The bcXCD Thread

[Ripitz]

Mr Brown. I would recommend a longer ski for you if you go with this (or similar) product.

I think proper sizing is often overlooked especially by those coming from the realm of alpine where there is a greater tolerance in performance that can be overcome by technique. XCD skis are essentially beefy nordic skis with traditional camber. When activated correctly the scales in the kick zone come in contact with the ground and when deactivated only the tips and tails are in contact. If undersized (perhaps the thought is that a shorter ski will be easier to turn in the trees) your weight will constantly compress the ski and you will be dragging the scales on the ground resulting in slower speeds and more effort. If oversized the ski will be much harder to turn and you may slip more on the uphills from loss of traction due to lack of compression in the kick zone. Generally speaking a longer ski will be beneficial for longer tours. I sized up on my Annums thinking it would be a benefit on longer tours with a heavy pack. While this may be true, I found they are a bit harder to turn when messing around in the backyard and when going light.

In short, each manufacturer has their own size guide corresponding to skier weight that should be followed.

*Edit to add - If you find yourself in between sizes in the guide, size down if you think the majority of your skiing will be hiking trails and woods, size up if it’s golf courses and rail trails.

 

[Brownski]

Here are my current XC skis and boots. It’s mostly just stuff I picked up on the cheap here and there to experiment with. I’m ignorant on all this. Tell me what I have

 

[Ripitz]

Tell me what I have

Something very hard to turn

Looks like a nice turn key setup. I think with those, when running them downhill, you’d be snow plowing for speed control and relying on a nordic step turn instead of trying to make an alpine turn.
Those puppies look looooong. What’s the length on those? They have little sidecut so they will track straight. They might be narrow enough to fit into a groomed track which is a plus. I believe those are 50 underfoot which would work fine. A ski like that can serve double duty for light shwacking and resort laps.

 

[Brownski]

I think they’re 190s. They’re fine for laps around the town park when it snows. Downhill on them, for me, is crouch low and straight line. Even small hills are exciting. Question is: Is it worth it to move those bindings onto wider skis? Probably not right?

 

[Ripitz]

I think they’re 190s. They’re fine for laps around the town park when it snows. Downhill on them, for me, is crouch low and straight line. Even small hills are exciting. Question is: Is it worth it to move those bindings onto wider skis? Probably not right?

I don’t think it’s worth it. Those bindings are like $80 and that’s a solid setup to leave intact. If anything, I like to have an extra set kicking around to torture friends who don’t have one. If going to a wider ski, ideally you would want at least the Magnums since they have a wider mount.

Rottefella BCs are 54mm wide, Magnums are 58 and Xplore is 68.

I bet those boots are warm and comfortable. One thing you can do is try swapping out the black toe bumpers on the autos for the firmer red ones for more active downhilling, but yeah, those are straightliners.

 

[Brownski]

So S-Bound 116s in 189 length and Rotofella Xplore 68 NNN BC manuals and stick with my Alpina boots for now? …. But I’ll be better off with heavier boots down the road?
Is everyone more or less in agreement?

 

[Ripitz]

So S-Bound 116s in 189 length and Rotofella Xplore 68 NNN BC manuals and stick with my Alpina boots for now? …. But I’ll be better off with heavier boots down the road?
Is everyone more or less in agreement?

116?

For the 112 I think you would need the Magnums.

Xplores are a different boot and binding combo.

Where are you ordering these from and who is mounting them? I try to use Outdoor Gear Exchange in VT. They will answer any questions, mount for free and will ship.

 

[Brownski]

Yeah, I meant 112 so magnums. I guess I misunderstood. Where to order from? That’s tough. Not many options for the 112s other than the Fischer store. Is there anything wrong with Fischer bindings?

 

[gorgonzola]

The Alaskas have a waterproof / breathable membrane that work very well. I’ve never had my feet get wet from the outside or the inside for that matter. I use a gaitor when the snow is super deep. I haven’t treated them yet but plan on doing it for this season. I think the two best options are Sno Seal or Nikwax, with Nikwax being preferred. I’ll be doing it mostly to protect the leather from drying out. Sno Seal is applied when warm and dry but with Nikwax you wet and soak the boot before the application. Sno Seal is a wax and despite its name Nikwax is not. My understanding is that it is more of a moisturizing conditioner that is water repellent. I am very familiar with the Sno Seal application and have used it for years on different boots and gloves like Kincos. Used the different methods, oven with just a pilot light, sunny window and hair dryer. The gloves tend to get hard and stiff in freezing temps. My hunch is that it is not as breathable as Nikwax. There is some good info somewhere that I found perhaps on Telemark Talk. I will document the process and post results on another thread.

Thread 'To Seal or Not to Seal'

Dec 10, 2022

So, I have Sno Sealed lots of things before and have used Nik wax too. I have a few boots and gloves that I have not treated yet. I am wondering what people swear by and what specifically are the methods and reasons. Is there an argument for staying nude?

• Ripitz
• Replies: 13
• Forum: The Woodstove

• 

Following, I got new Alaskas last year but have not treated them either

 

[Ripitz]

Yeah, I meant 112 so magnums. I guess I misunderstood. Where to order from? That’s tough. Not many options for the 112s other than the Fischer store. Is there anything wrong with Fischer bindings?

SkiEssentials has them with free base treatment and shipping. I would ask if they can throw in the mount.