Check out our
previous article on the topic for background on using these specialty classic skis.
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| Testing Zero Skis pre-Olympics |
In the lead-up to the Olympics we tested a ton of zeros and hairies materials and methods. We used all sorts of abrasives to rough up the skis - even tried sand-blasting them in search of the perfect surface. We tried lots of anti-icing additives to keep the skis running fast and avoid icing (a big risk and limitation for zero skis at the colder end of the range). We also tested a bunch of different base materials.
Every ski company now produces a "zero" type ski for consumers, but this is usually just one of several versions that they've worked with, tested, and used in racing. Across the board, the zero skis offered for sale have a kick zone with rubber material embedded into it. This material is easy to prepare by hand and ensures that it's really easy to get kick, since the rubber material creates a grippy texture on the base. However, our testing showed that in most conditions the rubber bases were slower than all the others, and they were always much more prone to icing in falling snow conditions.
It's important to understand that rules of thumb are made to be broken. The rubber zeros are definitely used in racing at the highest level. Kris Freeman used off-the-rack consumer skis in the Liberec 15K classic where he was 4th. In the Olympics, Andy Newell skied his relay leg on a pair of Kikkan's 197cm consumer zeros. In both of these cases the major challenge was getting enough kick, and the rubber zeros provided the necessary bite.
However, in most "zero" conditions, the challenge is not kick; it's speed. Most of the companies make some "special" zeros for racing use at high levels. These are generally not available for sale. However, because of our close collaboration with Fischer on Pre-Olympic testing of different zero materials and designs, we were able to obtain a limited quantity of these special race-stock zero skis directly from the Fischer racing department.
Here's what you need to know about these special zeros:
· Carbonlite construction (and price tag), unlike the standard zero model which is built on the RCS platform.
· The "zero" inlay is a clear polyethylene material without any rubber additive. It is more difficult to prepare than the rubber zero skis. It is also easier to use in normal kick wax conditions. These skis will almost always be faster than rubber zeros.
· The skis have a high and active camber with a very flat-closing pocket. They are particularly well suited to falling-snow zero conditions, and are not as versatile as the rubber zero in transformed snow or heavily glazing conditions.
· Available from BNS in 197, 202 and 207 cm lengths. Supply is limited.
For a limited time these skis are offered at normal carbonlite price ($700), with the following services added at no cost:
- New grind (we've had great luck with the 3/3 in hairies conditions, but can help you choose something else if necessary), heatbox, race hardening and HF paraffin treatment. Skis will be shipped with Ski*Go HF Yellow (242) on the glide surfaces, ready for fluoro powder.
- Our in-house kick-zone preparation, developed for the USST prior to the 2010 Olympics. According to our agreement with the USST we can produce this treatment for our customers, but we can't explain how it is done. In three years of testing zero treatments we found that one specific surface is always the best. This treatment provides superior durability, speed and icing resistance. In the most difficult hairies conditions it can be literally the only solution that works. We were sort of hoping for one of those days at the Olympics!
Skis will arrive with Holmenkol Kick-zone tape over the prepared kicking surface. This tape should be left in place until it is removed immediately prior to testing the skis on snow. Each pair will require a brief phone conversation to go over care and further treatment of the kicking surface to ensure continued performance.
We can provide this zero kick zone treatment on your own skis as well. The treatment improves the speed and the icing resistance of rubber zeros. It also creates excellent hairies out of most normal ski bases. Some of the best Olympic zero solutions that we created were on normal black bases. The cost of the treatment is $100 and all skis should be booked in advance.
RCS Zero (Regular Rubber Inlay) $454
RCS Carbonlite Zero (Polyethylene inlay) $700, includes free grind, hot box and zero treatment.
