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From the FasterSkier archive — posts syndicated from athletes’ and coaches’ own blogs between 2004 and 2012, kept online as published. Current coverage is at fasterskier.com.

Tag: pursuit rollerskis

FasterSkier’s 12 Days of FBD Christmas: Day 9

Editor’s note: This year, we opted for a spin on the holiday gift guide. Rest assured, we tasked the right guy — our gear-review guru — with the job of compiling a 12-day list of gift ideas (in various price ranges) for all the nordies in your life.

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Day 9: Techy Tech

Tech is to skiing what David Lee Roth is to Van Halen. You can try to remove this part of the equation, but the end-result just isn’t the same (Sammy Hager era, anyone, anyone?) The ultimate checkmate for any technology hater is that regardless of what year and model skis for which they currently launching some unhinged rant — you know exactly about the person and the speech that I’m talking about here — the one that starts, continues and ends with lines like, “This is all you need, all you’ll ever need, I’ve been using these for years and they’re fine….”, the best way to get them off their high horse is to simply point out that at some point, technology made THAT particular pair of skis (or whatever) state of the art. Sure, maybe it was during the Eisenhower administration, but the point is technology drives innovation and vice versa. Do you need new skis every year? If you’re me, yes, but we all know that I’m special. I’ll let each of you out there in the studio audience answer that question for yourself, but the point here is the regardless of your own, personal, technology life cycle, technology is a wonderful part of our sport. Embrace it accordingly, knowing full well that if you’re a fat, lazy, turd, with no style, new skis will just make you a fat, lazy, turd, with no style, on new skis.

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Under $30: Dermatone Green Tea Lip Balm, $2.75

Dermatone Green Tea Lip Balm, FBD pick for under $30

At first blush, this may not appear to be that ground-breaking a recommendation, but dry, chapped lips have oft been described as “the worst aliment ever.” I tend to agree. Not only is this the ultimate rap killer (who wants to kiss cracked, pasty, lizard lips?), but it’s just downright unpleasant for all involved. Not to mention, do we even need to go into what can happen when you sunburn your lips?

Do yourself a favor and buy about 10 of these — stick them in your training jacket, your car, your drink belt, everywhere you can think of, as nothing is worse than wanting to apply some nice soothing lip balm and not having one available. Be advised, these are very popular with Great Dane puppies, so please prepare accordingly, though apparently my Great Dane Pwolfgang is in good company:

Usually available at Amazon or even better, come to the West Yellowstone Ski Festival next year and pick up a few of these from our buds at Freeheel and Wheel. This shop does a great job supporting an incredible numbers of skiers in this week, it’s the best coffee in town, and they offer a great assortment of nordic gear for anything you forgot or suddenly decided you need to replace when you wake up to this:

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$30 – $100: Toko Arctic Split Mitt, $45

Toko Arctic Split Mitt, FBD pick for $30-$100

When it’s cold, I mean really, REALLY cold (like it was this morning in West Yellowstone) (see screen capture of today’s weather, above), you don’t just want these gloves, you need these gloves. The split finger design is the best of both worlds: the heat of a mitten and the dexterity (most of it, anyway) of a gloves. A must-have for all skiers. Go for the dope “Winter Warrior” colourway too, because, well, you can. Available at TokoUS.com.

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$100 – $250: Salomon Drifter Mid Hoodie, $180

Salomon Drifter Men’s Mid Hoodie, FBD pick for $100-$250

I know, I know, a few different outwear offerings had popped up in our travels here together, but that’s only because jackets are so frickin’ cool (because they keep you hot). Trust me though, there is most definitely a method to my madness, as each and every one of these pieces is specially designed and surgically targeted for highly tactical strikes on the local coffee shop. There, see what I just did? I got myself on a government watch list, just so you could look cool. The things I do for you people… Available at Salomon.com.

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Over $250: Pursuit Fork Flex Roller Skis ($249.99) and IDT rollerskis ($386.74)

Pursuit Fork Flex Roller Skis (top) and IDT Classic Elite Rollerskis (bottom), FBD pick for $250+

On Day 6 we very clearly covered why summer training tools are in play in this holiday gift guide, so if you’re arriving late to the party and you’re getting your panties in a wad about this…

One of my Princeton rowing teammates used to say, “Don’t be a rhino” to people who were being stubborn or uncooperative, so this image is therefore appropriate at many levels.

… the very cogent and logical line of reasoning supporting this theory can be found here.

Regardless of whether you went back and read my recommendation for summer rollerski boots just now or if you’ve been playing along at home to this game all along, I bet you can see where this is going: if you have sweet, new summer-specific boots, you’re most certainly going to need some new whap sticks, right, as the last thing you want to have happen is you show up looking all funky fresh but then get laughed out of the workout due to your clapped out rollerskis? You know the drill by now, do it right and go for the best. How do I know that these are the best? Because we tested them, silly (classic and skate). All of the top three skis in each review are “da bomb,” but if you’re tight on cash the Pursuits are a great value and the IDTs are just SO silky smooth, you’ll hate yourself forever if you don’t buck up for these. Available at RollerskiShop.com and IDTSports.com.

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December 16, 2016
Review: Pursuit T6004 Rollerskis and Pursuit Skate Rollerski Brakes

The RollerskiShop’s T6004 Pursuit Skate Rollerski ($159.99)

FasterSkier recently had the opportunity to test a pair of pursuit rollerskis which are sold exclusively online the RollerskiShop.com. Read the review by FasterSkier staff below.

Pursuit T6004 Skate Rollerski Summary ($159.99): Great all-around rollerskis for skiers of all abilities. While it may not have the flex of a Marwe, it provides surprisingly smooth experience despite it’s alloy composition. Did we also mention that its sold at a fraction of a leading rollerski’s cost?

Pursuit Skate Rollerski Brake Summary – sold separately ($39.99): While this brake is a step in the right direction, it is most useful when rollerskiers have no need to slow down. Due to it’s ability to send a skier’s upper-body weight forward, this brake is better for the more experienced rollerskier who is better in-tune with their movements on rollerskis.

Review: The Pursuit T6004 has a very simple yet appealing aesthetic with an alloy aluminum structure. The addition of holes drilled in the sides gives the skis a bare-bones industrial look. According to the RollerskiShop this further cuts costs, and scratches will be less noticeable.

In terms of performance, the Pursuit T6004 gets the job done. It provides a surprisingly smooth ride for its alloy base, even on fairly rough roads. In addition, the T6004 allows you to completely shift your weight between each ski while feeling stable.

The Rollerksi shop gives customers several options of wheel speed and size, depending on skill level and training needs. Check them out here to find the best fit for you.

The Pursuit T6004 is a great all-around rollerski. While those on the elite level will likely opt for a more expensive option, this rollerski offers quality at a low price which makes it an appealing option for anyone ranging from a junior to master skier.

The RollerskiShop introduced a braking system for their Pursuit rollerskis, which FasterSkier had the opportunity to test as well. Before testing the braking system I was skeptical of their use, as most brakes that I have experienced are ineffective and more hassle than they are worth.

The Pursuit Skate Rollerski Brake ($39.99)

The Pursuit Skate Roller Ski Brake, is unlike other brakes in the fact that it connects a rounded metal piece to a stretchable cord that is tied to a waistband. Confused? I was too. However, once I was able to figure out the mechanics of the brake, the functionality finally made sense.

To engage the brake, one must slide their foot with the rollerski brake forward and slowly pull up on the cord that connects the brake and the waist band. There’s a handle on the cord to facilitate this process. By pulling the cord, the rounded metal piece is placed into contact with the wheel, thus causing friction and theoretically slowing the skier.

For more detailed instructions for installing and engaging the brake, read a description at RollerskiShop.com

However, slowing down with the Pursuit Skate Roller Ski Brake is sometimes too effective. There were multiple times when I was skiing down a hill where I would lightly pull the brake and feel as if I were about to fly face first into the pavement. To remedy this I decided to start braking throughout the entire hill instead of the near the middle or bottom. While the “jerking effect” was lessened I still felt as if my upper-body wanted to lurch forward.

In addition, for someone who is as tall as I am (6 feet – an average to slightly above-average height for most men in nordic skiing) the cord attached to the waistband was almost too short. Even with adequate slack in the cord I could feel a slight pull that would bring the rollerski to hit my heel every so often. While this might not be a problem for short rollerskis, it could become an annoyance after a two hour plus workout.

Overall, the Pursuit Skate Roller Ski Brake is a step in the right direction for the development of brakes. It is more effective than most other brakes I have experienced in the past and it can slow you down with ease on small hills. That being said, the times when the brake was most effective it was on a very gradual downhill, where one wouldn’t need to brake in the first place. As with all rollerski brakes, the Pursuit Skate Roller Ski Brake is ineffective and dangerous on longer, steep hills and abrupt stops. While the RollerskiShop advises that the brake is not for such circumstances, the instinct to brake in such situations might be too strong for some to resist.

For this reason I would recommend this brake for skiers who are experienced rollerskiers. However, most experienced rollerskiers probably feel as if they do not need a brake, thus making the market for this product a small one.

Pursuit T6004 Skate Rollerski:

Price: $159.99

Wheel diameter: 100 or 105 mm
Wheel width: 24 mm
Bearings: 608 2-RS
Wheelbase: 600 mm
Weight: 1.48 kg per pair with 100 mm wheels & 1.56 kg per pair with 105 mm wheels
Color: Alloy

The RollerskShop advises against trying to put bindings on yourself. Due to the nature of the alloy base, drilling and attaching bindings can be a hassle. Save your self the trouble and have the RollerskiShop do it for $10.00.

Add fenders ($18.00 for a set of four) so you can limit any spray in wet conditions.

Pursuit Skate Rollerski Brake

Price: $39.99

Pursuit rollerskis are sold exclusively by the RollerskiShop, a business started in 2004 with a mission of providing low-cost rollerskis. The RollerskiShop introduced their own brand, Pursuit, in 2005. The RollerskiShop keeps costs down by using shafts extruded in the US and machined near the distribution center in Minnesota. Additionally, there is no physical store. Sales are online only. You can visit the Rollerskishop at www.rollerskishop.com.

August 21, 2014
Rollerski Maintenance for Dummies — or Smarties, Depending How You Look at It

Rollerskis from RollerskiShop.com. Owner Clayton Keim recommends inspecting the cord on Pursuit pull break periodically. (Courtesy photo)

Note: This is Part 1 of 2 in a how-to series about taking care of your summer skis — that is, your rollerskis. The first comes from Clayton Keim, owner of RollerskiShop.com.

Tip #1: When out rollerskiing, always swap your skis on your feet at the halfway point. This will help to ensure the wheels wear evenly and last longer. When it comes time to replace the wheels, replace all of them at the same time.

Tip #2: Check your wheels and bindings periodically for unusual wear. If you are using a 1/2- or 2/3-speed combo, put the speed 2 on the back as they have the best wheel life. The rear wheels take more friction so best-wearing wheels should always go on the back. It’s rare for binding screws to come loose, but it can happen. To check for this try pulling up on the bindings to see if loose.

From RollerskiShop.com owner Clayton Keim: “Ferrules should be sharpened with a diamond file.” (Courtesy photo)

Tip #3: Whenever maintenance requires installing or replacing any hardware, never over-tighten or under-tighten the nuts. Just make sure the hardware has been firmly tightened. Periodically check the nuts for tightness. Using lock nuts with nylon inserts are the best for staying secure.

Tip #4: Bearings shouldn’t be wiped. Dirt will build up on the shields, but wiping them can press dirt into the bearings. A sign of a bearing going bad besides bad noise is if it has play side to side. To test for this try twisting the wheel when it’s on the rollerski. Shouldn’t have any movement side to side.

Tip #5: Don’t spray any lubricant onto the bearings. Just leave them alone.

Tip #6: Avoid submerging bearings in deep puddles. Rollerskiing on wet pavement is fine but if bearings are submerged they can go bad.

Tip #7: Rollerskis are tough to keep clean, so using a rollerski bag is often an easy way to keep the road grime contained. Using fenders is another way to keep things a little cleaner as well.

Tip #8: As far as maintenance of our Pursuit pull brake, the cord should be inspected periodically to ensure no fraying. Shouldn’t have any problem unless you put it on without looking at it and it’s wrapped wearing on the wheel in which case you’ll notice it quickly. The lockwasher between the brake and forks prevent forward rotation, so if you’re experiencing forward movement, the axle bolt needs to be tightened more.

Tip #9: Periodically inspect [rollerskis] for cracks or signs of stress fractures. If you have a composite frame inspect the bottom for any deep scrapes that could create a weakness and place for moisture to sneak in. These gouges should be covered with a marine sealant to keep moisture out.

Tip #10: Ferrules [a.k.a. pole tips] should be sharpened with a diamond file. The diamond dust on the file is strong to sharpen the carbide tips. A regular file won’t do the job. Sharpen it to keep the same angles as best as possible meaning sharpen both sides. It should be sharp to touch just as they are when new. Many ferrules you can get over 1,000 miles out of. If using a bench grinder, don’t overheat your ferrules which will cause the plastic to melt. Dip them in water periodically to keep the temp down.

June 12, 2014