http://forums.fasterskier.com/ FasterSkier Forums » Recent Topics en Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:02:11 +0000 http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/thermomolding-of-s-lab-boots#post-1694 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:51 +0000 runcyclexcski 1694@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Got myself a new pair of white S-lab pros and having major problems with blisters and pressure caused by the plastic white tongue - to the point that I can't ski. Does anyone have experience with DIY thermomolding? I hear one can use a hair drier, but I am afraid to damage the boot (and my foot with it) </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/what-wax-iron-works-for-you#post-1632 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 16:38:37 +0000 D. Diehl 1632@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>My Swix World Cup iron finally died after ten years and worked like a champ. Last week I purchased the Wintersteiger Digital iron for $59, which was scary to use, so I bought little black Swix iron for $39. The Wintersteiger besides not having any usable surface to melt the center groove on a xc ski base also would spike or surge when it would heat. There would be no heat and than bam the wax would smoke within seconds when the ready light turned on. It was a challenge to get 3 passes without frying the base or smoking the wax. The little black Swix iron simply will not smooth out any wax from CH8 down to CH6. I think both irons are inferior because there is really nothing substantial about the aluminum base plate. The plates simply will not hold a constant even heat. Even set at 140C the little Swix iron will not smooth out CH6 with 3 passes. I have a Toko iron on order for $74. Hopefully this one will work. What iron works for you? </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/does-anyone-have-snow#post-1593 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:32:08 +0000 imnxcguy 1593@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>....Besides Alaska and New Mexico? We (California) sure don't, I guess Bend finally has some. Just watched Alex's great video from Maine, so I know the east doesn't, and Central sounds pretty bare. It's 2012, for goodness sakes, is anyone skiing on decent stuff other than Anchorage?</p> <p>Mark </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/is-fibertex-still-part-of-glide-wax-process#post-1690 Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:04:38 +0000 Jon44 1690@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>I'm trying to get comfortable with a glide wax routine and am curious that people don't seem to be emphasizing use of fibertex as much as in years past. I remember that fibertex used to be considered as last step in glide waxing (to "remove the hairies")--now it doesn't even appear in Swix's Racing manual (except for use in applying glide wax cleaner).</p> <p>Is my impression correct and if so, is this based on any new understanding or just change in fashion? </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/atomic-skintec-reviews-demos#post-1545 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:46:23 +0000 Jon44 1545@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>I still haven't seen a detailed, objective review of these, and would be curious to hear if anyone has tried them.</p> <p>Also, are the demo'ing them anywhere. Hoping they could be ideal for man-made snow... </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/icy-conditions#post-521 Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:28:07 +0000 SkiingBear 521@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>I'm still very new to waxing, so please bear with me. The past couple of weeks we've had high temps get up to the upper 30s and then over the past week its dropped to mid to low teens for the highs so the local trails are slick. I have wax made for the correct temperature, but when I went out yesterday (skate skiing) when I would try to push off, my skis would just slide all over making it nearly impossible to go or even maintain my balance. Is there anything in particular I should do for icy conditions like this? </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/start-new-skaters-with-v1-or-v2-alternate#post-1114 Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:02:13 +0000 Jon44 1114@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Standard procedure at center where I teach is to start new adults off with V1. It's always awkward and a bit unnatural, especially for those people used to skating on their downhill skis. (But I guess the rationale is that it gives them a tool to go everywhere.)</p> <p>I noticed that Bill Kocher's in our area start the kids with V2 alternate (from videos on Youtube). I'm just wondering if there is any consensus for adults on best approach (?). Or, if no consensus, what's the progression for starting them with V2 alternate (one question is how do you get them up a hill?)</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Jon </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/how-to-help-skier-who-just-cant-get-hips-forward#post-1644 Sat, 21 Jan 2012 03:49:35 +0000 Jon44 1644@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>I'm working with a skier (in both techniques), and overall she moves along nicely and has become a fairly efficient skier. But... she still skis in a fairly upright position. Not terrible, but ever so slightly sitting back a bit. I feel she'd benefit if I could just get her to move her hips a little higher and a little more forward.</p> <p>We've tried every conventional trick / drill in the book, but nothing seems to stick. Can anyone suggest something more intense to "unstick" her from her current position?</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Jon </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/overtraining-prevention-heart-rate-vs-stair-test#post-1668 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:02:38 +0000 Jon44 1668@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>A recent article in Trax (Marty Hall?) mentioned using "Rusko's Test" for overtraining--it's something like measuring heart-rate over a number of minutes as you go from lying down to standing, etc.</p> <p>Just curious if anyone has experience using heart rate tests like this vs. old-school "Stairs Test" (how fatigued you feel walking up.) (And evidently, simple resting heart-rate is no longer considered accurate for overtraining)</p> <p>Thanks,</p> <p>Jon </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/icing-zeros#post-1666 Thu, 26 Jan 2012 05:03:52 +0000 tradesmith45 1666@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>When the snow finally returned here in the NW, we got several days with cold fresh snow over warmer snow that made kick waxing all but impossible. On the worst of those days it was snowing hard @ 34F in the morning &amp; late in the day was snowing with 23F air temp. Snow temp dropped from 32F to 25-26 over several hours. The RH was high the whole time. Something similar happened on 3 other days I skied. On one of these it had rained for several hours &amp; started snowing a few hours later w/ falling temps. At race time track surface was -1.5C but 2 cm. down it was +0.5C.</p> <p>Lots of us bought Zeros for just these days &amp; 32 &amp; what do you do?</p> <p>On all 4 days most of the Zero skis - Fischer, Madshus &amp; Atomic - iced badly &amp; quickly. </p> <p>I keep my Atomic Multis free of ice by keeping them moving &amp; using Zardoz Notwax. But even w/o icing, the skis were very slow. Other skiers were using noting, Toko Express Wax, Solda 100 (0 to -5C) Fluoro spray &amp; HF yellow glide wax rubbed on w/ little success.</p> <p>Fischer says icing in these conditions is all but impossible to avoid. They had no suggestions. Honest but it would be nice if that disclosure was in their ads. </p> <p>Anyone out there used a product that has worked in conditions like these? Anyone using a cold fluoro spray like HelX Blue on their Zeros?</p> <p>Any reports on Atomic Skintecs resistance to icing? </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/hot-new-xc-ski-culture-book#post-1628 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:28:38 +0000 JeffOYB 1628@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Here's a new XC ski culture book, hot off the press! </p> <p>Check it out at: <a href="http://outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=1833" rel="nofollow">http://outyourbackdoor.com/article.php?id=1833</a></p> <p>Andy Liebner is a fast young Alaskan who went from top junior and collegiate results (NMU!) to signing up for the military the day after 9-11 to then racing in Europe and around the world to see how far he could go in XC ski racing and biathlon. He had many surprising adventures along the way and learned a huge amount about what it means to go it alone. Breakthroughs and frustrations alike abound in his story. You won't believe it. The barriers were ENDLESS and only got BIGGER, yet Andy persevered. The finale is fascinating with major twists. </p> <p>Andy's book also includes practical info and insights on the biggest factors separating skiers who are on their way to the top. </p> <p>Yes, this is shameless promotion, but, heck, it's relevant, rare, and... why wait 'til you see it in a shop or bookstore? </p> <p>This is the only new XC ski culture book on the market. And the only book to come out since Pete Vordenberg's "Momentum," which I published. I didn't publish this one, but I helped -- and it's been fun helping the very energetic Andy. </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/stiff-skis#post-1638 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:03:45 +0000 lakesurfer52 1638@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Lost wieght My skate skis are to stiff. Doubt I could sell them As they were for 215# any one know how to soften them up.<br /> Dan </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/swix-double-wheel-structure-tool-t0404#post-1615 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:56:55 +0000 D. Diehl 1615@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>I purchased the Swix double wheel structure tool T0404. It's not cheap at close to $150. I warm the base of the ski with a heat gun and even with some real serious body weight on the tool I'm unsuccessful at getting any visible imprint on the base. Anyone have any luck with this structure tool or know the secret to get it to work. Also there is no directionsl arrow or instructions which way the tool should face when moving down the ski. </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/have-you-seen-the-new-classic-techniques-3#post-508 Tue, 26 Jan 2010 15:38:09 +0000 JeffOYB 508@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Check out catskier.blogspot.com. Dale Niggeman has invented what he calls the Cat 1 and Cat 1A. They're like V1 and V1A skating -- only they're classic -- the skis point forward. They're doublepole moves with multiple steps (like what I've been promoting at OutYourBackDoor.com).</p> <p>Don Kane, an oldschool Michigan skier, says on the NordicSkiRacer.com forum that something a lot like this move was called the "Change-up" back in the day. Racer pal Dell Todd says another oldschool skier told him it was called Passganging, which was a surprise to me as I thought Passganging was a type of Diagonal striding mistake, where you kick and pole off the same side, but who knows, anything can happen!</p> <p>Dale and another guy both started doing these DP moves independently on Cat "all terrain" classic roller training skis. Now they're using them in actual ski racing. (And all the while I've been doing them, too, for touring purposes!)</p> <p>How long has it been since Classic saw a new move?</p> <p>I've long been posting about alternatives to the basic 4 classic moves (which I abbreviate DS, DP, KDP, HB). I've said they aren't suitable for a fair amount of what dayskiers need, being too oriented to racing. I suggest adding a Delayed Diagonal (Late Kick), a 2-Step DP and various Pendulum Pole moves -- all these let you ski with an upright posture and/or with a daypack -- handy for sightseeing dayskiers on homestyle trails.</p> <p>Like the old wood ski moves, the Cat 1 and Cat 1A don't use a lot of upper body motion, but they do use the racer's forward lean. They SEEM to use less torso compression than KDP and MUCH less than DP.</p> <p>Dale says a benefit for racing SEEMS to be that you can use skating poles effectively in your classic events with these moves. So far he's measured some performance gain, but in other ways he hasn't proven them yet to be superior to the basic 4, but his data hasn't shown them to be any slower. He won a race using them, but he admits that he might've still won even if he hadn't. They're also unique in that they seem to train your skating muscles -- and, sure enough, even though he hadn't been ski skating he won a skating race (started soon after he won the classic event). Again, the jury is out.</p> <p>Dale's vids are the first to show these "New/Old School" classic techniques! I've been planning my own YouTubes as well and will do them as soon as we get more snow. Maybe I can cover the touring side -- I'll surely add the pendulum poling moves into the mix. (It's a bit hard to describe pendulum -- you pump the pole basket forward of your hand to "use up" a phase of the timing. Anyone know what I mean? It seems like lots of folks have never seen it.)</p> <p>Maybe it's time for a revival of the Classic Alternatives as well as some innovation based on those old moves. Could be fun times ahead for Classic! </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/concept-2-ski-erg-versus-ski-fast#post-1585 Sun, 25 Dec 2011 23:26:49 +0000 D. Diehl 1585@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>With this difficult snow season so far, consider the new Ski Fast single stick and double poling wall mounted unit. I recently purchased the Concept 2 Ski Erg and after seeing the new Ski Fast unit I'm thinking my timing couldn't have been worse. The Ski Fast has real xc grips and straps and unlike the Ski Erg it's possible to single stick on this unit as well. Anyone interested in my Ski Erg? </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/potential-for-skiathlom-to-save-the-day-in-lowsnow-year#post-1620 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:52:17 +0000 JeffOYB 1620@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Instead of canceling XC races when there's no/low snow, why not shape-shift and work with alpine areas to create XC events? A course doesn't have to take up THAT much slope-space.</p> <p>Skiathlom does better with allrounder midlength skis perhaps -- fine.</p> <p>Any potential? </p> <p>Lots better spectating and R&amp;R. A little urban vibe might be a fun change of pace.</p> <p>And it's not for events only. It could be a way to ski and have fun -- go up'n'down the bunny slopes, rig up a course to challenge turning skills, add a few little jumps, some nifty terrain. Some kinds of XC skiers might dig it. Keep it doable on touring gear, say.</p> <p>Ride the lifts when you don't want to ski up -- tho I suppose that's ridiculously CHILLING. (Bring a backpack and a jacket to stuff in it?) Resorts probably won't want to deal with any cutrate pricing just because XCers ski back up the hill instead of riding the lifts. So who cares -- if you have a job, why worry. OK, even as a Junior I couldn't afford lift tickets but there's usually a solution (like doing some work at the resort). The alpine demographic isn't and wasn't mine, but THEY HAVE THE SNOW AND THE PEOPLE AND A VARIETY OF TERRAIN. What more do we need? Lonely trails and big miles are sweet but they don't have to be the only game in town. Maybe jibskate would grow a bit more. </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/location-of-masters-athlete-mapp-website#post-1580 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 15:01:47 +0000 Jon44 1580@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>This was mentioned and past posts and exists here:</p> <p><a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20071019040511/http://home.hia.no/~stephens/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://web.archive.org/web/20071019040511/http://home.hia.no/~stephens/index.html</a></p> <p>Has some great articles on exercise physiology and a section specific to nordic skiing. </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/drills-for-rotobrushingcorking#post-1590 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:01:06 +0000 highstream 1590@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Other than bit size, anything to know about getting a drill that will be useful for rotobrushing and rotocorking? </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/atomic-multi-2007-08-zero#post-1602 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:47:28 +0000 tradesmith45 1602@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>Anyone out there have experience w/ the Atomic Multi base waxless classic ski? Picked up a little used pair cheap. They have a soft petex+rubber+cork base. I've skied them twice w/ very mixed results.</p> <p>I'm wonder what conditions they work well in?</p> <p>Since they are not a harrie type zero base, can they be metal scraped to increase glide where that is needed &amp; roughed up w/ sand paper when more grip is needed.</p> <p>Thanks. </p> http://forums.fasterskier.com/topic/best-windproofresistant-tights#post-1583 Sun, 25 Dec 2011 19:17:48 +0000 juniorbiathlete 1583@http://forums.fasterskier.com/ <p>I am looking for a pair of windproof/resistant tights to wear under my racing uniform. Many days I find I am warm enough in my base layer plus racing uniform, but the wind just cuts right through and makes my legs cold regardless of what I wear. Ideally these tights would be light weight and could be worn alone under racing tights, or over a base layer. I've tried the Swix windguard tights, and didn't like those as they didn't stretch in the right places and felt restricting.</p> <p>Any suggestions? </p>