Fischer steel light wax ski 47-44-46

[lilcliffy]

Nansen won't fit in a classic groomed track.

70mm is about the absolute limit.

And 70mm with a metal edge would be a frustrating nightmare- as it will be constantly cutting into the side of the compacted groomed track.

If one wants a metal edge on a ski that will frequently be in a groomed track, then I would recommend a ski with a max width that is narrower than 70mm. The Glitt/Gamme 54 at 68mm are the widest I would want in a classic groomed track.

Plus- although I think it is clear that the Nansen has a traditional Nordic flex and camber- UTE's test suggests the Nansen is more a single-cambered ski with a full-length round flex. The Ingstad has a more pronounced wax pocket than the Nansen- at least according to Gamme the Elder...

I would want a ski with a pronounced wax pocket if you really want to fly on the groomed track- or anywhere that XC skiing is the focus...

The Nansen seems in a class of its own with those dimensions...

[lowangle al]

I have a 3 pin model and a NNN-BC model. You can try both, but the NNN-BC is a much stiffer boot. It might be something you'd be interested in for the light, narrow skis.

Thanks Mike, that sounds great, I'm going to pick up some powder and try to get rid of the fungus.

And 70mm with a metal edge would be a frustrating nightmare- as it will be constantly cutting into the side of the compacted groomed track.

If one wants a metal edge on a ski that will frequently be in a groomed track, then I would recommend a ski with a max width that is narrower than 70mm. The Glitt/Gamme 54 at 58mm are the widest I would want in a classic groomed track.

That's why I'd go with the narrowest metal edged ski available.

[MikeK]

Glitts and Gammes are 68 max.

I skied my Glitts A LOT in tracks; they are fine. It depends on how they groom though, if they make tight turns with the track, they will scrub. I like when they leave the sharp corners and dhs flat.

Someone just posted about skiing a 78mm ski in tracks. I don't see how, but I figured maybe I missed something.

I prefer the narrow skis for tracks skiing... but I think the features of the Gamme make it more versatile if you wanted to use it for some XCD as well.

[MikeK]

Hey Al, just do me a flavor and buy a vapor barrier sock liner... either that or we can throw some bread bags on your feet!

I assume you'd fit if you are skiing a 27 in the T2. Mine are 28s and not incredibly tight.

[lilcliffy]

Glitts and Gammes are 68 max.

Oops- yes I meant 68mm- not 58!

[MikeK]

Tis OK - I've also skied the BC70 in tracks and it was OK. I think there is a little leeway.

Al also said he wouldn't buy another ski unless it had at least tip rocker... so I think he's going to have to go for an E99 or Gamme.

[anrothar]

I find skis wider than 60mm at 200+ cm length to be annoyingly catchy in set tracks unless the tracks are several days old and have been wallowed out by other skiers already. Even my Pellestovas and Mountain Race 48's drag the shovels along the side of the groove a little too much for my liking. I generally only drop them into the tracks on long straight-a-ways if I'm too tired to skate. The narrow(<62mm) metal edged skis skate really well though with a sturdy boot. E99/Glitt/Gamme skis skate decently, but I definitely notice the increased weight and they don't hold kick wax nearly as long as Pellestova/MR48 on groomed or hardpacked trails. For what Al wants these skis for, I think the Mountain Race 46 or 48, or something similar, would be ideal. 3/4 metal edge for lighter weight and increased tip flex(better turning and trail breaking), edge well, skate well, hold wax well, fit in tracks well. They're groomed track skis that have a little bit of xcD added.

[anrothar]

Using the single piece of paper between the shovels of the skis method, I get it sliding about 1.5" when the MR 48s are compressed, about 3" when the Gamme 54s are compressed. The Gamme's tips noticeably rise when I compress the camber out of them. So, they both technically have some nordic rocker.

[MikeK]

Using the single piece of paper between the shovels of the skis method, I get it sliding about 1.5" when the MR 48s are compressed, about 3" when the Gamme 54s are compressed. The Gamme's tips noticeably rise when I compress the camber out of them. So, they both technically have some nordic rocker.

Cool - thanks for that info.

All cambered skis have a little bit. I don't know where the limit is where we call it "Nordic Rocker"? 1.5" seems like more than a traditional ski although it does seem to increase with camber height, so perhaps it's that on the MR?

I think based on Al's desires, the MR might be the ski. Skinlock is a clincher IMO. Pretty much gives you the option to go waxless, wax and/or skate. Not bad for a XCd ski.

[anrothar]

Yep, just checked on my classic race skis(very stiff), and get about the same movement as the MR 48. Difference is that it takes a lot more effort to compress out the first camber on the classic race skis. That camber is unlikely to get compressed enough to raise the tips in untracked snow. The MR 48's initial camber flattens out relatively easily, and the tips do seem to stay on top of untracked snow well enough. So, maybe the nordic rocker has more to do with initial camber stiffness before reaching the wax pocket or fish scales.