kerry!

As to the actual product, I had my rails covered at RBR to save myself the trouble. (At $8 a rail, it’s a no brainer) They only stretch the cloth and staple their rails, NO GLUE, which is what I prefer. Because of this, I didn’t get to see the naked rail and really take in the craftsmen ship. For all I know the filled it with magic, these things play GREAT!!!!!!! The rails installed exactly the same as my factory stuff did. I did nothing more than bolt them in and adjust height accordingly. My pocket openings in the corner are roughly 4.25” I forgot to measure the side pockets but will get this as well. Mind you, this is with an eyeball and tape measure, not a caliper. The inside angle of the pocket is adjusted to be more parallel, like a Diamond or GC. Because of this you can no longer “cheat” the pocket like you could before. You have to hit the cup right or she’ll jaw it up and spit the ball out.

Banking also seems to play truer. We confirmed this by bolting on the old stuff, and then back to the RBR rails. The table definitely banks different, and not just because the rails are fresher. My old rails were not very old. I’m not ruling out this could be in my head, or lack of skill, but I’m going to give Ridgeback the benefit of a doubt.

Overall I can’t say enough good things about this product, or this company. It is companies like this that are needed to keep this sport alive. Although I would much rather have a Diamond or Gold Crown table in my basement, Ridgeback Rails has done an amazing job turning junk into gold. I am still saving up for a Diamond, but this is definitely going to help ease the pain while I wait!!!! I do not look forward to ever playing on a standard Valley table ever again!!!

Kudos to Ridgeback rails for great customer service, an even better product, and a bright future doing things right in the pool world!!!!

Thanks again to every one at RBR,

Justin Hanson

 

[Neil]

Not sure how you measured with a tape measure, but the balls are 2 1/4" for normal balls. Assuming that's what you have, the pockets are 4 1/2", not 4 1/4". I don't think you will see much difference in the pocket size being a little smaller than normal on a Valley. I know that with mine, the smaller opening didn't really make any difference. The big difference came when I extended the shelf of the pocket. The ridgebacks do play a little different (better) than the normal Valley rails do.

 

[dannylee]

This is awesome, bout time someone tightened up these buckets. Looks nice

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jhanso18]

This is awesome, bout time someone tightened up these buckets. Looks nice

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

RBR also makes stock replacement rails too.

The rails I have are an option for making the pockets tighter. but even more than that, they seem to play better as well.

 

[Cornerman]

Not sure how you measured with a tape measure, but the balls are 2 1/4" for normal balls. Assuming that's what you have, the pockets are 4 1/2", not 4 1/4". I don't think you will see much difference in the pocket size being a little smaller than normal on a Valley. I know that with mine, the smaller opening didn't really make any difference. The big difference came when I extended the shelf of the pocket. The ridgebacks do play a little different (better) than the normal Valley rails do.

They look like smaller than 4 1/2" by quite a bit to me, Neil. Okay, maybe 4 3/8"

Considering that normal balls are 2 1/4", then two balls should fit 4 1/2" easily since the balls can go under the cushion.

Freddie <~~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG9CqK95U2E

 

[jhanso18]

they are staggered a little in the pocket. However I measured from outside point to point. at the very opening of the pocket.

 

[Neil]

They look like smaller than 4 1/2" by quite a bit to me, Neil. Okay, maybe 4 3/8"

Considering that normal balls are 2 1/4", then two balls should fit 4 1/2" easily since the balls can go under the cushion.

Freddie <~~~ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG9CqK95U2E

I'm going by the center of each ball on the point. To me, that means you have 4 1/2" between the points. In the pic., the 7's center is a little forward of the point, so you can't see the full edge of the ball with part being under the rail.

 

[Johnnyt]

Anyone that wants thier Valley to play close to a Diamond need to get these rails. It's loike night and day. You will never get better service from anyone. Johnnyt

 

[Neil]

Here's a pick of mine at 4 1/8".

 

[joelpope]

Not sure how you measured with a tape measure, but the balls are 2 1/4" for normal balls. Assuming that's what you have, the pockets are 4 1/2", not 4 1/4". I don't think you will see much difference in the pocket size being a little smaller than normal on a Valley. I know that with mine, the smaller opening didn't really make any difference. The big difference came when I extended the shelf of the pocket. The ridgebacks do play a little different (better) than the normal Valley rails do.

How can you extend the shelf? Fill it with bondo?

The shelf depth is determined by the size of the slate and the cut of the slate.

Not sure I understand

 

[Neil]

How can you extend the shelf? Fill it with bondo?

The shelf depth is determined by the size of the slate and the cut of the slate.

Not sure I understand

I added wood to it, and then bondo over that. Check the mechanics section, another guy added steel with bondo over it. What I found out when I did mine though, is that each pocket was actually cut a little different from each other. I couldn't make one mold and just copy it. I had to make an individual mold for each pocket.

edit: here's the link showing pfdryen's modification. http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=185270

 

[kyther]

Ridgebackrails Professional Edition

We have been manufacturing custom rails for many years now. Due to the varied requests of our customers for different opening angles, different pocket dimensions, different thicknesses of cushion blocks, different nose height, etc., etc., we processed each order based on what that customer wanted. Many of the requests were similar--to make a set of rails that would make a coin-op table play more challenging--like a professional table. Thank you Justin, and all of you, for your generous reviews and comments.

As many of you know, we have been working on the Ridgebackrails Professional Edition for quite some time. In a sense, our customers designed this product. It was their input that guided our decisions on design specifications. It was a combined effort of pool players seeking to improve their game at a reasonable cost without having to replace their table and pool players that simply appreciate their classic and time-proven coin-op tables but wanted them to play the way they should.

As we continue to develop new products, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers who have made Ridgebackrails successful. It is because of your critiques, suggestions, input and business that Ridgebackrails are the premium coin-op replacement rail.

We appreciate each of you and wish all of you happy and safe holidays.
As always-thanks, Kerry

 

[Dunnn51]

Nice !

Justin,

That'll surely tighten that Valley table up ! I like how the throat of the pocket is closed up too, that'll keep everyone playing on it honest. I know its gonna make them slow speed and hard angle cuts harder to make :wink:
Looking forward to hear what you think about how that table plays now.