She went out with friends, on a pond, with skates attached to cross country boots.
I am guessing something like this.
We live in Maine, don't have fat bikes, and could use an alternative to groomers when things are locked up, as they are right now.
So- What do I need to know?
Not sure how much we'll use these, so kind of would like to get in cheap. OTOH, no point in going too cheap, then upgrading. Pretty sure we both have serviceable CC boots of some flavor other than 3-pin. Once we got fat fishscales, we basically stopped CC.
Thoughts on this?
12-26-2018, 10:05 AM
XXX-er
If you already got xc skate boots they are great , the guy who sold them to me said I didn't need skate bindings so I could save a little $ by just using any binding so find a pair of used kids skis with SNS bindings for 30$. They feel alot like skate skis , they are more comfy and to get in them just walk out on the ice clip in and away you go
The blades are half the width of hockey skate bladr and are not hollow ground so they are faster
I like them
12-26-2018, 01:52 PM
HHTELE
So-
No real reason I can't use any compatible boot/binding, even if they are a bit burlier?
I have what I think XC folks call BC boots, and am guessing I will be happy for the support, and not mind the weight, for now.
There are some decent looking skates on sale, but 55 cm. 5'11", 180. Is this a bad idea?
Also- I have tools that make things shorter. Is that a possibility?
12-26-2018, 02:31 PM
Peruvian
If you have a frozen river or large pond/lake, they can be fun. They are made for skating one direction and are challenging to turn, particularly a tight turn.
Don’t think they will replace ice skates when skating with others in little circles or in a small pond.
12-26-2018, 02:59 PM
XXX-er
Quote:
Originally Posted by HHTELE
So-
No real reason I can't use any compatible boot/binding, even if they are a bit burlier?
I have what I think XC folks call BC boots, and am guessing I will be happy for the support, and not mind the weight, for now.
There are some decent looking skates on sale, but 55 cm. 5'11", 180. Is this a bad idea?
Also- I have tools that make things shorter. Is that a possibility?
Not really sure but the binding has to fit on the skate blade, maybe the site could tell you. I have always seen then used with an SNS or NNN binding & skateboot
These are compatible with lots of different skate and BC bindings. If your BC boots have a cuff like a skate boot, you could probably use them, otherwise, you will need very strong ankles.
Good vid of how they work - skate ski boots work fine for the skating part ...
Where I live it's a good option for those long high pressure dry spells we get. Some local enthusiasts enjoying the amazing ice we had for most of December -
In Sweden it's quite common and it's what I do between biking and ski season in Sweden. I got maybe 30 days this season :)
Awesome feeling on new ice. Longest day was about 55km of skating.
Got some pics and movies here https://www.instagram.com/gustav.o/
02-07-2019, 09:41 PM
alive
1 Attachment(s)
Just getting into this Nordic skating and I am really enjoying it. Skate boots definitely work the best. Nnn bc boots also work good if they have pretty sturdy ankle support. Longer skates are usually better. Only downside to this support is that the conditions really need to be right. Cold and no snow.
Can’t figure out how to put up a video, but today was magical Attachment 268720
Luc's page has tons of amazing information on Nordic skating. Helped a lot for getting into it, what to buy...
A lame insta link is all I could come up with...
I got to thinking about exercises to strengthen my medial glutes. I hate the gym - any activity is preferred (even in crap weather). It dawned on me that skating is perfect for this.
... so I started to check out pricing on nordic skate boots. Yeow! Why am I not surprised? I should rent first to see if this works for me. Maybe roller blades are what I'm after in terms of being able to go right out the door and exercise here in the balmy Front Range.
In that link he ^^ has what looks like a good jig to sharpen nordic blades by screwing them down to a bench, I was wondering how I would do that
yeah its pricy if you don't already own skate boots which i did
I got cheap used kids XC skis took the bindings and gave away the skis so only 30$ for the binding
02-08-2019, 07:32 PM
galibier_numero_un
Quote:
Originally Posted by XXX-er
In that link he ^^ has what looks like a good jig to sharpen nordic blades by screwing them down to a bench, I was wondering how I would do that
yeah its pricy if you don't already own skate boots which i did
I got cheap used kids XC skis took the bindings and gave away the skis so only 30$ for the binding
Adding one more item to my thankfully short sellers' remorse list - selling a pair of TLT-5s. So it goes ...
... Thom
02-08-2019, 08:20 PM
dunfree
I bought some cheap ass NNNBC boots form STP at the end of last season ($15, cheap, pos). Use them with some cheaper skates I bought used. Fun exploration in the right conditions.
Nice... those look like great blades. I heard they use a harder metal than the Isvidda ones that I got. Ended up getting two pairs, 19 inch and 21 inch to test them out. One skate, The other set up with nnn bc.
Looks like you have a solid beer pairing for the sport as well... ha
Dammit guys now there’s another piece of gear I want. This looks amazing.
11-04-2019, 10:04 AM
XXX-er
If you don't like hockey skates (sacrilege for a canadian eh? ) a skate boot is way more comfortable
the nordic blades are way faster much like skateskiing IME
you don't really need poles IME unless you want to practise for on-snow
the down side is cost IF you don't already XC ski
11-04-2019, 11:16 AM
bodywhomper
OT-ish: somebody want to learn me on sizing and fitting for “hockey” skates? Wife and I are very causally looking (used skates of course). Intend is for cruising on pond ice and at the free rink up the hill. Would love it for the kids, too, but their feet are growing too fast and we currently go too infrequently to consider purchasing.
11-04-2019, 01:23 PM
alive
Never enjoyed hockey skates, but I'm sure its just a matter of trying some on. Same as ski boots. Whatever fits best. If you have XC ski boots, the blades may make more sense.
12-11-2020, 10:45 AM
Tjaardbreeuwer
Quote:
Originally Posted by galibier_numero_un
I got to thinking about exercises to strengthen my medial glutes. I hate the gym - any activity is preferred (even in crap weather). It dawned on me that skating is perfect for this.
... so I started to check out pricing on nordic skate boots. Yeow! Why am I not surprised? I should rent first to see if this works for me. Maybe roller blades are what I'm after in terms of being able to go right out the door and exercise here in the balmy Front Range.
Just did 100km last Sunday, medial glutes were worked!
Front range, do you get any ice? That’s the question. Ice blades are great, but you need large frozen stretches to use them. Here in Minnesota, most years we get a few days on small lakes, doing laps, and every once in a generation(this year) we get bigger lakes freezing up, opening unlimited miles (1000s) of wilderness touring in the Boundary Waters or on Lake Superior.
12-11-2020, 10:50 AM
Tjaardbreeuwer
Quote:
Originally Posted by Falcon3
Dammit guys now there’s another piece of gear I want. This looks amazing.
As a more eloquent friend put it:
skating black ice is the closest you can come to flying
12-13-2020, 12:41 PM
alive
1 Attachment(s)
Nice work. 100km is a big day.
Kind of a rough year for ice up here. Pretty mild and and when things did freeze, snow came right after. Managed one nice night skate and hoping a good freeze will set up the big lower lakes around here Attachment 352711
Nice Riff! I've missed out on some skating at WA Pass and still kick myself for that. And I'm a complete hack on skates, but it sure is cool when I do it.
03-17-2023, 07:28 PM
ex-powderbroker
i’m in. this guy is mounting his with dynafits. want.
03-17-2023, 10:12 PM
riff
Dynafit toes are the way to go- I don’t have any recent pics but I’ve got ATK trofeo toes on mine.
Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums
03-24-2023, 12:29 PM
alive
Have tried NNN BC and skate bindings and still prefer the skate. What would the advantages of the tech toes be? Stiffness?
Not the best season up here. A few great outings, and incorporated the wing foil which was fun.
