Keeping Extruded Bases Fast

No.Quarter

No.Quarter

Active member
I love my Surface One Lifes to death, except I hate how slow they are. I have been waxing doing a good brush job for every ski day, but they will continually slow down as the day goes on. I forgot to wax one day before I skied and I was making my friends have to wait for me while I skated along Winter Park's endless catwalks and traverses.

Should I invest in a hand-held base structuring device like this one? I have repaired a quite few base scratches this season and there are many spots on my bases where there is definitely no structure whatsoever.

http://www.slidewright.com/skivisions-ski-base-flattener-and-structuring-tool.php

Also related to my One Lifes, should I be beveling the base edge? I have been using a 0x0 degree base and side edge bevel this season because I don't have a beveler, but that structuring tool recommends a base bevel so that the edges don't damage the stones. So if I do get that structuring tool, should I/what degree bevel should I use since the Surfaces have such a short contact point.
 
OP, this is really a problem with extruded bases. They do not absorb wax, so all your waxing is in vain honestly. The best way to keep them gliding as best they can is to rub Maxi Glide on them. It is marketed to XC skis but it works on any extruded gliding surface. The only down side is that it lasts a couple of runs. When you get new skis, make sure they have sintered bases.
 
There are several companies that make re-structuring tools (Holmenkol has several versions), the Nordic guys do this all the time depending on conditions. Not sure how much an extruded base will hold or take a structure though.
 
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