customer comments
Skike Australia are a proud supporter of the Australian Defence Force Nordic Skiing & Biathlon Association. With our annual Interservice competition in August, many of our folks use these to train up. Others use Roller Skis, roller blades and such. I have the V8 Lift, they are excellent. The anti-rollback front wheel is good for nordic stride, but even in the skating technique it means I can pause comfortably on rolling terrain and step between track elements where necessary.
Cheers, Andrew
20 May.2016, ACT
Cheers, Andrew
20 May.2016, ACT
Hi Len,
Thanks for your comments about the PU wheels. I think I agree with you. I tried out some Swix roller skis with small PU wheels and although I was not fully accustomed to them, I did a back to back comparison with the skikes around the concrete trails in the Barooga Botanical Gardens. I repeated it 4 times on skikes and 4 times on the swix. My average time on the skikes was 1 min 45 sec, and on the swix 1 min 50 sec. My conclusion is that they are much the same - I was slower on the swix because they had a different feel which made me nervous and I was scared of sticks and stones, and I had no brakes which was scary going over a wooden Japanese bridge with a gentle arch profile.
So in conclusion I will stick to the pneumatic tyres.
Cheers, John
8 February, 2016 Myrtleford, Victoria
Thanks for your comments about the PU wheels. I think I agree with you. I tried out some Swix roller skis with small PU wheels and although I was not fully accustomed to them, I did a back to back comparison with the skikes around the concrete trails in the Barooga Botanical Gardens. I repeated it 4 times on skikes and 4 times on the swix. My average time on the skikes was 1 min 45 sec, and on the swix 1 min 50 sec. My conclusion is that they are much the same - I was slower on the swix because they had a different feel which made me nervous and I was scared of sticks and stones, and I had no brakes which was scary going over a wooden Japanese bridge with a gentle arch profile.
So in conclusion I will stick to the pneumatic tyres.
Cheers, John
8 February, 2016 Myrtleford, Victoria
I must say that I am thoroughly enjoying the Skikes.
One gets a much better workout versus inline skates.
And the brakes are excellent, they work and they are silent hence pedestrians don’t get a shock when you apply the brakes as they would with the inline skate brakes.
I still find it difficult to apply both at same time, I instinctively tend to move the right ski forward and apply its brake. I have to really think about it to apply both at same time.
Thanks
Stephen
24 March, 2016 Brisbane, Queensland
One gets a much better workout versus inline skates.
And the brakes are excellent, they work and they are silent hence pedestrians don’t get a shock when you apply the brakes as they would with the inline skate brakes.
I still find it difficult to apply both at same time, I instinctively tend to move the right ski forward and apply its brake. I have to really think about it to apply both at same time.
Thanks
Stephen
24 March, 2016 Brisbane, Queensland
I've found Skikes to be really enjoyable. I use them to train for Biathlon (cross country skiing and target shooting) but as a standalone sport it is fun and it is very easy on your joints. I like the fact that with Skikes they have brakes and the big rubber tyres mean you can run over twigs without getting thrown off balance.
Cheers,
Mark
22 January 2016 Sydney, New South Wales
Cheers,
Mark
22 January 2016 Sydney, New South Wales
Dear Len,
Thank you for the very comprehensive information you have provided so promptly. I am impressed by your attention to detail, knowledge of the product and the way you support and conduct your promotion. No doubt this sport will grow in Australia and I wish you every success in that regard.
I am Swedish, lived in Sydney since 19.., now semi-retired so I can devote more time to health issues such as regular exercise. ...
.... being tall I like the tandem motion style of activity particularly as it is now available off-road in the summer time. I will now study your latest material and decide on the most appropriate model before suggesting my choice to my relatives as a possible birthday gift ...
Regards Jan
11 January 2016 Sydney New South Wales
Thank you for the very comprehensive information you have provided so promptly. I am impressed by your attention to detail, knowledge of the product and the way you support and conduct your promotion. No doubt this sport will grow in Australia and I wish you every success in that regard.
I am Swedish, lived in Sydney since 19.., now semi-retired so I can devote more time to health issues such as regular exercise. ...
.... being tall I like the tandem motion style of activity particularly as it is now available off-road in the summer time. I will now study your latest material and decide on the most appropriate model before suggesting my choice to my relatives as a possible birthday gift ...
Regards Jan
11 January 2016 Sydney New South Wales
Hi Len,
Since I have got my skikes (wheels) at 107psi, I am really burning up the bitumen. It is funny coming up behind joggers and walkers, and seeing the strange looks - I suppose you are quite used to this.
Roll On Winter!
Cheers. John
8 February, 2016 Myrtleford, Victoria
Since I have got my skikes (wheels) at 107psi, I am really burning up the bitumen. It is funny coming up behind joggers and walkers, and seeing the strange looks - I suppose you are quite used to this.
Roll On Winter!
Cheers. John
8 February, 2016 Myrtleford, Victoria
Hi Len,
Thank you for the links, and taking the time to give an insight into what's out there.
I can tell you are passionate about what you do and the skiking community in Australia/NZ. It's great, and I wish there were more people like yourself!
Kind regards,
Laura
13 December 2015 Sydney New South Wales
Thank you for the links, and taking the time to give an insight into what's out there.
I can tell you are passionate about what you do and the skiking community in Australia/NZ. It's great, and I wish there were more people like yourself!
Kind regards,
Laura
13 December 2015 Sydney New South Wales
Customer who upgraded from v07-120 skikes to v8 LIFT CROSS 2R skikes:
After 2 sessions I’ve just about readjusted to the new LIFT skikes. What a difference 4 years makes in design. They are 10% heavier and 65mm longer with exactly the same ground clearance to the bottom of the frame. This means that they are perfect for normal gravel tracks etc. but they are more likely to catch on tree roots if I have to race after Kevin on single tracks. The lift has already shown up my left leg problem of pointing the toe instead of pushing with whole of foot and double poling is an absolute delight also highlighting my problem of leaning back. The ride seems softer with the longer wheelbase and the two soft rubber buttons under the lift plate combining to make gravel tracks easier to negotiate. The extra 200 grams of skike is OK by me as I’m a believer in training with heavier equipment. My poles are heavier and I’ll be carrying extra body weights soon. The quick releases on wheels, brakes and cuff location makes it so much easier to make adjustments on the run. The heel locator is so much better than the old metal plate we had to rebend whenever a different pair of shoes was used!
So all in all thank you Len for persisting with the importing of skikes. Who knows what innovations will be made in the next 4 years.
Cheers
Paul
Tuesday, 17 November 2015 Melbourne Victoria
After 2 sessions I’ve just about readjusted to the new LIFT skikes. What a difference 4 years makes in design. They are 10% heavier and 65mm longer with exactly the same ground clearance to the bottom of the frame. This means that they are perfect for normal gravel tracks etc. but they are more likely to catch on tree roots if I have to race after Kevin on single tracks. The lift has already shown up my left leg problem of pointing the toe instead of pushing with whole of foot and double poling is an absolute delight also highlighting my problem of leaning back. The ride seems softer with the longer wheelbase and the two soft rubber buttons under the lift plate combining to make gravel tracks easier to negotiate. The extra 200 grams of skike is OK by me as I’m a believer in training with heavier equipment. My poles are heavier and I’ll be carrying extra body weights soon. The quick releases on wheels, brakes and cuff location makes it so much easier to make adjustments on the run. The heel locator is so much better than the old metal plate we had to rebend whenever a different pair of shoes was used!
So all in all thank you Len for persisting with the importing of skikes. Who knows what innovations will be made in the next 4 years.
Cheers
Paul
Tuesday, 17 November 2015 Melbourne Victoria
Len,
Just finished 90 minutes at Princes Park on the new Skikes – fantastic. Much more like skiing, even rewards leading correctly with the hip.
The more people who get to enjoy this the better.
Cheers,
Richard
Wednesday, 2 September 2015 Melbourne Victoria
Just finished 90 minutes at Princes Park on the new Skikes – fantastic. Much more like skiing, even rewards leading correctly with the hip.
The more people who get to enjoy this the better.
Cheers,
Richard
Wednesday, 2 September 2015 Melbourne Victoria
Dear Len,
Thanks for your great response (I have not expected such response at all) and all the explanations. You answered my questions but I still have one inner decision to do: FIX or LIFT. I understand the advantages of lift (longer wheel base as you wrote me and different skike technique that might be handy for longer distances) but I have never done cross country skiing so non fixed ankle might feel weird for me. I have read as well that lift skikes do not allow to go backwards. I do not plan to go backwards but from skiing and skating I know few situations when it might be useful.
Thanks a lot,
Best regards,
Juraj
Wednesday, 8 July 2015 South Australia
Thanks for your great response (I have not expected such response at all) and all the explanations. You answered my questions but I still have one inner decision to do: FIX or LIFT. I understand the advantages of lift (longer wheel base as you wrote me and different skike technique that might be handy for longer distances) but I have never done cross country skiing so non fixed ankle might feel weird for me. I have read as well that lift skikes do not allow to go backwards. I do not plan to go backwards but from skiing and skating I know few situations when it might be useful.
Thanks a lot,
Best regards,
Juraj
Wednesday, 8 July 2015 South Australia
Hi Len,
Hope you are doing well. I thought to write you a couple of lines to share my early skiking experience. I had 4 sessions so far. Initially I felt skikes didn't slide very well, and I was getting very tired just after 30 min, because I had to push hard with poles. I thought it was because skike's weight. But then I was re-reading your emails and found your advice to check pressure in the tires every week. I pumped the tires to 107 psi and tried skiking again. It was completely different experience! Now I feel my skikes go too fast and I don't need to push much on the flat terrain. After 1 hour of skiking I felt I could go on and on. It is getting much more fun now and I can plan longer trips.
Best,
Mikhail
30 August 2015 New South Wales
Skike Australia Comment: It really does make a very big difference if the tyres are not pumped up to the correct pressure and they have to be pumped up when they are new out of the box
Hope you are doing well. I thought to write you a couple of lines to share my early skiking experience. I had 4 sessions so far. Initially I felt skikes didn't slide very well, and I was getting very tired just after 30 min, because I had to push hard with poles. I thought it was because skike's weight. But then I was re-reading your emails and found your advice to check pressure in the tires every week. I pumped the tires to 107 psi and tried skiking again. It was completely different experience! Now I feel my skikes go too fast and I don't need to push much on the flat terrain. After 1 hour of skiking I felt I could go on and on. It is getting much more fun now and I can plan longer trips.
Best,
Mikhail
30 August 2015 New South Wales
Skike Australia Comment: It really does make a very big difference if the tyres are not pumped up to the correct pressure and they have to be pumped up when they are new out of the box
Hi Len,
It was really nice to meet you in Melbourne. Thanks for your time and organizing the skike session for me. I really enjoyed it. Big thanks and regards to your wife too for helping out with the strap.
Yes, you can use the photo.
I hope to meet you again, to skike in some Yarra river trails if I'm in Melbourne, but no plans yet.
Regards,
Mikhail
14 September 2015 New South Wales
It was really nice to meet you in Melbourne. Thanks for your time and organizing the skike session for me. I really enjoyed it. Big thanks and regards to your wife too for helping out with the strap.
Yes, you can use the photo.
I hope to meet you again, to skike in some Yarra river trails if I'm in Melbourne, but no plans yet.
Regards,
Mikhail
14 September 2015 New South Wales
Customer Question - Techniques identical to skiing?
I've been also watching about skike on youtube during last week. The techniques seem pretty much identical to skiing. Are there any important differences?
Reply
The techniques are identical except for braking and that you really can’t do snow plough effectively. The skikes even reinforce correct technique and feel e.g. vertical wheels = being on a flat ski rather than riding an edged ski, whereby an edged ski / skike will run slower; the skikes will also steer / carve.
I've been also watching about skike on youtube during last week. The techniques seem pretty much identical to skiing. Are there any important differences?
Reply
The techniques are identical except for braking and that you really can’t do snow plough effectively. The skikes even reinforce correct technique and feel e.g. vertical wheels = being on a flat ski rather than riding an edged ski, whereby an edged ski / skike will run slower; the skikes will also steer / carve.
