Equipment Selection - Page 2

sgrady11 · 10-11-2007, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MtnBikerChk

XC is WAY too much effort!

Yeah, I was waiting for some flak from somebody about it.

The effort is what I am looking for. Looking to bring some cardiovascular fitness over into my mountain biking in the spring.

sgrady11 · 10-11-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverside73

It completely depends on what type of cross country you want to do. There is a HUGE difference between Classic and Skating. There some skis that "cross over" but generally they are either one or the other. If you are just looking to put the skis in the track and slide along, you will want some classic skis and they run longer than others. EX: I am 5'8" and 200+ and my XC sticks are 205. My DH boards are 174. Also, if you are just in it for the recreation of the whole thing, get waxless skis. These are the ones with smooth tips and tails and "scales" in the middle. Waxing XC skis is way more complicated than with DH skis. My suggestion-go to you local shop, have someone show the differences and sizes in equipment. If they treat you right, buy from them if you can afford it. Otherwise, wait for a ski swap in your area. It's that time of year and you can get some good used stuff for cheap. If you buy anything new....start with the boots!

Ok so that confuses me then. The whole 'track' thing - like what you see in the olympics most of the time, I remember that.

But if I go out to some forest preserve somewhere (I'm in Chicago) there probably won't be one, right? I imagine I'll kind of be the only one out there trying it.

So I want 'skate' skis?

Heidi · 10-11-2007, 02:20 PM

no skate skis require a groomed surface. You'd probably be better off with some light backcountry go anywhere skis.

RenegadeRick · 10-11-2007, 03:34 PM

sgrady11:

I am not interested in this sport and I gave away all my XC skis, but...

If you insist on XC skiing in Chicago, there are others out there that ski Palos and other Cook County preserves. They use classic waxless XC skis, not skate skis. The trails are not groomed, but there usually are packed down tracks for these types of skis to use.

Keep in mind that in this area there are usually less than 7 days in the season in which the trails are in suitable condition for this activity. Hope the Mountain Bikers that ride the trails year round don't trash out the tracks too much. They are supposed to avoid them but hey, accidents happen.

I vaguely recall a golf course in the area (was it Thunderbird?) that makes snow and grooms their trails. They obviously charge a fee though.

My advice to you is to try downhill skiing or snowboarding or maybe get studded tires for your bike instead.

sgrady11 · 10-11-2007, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenegadeRick

sgrady11:

I am not interested in this sport and I gave away all my XC skis, but...

If you insist on XC skiing in Chicago, there are others out there that ski Palos and other Cook County preserves. They use classic waxless XC skis, not skate skis. The trails are not groomed, but there usually are packed down tracks for these types of skis to use.

Keep in mind that in this area there are usually less than 7 days in the season in which the trails are in suitable condition for this activity. Hope the Mountain Bikers that ride the trails year round don't trash out the tracks too much. They are supposed to avoid them but hey, accidents happen.

I vaguely recall a golf course in the area (was it Thunderbird?) that makes snow and grooms their trails. They obviously charge a fee though.

My advice to you is to try downhill skiing or snowboarding or maybe get studded tires for your bike instead.

Yeah, I know about the snow levels around here. I am a CAMBr member and ride at Palos at least once a week.

I've seen people XC ski at both Palos and Knock Knolls.

I was thinking that running up to Wisc might yield better snow. I think there are XC Ski trails at a parking lot opposite the MTB lot at Kettle Moraine.

As far as studded tires, I've ridden in snow at Palos without them with great success. Ice would be where they would be needed and I can't think of anywhere that freezes hard enough where I could ride on it. I looked online at some instructions on homemade studded tires before. Those Nokians are too pricey.

ride_for_fun · 10-14-2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgrady11

So are there different sizes of ski's, like length-wise or anything that match your height?

Or is all I need to worry about sizing properly are boots?

where there are two type of skiing skate and classic and yeah there is different sizes deepening on your height and skiing type. and you do need a boot to fit like a running shoe would. each company make different modules for different types of skiing there is full on racing. and learning skies, and touring skies. the main brand that i would look in to is Fischer, Salomon, Atomic, and Madshus. and there are two differnte binding and boots system. theres the NNN which Madshus are on and Fischer just switched to this year which is causing hell in the racing sence. and there the SNS which salomon and atomic are on. each company makes boots too. i have been racing nordic since i was 2-3 so if you have any more questions just ask me im leaving out so much. there pole height, ski flex, wax, which type type of skiing, etc

Tennessee · 01-18-2008, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgrady11

Yeah, I know about the snow levels around here. I am a CAMBr member and ride at Palos at least once a week.

I've seen people XC ski at both Palos and Knock Knolls.

I was thinking that running up to Wisc might yield better snow. I think there are XC Ski trails at a parking lot opposite the MTB lot at Kettle Moraine.

As far as studded tires, I've ridden in snow at Palos without them with great success. Ice would be where they would be needed and I can't think of anywhere that freezes hard enough where I could ride on it. I looked online at some instructions on homemade studded tires before. Those Nokians are too pricey.

Lapham Peak maybe?

I am just getting into the sport myself & have afound a ton of places in Southern WI to ski. Check http://www.skinnyski.com . Also The Bike Dr. in Dousman, WI (near Lapham Peak) rents skis (skate & classic) & on tuesdays they have free rentals & free lessons.

Also look for deals on craigslist. No use spending lots of money on skis when you may end up hating it. I just bought three pairs of waxless xc skis, two pair of boots (too small) & a pair of DH poles for $20. If you get into skate style it is a little more $$$.

jabuttri · 01-21-2008, 02:22 PM

the gear shop that I work at sells x-c skis all of the company reps have said this.
1. proper flex for the skis
2. length
3. base camber

if your skis don't have the proper flex...especially classic skis, you will either be draging scales/kickwax which is very in efficient or they will be too stiff and the scales will never touch the ground meaning that you cant go at all. Proper flex is when with both feet flat on the skis the scales do not touch the ground, when all of the weight is flat on one foot the ski should deform a bit but retain a pocket, finally when all of the weight is transfered up onto the ball of one foot the pocket should colapse and put the scales or kick wax on the snow.

a good place to start is a recomendation for a classic ski of a flex that is aproximately 55% of your body weight.

It sounds complicated but it will make for a much more enjoyable tie if you are able to ski efficiently. Skate skiing is a completely different game and I will give that info if anyone wants it.