Does anyone with experience using multiple classic rollerskis have a recommendation on which is best?
FasterSkier Forums » Gear
Classic roller skis
(33 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
-
Everyone has their individual favorites. For good guidance, look at the comprehensive rollerski reviews that FS did over the summer, they rank a whole range of skis on price and quality.
Personally, I like V2s. Other people swear by Marwe, still others by Proskis, and so on and so forth.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I think the V2-9000 are sort of undiscovered gems. They use a longer shaft than the standard V2 classics and have a narrow, ratcheted front wheel. They take a few skis to get used to (tippy), but the configuration forces you to press down more naturally to engage the ratchet up front (since shaft is long, and narrow wheel doesn't have a lot of surface area), and the narrow wheel also rolls over things that would stop a traditional wide, solid wheel.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I've skied the Pro Ski C2, Jenex V2-930K (longest shaft), a Jenex-modified V2-930 that's like the V2-9000 but with the regular wheel in front, and the Marwe Combi with the classic wire wheel extension (see the Finn Sisu website). I like the latter by far. Part of that is I'm fairly tall with relatively long legs and a long stride, and the Combi is by far the longest roller ski on the market (830mm). Another part is that it uses the honeycomb ski shaft, rather than metal which vibrates more. I also like the Combi's 40mm medium width wheels and their composition, which help make the speed good enough going up and controllable going down in most cases; the wheel bearings also have an effective speed governor. With any classic rollerski, I prefer the ratcheted wheels in front for more ski like feel (the Combis can also be used for skating, tho they are slow for that purpose).
The main advantage of the V2s is steeper downhills, in that they increase the variety of terrain available (depending on the user's nerves). Their classical models use a speed reducer and/or brake. The 9000 seems to use the same brake as the Aero 150 skate, which I know from experience is very good (engages with a telemark like action). I don't know the current quality of the thinner 9000 front wheels, but it should be noted that Jenex has had a lot of materials and quality control problems over the years with their larger wheels (starting with the Aero skates). With regard to the thinner front wheel on the 9000, Jenex catalog has the following: "..we have found that some people have a hard time getting used to the narrow front wheel, others love the ski. It’s a good idea to demo before you buy the skis, as you cannot mount the smaller wider 900 series wheel on this chassis."
The other thing to note is that all of these classical models are expensive, with the V2 and Marwe in the $350+ range + bindings, with brakes/reducers adding a fair bit more (the Marwe wire wheels are about $25/pr).
Posted 1 year ago # -
I've used Pro-Skis extensively, plus Marwe's and V-2's, and the best ski I've ever used for classic is the Swenor Carbonfibres from Reliable Racing Supply. They are by far the smoothest, most comfortable and accurate classic ski I've found.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Just a note that it's easy to imagine that a composite (or "honeycomb") ski shaft would be a big benefit. As V2 now has a proven composite skate ski, the hope is that this year they'll adapt the same shaft for all their classic skis (they just have to develop a connection between the composite and 900 type wheels). I'd check this out before purchasing other composite skis, as the benefits of brakes and speed reducers are pretty huge.
And I think it was mostly the Aero wheels they had problems with--I've had no problems with the 100 mm wheels.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi would like some input on classic roller skis for dirt roads and cinders.
Thanks
DanPosted 1 year ago # -
These are the only real options I'm aware of: http://www.velotique.com/rski-v2.htm
I have no personal experience, but a friend in Montreal uses them on the gravelly road that goes up Mount Royal and loves them (but he's a big guy, so maybe that's why he doesn't mind the relatively high weight).
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'd like to start with classic rollerski this summer. I wonder, if someone use the same equipement than in winter as your favorite racing boots or poles. Does rollerski may damage boots (specific flexion on binding?) or may break poles (damage serigraphy)?
If so, does it is preferable to buy poor aluminium or composite stockes or touring shoes?Posted 1 year ago # -
I personally use cheap poles to 'rollerski', but know many who use race poles. I use my same boots, but if you have an old pair I would use those as rollerskiing is tough on boots because ther is more lateral stress due to the tippiness of the wheels. Make sure that whatever poles you use have 'rollerski' ferrules and whatever boots you use you keep clean and dry between workouts.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Up front, I sell Pro-Ski Rollerskis. You can call our toll free number and ask questions if you want. 1-866-446-5558. On the Fasterskier website there is also a review of most models of classic rollerskis. They did the reviews last year. It is in the menu bar at the top of the page under reviews.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have tryed V2s and both types of Marwes, and it sure is nice to not have the metal shaft (it is often compensated for by having a softer wheel = wears faster). The metal rollerski might be better if you are a very large skier (like 250lbs+, although I have seen guys that big on Marwes before) since the honeycomb shaft does flex. I personally have been skiing on the Marwe Combis rather than the Classics, and I like that they are longer in the front (with the extension) and also are a bit lighter. That said, I know many of the top US skiers are on the Classics.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Based off the FasterSkier reviews I went with the Pro-Ski Roadline Techs. These are the only classic skis I have used, so I can't offer a comparison. I was concerned about the speed, but I found that double pole and kick double pole workouts are not much slower than skating on my Marwe 610s with rollerskishop 2 wheels. I am happy with the purchase in general. One issue I noted was on off camber roads the skis tend to want to steer up the slope. I don't know if this is common to all classic skis or not.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Many classic skis tend to track poorly, especially as the skis wear. The issue is that the wide wheels rarely wear evenly - a problem that is exacerbated by crowned roads.
Posted 1 year ago # -
The V2 Jenex Aero 150 wheels and tires have always been very reliable and long lasting. It was the smaller Aero 125 wheels and tires that they had problems with. Those problems are solved now, but the wheel/tire weight ended up greater.
They also had a lot of problems with their 100mm "microcellular" tires.
I love Len Johnson's ideas, but it's usually a good idea to wait a few years to buy one of his new designs, to let him work the bugs out.
Randy
Posted 1 year ago # -
I have been using the V2 Aero 150SC for classic skiing for about 11 years now. I initially trained with V2 910's, then moved to Terra skis when I moved near a nice dirt bike path, then I got the 150's for a rougher road. I know that people find them difficult at first, but once you get the feel of the wheels, the advantages are manifold. I like to climb Mt. Royal here in Montreal, doing classic with the speed reducers on the second stop, then turn around and descend skating with the same speed reduction. I have a friend who prefers off-road skating with the 125's, which are obviously lighter and shorter and easier to skate, even on a dirt road, but for classic off-road, there's nothing like the 150's. I have never tried the outrigger wheels, but they are a possibility for a beginner. I still use the Terra skis for everyday, flat dirt trails. It is a nice, slow ski for good dirt or crappy asphalt. Too bad Jenex discontinued them.
Lawrence
Posted 1 year ago # -
Though I may be late to this party, I can comment on a couple things that might be helpful. I coach a HS team that has lots of donated roller skis & a wide range of ski abilities. IMHO, for safety reasons, no roller skier should be on roads w/o some kind of speed reducer or brake. We've used the Jenex out-rigger wheels on the V2 150 & found it very helpful. The comments here are correct, the 150 is very tippy but oh it has a fine ride on rough surfaces. We've also had very good success w/ the V2 125 skate roller & would love to try the 9000 & 125RXC classic. We've even switched the front 150 wheel with a 125 & it significantly tames the balance problem while still keeping the large rear wheel needed for a big skier. We have several brands of 70mm wheel classic skis w/ wheels ranging from 33 to 60mm width. Wider is easier to learn on but more likely to wear unevenly & become a problem to steer. Last but not least, compared to pneumatic wheels the benefits of a composite shaft are tiny & not worth the extra cost for skiing on rough surfaces.
Cheers & safe roller skiing!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Dear tradesmith45:
I use the opposite strategy on my skating Aeros. I use the big 150 wheel up front, where it can roll over sticks, stones, and potholes easily, and use a 125 wheel in the back, where the lighter weight weighs the rear end down less than a big 150 I think the balance would be worse with the 125 in front and a 150 in back, right? Roller skis are already too tail heavy.
The downside is that the 125 tires wear faster than 150s, especially in the rear position.
Randy
Posted 1 year ago # -
That's interesting Randy, haven't tried it. The 150s were donated to us. Very few can ride them w/o lots of crashes but I have one every tall girl on the team who likes'm & likes'm better w/ the 125 in front. They have speed reducers so the 125 wheel didn't produce tail dragging.
Here in W. Oregon, there is no place to use them off road (either dirt is mud or gravel is too coarse) so we mainly use them on pavement for big skiers. Unless you are a big skier or able to go off-pavement, the 125XL is such a sweet RS there is not much reason to own the 150 IMHO. In the fall, we get lots of junk on our paths & the 125 has been plenty big enough for that. I saw some great dirt (very coarse sand really) roads & paths in New England this fall where the 150s would be a dream however. Yup the 125 tire wears faster but so far, we've gotten over 2 seasons on a pair & still going. But we don't have hot pavement here either so your mileage may vary.
Posted 1 year ago # -
I'm assuming that the Aeros your team has are skating, since I don't think the they make a 125 clutched wheel.
I'm about 160lbs, but I use the Aeros for two reasons. The first is that the larger wheels ride over sticks, stones, and pavement imperfections with ease realative to my old small, hard wheel skis. In the fall, I have to do a lot of my training after dark, and I got tired of falling hard when going hard and hitting something I didn't see.
The second is that a lot of our roads around here are rather rough chip-seal, and the small hard wheels will shake my teeth out. I am tempted to try a composite shaft ski, though.
The 125 wheel/tire combination used to be lighter, but the trouble they had with both the tires and wheels led to redesigns that make the combo only 30 grams lighter than the 150 wheel/tire, according to my scale.
I do wear out probably at least 4 sets of 125 tires on the rear of my skaters a year, but I do roller ski an awful lot, and the chip-seal wears on them quickly as well.
I think the newer shafts are both lighter and lower than the old red shafts, too, which makes them more stable.
Give Len Johnson enough time, and he usually will improve his products to where they're quite good.
Randy
Posted 1 year ago #
Reply »
You must log in to post.
