kds@intelca.UUCP (Ken Shoemaker) (03/15/84)
pardon my ignorance, but......
Last weekend I noticed something comparing two sets of skis, and I
wonder if anyone out there can explain the advantages/disadvantages,
etc. On my skis (Olin Comp SL) there is not a long, narrow indentation
on the bottom of the skis running the entire length of the ski, but
on most other skis that I have seen, there seems to be. What is
this thing for, and what are the consequences (if any) of its
absense? I would think that such an indentation would lead to more
directional stability, which kinda matches my impression of the Olin
as a very fast turning ski....anyway..................
--
Ken Shoemaker, Intel, Santa Clara, Ca.
{pur-ee,hplabs,ucbvax!amd70,ogcvax!omsvax}!intelca!kdsallenm@ittvax.UUCP (Allen Matsumoto) (03/16/84)
How quickly we forget! The long channels on the bottom of skis are called "grooves" and were, indeed, intended to add stability during straight running. This was considered necessary in the old days (say, 20 years ago) when skiers used mushy leather boots (remember longthongs?). With the advent of "good" boots there is now a tradeoff to be made between grooves for straight tracking and flat bases for swivel turns. Skis with flat bases became popular when ballet skis came out about 10 years ago. Downhill skis still have grooves, some models have 2 grooves per ski. These are typically hard to turn quickly. Ballet skis are short, double tipped (tail turns up), flat or beveled skis. These are unstable at even moderate speed. Now, what about intermediate, advanced, or slalom/ GS skis? If you like to ride a flat ski at any speed, grooves will help track. However, if you aren't going too fast, good laterally rigid boots would be more important. If you like to swivel your turns, e.g. in (softer) bumps, a groove introduces a slight inconsistency into your turning and you might prefer flat bases. Most skiers nowadays ski roughly from edge-to-edge. For such skiing, I don't think it really makes any difference. What you have to decide, then, is how much straight running and how much swivelling you will be doing. Obviously, other characteristics of skis are much more important in determining whether a ski is suitable for you. (I also have skis with flat bottoms, but that did not influence my decision.) Allen Matsumoto ITT Advanced Technology Center Stratford, CT decvax!ittvax!allenm
chu@lasspvax.UUCP (Clare Chu) (03/14/85)
Hi, I've been skiing for two years and am considering
purchasing some skis. My instructor said she would
sell me a 4 year old pair of Rossignol Exhibition skis
that are 175 cm. long. My question is if anyone has
had a pair and whether they think it's any good. Also,
what should I look for in a pair of skis?
My second question is that since my feet are small, I
can only fit into a children's European size 4 boot.
Are children's boots any good? I haven't seen any reviews
on them in ski magazines.
Thanks, Clare tj@utcs.UUCP (tj) (03/15/85)
I am a great fan of Rossignol skis, but My 4 year old skis aren't worth $7. Maybe I am hard on skis, but I think that unless this person is offering them real cheap and they are in really good condition then I would not buy them. Also note that it is really easy to fill the holes in the base of the ski then get the base ground and edges sharpened at a shop and make them look brand new. The areas where they are filled will wear quickly and soon the holes that were are again. I must sound like a real skeptic but I don't like to buy skis that have binding holes in them cause I know what I do to skis and I'm sure others are just as bad as I am.