Latest posts for the topic "How long is yours?"

How long is yours?

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 14:14:02 GMT

I know the subject should be 'How long are yours?' but it probably got your attention quicker!

I currently use a pair of 125cm poles. This length was deemed appropriate after carrying out the usual 'hold pole upside down just below the basket and with elbow bent the forearm should be level'.

However, looking at most ski racers their poles are much longer. I even read on one race coaching site that with one end of the pole touching the snow, your arm should be completely straight when holding the other end.

Now I know I ain't Bode (I wasn't born in New Hampshire) but there must be some advantages to longer poles or else they would be using the same length as the rest of us.

Any thoughts?

Re:How long is yours?

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 19:26:42 GMT

For most of us, slightly shorter is better, it helps us mortals bring our weight forward a bit. The measure you mention is good but take it as the max length in my opinion.

And mine ? Komperdell powerlock touring poles anywhere between 110 and 150 :D

How do you determine how long it is ?

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 19:39:41 GMT

Ellistine,

How did you determine that the racers have longer poles?
Were you beside them? Were you at base lodge when they finished the race?

I suspect you watched some videos or films. Notice how racers in full action are low like tight coiled spring! Notice also that 70% of racing time poles baskets are either behind skiers body or up front to knock gate pools ahead!

Notice also in GS and Downhill how poles are used more as "feelers" than as pivot points.

In World Cup events each racers seems to have "their" pole length and yeas even in various events ( Slalom, Giant Slalom, Downhill) many if not all racers have specific pole lengths.

You yourself mentioned that you are not a racer and thus you should pick pole length for ski efficiency and comfort.

Now if you ask me how to determine correct pole length here are some considerations. Many many years ago there was a way to get correct ski length. You all know the raised arm to tip method. This method is incorrect now.

So it is with ski poles. The 90 degree bend was perhaps correct 20 years ago but skiing equipment and technique has change radically. Poling has changed also!

What interesting is that some ski pole companies have made some changes in their ski pole design. The very best and the very first carbon ski pole company,,,,Goode has under the ski pole handle a locking mechanism and an adjustable handle. Thus you can with a simple Allen key raise or lower the ski pole handle.

I use a longer ski pole when I ski in powder.

I use a shorter ski pole when I free ski on icy steep slopes.

One conclusion on this issue is that all modern poles are shorter for FREE SKIING since you rarely set and pivot around the pole! They now are used more as initial rythm moves!

Of course when you do come to Canada you will be able to try various pole lengths to see which ones are best for you!

Cheers

How long is yours?

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 21:00:48 GMT

Hi folks,

Don't our heights have something to do with appropriate pole lengths?

Geoff Smith

Re:How long is yours?

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 21:08:46 GMT

115cm for me, as I'm a bit on the short side. I also have some Black Diamond touring poles, which are adjustable. I was advised recently that I should buy 120cm poles and have them cut down to around 118cm. That seems too much like hard work!
:D

Re:How long is yours?

Thu, 2 Aug 2007 22:27:45 GMT

bandit wrote: I was advised recently that I should buy 120cm poles and have them cut down to around 118cm. That seems too much like hard work!
:D

which goes to show you know some strange people :D

Re:How long is yours?

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 00:51:10 GMT

have a look at the pics in this article

http://www.youcanski.com/en/coaching/pole_plant.htm

I've seen shorter fishing rods!

Re:How long is yours?

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 01:00:39 GMT

Pavelski wrote:How did you determine that the racers have longer poles?
Were you beside them? Were you at base lodge when they finished the race?

I'll have you know that I've skiid down the Wixie in Wengen with Hermann Maier! I have to admit that at the time I was on the verge of being stationary trying to maintain my uprightness on a particularly icey patch of piste. I had to assume that as it was his first time down the piste he hadn't had time to realise how difficult the conditions were.

Re:How long is yours?

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 15:49:15 GMT

Geof Smith asked an interesting question. Yes the pole length is determined initially based on skiers height. That is the famous 90 degree forearm position.

Then within this range skiers "adjust" the length for their needs. As mentioned some skiers wish a slightly shorter pole to have weight in front. It puts you into a more "attacking" position.

After Ellistine's message I realized that I did not know my pole length so I measured it. I then realized that I really did cut it short!!!

Sorry too ashamed to post it on net.

How long is yours?

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 16:53:35 GMT

Geoff Smith wrote:Hi folks,

Don't our heights have something to do with appropriate pole lengths?

Geoff Smith

That's why there's the common test that ellistine mentioned. Given those classic proportions Leonardo used in the Vitruvian man drawing I think your optimum pole length is going to be 70% of height, which should place the pole length at around your centre of gravity, how does that sound? :D (just for fun)

Math, design and skiing

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 17:25:08 GMT

Geoff Smith is a real Renaissance man showing us all how skiing, math and art can be related.

I think we could take skiing and have a complete course on:
math, physics, art, and of course abnormal psychology!

The world of knowledge does converge!

Did you know that the fastest time between two points on ski course is NOT a straight line. A great physics university final exam question.

Re:How long is yours?

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 19:30:41 GMT

cool photos ellistine

i wonder how they got all those people to look the same :?

mine are 130cm but after reading Ise's point about shorter poles to get the weight forward I may well be retreating to the garage to amend them by 5cms!!

Re:How long is yours?

Fri, 3 Aug 2007 21:23:45 GMT

ise wrote:

bandit wrote: I was advised recently that I should buy 120cm poles and have them cut down to around 118cm. That seems too much like hard work!
:D

which goes to show you know some strange people :D

So it would seem :lol:

The touring poles I have will now give me the chance to try out this theory, as they extend between 95cm and 145cm :D

Re:How long is yours?

Sat, 4 Aug 2007 02:33:52 GMT

One of the very best sites for honest, to the point evaluation on skiing is Realskier. Here is their "opinion" on the ski length issue.

"

Traditional pole sizing was determined by donning boots, inverting the pole, placing the hand grip on the ground and grasping the shaft below the ring, with forearm parallel to the ground.

Modern technical skiers use poles about 1" shorter than traditional length.

Bumps skiers, hyper-carvers or extremely fast skiers may use a pole up to two inches shorter than traditional length.

But, be careful. Lifters and high-rise bindings add about 1.5" to the stand height of the ski. Simply using plates could make the pole effectively too short. Try to measure length while simulating stand height?the distance the sole of the foot is above the ground. Any competent shop can assist in this measurement."

Re:How long is yours?

Sat, 4 Aug 2007 15:32:51 GMT

Hmmmm? hadn't thought about the riser plate issue. My new skis have a riser plate but the old ones didn't. Perhaps I'll hold off amending the pole length until I've tried them with the skis on then????

Thanks Pavel

How long is yours?

Tue, 7 Aug 2007 11:25:03 GMT

I'm not sure how long my poles are but I know they are shorter than what they were. A ski instructor recommended that I shorten them to help keep my weight forward.