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New Moon sells V2 roller skis because they are the best skis available. They are lightweight, precise tools that come the closest to the feeling you get skiing on snow. You can control the speed of the skis, either by the wheels you choose or by adding speed reducers, making them safe and highly specific for training at varying resistance. Made in the USA, parts and wheels are always available. We offer the whole line of V2 skis, and stock the 6 most popular models. V2 has more models than any rollerski manufacturer, so you can buy a ski for any specific need. The new Aero skis with inflatable tires are the safest skis ever built. They roll over debris that would suddenly stop hard wheel rollerskis.
Cross country skiers use them for staying in shape and for recreation in the snow-less months. Rollerski once or twice a week through the summer months, then step it up to 3 or 4 times a week when fall comes and you’ll be ready to ski as if the snow had never left. We recommend rollerskiing for skiers of intermediate and better skills. Rollerskiing can be dangerous. Falling on asphalt is unpleasant at best. So we like to see skiers have experience and good balance on snow skis before they take up rollerskiing. Having said that, less experienced skiers and even beginners can rollerski, but some precautions are in order, and some skis are easier than others for beginners to use. Read more about that below in Which Skis, Equipment Needed and Getting Started.
Do you want to skate, diagonal stride, or both? This is the first question to answer. Skis for diagonal stride ("Classic" skiing) have a ratcheted wheel on each ski that won’t roll in reverse, so you can push down and back to stride forward. Skate skis free wheel in either direction, so they can’t be used for diagonal stride. Combination skis have ratcheted wheels for diagonal stride, wheels that edge well for skating, and are a bit longer than skate skis to make them track straight and stride forward more easily. The ratcheting wheels are more expensive, so if you will only skate, there’s no reason to buy a combination ski. The 900 series classic skis are the most stable two wheel skis, due to the flat, wide wheel shape. The new Aero Retro Classic, with its three wheel configuration is the most stable ski you can buy. It is an excellent choice for rough surface classic skiing and double poling, and for beginners who lack the balance of an experienced skier.
Concrete is not an option, because your pole tips won’t sink into it. Asphalt, hard packed dirt, and limestone chip trails, are the surfaces you need. Grass and sand are too soft. If you have smooth asphalt, the small wheeled 900 series skis will roll easily and they are lighter than most of the Aero skis. But you will be unable to use them on rough surfaces. If you anticipate some smooth asphalt and some rough surface use, buy the Aeros. If you only have rough surfaces, Aeros are definitely the choice. We recommend the Aero 150 (150mm or 6 inch wheels) for very rough surfaces and the Aero 125 (125mm or 5 inch wheels) for smooth asphalt and moderately rough surfaces. Skiers over 225 lbs will often choose the Aero 150 for better vibration dampening and longer tire wear. The principle is this: bigger wheels absorb more vibration and support bigger skiers better, giving a smoother ride and longer tire life.
Is your terrain very hilly, flat, or somewhere in between? If it is very hilly, you will certainly want to add speed reducers to whichever skis you pick, so you can slow them down for descending slowly and safely. If you are skilled and hardly ever fall, medium hilly terrain can be skied without the speed reducers. On flat terrain, speed reducers are not necessary for most skiers, but they can be useful for adding skiing resistance for a more strenuous workout. The Aero skis roll at a speed approximating fast snow conditions. You will be able to use V1 on the flat with them. The 910 and 920 Classic Skis are very slow. You will diagonal stride on the flat with them. The 930 Classic and the 940 Combination skis are a bit faster, and we recommend speed reducers if you wish to diagonal stride on the flat with them.
Steep downhills, open cracks and holes in the pavement, gravel strewn over asphalt, small sticks and isolated pebbles, and tarred cracks in pavement all are obstacles rollerskiers must watch for. Watch the road surface and step or steer around obstacles. Skiing into an obstacle can suddenly stop your wheels, resulting in a face plant. This is more the case on the 900 series small wheel skis. The Aero skis’ larger, more pliable tires will roll over most small obstacles, and even roll on the unpaved edge of a roadway if you have to ski off the road to avoid traffic. Aeros are the safest skis you can buy.
Rollerskis: Bindings: use the same kind of bindings you use on your snowskis, but we recommend racing bindings over automatic ones, because they give a tighter boot to ski link. They mount to the rollerskis with screws, just like on snow skis. Your shoe size is important, for placing the binding correctly on the rollerski. Supportive boots are essential for control. Rollerskis are more “tippy” than snow skis. It’s tempting to use your old worn out boots, but if they don’t offer good lateral support for snow skiing, they will be very inadequate for the increased stability demands of roller skiing. Many skiers prefer to even classic ski in their skate boots for the added ankle support.
Poles: Use the same poles you use for snow skiing, but replace the baskets with roller ferrules, which have a spike hardened for asphalt use and no basket to get in your way when you want to flick them ahead into the asphalt to slow down. No, you don’t want a really limber pole to protect your elbows from shock. Use a stiff pole and don’t slam it into the asphalt. Helmet: a bike helmet will do. Gloves should be lightweight for summer use, but reinforced in skiing critical areas, especially between the thumb and forefinger. Knee and elbow pads are strongly recommended, especially for less than expert skiers. No wristguards, like those used by inline skaters, because you can’t wear them and use your poles.
Getting your balance is the first priority. Roller skis are "tippier" than skis. Get used to balancing on them standing still before you roll away. On a level surface, step into your bindings and support yourself with the poles, then step from ski to ski, balancing on one foot at a time. Step in a circle while stationary. Circle in the opposite direction. Become comfortable stepping from ski to ski and balancing before you have to use these skills while rolling down the road.
Ready to roll? Stay on two feet for a while and just double pole. Step your skis back parallel to one another if they tend to wander apart. Now double pole and lift one ski while rolling. Step from ski to ski while rolling. Step in a circle while moving. Reverse direction.
Now add the skiing motions. Skate without poles. Use a short diagonal stride before you work up to a fully extended position. At the risk of stating the obvious, be careful never to plant a pole between your skis.
Stopping quickly is hard to do on rollerskis. Think ahead and avoid situations where you will need to stop suddenly. Brakes are available for solid wheel skis, but not for Aeros. If your skis have speed reducers, you can activate them at the top of a downhill and descend slowly. If you need to stop yourself, flick your poles out in front of you and into the ground repeatedly, ratcheting your speed down with each pole plant. Practice this at slow speed before you need to do it for real. Push out firmly on your heels against the skis as in a skiing snow plow and the torque will slow you. Combine these two techniques to gradually slow yourself.
Eventually you will have to replace tires. How you use your skis determines how long the tires last. Rough asphalt and hot asphalt will wear your tires out more quickly than smoother, cooler surfaces. Larger skiers tend to wear tires more quickly, too. The inflatable Aero tires tend to wear about 3 times as long as the solid wheels. Rotate your skis as you use them to wear the tires evenly. One way to do this is switch skis midway through a session. Replace solid wheels when they become unevenly worn and unstable. Replace inflatable tires when the tread is gone.
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