Xplore & the advantages of stiff stole for XC

[fledersau]

I allow myself to give my 2cents on this topic.
I'm just back from a 4 day trip on my XPlore setup (Rossignol XP12 boot on Ingstads) and while in generally i prefer XPlore for my tipe of sking compared to what i had last winter (NNN BC Rossignol X7 on Madshus Panoramas M62), i thought to myself quite often during this tour that the NNN BC setup was a little more comfortable to walk. i had the impression to roll my foot a little more which resulted in a more natural walking movement. I think aswell the point where you crush the ski when you have to is a little bit different.
But already after 6 full days of use, i feel that the sole of the boot is starting to give a really nice pivot point when walking and i think, after a few more days, it will be quite close to my soft NNN BC setup i had before (kick and glide wise) while being extremely better on the downhills.

[GrimSurfer]

Re point two, there are some, even lots, who want to learn technique on simple old school gear.

Like the newest Asnes ski? LOL

I’m being a smart ass here, but I couldn’t count the number of rat traps mounted to the newest cutting edge skis if I tried. So I’m not sure how far the “roots” analogy carries.

[mca80]

I think that was concluded in another thread. The cable creates the force, the bof transmits it to the ski and the ski edge transmits it to the snow. I think that's all you need to know about it.

I was just being a smartass, sorry.

I would like to apologize also. I too was being a smart ass.

Smart-assery on the internet is sometimes hard to get, especially for those as dense as I.

[lowangle al]

Ok. I lied. It was 9.54k. The 1:21 was actually 1:15 though because I activate my programme when I get to the trailhead (takes a few minutes to clip in, sort myself out).

The trail is minutes from my house.

And yeah, look at the heart rate. I hustle. Not a sight seeing/photo op. I’m out there to lay some tracks down.

That was a good workout, but why didn't you stick around and practice some turns when you were done?

[GrimSurfer]

Ok. I lied. It was 9.54k. The 1:21 was actually 1:15 though because I activate my programme when I get to the trailhead (takes a few minutes to clip in, sort myself out).

The trail is minutes from my house.

And yeah, look at the heart rate. I hustle. Not a sight seeing/photo op. I’m out there to lay some tracks down.

That was a good workout, but why didn't you stick around and practice some turns when you were done?

Bald hills. Freezing rain. This season sucks.

[mca80]

Re point two, there are some, even lots, who want to learn technique on simple old school gear.

Like the newest Asnes ski? LOL

I’m being a smart ass here, but I couldn’t count the number of rat traps mounted to the newest cutting edge skis if I tried. So I’m not sure how far the “roots” analogy carries.

Learning on nnnbc leathers and Nansens is at least a bit more traditional than plastic buckles on vectors.

[lowangle al]

I was just being a smartass, sorry.

I would like to apologize also. I too was being a smart ass.

Smart-assery on the internet is sometimes hard to get, especially for those as dense as I.

I'll use an emoji next time.

[lowangle al]

Ok. I lied. It was 9.54k. The 1:21 was actually 1:15 though because I activate my programme when I get to the trailhead (takes a few minutes to clip in, sort myself out).

The trail is minutes from my house.

And yeah, look at the heart rate. I hustle. Not a sight seeing/photo op. I’m out there to lay some tracks down.

That was a good workout, but why didn't you stick around and practice some turns when you were done?

Bald hills. Freezing rain. This season sucks.

I'll buy that.

[mca80]

I would like to apologize also. I too was being a smart ass.

Smart-assery on the internet is sometimes hard to get, especially for those as dense as I.

I'll use an emoji next time.

I don't understand those either!

[TheMusher]

I allow myself to give my 2cents on this topic.
I'm just back from a 4 day trip on my XPlore setup (Rossignol XP12 boot on Ingstads) and while in generally i prefer XPlore for my tipe of sking compared to what i had last winter (NNN BC Rossignol X7 on Madshus Panoramas M62), i thought to myself quite often during this tour that the NNN BC setup was a little more comfortable to walk. i had the impression to roll my foot a little more which resulted in a more natural walking movement. I think aswell the point where you crush the ski when you have to is a little bit different.
But already after 6 full days of use, i feel that the sole of the boot is starting to give a really nice pivot point when walking and i think, after a few more days, it will be quite close to my soft NNN BC setup i had before (kick and glide wise) while being extremely better on the downhills.

Good input man! What sort of skiing do you do? In broad terms?

And by walking, I suppose you mean with skis on?

This jibes pretty well with what Lilcliffy has said about breaking in the shoes. And conversely, that nnn-bc tends to become very sloppy over time when they are just perfect out of the box (has happened to my Crispi Stetinds).

Cool to hear that not only Alpina but also Rossignol seemed to nail the bellow breaking point. Gonna be interesting to start getting reports on the other brands with respect to this (Fischer, Madshus, and for me personally especially Lundhags)