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#1
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Rollerski Selection Advice
Hello,
My two y/o homemade rollerskis suffered catastophic failure last week. One rear fork sheared off while skiing downhill, sending me into a ditch. Failure probably resulted in my weight (195lbs) and my use of a stem turn to control my speed on downhills. So, I will probaly break down and buy a pair of commercial rollerskis. I'm looking for both a classic and a skate rollerski, and i'm not very interested in a combi model. I'm leaning toward purchasing Marwe or Swenor. I'm impressed with the Swenor carbon fiber classic model, but I cannot locate a Swenor importer. Can you purchase these rollerskis direct from Finland? This carbon fiber rollerski got strong reviews from a group of elite Italian racers. http://www.skiroll.it/TEST/training-...xamination.htm The Marwe LT? 610 was not rated as well as other rollersis tested by this same Italian group. However, I have heard nothing but outstanding comments from people who have skied the Marwe classic. Any comments regarding the 610 would be appreciated. Jim |
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#2
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http://tinyurl.com/759fs Curious that the Swenor carbon fibers got 7.5 in weight evaluation column. Unless they have changed dramatically, they are very heavy. They are very comfortable but heavy. Check this point out before buying. |
#3
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A couple of thoughts, from the FWIW dept... 1. I would suggest sticking to a ski that you CAN easily find a dealer for. After you buy them you may want to purchase parts for them later. This will be much easier with a dealer. 2. Given your weight and that you are skiing hills that require controlling your speed, you might want to consider a ski that you can get with speed reducers. I live in an area with big hills that are fun to train on but that I'd be way out of control descending without speed reducers, hence most of my rollerskis have them. I'm by no means up to date on the current market, but my understanding is this includes (at least) several models of V2 and one model of Proski. I'm sure others will jump in here to mention any others that exist. -Mitch On Wed, 20 Apr 2005, Jim Howe wrote: Hello, My two y/o homemade rollerskis suffered catastophic failure last week. One rear fork sheared off while skiing downhill, sending me into a ditch. Failure probably resulted in my weight (195lbs) and my use of a stem turn to control my speed on downhills. So, I will probaly break down and buy a pair of commercial rollerskis. I'm looking for both a classic and a skate rollerski, and i'm not very interested in a combi model. I'm leaning toward purchasing Marwe or Swenor. I'm impressed with the Swenor carbon fiber classic model, but I cannot locate a Swenor importer. Can you purchase these rollerskis direct from Finland? This carbon fiber rollerski got strong reviews from a group of elite Italian racers. http://tinyurl.com/759fs The Marwe LT? 610 was not rated as well as other rollersis tested by this same Italian group. However, I have heard nothing but outstanding comments from people who have skied the Marwe classic. Any comments regarding the 610 would be appreciated. Jim |
#4
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Jim,
Couldn't agree more with Mitch's advice about using rollerskis with a proven speed reducer/brake. I've been on a pair of V2 Aero 150s with the "universal brake" -- a bombproof combination so far. The pneumatic wheels smoothly roll over small stones and cracks (critical for road conditions in rural Maine), and the brake allows me to take on hills that really get the ticker going. If you're going this route, do also consider getting the Fox shock pump from V2 to keep the tires inflated. Checking air pressure before every session is a three-minute task that keeps the ride smooth and prolongs tire life. I skate on the V2s and cannot attest for what the classic ride would be like. Jim Howe wrote: Hello, My two y/o homemade rollerskis suffered catastophic failure last week. One rear fork sheared off while skiing downhill, sending me into a ditch. Failure probably resulted in my weight (195lbs) and my use of a stem turn to control my speed on downhills. So, I will probaly break down and buy a pair of commercial rollerskis. I'm looking for both a classic and a skate rollerski, and i'm not very interested in a combi model. I'm leaning toward purchasing Marwe or Swenor. I'm impressed with the Swenor carbon fiber classic model, but I cannot locate a Swenor importer. Can you purchase these rollerskis direct from Finland? This carbon fiber rollerski got strong reviews from a group of elite Italian racers. http://tinyurl.com/759fs The Marwe LT? 610 was not rated as well as other rollersis tested by this same Italian group. However, I have heard nothing but outstanding comments from people who have skied the Marwe classic. Any comments regarding the 610 would be appreciated. Jim -- Jim Howe |
#5
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I think you may be a bit heavy for the Marwe 610. The 100 may be a better
choice.I love my Marwes. Fitzgerald "Jim Howe" wrote in message ... Hello, My two y/o homemade rollerskis suffered catastophic failure last week. One rear fork sheared off while skiing downhill, sending me into a ditch. Failure probably resulted in my weight (195lbs) and my use of a stem turn to control my speed on downhills. So, I will probaly break down and buy a pair of commercial rollerskis. I'm looking for both a classic and a skate rollerski, and i'm not very interested in a combi model. I'm leaning toward purchasing Marwe or Swenor. I'm impressed with the Swenor carbon fiber classic model, but I cannot locate a Swenor importer. Can you purchase these rollerskis direct from Finland? This carbon fiber rollerski got strong reviews from a group of elite Italian racers. http://tinyurl.com/759fs The Marwe LT? 610 was not rated as well as other rollersis tested by this same Italian group. However, I have heard nothing but outstanding comments from people who have skied the Marwe classic. Any comments regarding the 610 would be appreciated. Jim -- Jim Howe |
#6
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The 100 is a 610 with an aluminum shaft. It's lighter but a little less
shock abosorbent. The same applies to the difference between Marwe combis (with the wire wheel for classic) and their Classic model. I'm 6'2.5", ~175-180, and like the former for classic because that wire wheel makes it the longest ski on the US market (and an alternative pair to skate on). Also, check out Eagle at nordicskater.com and rollerskishop.com, and Elpex at Gear West and others. Both are apparently very good. Reliable Racing carries Swenor. Jay T swears by their air carbon shaft for ride, but at your weight the reinforced fiberglass cap model is the one. I've never heard a regular user report about Swenor skates. I'd take that Italian survey very carefully. The 610 was a completely different type than the others and wasn't appropriate for what and where they were testing. Since then, the market has gravitated toward 610 like models, including Pro-Ski (also good for both skate and classical). It's early yet and worth taking your time making a decision. I've still got Jenex 930Ks, Aero 125s, and NordiXC 150s in storage that I haven't used in three years in the Twin Cities, where there are hills. I got tired of all the hassles with the Aeros, found the 930Ks a touch short for a tall person, and don't like heavy rollerskis (Torbjorn Karlsen argues that pneumatic wheels aren't good simulation). But they do have brakes or speed reducers and, depending where you ski and what your comfort level is, might be the ticket. I'm no daredevil and don't like longer steeper descents, but have been able to adjust terrain and live with the Marwes. Gene FITZGERALD wrote: I think you may be a bit heavy for the Marwe 610. The 100 may be a better choice.I love my Marwes. Fitzgerald |
#7
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Don't let your weight be a concern with the 610 skates. I am currently
in the 200+ category and have not had any problems with my Marwe. |
#8
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Polar Bear wrote:
Don't let your weight be a concern with the 610 skates. I am currently in the 200+ category and have not had any problems with my Marwe. Not the point. *Marwe* recommends not using the 610s if you weigh over about 80Kg. The 100s are every bit as good as the 610s. Pick the right pair for your size. Marsh |
#9
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In article ,
Jim Howe wrote: Hello, My two y/o homemade rollerskis suffered catastophic failure last week. One rear fork sheared off while skiing downhill, sending me into a ditch. Failure probably resulted in my weight (195lbs) and my use of a stem turn to control my speed on downhills. So, I will probaly break down and buy a pair of commercial rollerskis. I'm looking for both a classic and a skate rollerski, and i'm not very interested in a combi model. I'm leaning toward purchasing Marwe or Swenor. I'm impressed with the Swenor carbon fiber classic model, but I cannot locate a Swenor importer. Can you purchase these rollerskis direct from Finland? This carbon fiber rollerski got strong reviews from a group of elite Italian racers. I had (and still have) an old pair of these, and they are pretty nice (although to my mind a little too fast for classic). However, the big problem was getting replacement wheels -- the skis used to be imported into the U.S. only by Reliable Racing, and Reliable Racing was *very* unreliable about keeping parts in stock: when I needed a pair of new wheels, I tried to order them, but I was told that Reliable Racing only had one wheel left, and that they would not be ordering any more from Finland for another six months! This was near the beginning of the rollerski season, too. I began to appreciate why some of my fellow skiers routinely referred to the outlet as Reliable Ripoff, and began looking around for another brand of rollerski. I would caution you about trying to order skis not carried by a *dependable* importer because of the replacement parts problem. Also, it's worth pointing out that some other brands (e.g., Jenex and Proski) have speed reducers and/or brakes, which can make some very hilly terrain safely skiable. I'm not sure what the gold standard in classic rollerskis is now, but both Proski and the Jenex V2 900 series are excellent classic rollerskis. The same goes for several other brands that I have tried but with which I have less experience; indeed, the only real advantage of the Swenors was that had a slightly smoother ride than some of the aluminum-shaft skis, but the sensation that the skis could handle rougher pavement is deceptive, since the small-diameter wheels don't roll over cracks, sticks, etc. as well as some of the other brands. http://tinyurl.com/759fs The Marwe LT? 610 was not rated as well as other rollersis tested by this same Italian group. However, I have heard nothing but outstanding comments from people who have skied the Marwe classic. Any comments regarding the 610 would be appreciated. Jim |
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