With the winter season dying down and my ski technique just starting to take off, I don’t want to lose momentum. I need a way to keep it rolling (no pun intended) once the snow is gone - hence, rollerskis.
I’ve been reading a bunch of reviews for different skis (http://www.nordicskiracer.com/Rollerskireviews.asp) and it seems like there are several good options for skate, and a few well reviewed classic skis as well. I’ve also read however, that one isn’t supposed to diagonal stride on classic rollerskis but rather to use them mainly for double poling (and kick double poling). With that in mind, why don’t people just use their skate skis for classic double pole workouts?
I’ve also read however, that one isn’t supposed to diagonal stride on classic rollerskis but rather to use them mainly for double poling (and kick double poling). With that in mind, why don’t people just use their skate skis for classic double pole workouts?
Because the feature that makes classic roller skis interesting is the resistance in the wheels. The rear wheels actually brake. Didn’t think I was going to like this kind of training, but I do. Obviously, roller skis help you become a stronger skier (double poling), and the effect translates very well to endurance in the pool. I think you can get three types of wheels: low, normal and high resistance.
Khai, what type of surfaces will you be rollerskiing on? If you are on roads that are not smooth or may have dirt, sticks, pebbles on them, or if you rollerski in the dark, I HIGHLY recommend getting a rollerski with pneumatic tires, such as the V2 150s. I’ve spent years rollerskiing on standard rollerskis and after one too many crashes I said enough was enough. Little pebbles/sticks can stop a rollerski dead in its tracks and you go flying. My last bad crash on traditional rollerskis left my face looking like it had been attacked by a pitbull. Think safety, first.
I double pole on my skate rollerskis all the time. It works great. One reason why some recommend that you don’t train classic technique on rollerskis is because you develop a false sense of security in knowing that you’ll always have kick (unlike on snow where you need to have a well-developed kick to propel yourself forward) Since you are new to the sport, I wouldn’t worry about it. Classic and skate to your heart’s content.
Again, I highly recommend a ski like the V2 150s. I will NEVER use a traditional rollerski again. It’s nice because I can rollerski out my front door in the morning, in the dark, and run over little rocks, cracks in the pavement, etc. and not worry too much about crashing. Very good peace of mind. Also, I know the guy that invented the Cat Ski (Dale Niggeman) and I guess it’s an amazing product. I’ve never used them but I’ve seen people using them and I guess they work.
Khai, I thinks it’s awesome you are really getting into this!
I use the V2 Aero 150 rollerskis. These are good for roads with some debri on them or for limestone-type paths you see in some parks. They kind of roll over the stuff. I use them for double pole workouts as well, and they are pretty good.
From your list, I’ve tried the Marwe’s and the CAT ski. The Marwe’s are really nice. The CAT ski can be tough, though. I agree it will help with your technique to some degree, I just found them, well, boring. There is no glide…none. Put a set of bindings on a 2x4 and it will be only marginally worse. OK, not that bad, I just get bored pretty easy.
Another ski you may want to look into is the Elpex. I’ve tried those as well, and for a good path they are really nice.
Now, don’t jinx the snow we have now by buying rollerskis…wait until spring!
Good advice by everyone. I have the Marwe 610 and got them through Telemark Pyreneese http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com. The ‘feel’ of them is really good.
I second the ‘safety’ comment. Getting the balance on Rollerskiing is a bit different, so I wear knee pads, helmet, and gloves !!
I’d recommend the Swix Rollerski poles with the carbide tips.
Classic rollerskis, if you are not careful, can develop a ‘late kick’ if you are not careful. Because the ratchet is so secure, you can cheat and develope the ‘late’ kick.
I would have to agree with the Jenex XL150S for skating. You can roll over pretty much anything (rough pavement, hard pack and nice roads) and it still feels like your skiing. It does take getting used to because you are up a little higher and the wheels are a bit narrower. But once you pass that learning curve, you’ll be fine. A popular combi ski you see out in our area is the Jenex 940C, it has hard rubber wheels as opposed to pneumatics. Another nice thing about stuff from Jenex is that there is a lot on tension in the bearings/bushings so that acts as a brake to keep speeds slower. They also use a wider wheel for their non-pneumatic roller skis which lend itself to a more ski like feel. Be sure to get speed reducers if you go with Jenex. The brake is optional, most people take them off after about a month of using them.
I’ve used Ski Skett previously and found that it was just a really long inline skate. You can’t really edge or get good cornering when you are ripping through a corner doing tempo. They are fun to use, but I did not find them very practical for cross training. I found this to be true for other roller skis that use inline skate wheels as well.
Not to hijack this thread but I know someone (Elpex?) makes a rollerski with a very large diameter solid wheel (similar in size to the V2 150s). Has anyone tried these? It seems to me they may perform very well on rough roads, rocks, sticks, etc. without the threat of flat tires.
Khai- That is awsome that you are getting so into skiing. Some advice- whatever you do- don’t get the V2’s (although they do make a solid wheel model that is nice). The best skate skis have large diameter, skiiny wheels (less likley to grab rocks and trip you) I think most pro racers will agree that Marwe are the best- they have a composite core so better dampening. They also sit a little closer to the road and feel more stable/natural than the other large diameter wheel models. Lots of companies make good classic skis- V2, Elpex, Marwe, Pro-ski. You are right about not striding on classic skis- don’t do it unless you feel confident in your technique. They are handy for kick DP however, if you are doing a DP workout, and striding during classic intervals. Also, rollerskis are nice for supplementing training here and there during the race season if snow is low, but I wouldn’t start training on them too much until June. you will get burnt out too soon and if you want to really kick ass next year, you will need to still be pumped in October for a 2- 3 hour ski. If you have any more Q’s feel free to pm. I definatley have a few hours logged on rollerskis (eyes rolling back into my head just thinking about it
I’m not all quite here this week, sorry, but I have a set of the Eplex (sp), I think still with bindings, that I can send you if you want to try them out. I’ll check tonight and let you know tomorrow.
Edit to add: I also have some extra carbide tips to add to any pole. Let me check tonight!
Thanks for the great advice everybody! It would appear that I’ve been bitten by the ski bug something fierce…
I’m definitely looking at a larger-wheeled ski as eating pavement is definitely not high on my list of things that I want to do regularly. (I do bail a lot in the snow, but it’s snow - so who cares?) The nordicskiracer guy is really big on wheels that roll easily over sticks/cracks/gravel/etc, and has me sold on that concept as well. He’s also big on slow(er) wheels, both for safety reasons as well as that it supposedly better simulates actual snow skiing. On the other hand, I’ve heard some people say that “if you train slow you’ll ski slow”, preferring fast wheels and brakes or click on speed reducers. I’m thinking that medium to med/slow wheels would probably be best - at least for a noob, with some sort of speed reducer or brake not being a bad idea either. While I’m not planing any big hills in the very near future, I do live in Vancouver - so nearly everything is at least rolling. Once I get comfortable on them I can definitely see wanting to hit some bigger hills.
So when replacing the pole baskets with asphalt ferrules, does one just heat up the ski basket with a heat gun to remove them? I thought I saw “heat activated” glue when I was looking at different ferrule tips…
So when replacing the pole baskets with asphalt ferrules, does one just heat up the ski basket with a heat gun to remove them? I thought I saw “heat activated” glue when I was looking at different ferrule tips…
If I understand your question correctly, then hot water would do the trick. I don’t use any glue as I switch between the regular ones and those for asphalt.
I brought in my 2nd set of rollerskis. They are the Eplex F1 with the larger rubber wheels, with Salomon (non-pilot) bindings. In the circus confusion of my house right now - the in-laws are in town now helping out - I forgot the carbide pole tips. I will send out the rollerskis today if you want to try them out. Could you do me a favor and PM me your address?
As far as changing out regular tips to carbide tips - you’ll have to make sure that the shaft diameter is correct - and then you just have to either use boiling water or a heat gun. If you do it quick you can just heat the tip that is on the shaft, pull it off, and then slip on the new tip. There should be enough glue on it, so you can just slip on the new one - just make sure of the alignment ! That same proceedure works for changing out the cork grips.
Kai,
I have a pair of V2 150 Aero/Skate in red with yellow pilot bindings and speed reducers (front). I used them one fall and then moved from IL to SoCal. They have been sitting in my garage for 3 years, did not even remember I still had them since I saw your post. I would consider selling them. Maybe around $250 plus shipping
Axel
Sorry for posting the FS here, feel free to move it
