Combi Gear

List,

I'm looking at picking up a combi setup this season to a: work out this
whole skating thing, and b: eventually replace my crusty old classics.
I figure if the skating doesn't work out, then I'll be left with a set
of classic capable skis that at the very least, is a whole lot better
than what I have now.

I've seen a little info (emphasis on little) on combi skis from
Rossignol, Atomic, and Fischer, but am wondering what else is out there?
What's good, what's bad? What should I look for based on weight and
height etc. There just doesn't seem to be the quantity of info out there
as there are about other nordic ski types.

TIA

Eric

Sometimes compromise is worse than commitment to one or the other
divergent course.

In the case of skis, you cannot make a good ski that does both skating
and classic well. The flex profiles are just too different. What you
will get is a pair of skis that work poorly in both uses. Get some
decent skate skis. Then, when you can afford it, upgrade your classic
skis. That way you can get some skate skis that glide well and that
you can wax only for glide. It is SO much easier to learn to skate if
the ski moves freely. Watch someone try to skate on waxless classic
skis and you'll see what I mean.

Rob Bradlee

--- "Nevalainen, Eric" wrote:
List,

I'm looking at picking up a combi setup this season to a: work out
this
whole skating thing, and b: eventually replace my crusty old
classics.
I figure if the skating doesn't work out, then I'll be left with a
set
of classic capable skis that at the very least, is a whole lot better
than what I have now.

I've seen a little info (emphasis on little) on combi skis from
Rossignol, Atomic, and Fischer, but am wondering what else is out
there?
What's good, what's bad? What should I look for based on weight and
height etc. There just doesn't seem to be the quantity of info out
there
as there are about other nordic ski types.

TIA

Eric









=====
Rob Bradlee
Java, C++, Perl, XML, OOAD, Linux, and Unix Training

Sometimes compromise is worse than commitment to one or the other
divergent course.


Absolutely true.

Perhaps the poster could give us an idea of how much skiing he has done in the
past and how much he hopes to do this year. Is there a place you can ski close
by, or do you have to drive some distance?

It may be difficult to rationalize the big $$ for good skating equipment that
won't be used all that often.

jw
milwaukee

I have some thoughts that might help.

I think skating on wax classic skis is a reasonable proposition. Especially
true if you are not heavy, and a decent classic skier. Then you can go a bit
shorter and a bit stiffer. Using a combi boot is a good idea if you are new
to skating. Two sets of poles are necessary as the skate length poles are
too long for classic. But I think skate poles are appropriately coming down
in length, and a lot of their sizing depends on steepness of the course.
Anyway, I think that skiers new to skating would do well to add 10 cm or so
to their classic length. Look at the Leki adjustable racing poles.

All this specialized equipment is nice, but remember when skating started
out, the stiffest boots were the waterproof gold Solomon SNS with red soles,
and I think Koch used Adidas that had amazingly flexible soles.

I and I've seen many other, used to race classic on a blue/gray Peltonen
combi ski. Nice flex, but the P-tex wasn't first class. The ski was
"weighted" both in terms of balance point, and design towards classic. This
was a late 80's ski.

Also if money is an issue, buy used. One pair of combi boots, two sets of
skis, and two pairs of poles.

Just My Two Cents.

Gary Jacobson
Rosendale, NY


"Nevalainen, Eric" wrote in message
news:43299D65FC3D8847ACB9E8C44A49256E48FBD7@BPEXU1 VM1.andersencorp.com...
List,

I'm looking at picking up a combi setup this season to a: work out this
whole skating thing, and b: eventually replace my crusty old classics.
I figure if the skating doesn't work out, then I'll be left with a set
of classic capable skis that at the very least, is a whole lot better
than what I have now.

I've seen a little info (emphasis on little) on combi skis from
Rossignol, Atomic, and Fischer, but am wondering what else is out there?
What's good, what's bad? What should I look for based on weight and
height etc. There just doesn't seem to be the quantity of info out there
as there are about other nordic ski types.

TIA

Eric

On 08 Nov 2003 01:39:10 GMT, (J999w) wrote:


It may be difficult to rationalize the big $$ for good skating equipment that
won't be used all that often.


PlanetXC is selling Trab and Germina skis that look very reasonably
priced (though when you add in bindings...) and I'm curious if anyone
has experience with them.

JT
*******************************************
NB: reply-to address is munged

Visit http://www.jt10000.com
*******************************************