the Nordic Ice Skating Thread

[lilcliffy]

(Forgive me if we already have a thread on this- couldn't find it!)

Any Nordic ice skaters out there?

I bought Nordic skates- they are 55cm Isvidda Flex- I am mounting NNNBC and my boots are 42-43EU.

I am struggling to find information on how/where to mount the binding on the skate...
One of the shops I spoke to recommended mounting my heel as far back as possible- one of the reviews I read recommended the opposite...

Any advice/expertise?

[Eärendil]

Gareth, nordic skating is a popular pastime in Stockholm. With old style skates having fixed ankle bindings the recommendation was as far back as possible. With NNNBC and consequently heel lift, the recommendation is to place the binding as to have the foot in the middle of the effective skate edge, i.e. as much effective blade length (actually contact with ice) behind as well as in front of the foot.

Also recommended is to adjust the skate blade laterally under the binding platform. The blade should be between the big toe and the ”index” toe as to create a more effective stride.

//Rickard//

[lilcliffy]

Thank you so much Rickard!

The Isvidda skate I have is pre-drilled for mounting bindings.
I don't know if one can adjust the NNNBC binding laterally without drilling more holes...Thoughts?

What about flexor stiffness?
Should I switch out the standard NNNBC flexor for a stiffer one?
Gareth

[Montana St Alum]

I didn't even know this was a "thing".
Very interesting!



I suppose that if the skates are designed such that, once the NNN BC is mounted, it's in a displaced side to side position, there would be a left and right skate.

[bauerb]

I also did not know that was a thing.

[Montana St Alum]

I have to applaud an undertaking even more absurd than telemark skiing.....telemark skating!

Now I want to try it....but Utah is too warm.

[Eärendil]

Some skates actually feature the lateral adjustment. Check if there is some leeway in the screwholes. Otherwise I recommend to start with the standard mounting and try from there.

Normal flexors should be fine.

Although frowned upon by older skates, using ski poles helps a lot as well, both with speed and balance.

Yes, having dedicated right and left skates with lateral adjustment makes the skating motion more efficient.

//Rickard//

[athabascae]

Gareth, I have Lundhag t-skates with magnum nnn bc (what I had lying around) and use the red flexor with Alpina Alaska. Works for me. Tom

[lilcliffy]

Hi Tom
Have you tried them with the standard black flexor as well?
Big difference?

[Baaahb]

I have to applaud an undertaking even more absurd than telemark skiing.....telemark skating!

Now I want to try it....but Utah is too warm.

I've skated on Utah lake. I'm sure there's lot of frozen lakes in Utah but the trick is getting to them after the ice is thick enough but before the snow covers them. So lakes on the drier east side of the ranges are often best. There's been an awesome ice skating season in Montana this year.