Organization: Penn State University
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 11:36:15 EST
From: <DCS4@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: misc.fitness
Subject: Noric Track question/problem/correction

I've experienced a problem recently with my Nordic Track Ski machine
-- and I may have developed a solution. I'm posting this to ask if
anyone else has experienced a similar problem or perhaps developed
alternative solutions.

I should say to begin that I am fairly new at this, having purchased
the machine used last spring (Pro model, very nice shape). I didn't
use it much over the summer, as I prefer the outdoor exercise
available. I'm 36, six feet tall, and weigh 225 pounds. I'm in fairly
decent shape. Over the summer, I had been walking three miles a night,
five nights a week.

I experimented with using the Nordic Track a bit last fall, but waited
until after the holidays to begin a regular exercise program. I'm
riding it now about 10-15 minutes a night (usually 2 kilometers,
according to the speedometer) -- five nights a week.

Here's the problem: I've found that the resistance on the skis varies,
not due to any change or problem with the flywheel mechanism, but
simply from friction where the edge of the skis rub against the side
of the frame. More specifically in my case, it is the outer edge of
the skis that rub against the inside edge of the frame.

Perhaps this has to do with an error in the way I am using the
machine, although I'm not sure what that would be, or is just a
function of the width of my stance on the skis. But I'm curious if
anyone else has experienced this problem. The previous owner indicated
it had never been a factor in his use. (Although he did suggest that
by eliminating this factor, I would be disabling an important feature
of the machine -- the "snow stuck to the bottom of the skis
simulator!")     :-)

Now, on to the temporary fix that seems to work pretty well, in case
anyone is interested in that. I don't know if this will work in the
long run or not, as I've only tested it for a few days, but it seems
fine so far.

I got a set of metal floor protection nail-on glides, the type you
tack onto the bottom of chair legs or furniture legs so they are
easier to slide around. You can find these at most any hardware of
department store. They look like big thumb tacks with cushioned rubber
backs.

Then, working from the outside of the frame, I drilled two small holes
(one on each side of the outer edge of the frame) about the same size
as the "nail" part of the glides. I also had to modify each glide a
bit by trimming off the excess rubber behind the metal glide surface,
the part intended to act as a cushion between the glide and the
furniture leg. The full thickness of that pad was a little too much to
allow the ski to be replaced in the track. The glides, of course, fit
on the inside of the frame so that the ski bumps against that single
point rather than the length of the frame, wood on wood.

With the glides in place -- only one on each side -- the motion is
smooth and the resistance is constant. So far so good.

Has anyone else observed or experienced this problem or come up with
any alternatives for eliminating the problem?   - Dave
Newsgroups: misc.fitness