Messages posted by : Trencher
That's life for you :lol: You can some good ideas on the real value of equipment by doing some research. That is which season's model is it, how many seasons has that model been around and what's it's ebay price. These links may help (check out the archives) http://www.bootfitters.com/07_reviews.htm http://www.sportsgearguide.com/scripts2006/product.asp?product=SkiBoot&what=search Trencher |
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I wouldn't recommend a soft shell as a "do everything" jacket. They are great in resonable conditions (down to -10C) and have a good thermal value in themselves.
Generally, I don't think you would want one large enough to wear a lot of layers underneath (would look too big on a warm day with little underneath) and they might not offer enough protection in cold and windy conditions. They tend not to seal at the cuffs and bottom as well as a conventional ski jacket and have less pockets. On the plus side, they are less bulky and easy to wear. Much depends on how much you are prepared to pay. My choice was to buy a cheaper one (Columbia) and only use it when conditions are good. The material is quite water, light wind, and abrassion resistant and wears well. Trencher |
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So if lack of technique is the problem, wouldn't it be better to correct the technique than just cover it up with asymmetric tuning ?
If you want easy straight lining down the hill and to use just one ski to turn, then modern skis seem a bit of a waste. By the way, why are you more likely to catch an outside edge than an inside edge ? As I said above, I'm not saying there is no benefit for some, but learning to actively use the outside egdes might be better. but, I guess I'm stuck in the intermediate rut Trencher |
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Talking of fall technique, the local alpine crew got on a local tv show recently and we had a limbo contest.. :lol: falling with style ?
http://www.karlkoehle.com/ftp/MES/carving_mn_bound.htm Trencher |
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Well, ofcourse they have thier outside edges blunt. They're saving them for the next Olympics. Actually, there was a period when asym sidecuts were tried for various reasons. I don't think anyone is doing that anymore. cpavel, I thought pavelski wanted a discussion, not a flame war. One of the things I really like about pavelski, is his open mind, borne out of long experience. One day, when you can carve hard, you are going to discover ice(esp in Eastern Canada). If your outside ski looses it's grip and you don't have an equally sharp outside edge on your inside ski (and know how to use it), you may find yourself falling a lot, or not going out on those days. I never claim to be an expert skier, but do know a little about carving on skis. Trencher |
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Below is from the Skivisions site that cpavel refered too
1. We only tune our designated inside edges, the outside edges are beveled and kept polished, but never sharpened. Little time is spent on them daily. Why? Sharp outside edges do you no good when skiing, sharpening them takes time and puts wear on the inserts and the edges. 2. By keeping your outside edges fresh, you can switch to them, designating them the new inside edges, when the previous inside edges get tired, rock damaged, etc. The outside edges will be new, fresh, and ready to be tuned as the new inside edges. And, this approach saves lots of ski tuning time. We mark the inside tip on the base side as to the inside edge so we can see it easily when tuning. 1. This assumes that skiers only use the outside (downhill) ski. Look at nearly any (mid to late turn) photo from the Olympics or world cup GS ski races and the plume of snow coming off the inside ski will tell you how engaged that inside ski is. Maybe beginners shouldn't aspire to this technique. 2. So skier is suposed to use one edge to destruction befor switching to the other edges. By that time the ski will most likely be lifeless and limp. you end up with a dead ski with a great edge on one side ! Trencher |
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One mistake a lot of people make is to go the opposite way, clothing wise.
Every spring I see people in tee shirts. Sometimes later, I see them after they have discovered how abrasive the large spring snow crystals can be. Think sand paper with 1mm dia grit on it and you can imagine what it does to bare skin during a fall. Ofcourse if you never fall, Tee shirts are great. Trencher |
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That's why I said, with few exceptions, canting bindings and other personnel modifications. The boots themselves may not be symmetrical, but the binding interface is the same on both boots (unless modified). As I understand it, asymmetrical tuning is less necersary with modern technique, engaging both skis to turn, Very few people use asym tuning. I'm not saying there is no benefit, but don't expect an asym tune when you get your skis back from the local ski shop (ok, so you might get an asym tune, but it won't be intentional). A benefit for assigning no left or right would be, alternating the side a ski is used on, would even up the wear on the edges and base. Trencher |
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