Rollerskiing Safety Tips

Rollerskiing provides an excellent way to work on and maintain your cross country ski technique and fitness.

Rollerskiing Safety Tips:

First, always wear appropriate gear. You should always wear a helmet and gloves. In addition, we recommend knee and elbow padding. When rollerskiing on roads, wear a bright, reflective vest to ensure good visibility by any road traffic.

Rollerskis differ from inline skating in many ways. Most importantly, rollerskis do not have a braking mechanism. Rollerski wheels are generally fairly resistant, unlike inline skates, and thus provide slower glide speeds. However, it is always important to be familiar with the trail/road you will ski on. In particular:
    •    Know where the intersections are located
    •    Be familiar with any hills
    •    Have local knowledge of any sections with large cracks or sand
    •    Remember, there is no brake so keep your speed in check

Rollerskiing Maintenance:

The Marwe wheels should generally last a number of years, depending on how many K you log on them each season. Here are a few tips:
    •    Sharpen your pole tips (ferrules) every time, or every other time, you head out rollerskiing. Consider purchasing new pole tips each season. Pole tips are generally inexpensive and a solid, sharp tip makes rollerskiing a lot more enjoyable.
    •    Use a true rollerski ferrule instead of an old basket tip. Ferrules generally have a heavier, more durable tip. Old basket tips have a tendency to snap off easily.
    •    When out rollerskiing, swap the skis on your feet at the half-way point of the workout. And at the start of each season, rotate your Marwe 610/100 wheels from front to back. These tips will help to ensure the wheels wear evenly and last longer.
    •    Do not jump with your rollerskis (for example, jumping off curb to street). This could weaken or damage the rollerski shaft.
    •    Keep your rollerskis clean. After rollerskiing in the wet/damp conditions, make sure to wipe the rollerskis down, spin the wheels and allow to dry in the open.
    •    Whenever maintenance requires installing or replacing any hardware, never overtighten or undertighten the nuts -- make sure the hardware has been firmly tightened.
    •    When it comes time to replace the wheels, replace the full set. On the Classic and Combi Marwe rollerskis, you must ship back your old wheels so we can install the internal mechanisms (clutch/bearings) in the new wheels.
    •    On the Classic and Combi Marwe rollerskis, the front ratchet wheel nut and bolt hardware should always be firmly tightened, otherwise the ratchet will slip.
    •    From the Marwe website: http://www.hyvinkaankumi.fi/hinn-esit/k_ohje2004.pdf

For a printable document of this rollerski safety info click here