skate rollerski length question

Hey all - I'm currently rollerskiing on a pair of 53 cm rabbits with
slow rubber wheels. I'm 5'11", 172 lbs, and an "advanced recreational
rollerskier". Am I making a mistake by not being on the 60 cm frames
if I'm interested in technique and balance rather than speed? thanks
in advance. The websites I've looked at recommend the 60cm frames for
"tall men and advanced skiers." My suspicion = not enough difference
to matter.

Chris

On Apr 3, 5:15 am, wrote:
typically, you will go on a longer base for classic, and a shorter
base for skate. i don't know what brand of skis you are using, but
that is the general rule.

I'm using the Eagle Rabblits with slow 100mm rubber wheels. If I
changed I'd probably go with the pursuit 60 cm rollerskis (rather than
the 53 cm version).

http://www.rollerskishop.com/ecart/rollerskis.php

both are, I think, shorter than typical classic rollerskis.

thanks,

Chris

You might write or call and ask why their recommendation. I suspect
the more important question is wheel speed. Slow is relative and I'm
not familiar with Clayton's slower wheels vs. Marwe 610s, but the risk
in general is that skating is relatively high intensity and thus
it's harder to keep your heart rate at an endurance level (L1) the
slower the wheels. I've read that top skiers prefer a faster pair for
longer workouts.

rm

" wrote:

Hey all - I'm currently rollerskiing on a pair of 53 cm rabbits with
slow rubber wheels. I'm 5'11", 172 lbs, and an "advanced recreational
rollerskier". Am I making a mistake by not being on the 60 cm frames
if I'm interested in technique and balance rather than speed? thanks
in advance. The websites I've looked at recommend the 60cm frames for
"tall men and advanced skiers." My suspicion = not enough difference
to matter.

Chris

On Apr 3, 12:29 pm, wrote:
You might write or call and ask why their recommendation. I suspect
the more important question is wheel speed. Slow is relative and I'm
not familiar with Clayton's slower wheels vs. Marwe 610s, but the risk
in general is that skating is relatively high intensity and thus
it's harder to keep your heart rate at an endurance level (L1) the
slower the wheels. I've read that top skiers prefer a faster pair for
longer workouts.

rm

" wrote:
Hey all - I'm currently rollerskiing on a pair of 53 cm rabbits with
slow rubber wheels. I'm 5'11", 172 lbs, and an "advanced recreational
rollerskier". Am I making a mistake by not being on the 60 cm frames
if I'm interested in technique and balance rather than speed? thanks
in advance. The websites I've looked at recommend the 60cm frames for
"tall men and advanced skiers." My suspicion = not enough difference
to matter.

Chris

I would have thought the opposite: the slower the wheels the higher
intensity workout you can have without killing yourself on turns,
obstacles, etc... At least that's been my experience. I've got the
slowest rubber wheels on right now (with the triple spoke). On the
flats they simulate slow snow pretty well.

Chris

Well, yes, if your goal is high intensity or safety, then slower wheels
can help where the terrain doesn't. Although how do you recover? The
more common problem rollerski skaters face is running too high a heart
rate in LSD workouts. It takes good technique, good conditioning,
cooperative terrain and lots of self-control to keep one's HR down for
an extended time. If you're an elite skier doing 3-6 hr sessions or two
or three workouts a day, then I imagine less resistance makes sense. At
least that's what I took from the Torbjorn Karlsen's comments about
Becky Scott having two pairs of skates, one slow and one much faster.

rm

" wrote:

I would have thought the opposite: the slower the wheels the higher
intensity workout you can have without killing yourself on turns,
obstacles, etc... At least that's been my experience. I've got the
slowest rubber wheels on right now (with the triple spoke). On the
flats they simulate slow snow pretty well.

Chris