Ski Nerdery: Running Length & Edge Hold
So what properties give a ski good edge hold on ice? What should you be looking for? And how does “running length” relate? We discuss in our latest Topic of the Week.
Topic of the Week
“Easy” vs. “Demanding” Skis
Are directional skis going away? And why does there seem to be such an emphasis these days on skis being “easy” ?
New vs. Old: a Report on our 16/17 Ski Testing
Innovation, classics, and the problem of making new products.
Mind-bending? Physics-Defying? How Big of a Deal is This??
Last week Vincent Gagnier caused the collective Ski Media to lose its mind. But how insane was this trick, and how big of a deal is it really?
Ski lengths, Mount Points, & Different Types of Skis
How do length and skiing style relate to mount location, particularly when choosing drastically different skis?
Gwin, Specialized, and the Business of Mountain Biking
For the second time in his career, Aaron Gwin drops his sponsor and inspires a debate on mountain bike racing as a business.
Q: Who is the greatest DH rider ever?
Aaron Gwin’s recent string of remarkable feats prompted a debate about the present and the past of downhill racing. Who you got?
Evolving Bike Standards
There are a ton of new products and new standards that are supposed to make our riding experience better. But are these revolutionary new products that will change the way we ride? Are they evolutionary changes that improve on some of our favorite parts? Or are we looking at products that are new purely for the sake of being new? Time to discuss.
The Death of the Technical Trail
“Flow” is certainly in these days, and flow trails seem to be coming at the expense of more technical trails. But is that really true? And is this a good thing or a bad thing for the sport of mountain biking? We weigh in.
Tires: General Truths, Misconceptions, & Subjective Opinions
Tire choices are a hotly contested issue, and there are quite a few generally held “truths” out there. So this week, three of our reviewers weigh in on some of the commonly held beliefs regarding rubber.
Trail Bikes: Short vs Long Travel
What role does suspension travel play in defining the character of a trail bike? Are other factors more important? Three of our reviewers weigh in…
Ski Width, Weight, and “Quickness”
What’s more of a factor when it comes to how quick a ski is, Width or Weight?
Stated Ski Specs vs. Actual Ski Specs
Why do the stated specs and dimensions of a ski so often differ from the actual, measured specs? Is it a sign of poor quality control?
Thoroughness vs. Usefulness
When it comes to producing a genuinely useful review, how do you strike a balance of thoroughness and usefulness?
Hybrid Outerwear Pieces?
Why don’t we see more outerwear designs combining both hardshell and softshell fabrics?