Rollerskiing has emerged as a summer solution for cross country skiers. In order to fully achieve enjoyment of this sport, it is important to properly adjust one’s gears for the required performance. The heel plate of the rollerski is one component that is usually neglected while doing so. This article provides an understanding of the purposes, advantages and setting up of rollerski heel plates. Information in this article will help both the novice and experienced cross country skiers in enhancing their level of comfort and efficiency.
What is a Rollerski Heel Plate?
A rollerski heel plate is a relatively small device which is fixed to the back of rollerski which is just behind the binding. The purpose of this plate is to give support and most importantly stability to the skier as well as effective energy transfer. Snow cross country skis have the benefit of flex and grip, however that is not the case for rollerskis. Therefore getting a heel plate increases the control a skier has over themselves and allowing more accurate movements and stability when skiing on harder surfaces such as pavements.
What Are the Benefits of a Heel Plate for Rollerskis?
When applied on your rollerski setup, the addition of a heel plate comes with numerous benefits:
Enhanced Stability
A heel plate enhances stability by serving as a more pronounced border for the heel to rest on. Such stability is vital during the uphill climbs or around uneven surfaces where the extra control helps minimize wobbles or loss of balance.
Increased Energy Efficiency
Supporting the heel through a rollerski heel plate makes it easier to push energy into the ski through the legs, making your movements more efficient. Consequently, this results in a bigger push and smoother glide with every movement forward, enhancing speeds while minimizing energy cost.
Sustained Boots and Bindings
Applying a heel plate helps to sustain your boots and bindings by preventing them from colliding too often, particularly when facing rugged environments. This result brings about less wearing and tearing of these items.
Reduced Fatigue and Muscle Soreness
During long engagement training activities, the relief of such support for the heel naturally spares the user the feeling of fatigue. In addition, it tends to even out the skier’s weight thus relieving pressure during long-range sessions.
Types of Rollerski Heel Plates
Rollerskiing is a skiing sport that involves the use of special skiing equipment called roller ski. There are several types of heel plates, according to which a skater can select the most appropriate for himself/herself.
Standard Heel Plates
Standard heel plates are made of heavy plastic material or of composite items that do not outdate most of the rollerskis. These plates are basic pieces of support made for low to mid range users.
Adjustable Heel Plates
This type of heel plate can be adjusted according to the user’s individual needs. This is advantageous for advanced skiers since it allows them to use different skills and ski in varied settings.
Shock Absorbent Heel Plates
While practicing on uneven terrains, a skater can find these plates useful as they reduce the impact of shock on the joints by providing extra comfort.
How to Install a Rollerski Heel Plate
In order to install a heel plate on a roller ski, some basic equipment’s in quite a simple process, which involves a few steps;
Position Heel Plate
Select a centre point on the roller ski and keep the heel plate in line with the centre then place the heel plate a bit behind the binding.
Drill Holes (if needed)
Some plates may require the holes to be punched since the screws simply do not fit in. If that is the case then take a small drill bit and start measuring the screw holes provided to avoid hiccups while drilling.
Secure the Plate with Screws
Using screws, attach heel plate to the rollerski and insert those screws to firmly hold the plate. Don’t tighten them too much as they may damage the structure of the rollerski.
Ensure Proper Position of Structures
After fixing the heel plate, ensure that there is sufficient heel support and that the heel plate is positioned accurately. Make changes or any alterations in order to ensure comfort and safety.
Selecting the Ideal Heel Plate for Your Type of Rollerski
Understanding which heel plate would be most ideal for you can be dependent on quite a few reasons which are your experience with skiing, the type of terrain you practice on, and the goals you have:
Level of skiing practice
When starting off, most beginners would require a simple and strongly built heel plate whereas skiers who have been practicing for long would want an adjustable or shock absorbing one that fulfills their needs.
Type of Land
In the case of rough surfaces, one can want a shock absorbing heel plate for comfort since training on jagged surfaces can be uncomfortable, whereas a standard or an adjustable heel plate should do the job for smoother pathways.
Your Purpose of Practice
When being trained for long durations, a stronger support heel plate to prevent muscle fatigue is important, on the other hand, competitive skiers more focused on speed may prefer lighter ones which are faster.
Rollerski Heel Plate Maintenance Guide
This post should help you to properly care for the rollerski heel plates. These include:
General Cleaning
Once you are done using the heel plates, clean them up after each use to avoid wear and tear caused by dirt. First, you use a damp cloth to clean the heel and then leave them to air dry.
Wear and Tear Assessment
Consider checking your heel plates after every period for signs of either cracking or loosening. The reason for this is that there are times when screws become loose or corroded and therefore their replacement is important.
Screw Lubrication
Screws deal with a lot of strain and are what hold the heel plates in place. A slight application of lubricant on the screws may prevent rust. But do not apply too much oil as it would cause dirt attraction and may use a lubricant instead.
RollerSki Plate FAQs
Is it necessary to have a roller ski heel plate?
Though it is not a requirement, it helps most of the time as it helps with the energy transfer while also providing some extra stability to the skier. This is particularly helpful to skiers that are new to the sport or are looking to make it more serious.
Can I mount my plates by myself or do I have to see an Installer?
Common tools such as a screw driver are all you need and are all that is necessary to mount the heel plate but in case you are not confident in your skills, a professional installer can help you.
What heel plate do you recommend starting off with?
As a starting student skier what you need is a standard heel plate. This is made durable plastic and adds simplicity of stability and support.
When should I get my heel plate replaced?
With time and wear and tear of the heel, plates will eventually require replacement at least a couple of times during each operating season. However for a steady ski racing career try replacing the heel plate after every race season.
Are there different ski plates according to the skiing type?
Yes, adjustable heel plates offer more flexibility and easier use and are preferred by advanced skiers training that prefer different styles or train at multiple locations.
Conclusion
The ordinary rollerski heel plate might look like an minimal add on to a cross country skiers outfit but its appeal is in the control it adds during off level training. Furthermore this compression and support can be easily maintained with the help of appropriate type of a heel plate in newspaper and proper fitting along with correct installation. Investing into a good higher end heel plate is crucial for every skier since this lift adds comfort and increases gliding of ski boards while also enhancing roller ski training.
