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On the Ice => The Pro Shop => Topic started by: Query on February 06, 2016, 06:31:33 PM

Title: Would longer ROH be much faster?
Post by: Query on February 06, 2016, 06:31:33 PM
I currently sharpen my blades to 3/8", because that is the ROH of the sharpening kit that I bought, and I've always loved strong edges.

Has anyone played with ROH enough to figure out whether the speed and glide improvement from switching to 7/16" (which is the most common ROH around here), 1/2" (somewhat common), or 3/4" (only a few people do this, and I'm not sure I could stand it), would be noticeable.

Any rough idea how much % improvement in speed and glide length?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Would longer ROH be much faster?
Post by: AgnesNitt on February 06, 2016, 07:00:44 PM

Speed no.
Glide extent yes.

I've been 3/8", 7/8",1/2" (now), and 3/4".

However the ROH depends also on the temperature of the ice.

I've found 1/2" to be a nice balance between freestyle and figures.

Title: Re: Would longer ROH be much faster?
Post by: sampaguita on February 07, 2016, 05:54:10 AM
I prefer a deeper ROH because I can get on an edge faster. In theory, a shallower ROH allows for a greater glide, but that advantage (in my case) can be offset by poor balance.

I use 3/8" and used to skate on 1/2" and 7/16". I switched to 3/8" when I started doing swing rolls -- and wow, did that help my edges.

By the way -- on cold ice, it's very hard to stay on an edge with a shallow ROH.
Title: Re: Would longer ROH be much faster?
Post by: icedancer on February 07, 2016, 01:08:16 PM
LONGER ROH? 

Don't you mean deeper or shallower?

It all probably depends on the skater and the ice surface quality and temperature.
Title: Re: Would longer ROH be much faster?
Post by: tstop4me on February 07, 2016, 02:17:00 PM
Quote from: icedancer on February 07, 2016, 01:08:16 PM
LONGER ROH? 

Don't you mean deeper or shallower?

It all probably depends on the skater and the ice surface quality and temperature.

Technically OK.  ROH = radius of hollow.  Radius is characterized by a length.  Though "larger" and "smaller" are probably more common terms than "longer" and "shorter" in this context.  It is the hollow itself (not the ROH) that is shallower or deeper.

"longer (larger) ROH" --> shallower hollow; "shorter (smaller) ROH" --> deeper hollow

<<Edited for further clarification.>>
Title: Re: Would longer ROH be much faster?
Post by: icedancer on February 07, 2016, 02:21:12 PM
Quote from: tstop4me on February 07, 2016, 02:17:00 PM
Technically OK.  ROH = radius of hollow.  Radius is characterized by a length.
"longer ROH" --> shallower hollow; "shorter ROH" --> deeper hollow

Exactly.  That is why I was questioning the original poster's title for this post. 
Title: Re: Would longer ROH be much faster?
Post by: Query on February 08, 2016, 10:44:11 PM
"Longer ROH" means longer radius of hollow = less curved = shallower.

Longer is supposed to be faster. Flat faster still, according to the speed skating community.
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