FAQs
“Odd, hip and very fast, these hot rods have the highest head-turning quotient of all my toys.”
—– Chris Solomon, Ski Magazine
Q: Can I use my own bindings?
A: No. Not many bindings fit our skates, due to the open middle wheel slot. The drill pattern can be an issue when mounting for smaller boot sizes. In addition, the Marker bindings we use are very light in weight.
Q: How do you go up hills?
A: That’s easy! You can go up hills in the same way that you would on conventional skates. Many users prefer to use ski poles which really help deliver more power to the ascent, not to mention getting a full body work out. You can even ascend the steepest of hills by traversing the hill upwards. Visit the “How To” Page for more details.
Q: How do you stop?
A: You can stop several ways. Using a T-Stop the same way an inline skater would stop, by dragging one skate off to the side and applying pressure to the skate to slow down. Another way is using a snowplow technique similar to snow skiing, where you bring the fronts of your skates inward while applying pressure to the tails of the skate forcing them outward. Other stopping techniques include carving wide turns and traversing the road to slow your speed. Visit the “How To” Page for more details.
Q: Are there products similar to StreetSki on the market?
A: There are plenty of devices on the market that simulate cross-country skiing, but StreetSki makes the only inline skate that simulates alpine skiing. StreetSki is protected by patents for its FlexFrame design and is the only skate frame that is fully flexible, with a totally innovative wheel configuration.
Q: Speaking of the wheel configuration, how does it work?
A: The additional length of the frame, due to the spaced out wheels, gives the skate much more stability. While the center wheel pair, below the users feet, acts as a pivoting point for carving turns.
Q: How long do wheels and bearings last?
A: Wheels and bearings last just as long, if not longer, than a regular pair of skates. Many factors determine the longevity of the components including surface texture, how often they are used, braking methods and what type of skating is being performed.
Q: How much time does it take for people to learn to use the product?
A: The rule of thumb is about a 1 to 1 ratio based on the users skiing ability. If you are an intermediate alpine skier you should be able to get used to the characteristics of the skate in a short period of time and perform as well as you would on snow. If you are a skater and have never skied before, that is fine too. The basic skating motion is very similar to skating and will just take a little getting used to, before becoming proficient.
StreetSki inline skates are primarily designed as a fitness and conditioning product. More importantly, it is a valuable training tool to help skiers develop greater endurance during the off-season.
