Steel Questions

[jsykes 35]

Trying to understand something here.

From my understanding, the only thing that differentiates the LS2.1 and the LS2 steel is that the 2.1 is an 11 ft radius and the 2 is a 9 ft radius. Is that right?

If so, I'm reading in the 2010 catalog, they are keeping the 2.1 steel and in the specs it says its a 9 ft radius, however "Longer runner increases blade-ice contact time to lengthen power stride."

So I'm wondering, how it can be the same radius at the LS2 steel, however, still be "longer."

Is it a physically longer runner that somehow fits into the same holder? Is it like having a longer holder on a skate while using the same radius?

I guess, if they're the same radius, why the two runners? Also, if I buy replacement 2.1 steel for a One95, it sounds as if it will be a different radius and I'll need to re-profile one of them to the other to match them up.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

[tt350z 0]

Trying to understand something here.

From my understanding, the only thing that differentiates the LS2.1 and the LS2 steel is that the 2.1 is an 11 ft radius and the 2 is a 9 ft radius. Is that right?

The 2.1 is slightly longer with a 11 ft radius

If so, I'm reading in the 2010 catalog, they are keeping the 2.1 steel and in the specs it says its a 9 ft radius, however "Longer runner increases blade-ice contact time to lengthen power stride."

So I'm wondering, how it can be the same radius at the LS2 steel, however, still be "longer."

Simple, ask yourself this. What's longer a 1 ft long steel with a 9 ft radius (LS2) or a 2 ft long steel with 9 ft radius (LS2.1)? Yes I grossly over exaggerated the size so it's easy to see.

Is it a physically longer runner that somehow fits into the same holder? Is it like having a longer holder on a skate while using the same radius?

Only the part that fits in the holder need to be the same size. The bottom half doesn't have that constraint.

Not quite using a longer holder on a boot. The holder has to fit inside the dimensions of the boot. Just imagine a size 6 holder in a size 12 boot.

More like allowing a size 7 boot/holder steel on a size 6 boot/holder while allowing the holder to fit.

I guess, if they're the same radius, why the two runners? Also, if I buy replacement 2.1 steel for a One95, it sounds as if it will be a different radius and I'll need to re-profile one of them to the other to match them up.

Two different length runner with the same radius is for preference I suppose.

Anyone have thoughts on this?

[jsykes 35]

Thanks, for the response, I guess I'm just trying to figure out what is up with the 2010 stuff compared to the older stuff.

I guess I question how much longer the runner can be if it fits in the same holder? We've got to be talking about an 1/16 of an inch or something there and it seems that if its the same radius, its not offering all that.

Simple, ask yourself this. What's longer a 1 ft long steel with a 9 ft radius (LS2) or a 2 ft long steel with 9 ft radius (LS2.1)? Yes I grossly over exaggerated the size so it's easy to see.

I know what you're trying to say, but if the radius is the same, it doesnt matter how long the piece of steel is, its still only going to have the same amount of steel in contact with the ice at a time. The longer one just means that there is more steel on either side of what is touching the ice. So all the longer steel does is make for more material and a heavier runner. 9 ft radius is a 9 foot radius regardless of if its on a 263 piece of steel or a 288 piece.

That said, what is the benefit of a longer runner, if the radius is the same? Why do some people put a longer holder on a skate (if the boot has room)? What is the benefit of this?

In the case of an 11ft radius, you have more steel in contact with the ice and therefore have the benefits of the longer radius, more steel to push off with, etc, etc.

So what I"m trying to wrap my head around here, is why have a "longer" steel with the same radius, I dont see a benefit to this.

I guess the final thing is that if I have a One95 runner and buy a 2010 replacement, one has to be re-profiled for them to match.

That is, unless the 9ft radius for the 2.1 steel in the 2010 catalog is just a misprint, maybe someone can verify that or not.

[SolarWind 23]

for what it's worth:

I have 3 sets of steel - STEP, LS2 & LS2.1 all same size 280 & profiled @ 9" neutral

I rotate them all the time & personally can't feel any difference when switching between "longer" & "shorter" steel

also I heard more then once that LS2.1 was a "gimmick" because none of the "longer" parts were actually touching the ice.

[jsykes 35]

for what it's worth:

I have 3 sets of steel - STEP, LS2 & LS2.1 all same size 280 & profiled @ 9" neutral

I rotate them all the time & personally can't feel any difference when switching between "longer" & "shorter" steel

Thanks for that info.

also I heard more then once that LS2.1 was a "gimmick" because none of the "longer" parts were actually touching the ice.

See, that is what it seems like to me. A 9 ft radius will only put so much steel on the ice, regardless of how long the piece of metal is. Now the 2.1 with a different radius makes sense, but if the new 2.1 is the same radius, doesnt seem to make much.

[iceholes19 0]

For what it's worth, my understanding of the benefit of the longer runner is that even though there will be the same

amount of steel contacting the ice along the working part of the runner (i.e. the middle) the more steel on the front

and rear parts will affect top speed because you will have more contact with the ice as you're finishing your stride

(toe flick) and going through turns with your weight on your heels. Think about how the clap skate revolutionized

speed skating because the hinged blade kept the blade in contact with the ice longer.