Poster: A snowHead
|
That's he conclusion of a randomised trial in the BMJ on the efficacy of expensive bikes over cheaper models. Would a randomised trial of expensive ski gear - skis, boots, bindings, clothing - come to the same result? Would we be better to buy our gear from Aldi and ebay, and spent the savings on a personal trainer?
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
Basically, yes.
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Basically, no.
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Possibly yes, possibly no
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Basically, it could be yes or no depending on various variables.
|
|
|
|
|
You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
|
Jonny Jones, it was a joke - like most of the stufff in the xmas BMJ.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I vote yes
Last year (Spring 09), for reasons unrelated to ski-ing, I lost 22 lbs
in the winter 09-10 I found I was able to ski longer, edge better, hold the correct posture for longer ... it improved my skiing no end and it didnt cost a penny
(Oh except for a new jacket and salopettes as the old ones made me look like Leo Sayer)
|
|
|
|
|
|
So....if I bought my clothing in Aldi and invested in a personal trainer it would stop me getting cold and wet on windy, snowy days?
Wow! That's some trainer. Maybe if I get an extra lesson I'll be able to ski in just my underpants, thereby solving any excess luggage dilemmas
|
|
|
|
|
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
|
If you are skiing to lose weight or get to the office quicker, perhaps.
|
|
|
|
|
|
stoatsbrother, blimey, you can see they write their own material - it's a hell of an effort to go to to make a joke!
If it's any comparison, I'm a lot quicker on my carbon race bike compared to my heavier aluminium winter bike, I'm even quicker on my more aero (but slightly heavier than race bike) time trial bike. This is comparing times on the same course, same time of the week every week over the summer, similar traffic conditions (none or very little) & varying weather conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
|
how much is "a lot"? no idea what level of riding you do, hammerite, but would like an idea as for a WC ski racer 0.5s would be "a lot" (as it could mean 10 places difference in finish), whilst most recreational skiiers / boarders would probably not regard even 10s less down a normal (say) red piste as "a lot" faster.
|
|
|
|
|
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
|
4kg off the bike v 4kg off the biker. No contest.
4kg off the bike costs around £4000!
Its all about the bike- get a Kawasaki.
|
|
|
|
|
|
I am a below average club rider. The first time I rode my TT bike around the evening league 10 mile course I was about 90 seconds slower than my previous time on my light race bike (a lot slower!), I hadn't got used to the bike. The next time I rode the route on my TT bike I was about a minute quicker than my best time on the race bike.
The race bike compared to the heavy winter bike (which started off life as my main bike so didn't have mudguards on it like it does now), made about 60 seconds difference.
Unless the course is hilly aerodynamics makes a bigger difference than weight.
Me not being a highly trained cyclist make all the numbers a bit silly though. I may just be a bit fitter to set a faster time, I may just be more rested to set the faster time, I may just be in a good frame of mind, it may be raining so I have to tip toe round corners, the wind may not be in my favour....
|
|
|
|
|
You know it makes sense.
|
The fact is though I absolutely love riding the race bike, it cost 4 times as much as the winter bike, but is so much more comfortable and nicer to ride.
|
|
|
|
|
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
|
stoatsbrother wrote: |
Jonny Jones, it was a joke - like most of the stufff in the xmas BMJ. |
Of course it's a joke - you don't need to read more than a couple of paragraphs to see that. But, like many of the best jokes, it hides a hefty degree of insight behind its light-hearted exterior. Realistically, once you get beyond a reasonably entry level of equipment, I don't think that the average recreational skier would improve noticeably regardless of how much s/he (but usually he!) spent on gear.
Whitters wrote: |
So....if I bought my clothing in Aldi and invested in a personal trainer it would stop me getting cold and wet on windy, snowy days? |
I haven't tried Aldi ski gear, but my £15 Aldi soft-shell cycling jacket is perfectly breathable and keeps me wonderfully dry and comfortable in the rain. And my (sadly now defunct after many years of loyal service) cut-price H&M jacket and salopettes never left me cold or wet despite my having used them in extremely adverse conditions.
|
|
|
|
|
Poster: A snowHead
|
Jonny Jones, I think there's some truth to it - for example, for those of the constituency who could rightly be described as "all the gear, no idea".
But there are limits. Generally speaking, more expensive (& properly fitted) boots will be more comfortable and perform better, which will directly enhance (augment?) your skiing.
High performance technical outerwear will generally be more expensive because the detail design is simply more expensive to make. That said, we're off to Decathlon next week to have a real good look at the jackets that they're now equipping a bundle of guide companies with. If it's good enough for those guys (even if free)... I'd rather spend €150 and compromise on colour than €500... (Quechua don't have, to my taste, the best colours).
Skis? Well. There's a can of worms. Leaving my somewhat warped by modern consideration personal tastes our of it - I tried a few pairs of skis at Braehead the other week that I would not have skied on even if they were free. The pairs that shone out were Volkls and they're not noted for being cheap.
|
|
|
|
|
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
|
There's no doubt that expensive tech can feel better, give you more confidence and have a wonderful bling factor. Whether a competent observer would notice the difference in your skiing is a much more moot point...
|
|
|
|
|
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
|
Jonny Jones, I was exaggerating I know.....my view is still tainted by a cheap and nasty C&A one-piece suit that a friend of mine had, which on a particularly wild day at the Nevis Range was wet through by lunchtime.
|
|
|
|
|
You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
|
Whitters wrote: |
...C&A one-piece suit... |
Ouch! I hope you don't have photos. Did it come with a free mullet haircut?
|
|
|
|
|
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
|
Jonny Jones, luckily it wasn't me that was wearing it. I had a lovely (!?!) luminous Nevica top
|
|
|
|
|
|