In recent weeks, ProXCskiing.com has immersed in the world of rollerskiing. Today, the focus is on the poles, but do not miss the previous articles.

Other topics during our focus weeks have been: how to choose your rollerskis, rollerski pole length, boots, and equipment, Anton Karlsson’s tips on how to develop your rollerskiing, rollerski brands, and models, and if you should train on a rollerski treadmill.     

Many people install rollerski tips on the winter’s competition poles when they rollerski during summer. It has involved countless pole breaks, and it is something that gives the pole manager from Swix some goosebumps.

“When I see people skiing with Swix Triac Aero poles, I wonder if they are aware that the winter’s competition poles are not built to withstand rollerski training,” says the head of poles product development at Swix Pat Lam Thorstad to langrenn.com.

Lam Thorstad lives in Maridalen, one of Oslo’s most popular rollerski training areas, and sees crowds of people skiing with the same poles they use in the winter.

“We may not have been diligent enough to inform about the risk of using the most expensive competition poles for rollerskiing. They are simply not made for it,” says Lam Thorstad and continues:

“The lightest and most expensive poles are made of high modulus carbon, and they are very strong in the longitudinal direction but very brittle and can only withstand small shocks from the side.” 

However, this does not mean that you have to use heavy aluminum poles for rollerskiing. Special rollerski pole series have been developed and adapted for specific use. One of these is the Swix Roadline.

Lam Thorstad explains that there is a wide range of things to consider in developing rollerski poles. They are based on the same technology as longitudinal poles but have some unique properties that longitudinal poles do not have.

First, the surface is much harder. Ordinary competition poles are made for use on snow. The rollerski pole for the vast majority on asphalt.

In addition, you often come across areas with stones and gravel that can create scratches and nicks in the poles, and you can bump into curbs or get stuck in a manhole cover or other obstacles in the street. This exposes the rod to something other than what it is built for, especially regarding the shaft from the side. Therefore, the entire pole must be built in a different way than the one used on snow.

“In short, rollerski poles are more resistant to impact,” says Lam Thorstad.

The rollerski poles are based on the same properties that create a good winter pole, i.e., they should be light, stiff, and strong, have a good pendulum movement, and give a good response from the ground. But should also be developed to withstand more external influences, especially from the side.

“The rollerski poles have a slightly different composition than the winter poles and a slightly different placement of carbon and reinforcements. This makes them much stronger in the summer at the same time as they are light and responsive.”

Furthermore, the rollerski poles are built to prevent strain injuries in the elbows and shoulders, which many people have problems on rollerskis rather than on snow.

“In addition, the rollerski poles dampen every blow you make to the asphalt. In short, the rollerski pole is gentler on your body. If you are going to use your winter poles for rollerskiing, do not use the most expensive carbon poles,” concludes Lam Thorstad.

Another difference with the rollerski poles compared to the winter variant is that the tips and basket are built in a different way. The tip must be sharper to provide a good grip, and no need for a basket as there is no snow in which the pole can sink.

But even if the tips of rollerski poles are more robust than those for winter use, they sometimes break. Skiers can wear out many rollerski tips during the season. Previously, changing tips was a small challenge, but after the TBS system, you do not need glue, tools, and a heat gun to change the tips.

Do not forget that the rollerski tips must be kept sharp for them to provide a good pole grip. Over time, the tips become rounded and must then be sharpened. It is easily fixed with a file or a diamond stone, or you can check with a sports shop if they can help you.