Attention: XC Ski Gurus!!

“I gotcha now! Still not waxing though.
=D

Klimber there is a huge difference between my regular skis and the metal edged ones.”

“Twigeater, What is the difference I covet???? Pluses and minuses. I know I want em, and I understand they are much better on ice. What else can you tell me?”

“I like my touring skis without metal edges better than those with metal edges. I only use the metal edges when I potentially face hard core ice.”

“OK, I did it. I went to REI on Saturday and bought the Karhu Converts for $150 bucks. Tried 'em on - they felt GREAT! So then went home and made hotes res to go up to Yosemite on Super Bowl weekend. Will report on their performance after that!

I still have to check to see if they will work with my older model bindings - I did have some trouble last year when I rented some boots to try out, and the shape of the toe of the boot made them incompatible. So there may still be some binding replacement in my future....”

“I'm a klutz which plays a major role in why I like these skis. It probably has nothing to do with metal edges - could be I'd get as much control with just a shorter ski, or if they made one this wide without metal edges. I was skeptical because the Fischer rep waited on me at Bean's, but honestly I wanted them as soon as I saw 'em.

I get mixed thoughts on these skis, some say they're just what I want, some say they're not - who knows. Kinda like pronouncing Nesowdenuhunk in BSP - some say it one way and others say it another - eventually you just pick what suits you. I'm deciding this weekend in BSP if they're keepers.

you can see my skis here:
skis
click on S-bound and scroll down to Rebounds.”

“that last post was to answer Uphill Klimber...”

“Twigeater, do your skiis have NNN bindings?? Do you suppose I could try em out????? Or is that like asking to borrow your coffee cup?

I have never tried metal edges on x-country skiis, yet I covet them like crazy.... If I really like em, I still promise to return them to you, really I will!!!”

“Alright all you XC gurus. I've been skiing 3 to 4 times a week for the past month on waxless full metal edge backcountry skis. I'm new to the sport. The bottoms of my skis have taken a beating on the occasional rock outcroppings on the narrow trails. After the season is over is there any hope to recondition the bottoms? Also, in perfecting the herringbone, the tops of the tails have a few nicks. Any repair that can be made to these? Thanks!”

“You can repair nicks with a P-tex candle. It's basically a rod of plastic that you light and it melts plastic on the base of the ski, then just sand it smooth. I've used it on my skis and it works fairly well. Should be available at any ski shop.”

“I'd be happy to let you try 'em Klimber, but these are the boots I have: boots and they have an SNS binding.”

“Nothing like the smell of a P-tex candle burning and the fun of watching dripping flame....”

“Wow those look like hiking boots! My boots won't fit your binding, I'm pretty sure... sigh.....”

“I haven't tried them hiking yet, but I have used 'em with my snowshoes.”

“Does the rear strap of your snowshoe stay on the back of those boots? That'd be awesome, only needing one pair of boots and not having to change em if you switch back and forth!”

“REI has Fischer Rebounds on sale for $124 and Saloman X-Adventure 6 for $109. I'd like some skis that turn better than my E-99's.”

“Fisher E-99's....that's the same kind of backcountry skis I got.”

“Mine do great unless I want to turn. They just want to go straight. My Fischer Backcountry Concepts without metal edges turn much better, but the edges are showing wood.”

“When I bought my E99's 3 years ago, I was checking out 2 other pairs...one with no metal edges and another pair with metal edges on the mid section of the skis (3/4 length). I bought the E99's because I figured it would be more durable. It's abit heavier than the other 2 though.”

“Klimber, I didn't see your question 'til now. I do miss the little ridge my winter boots have to keep the rear strap where it belongs, but it doesn't slip once I tighten it. Also I now wear my Scarpas when not skiing and those don't have the little ridge either and I haven't had a problem.

I took my Fischers to BSP and had a blast with them! I skied in and out with my sled, and skied for 6 hours one day on ungroomed and snowmobile trails. They were the best on ungroomed trails which is what I wanted them for. I'm not doing real serious stuff, but they give me confidence as believe me, I am a #1 klutz on skis.

Richb was right, I needed to put my weight into it on the uphill stuff and I'm doing better. Herring bone is so much easier with the shorter skis. I'm learning to dig the edges in but had one wild uncontrolled ride down an icy snowmobile trail which ended in a full body plant and tender ribs. I walked the next hill (it had a nasty corner) but did the rest of the hills on skis and upright.

My newfound confidence didn't last long as I proved this evening I'm still as bad as ever on my regular touring skis. One thing I noticed is that my ankles roll alot in the narrower skis, especially when I'm not in the two track. And after a couple of rather uncontrolled falls tonight, I walked down the remaining hills. Normally falling is my "strong" point, lol, but I suppose it didn't help that it was dark, my headlamp was fading, and the trails were icy, but heck, it was a great time with great people!

So now I'm ready to get rid of my old long skis and find something shorter for the groomed stuff as well. I'm sure tomorrow my left ankle will be black and blue.

o(=}”

“I take it you were skiing with the water heater pipes for traces on your sled. Looks like I'm gonna get them for our sleds. They sound like they are working well for you and Pennsy.

And... I assume they were long enough so that your skiis did not bump into the sled????”

“Yes I have the water heater pipes and yes they were long enough for me to ski.”