Ski Review: 2018-2019 Åsnes Gamme 54 BC

[Leo Tasker]

For the people trimming their skins, how are you doing it? They come with a square edge, but I'm guessing that if they are cut straight across that means the back corners are more likely to catch and lift off the base? Don't want to mess up the glue, so thinking of trimming them so they are more rounded at the back will be better, or am I overthinking this?

They should get their first use this week along with my new boots (Alfa Skarvet) so hopefully will be able to give some useful feedback - as this is my first time on a BC setup.
Cheers, Leo

[Buda]

B, if you've got the skins with the plastic bracket, surely, most of the drag is from the skin hairs themselves.

the metal clips don't drag much either, it's the skin behind your heel that drags, you can feel it right away.

Why would Åsnes mill a pocket for the clips on the Combat Natos if there isn't much drag?

I tried the skins on the Ingstads today. The skinlocks on the Ingstads are about 2" further forward than on the Nansens even though both skis are the same length. The skins go about 4" past the heels on the Nansens and 2" past the heels on the Ingstads. The Ingstads glided ok but the Nansens were like snowshoes demonstrating your points.

The Ingstads are waxless so I'll end up sizing the skins for the Nansens. I'm in no rush to cut those expensive skins though.

I'm enjoying learning about these skis & skins. Tomorrow I'll try with Madshus Intelligrips on both pair of skis just to compare. Or I could just go back and read LilCliffy's posts. I'm sure he's done all this

[bgregoire]

Why would Åsnes mill a pocket for the clips on the Combat Natos if there isn't much drag?

The drag on the metal clips is a lot less than on the BD kickers, but there is a little teeny drag nonetheless. My guess is that during combat, soldiers are not expected to wax. Those kickers are meant to stay on for the full duration of the war. So there you got, that pocket gives norwegian soldiers an advantage the austrian army and their civilian (Fischer) skis and easy skins!

[Cannatonic]

Don't want to mess up the glue, so thinking of trimming them so they are more rounded at the back will be better, or am I overthinking this?

not at all! If you check the Asnes website they recommend the exact same thing, cutting the back in a convex rounded curve. Great minds think alike!

yes, they're expensive but you should be able to replace the skin part if you screw up somehow.

I'd love to know how these fare in comparison to Intelligrips

[Woodserson]

I tried the skins on the Ingstads today. The skinlocks on the Ingstads are about 2" further forward than on the Nansens even though both skis are the same length. The skins go about 4" past the heels on the Nansens and 2" past the heels on the Ingstads.

The discrepancy is because you have the Waxless Ingstads, if you had the Wax Ingstads they would be same location.

[Leo Tasker]

@ Cannatonic - thanks for the conformation! I also found this video from Åsnes which shows how to fit, cut and store their skins. It's in Norwegian but easy enough to follow just by watching. He says to start by trimming 5cm behind the boot heel and go for in 1cm increments until they feel right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X4ObWIjkrTs

Cheers, Leo

[lilcliffy]

That video is very helpful- I started at 3cm and eventually ended up right at my heel.

It is important to remember that your weight is on your heel during the glide-phase of the diagonal stride.

Technique does matter though...
If you do go as far as trimming to the heel, you will often need a focused "kick"...

[Buda]

Those kickers are meant to stay on for the full duration of the war.

It all makes sense now

I'd love to know how these fare in comparison to Intelligrips

On my Nansens the hair on the intelligrips starts at the skinlocks and stops between the ball of my foot and heel. Kick and glide was very good and convinced me that I'll cut my x-skins (but not that short).

The discrepancy is because you have the Waxless Ingstads, if you had the Wax Ingstads they would be same location

That makes sense. The Ingstads are my 1st waxless skis and probably my last.

That video is very helpful- I started at 3cm and eventually ended up right at my heel.

It is important to remember that your weight is on your heel during the glide-phase of the diagonal stride.

Technique does matter though...
If you do go as far as trimming to the heel, you will often need a focused "kick"...

That's great info. I'll keep that in mind as I cut the x-skins. I'll go bit by bit until they're just right.

Thanks!

[lilcliffy]

On the subject of the machined pocket for the kicker skin attachment on the Combat NATO-

It is the only part of the Combat Nato design that I dislike...
It makes sense- as Ben stated- if the skins are on all the time.
However- it is a bit of an annoyance if one is waxing and buffing/polishing wax...It is much easier to evenly and effectively apply wax to a perfectly smooth base...

[bgregoire]

On the subject of the machined pocket for the kicker skin attachment on the Combat NATO-

It is the only part of the Combat Nato design that I dislike...
It makes sense- as Ben stated- if the skins are on all the time.
However- it is a bit of an annoyance if one is waxing and buffing/polishing wax...It is much easier to evenly and effectively apply wax to a perfectly smooth base...

LC, what you need then is an older pre-NR Ingstad, just like mine! They are terrific skis, just had them on a mad bushwack mountain tour. We hiked in on a sunny sunday but left the moutnain with like 80km/hr winds in our back. I think I would prefer mine a little smaller after all, 190-195 would be better. Anyone want to trade for a 200cm?!