As the snow melts and roads get cleared it is time to start thinking about buying rollerski equipment and performing a safety check on the equipment that you already have. There is nothing worse than going down a hill and falling because your equipment wasn’t ready to go.
Bindings
Rollerskis require bindings just like regular skis and are not always included when you purchase them. Rollerski bindings usually lock down, so that they don’t open when you are skiing on them. They should always be mounted using screws for safety rather than a slide-on mounting plate, like the NNN NIS or Turnamic system. When in doubt, have a ski shop like Don Orr Ski Haus, Brick Wheels, or Suttons Bay Bikes mount the bindings for you.
Rollerski Selection
Skate Rollerskis
Skate skis should be the first pair of rollerskis that you invest in. Skate roller skis do not need to be expensive. When you spend more money on skate rollerskis, you buy comfort not performance. More expensive rollerskis are made out of composites rather than aluminum, which provides a bit of rough road bump absorption. On long skis on older paved roads, this becomes less of a luxury.
For the team’s training purposes, we recommend athletes purchase basic rollerskis similar to the Swenor aluminum skate roller ski with #2 wheels. Newer athletes may only purchase skate rollerskis to participate in our summer training program.
Skate skis should be the first pair of rollerskis that you invest in. Skate roller skis do not need to be expensive. When you spend more money on skate rollerskis, you buy comfort not performance. More expensive rollerskis are made out of composites rather than aluminum, which provides a bit of rough road bump absorption. On long skis on older paved roads, this becomes less of a luxury.
For the team’s training purposes, we recommend athletes purchase basic rollerskis similar to the Swenor aluminum skate roller ski with #2 wheels. Newer athletes may only purchase skate rollerskis to participate in our summer training program.
Classic Rollerskis
Experienced athletes may choose to purchase classic skis to more effectively train for the season. Buying classic rollerskis is a bit more complicated. Aluminum rollerskis are very stiff, so they do not give a very representative classic ski feel. Composite rollerskis more accurately mimics the feel of kicking on real skis.
Experienced athletes may choose to purchase classic skis to more effectively train for the season. Buying classic rollerskis is a bit more complicated. Aluminum rollerskis are very stiff, so they do not give a very representative classic ski feel. Composite rollerskis more accurately mimics the feel of kicking on real skis.
Boots and Poles
You may use the same boots and poles you use in the winter for rollerskiing. Rollersking on pavement puts much more wear and tear on equipment than skiing on snow. Many people will choose to have dedicated rollerski boots and poles.
You will need rollerski ferrules for your rollerski poles. The tips on rollerski ferrules are made from tungsten carbide, which will not wear down like the steel tips on standard ski baskets
You will need rollerski ferrules for your rollerski poles. The tips on rollerski ferrules are made from tungsten carbide, which will not wear down like the steel tips on standard ski baskets
Safety Checks
- Make sure that all of the bolts, nuts and screws are tight.
- The wheels should not be overly worn down or worn unevenly.
- If the wheels sound loud, that means that it might be time to replace the bearing in the wheel.
- Put a boot in the binding and make sure that the binding holds the boot tight without any wiggle room
Suppliers
- Enjoywinter
- Pioneer midwest
- Cross country ski headquarters
- Nordic Skater