Fitness benefits of Skike

Dazzler · June 30th, 2019, 10:27 AM

I'm going to try out Skike skating soon and am wondering about the fitness benefits. I can't find anything specific to cross-country skating but would I be right in thinking that it's a similar work out to cross-country skiing?

As well as that, does anyone have any experience of skiking on wet ground? Not necessarily through huge puddles but just when the ground is damp and there are wet leaves and other tree debris on the ground. I'm in Ireland where it rains a lot and we have trees everywhere, so often even when it's dry skating along most of the paths I use are treacherously slippy in my skate wheels. I'm hoping skike would open up a few more opportunities for skating.

ursle · June 30th, 2019, 01:48 PM

Watched a nordic skater video, the wheels are 8" pneumatic, roll forward and are locked from reverse, 2" of ground clearance, looks like a device that you lean your shin against, stability at speed, looks like a fun project.
Poles and a helmet and backbone proctection good luck.

Dazzler · June 30th, 2019, 02:42 PM

Thanks. I discovered a guy 15 minutes away from me who does sessions and has all the equipment for hire, so there is no way I won't at least give it a try. But the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. There are lots of lovely long trails near me that aren't good enough for skating on but can be skiked. So it opens up a lot more options and articles on it, say it's fine for using on damp ground.

Jim · July 2nd, 2019, 05:42 PM

Please post back with your findings. There are a lot of trails around here that range from impractical to impossible for inlines, yet too boring for mountain bikes and I think Skikes might be the vehicle with the highest fun factor on such trails. Plus I'm an avid XC skier who sometimes competes and Skikes sound like they could be the best thing for off-season training.

Good luck!

Monkeybeaver · January 2nd, 2020, 06:34 PM

only just seen this post, hope this is still helpful to you.
Had some a Skikes for about 18 months now & absolutely love them.
I started a post when I first got them called “Nordic or not” that I shared my initial experiences in.
Been on them for a while now & have a better understanding of them.
I’ve had a pair with 150mm X 25mm wheels & a pair with 200mm X 50mm wheels, the larger wheels are better in almost every way, except braking force. The smaller wheels have a less aggressive tread so there more surface contact with the brake shoe.
There is a bit of a learning curve from inlines or ice, edges do not work & as (most of them) they are strapped onto your normal shoes the muscles used to balance are slightly different.
I skate mainly around the city but do some woodland trails through certain parts of the city if I feel like it. I Skike year round, whatever the weather, muddy woodland trails, wet leaves on smooth tarmac & wet drain covers all need to be taken with care but are very doable.
The main man in the U.K. is John Rawlinson, he’s the main importer, sells online at Skike sports north, runs a Facebook group called Skike Sports North Up North & is generally a top bloke. He does some serious off reading on his, there a video of his New Year’s Day Skike that pretty spice on the Facebook group.
Any question feel free to ask.

June 30th, 2019, 10:27 AM	#1
Dazzler Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 42	Fitness benefits of Skike I'm going to try out Skike skating soon and am wondering about the fitness benefits. I can't find anything specific to cross-country skating but would I be right in thinking that it's a similar work out to cross-country skiing? As well as that, does anyone have any experience of skiking on wet ground? Not necessarily through huge puddles but just when the ground is damp and there are wet leaves and other tree debris on the ground. I'm in Ireland where it rains a lot and we have trees everywhere, so often even when it's dry skating along most of the paths I use are treacherously slippy in my skate wheels. I'm hoping skike would open up a few more opportunities for skating.

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June 30th, 2019, 01:48 PM	#2
ursle Street Skater Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NH Posts: 1,871	Watched a nordic skater video, the wheels are 8" pneumatic, roll forward and are locked from reverse, 2" of ground clearance, looks like a device that you lean your shin against, stability at speed, looks like a fun project. Poles and a helmet and backbone proctection good luck.

June 30th, 2019, 02:42 PM	#3
Dazzler Member Join Date: Mar 2019 Posts: 42	Thanks. I discovered a guy 15 minutes away from me who does sessions and has all the equipment for hire, so there is no way I won't at least give it a try. But the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. There are lots of lovely long trails near me that aren't good enough for skating on but can be skiked. So it opens up a lot more options and articles on it, say it's fine for using on damp ground.

July 2nd, 2019, 05:42 PM	#4
Jim Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 154	Please post back with your findings. There are a lot of trails around here that range from impractical to impossible for inlines, yet too boring for mountain bikes and I think Skikes might be the vehicle with the highest fun factor on such trails. Plus I'm an avid XC skier who sometimes competes and Skikes sound like they could be the best thing for off-season training. Good luck!

January 2nd, 2020, 06:34 PM	#5
Monkeybeaver Junior Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Peterborough UK Posts: 18	only just seen this post, hope this is still helpful to you. Had some a Skikes for about 18 months now & absolutely love them. I started a post when I first got them called “Nordic or not” that I shared my initial experiences in. Been on them for a while now & have a better understanding of them. I’ve had a pair with 150mm X 25mm wheels & a pair with 200mm X 50mm wheels, the larger wheels are better in almost every way, except braking force. The smaller wheels have a less aggressive tread so there more surface contact with the brake shoe. There is a bit of a learning curve from inlines or ice, edges do not work & as (most of them) they are strapped onto your normal shoes the muscles used to balance are slightly different. I skate mainly around the city but do some woodland trails through certain parts of the city if I feel like it. I Skike year round, whatever the weather, muddy woodland trails, wet leaves on smooth tarmac & wet drain covers all need to be taken with care but are very doable. The main man in the U.K. is John Rawlinson, he’s the main importer, sells online at Skike sports north, runs a Facebook group called Skike Sports North Up North & is generally a top bloke. He does some serious off reading on his, there a video of his New Year’s Day Skike that pretty spice on the Facebook group. Any question feel free to ask.