How do skate, classic and combi skis differ?
Most roller skis are optimized for either skate skiing only or classic skiing only. So-called ‘combi’ or combination models have special wheels that allow dual-technique skiing, so you can switch from skate to classic and back whenever you want. Here are the principal differences: 1. Classic and combi roller skis have a clutch wheel on each ski, to give you something to kick against. Skate skis do not have clutch wheels, so skate skis are simpler, and generally cheaper. 2. Classic roller skiing requires better balance than skating. To improve stability, classic and combi skis will have either three wheels per ski, or else two wide fat wheels. A skate ski typically has two tall, skinny wheels, for a better simulation of skate technique. 3. Classic roller skis have soft rubber wheels. Most skate and combi skis have harder wheels to resist the extra stress of skating. 4. Classic and combi roller skis have a longer wheelbase than skate skis.
