According to maintenance professionals
Bottomline, located in Nerima, Tokyo, is a pro shop that opened in 2004 and has been tuning up skis for over 15 years. It has maintained the beloved skis of countless skiers and snowboarders. When
the owner, Tomoyuki Tabata, looks at the skis brought into the shop, he thinks:
"This scratch here means there is still room for improvement in my riding technique..."
"With this edge, it's hard to enjoy the good points of this board..."
"Why did you choose this board?"
And so on.
Just by looking at the board, it is clear what kind of riding the rider is aiming for and how they ride. And it also gives a clear picture of the problems that the rider is facing with their skis. That is why there are things that
Tabata wants to communicate to users. He has even set up , where he serves customers freshly ground, authentic coffee and talks about all sorts of things while tuning up their skis. For users, these can be stimulating stories, specialized knowledge they didn't know about, or ways of thinking that give them a new perspective.
So, we moved the cafe space to STEEP for a while and asked Tabata to talk about how
"if you knew a little more about these things, skiing would be even more fun. You'd be able to ski even better and more comfortably."
The first topic, Topic_1, is
"Choosing skis before the season starts - for those who are thinking about buying skis."
Tabata shares his tips for skiers who want to go backcountry (BC) or ski better in powder, but don't know what kind of skis to get.
If you're looking to ski powder, backcountry skiing, or freeride, here are some in mind ...
Foreign brands are designed for larger Westerners
When choosing skis, there's one thing I always think about. Ski shops carry a lot of foreign brands. It's especially important to note that skis from German, Austrian, American, and other foreign brands, including fat skis, are primarily designed for their home country or the larger European and American markets. In other words, they're designed for larger Westerners. So
, even if you think, "I'm 188cm tall and can go fast," based on the length, you won't be able to push off the skis. It's only natural that skis designed for someone 190cm tall and weighing 80-90kg won't be able to push off the skis properly, since Japanese people, whose average builds aren't that big, would be unable to do so. If you choose skis based solely on length, brand, or width, you won't be able to ride them properly. You can ride them, but you won't get the full enjoyment out of them. So it's important to pay close attention to these factors when buying.
Around 170cm tall and weighing 60-70kg, the most common height for Japanese men, is roughly the size of a large foreign woman. So, women's skis might be a viable option. They might even be easier to ride. When choosing boards, it's better to talk to the shop staff about it, rather than just choosing men's boards if you're a man or women's boards if you're a woman.
Let's say there are three lengths: 170, 180, and 190. You'd better estimate the height of the Westerners who are the target of these lengths. In other words, 190 is for the largest men overseas, the ones who can go the fastest
I think many people in Japan tend to choose skis that are over-specced. They tend to think that longer skis are better for powder, but that's not necessarily the case. 180cm is average for skis overseas, and 170cm is for petite people. If you think that the longer the ski, the more float you'll have, you should take a step back and think about it
As a result, with a backcountry ski, it's easier to handle tight boards in trees and other places, making for a fun and comfortable ride. It's a good idea to discuss this with the staff at the ski shop. Don't get distracted by the brand or length, but make sure to consider your physique
In addition to your body weight, the weight of your backpack is also a factor, but needless to say, the most important thing is to balance it with the maneuverability of the board
Slopes or mountains?
The other choice is whether to ride on the slopes or in the mountains.
It's a common story, but if you test ride on the slopes, you can ride boards that are long, stiff, and heavy thanks to the lifts. If you buy a board that works well, but then go to a backcountry, you'll find it's a pain. You'll have
to climb with your gear and use your strength to ski down slopes with various snow conditions. The top might be powder, but from the middle to the bottom, it's crusty and bumpy. Dealing with all these different conditions puts a strain on your body. Considering the fatigue of hiking up and the experience of skiing, choosing a model that you think will be good for the slopes will end up being overkill.
So, if you're primarily going to be riding in the mountains, it's okay to go down a size. Maybe a smaller length or a softer flex. In any case, if you don't buy boards with the expectation of not being on the slopes in mind, you're likely to end up with a disappointing result. "It worked great on the slopes, but when I got to the mountains, I went too fast and couldn't ski the way I wanted. Regret!"
If you're a first-time backcountry adventurer,
If you're new to backcountry skiing, it's fine to buy new skis for backcountry skiing, but it's also a good idea to start with what you already have. If you're not familiar with the equipment, you won't be able to use new skis on the mountain. Unless you're using skis for racing, I think it's a good idea to try going to backcountry skiing with your own skis first.
Trying to carry your skis on snowshoes will help you understand a lot and what you need. For example, you might think, "Skiing skis are really heavy, so maybe I should buy skis with climbing hardware." You
don't have to start with backcountry skis, so why not ask the guide the first time? For example, "My skis are carving skis with a waist size of a certain number of millimeters. Can I still join the tour with these?"
And if you decide to buy new skis, it's a good idea to tell the shop about your experience, the type of skiing you've done up until now, the type of terrain you want to ski, your physique, and your physical strength. It's a good idea to choose a shop that's willing to listen to your advice.
And if you get new skis, make sure you practice on the slopes first to get your body used to them. You never know what's going to happen on the mountain. There's a chance you might not be able to ride them properly, so it's best to break them in thoroughly on the slopes. There are a lot of people who neglect this step. If you come to the mountain and say, "Today's the first time I'm putting them on, I need to put the stickers on," it's bound to be a struggle, no fun, and dangerous
What I feel most is that skis are a vehicle. Do you want to ride around town or off-road? If you think of skis like choosing a car, you can get an idea of what kind of skis are best for you
Skiing is a vehicle
In racing, skis are often said to be a material, but for me, it's more accurate to call them a "vehicle." Skis transport us to the vast, silvery white wilderness and allow us to encounter landscapes we've never seen before.
In that sense, they are a vehicle, but the important thing is where you're going, how you want to ride, and how you want to use them, so I think they're just like cars. Do you want to ride them around town or off-road? Do you want to use them just for shopping or for everything? Do you want them to be maneuverable, or big and sturdy? Or what kind of trip do you want to take?
If you choose your skis in the same way you would a car, I think it'll be easier to imagine what kind of board you want.
The first one is..
It's good to have one bike with a waist of around 90mm. Imagine a 4WD like a station wagon. It can handle slightly rough roads and can carry luggage. It's an all-around bike that can handle even slightly bumpy terrain, and it can also carry luggage. If you have one of these mid-fat bikes, you can use it on the slopes and in the mountains
A waist size of 100mm or more is like the trendy SUVs of today, and anything over 120mm is like an even more powerful SUV, like a Jeep or Land Cruiser, an off-road 4WD that can even drive in the desert. With that in mind, a 90mm range that handles both on and off roads is recommended as your first vehicle
If you don't do switches, the tail doesn't need to be raised. A slight kick is fine, but the tail should be straight and rocker isn't necessary.
Related articles you might want to read
If you have a beloved car, there are some things you need to do to make it more comfortable and safe to drive. What do you think they are? Let's think about it in terms of the three basic functions of a car: running, stopping, and turning
The basic functions of a car are "running, stopping, and turning." If these functions are not functioning properly and the car is jerky, it will not function properly
Wax needed for good running
In terms of "running," what skis need to run well is wax. It's like engine oil in a car. Since you're not racing, there's no need to put in high-quality engine oil. It's important to change the oil regularly and keep the engine running smoothly. It
's the same with skis; you don't need to apply special wax; just regularly apply a basic wax that's suited to the temperature range. When the base becomes white and flaky after skiing, in a car has run out and burned. Wax is also there to protect the base. When the wax runs out, the base is exposed, increasing friction with the snow. This prevents the skis from running smoothly.
If you can't stop properly, you can't ensure safety
If the edges are rounded, you won't be able to stop on icy surfaces. When you think about the basic performance of a car, it's the edges that control the braking part of stopping.
Just as a car with ineffective brakes is dangerous, skis with ineffective edges are extremely dangerous. It's fine if you're only dealing with fresh snow, but there are all kinds of snow types on slopes and backcountry ski slopes. If the edges aren't properly functional, you won't be able to stop properly. Brakes must be maintained.
What you need to "bend" as you want
When it comes to turning, the relationship between the edge and the running surface comes into play. A car's steering wheel has just the right amount of play; without it, you have to hold the wheel tightly all the time, which is very tiring. Racing cars have no play, and cornering is done very strictly. That's because racing is an extreme world where you compete for time. But a passenger car can't run properly without play
If you don't leave some play in the shape of the edges of the skis and the base, you won't be able to handle various turns, and if there is play, it will be easier to ski on various runs
If you angle the edges, especially the base edge, you can give the skis some play in the steering, making it easier to turn. When you buy new skis, the edges are usually 90 degrees and flat. They still move and turn, but to make it easier to turn, you need to give them some play in the steering. Getting the shape right for you will make it easier to turn comfortably. However, it can be a little difficult to do on your own. It's best to have this angle adjusted at a tuning shop.
To ensure the three functions of running, stopping and turning are performed properly
Running, stopping, and turning are the basics of a vehicle. It's important to do these three things well. Of these, waxing your car's oil change is something you can do yourself. Ask a professional for tips on how to do it well
While it's possible to adjust the braking and edges yourself, you'll need specialized tuning equipment and tools. Adjusting the relationship between the base and edges for turning is best left to the pros. When doing so, you need to clearly communicate how you plan to play. Otherwise, it will end up being difficult to turn.
Tuning allows you to ride your ski the way you want, making it safer, more fun, and more likely to make you want to go skiing.
Comparing it to a car makes it easier to understand, as there are many overlapping areas.
Starting in the next topic, Topic_2, I'll be discussing waxing, waxing methods, edge handling, the relationship with the base, and tuning based on your riding style, all of which are related to "running, stopping, and turning."
bottomline
http://bottom-line.jp
"The reason we named the shop 'bottomline' is to evoke the image of a 'top-to-bottom' gliding line, and also because we wanted to create a shop for everyday users, including those at the bottom, rather than a shop for top athletes pursuing their skills. Like a local bike shop, we'd like to continue listening to the sound of your engine and asking questions like, 'Could this be the reason it's not working properly?' so that everyone can ride comfortably."
Profile:
Tomoyuki Tabata
Born in Chiba Prefecture in 1967. In the late 90s, he worked at a ski shop in Jiyugaoka. He then learned TUNE-UP and opened a shop called "bottomline" in 2004, combining the two.
The person who taught me : Tomoyuki Tabata (bottomline) Composition: STEEP Editorial Department