Roller Skis????

[Gross]

Anyone got any up to date info or suggestions on decent roller skis (classic) for a short, fat. git..... Skiing not an issue Salomon or Rottefella? Preference would be Rottefella

[cbg]

In UK the main suppliers are:
http://www.rollerski.co.uk/buyrollerskis.html
http://www.biathlonsport.com/
http://www.rollerskiing.co.uk/

All can have either Salomon or Rottefella bindings mounted; if you already have boots then stick with that binding system, otherwise you'll be in the market for new boots too!

The exception are the Skike rollerskis, for which you use normal trainers. With larger, pneumatic tyres, they can also cross rougher terrain i.e. hard tracks rather than smooth tarmac, or even grass, slowly.

pm me if you want a longer discussion. I haven't bought rollerskis for a while, as I consider them to be an occasional necessary evil only when I can't get onto snow frequently enough (depart for Norway next Tuesday - it's snowing near Lillehammer. Hurrah!).

[Copepod]

www.crosscountryskis.co.uk also sell rollerskis. I haven't used rollerskis since I was a member of Newcastle University Nordic Ski Club in early 1990s, but have had good service from Cross Country Skis in past year for other items.

[Big Jon]

Talking of roller skiing - there is a lovely new (June 2015) track near Tistedal (Halden). Very convoluted trusty track in a small area with lovely smooth tarmac... but the best bit is that it has snow-cannons for once it gets cold enough - a couple of big piles there today.

[Gross]

Wish I was there instead of +28 & 85% humidity in Cuba

[Big Jon]

Drop in if you're near Norway, plenty of space.

[JK]

I'll assume you are looking for XC skis rather than downhill "grass skis".

There are two basic types that I have experience of - fat tyred ones which are ratcheted and work well for classic "stride and glide" style, but can also be used for skating. Note that because of the ratchets you have to be careful not to get into bad habits using them.

You then have the skating only ones - no ratchets. These have wheels like inline skate wheels except larger diameter.

Depending on your skill you might also need to consider how fast the wheels are. Some are very slick like inline wheels and nice for racing, others are slower, but harder work (and safer on descents).

A couple of my Swiss SkiO friends just used inline skates with ski poles (although the poles had to be longer than they'd normally be) for XC skating training - no use for classic though.

[Gross]

Thanks for info.... I'll be in Finland early Jan so will get some there & then look forward to skiing down 5th Avenue in Havana at the end of the month

[Gross]

Skis got.... Alpina Classic with Rottefella & OneWay sticks Yipee

[Kitch]

and what about the bike ??

[Gross]

Off to Cuba for 6 weeks on Sunday..... bike probable when I get back

Lots of kg's to get rid of.......