Comments for Webskis Blog

Comment on Yellowstone Rendezvous 2012 by Kyle Beling

Kyle Beling — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:40:45 +0000

I ended up going with the F-31 Pink in the 25k classic race. I had great skis from start to finish. I think there was about 4″ of fresh snow in the tracks and the temp was about 21 F at the start. Thanks for providing great Solda Wax!

Kyle

Comment on Waxing on Wednesday by Mark Nienstaedt

Mark Nienstaedt — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:11:28 +0000

Bert,
I suspect the citizen racer and dedicated SOLDA user you have referred to in this post is me. Thanks for the post and the detailed advice. This is excellent information. I’ve copied it into a word document and saved it for future consultation. I would second many of your suggestions and in particular confirm that I wax my skis after about every 2.5 hours of skiing–minimum.
As you know, this past Saturday I ended up on the age group podium in the Birkie classic for the third time in four years. My race wax is always SOLDA and, yes, I laid down most of my waxing bet for this year’s Birkie on Wednesday. The Birkie is home ground for me here in Wisconsin (I live in Rhinelander about 125 miles to the east) and, with 17 of them behind me, not to mention my annual appearance in the Seeley Classic race, I am a student of conditions at the race venue. My training logs go back for years…
When you post non race specific, general SOLDA advice like this, please do not let it escape my attention.
Thanks to Kevin for his help. Next year you’ll find me at Double “O”.
Mark Nienstaedt

Comment on John Day Race, Diamond Lake, Oregon 2012 by bert@webskis

bert@webskis — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 01:53:55 +0000

Great minds thinking alike, and knowing Central Oregon snow.

Comment on John Day Race, Diamond Lake, Oregon 2012 by Jason Adams

Jason Adams — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:42:00 +0000

You read my mind! Or maybe I read yours

Comment on About the Blog by SAŠA MARUŠIČ

SAŠA MARUŠIČ — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 20:50:51 +0000

Hi, Bert.
first snow with us. But first we have to calm down in autumn, the most contemplative season. I wish you a successful winter and as we have said, next year I come around…
Lep pozdrav
Sasa

Comment on Revised Cascade Crest by bert@webskis

bert@webskis — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 23:59:08 +0000

I got -8c snow at start on old thermometer. Skis were ’02 Fischer RCS 610s with cold base and Caldwell ZR1 grind. Base of Solda UF7, then a layer of S30 powder, F15 Violet, F31 Pink and topped with HP04. Faster than those around me. Faster than Eric Martin’s. We tested after the race

Comment on Revised Cascade Crest by dan packman

dan packman — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 22:59:19 +0000

F-31 pink and hp04 may be good. I’m also going to prep a cold soft pair with f40 red/f31 violet and hp04. bottom line is a soft flex cold base with a medium-cold fine grind such as s2 or xc02 possibly i5 and wax that glides well from about -7 to -3 C and of course hp04 top layer here will only help.

Comment on Know Your Skis by Adam

Adam — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 06:57:24 +0000

I finished my wax stand, Bert. Skis are waxed, and there should be just a bit of new snow in Leavenworth this weekend! Hurrah! We'll see if I have fast skis.

Comment on Know Your Skis by bert hinkley

bert hinkley — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 18:32:02 +0000

Johnathan,

Here is what Salomon said about your question.

As your customer correctly points out, there are many variables associated with flexors and corresponding boots used for either skate or classic set up. Salomon has chosen a stiffness index for the flexors that generally approximates the best choice for the skiers weight, aggressiveness, and boot flex. The skate combination needs the higher durometer flexor along with a stiffer boot sole to achieve maximum power transfer to the ski, while a classic setup benefits from having a softer flexor and a flexible forefoot area on the sole for better amplitude. I do believe that flexors get old and can use replacing over time but I feel like the boot sole has as much or more effect on total performance. I’m not sure that trying to apply “science” to the issue is worthwhile, rather personal observations like your customer has made become the best decision maker as to what flexor should be used for the ski, boot, technique set up. You probably won’t get any closer than what Salomon uses as standard equipment for each binding. I hope that helps.

Comment on Know Your Skis by Jonathan Storer

Jonathan Storer — Sun, 13 Feb 2011 22:35:19 +0000

Bert: I have lost my flexors numerous times. Sometimes I find them in the end of my ski bag. I think they get knocked off when I carelessly shove skis in. Other times they’re just gone. In my tool/wax box I have an assortment of used ones; red, yellow, white, and. green. Sometimes they are marked with the durometer (85, 95, 115, etc.) sometimes not. As I’m sure you know, yellow is supposed to be classic hardness 85, skate 115, etc.

But what I want to know is do you think it makes any difference which one I use for which technique? After all, my Salomon Skate boots and my Fischer classic boots have different toe box shape and length, sole flex, etc. Not to mention that they soften up with use and there’s the temperature effect. They get really stiff when I’m using polar wax.

In other words; is there any science behind the choice of flexor? Generally one doesn’t lift his/her heel when skating, but often does in a high tempo hop, so stiff might be good. Classic has inherent heel lift so perhaps softer is better, but is it?

Is there a way to determine which to use? Maybe hanging the boot & ski by the pull strap and measuring tip droop? Lifting the boot heel with a fish weight scale? I don’t know.

I enjoy your blog and would like to know if you care to weigh in on this issue.

Yours truly,

Jonathan Storer
Golden, CO 80401