Jenex Aero 100SR Skating�Rollerski

Rollerski Review

Mon, Nov  28, 2005 - By Mike Muha

Dick Fultz from the Cross Country Ski Shop in Grayling had another pair of rollerskis for me to try this summer after the Michigan Cup Committee meeting ended: a pair of Jenex Aero 100SR Skates. I only skied on them once, but was able to roll over a variety of pavement, some smooth, some rough, and climb and descend a little. Overall, the rollerski was very stable, balanced and predictable - excellent qualities for a rollerski!

It's the Wheels

The 100SR have a 100mm diameter wheel - the same diameter of the wheels on the Pro-Ski S3, Ski Skett Skate, or the Elpex F1, but the similarity ends there. Whereas the S3 and F1 wheels are solid rubber and 22mm wide, the 25mm wide 100SR wheels have a microcellular tube that is supposed to act like a pneumatic tire but does not need to be pumped up. The wheel has a special split rim that squeezes the the tube and tire, essentially creating the internal pressure in the tube.

Unlike the Jenex Aero 150 and 125 wheels, these new wheels will not go flat.

Wheel Wear

Obviously, I did not have a chance to wear out the wheels. Initial comments from the field are that the wheels wear quickly. If you have a pair of 100SR's and want to share your wheel wear experiences, send me an e-mail!

No Fenders

I wish Jenex would put fenders on their rolleskis. If you've ever been out in the rain, you know that fenderless rollerskis simply funnel water to your leg and down into your ski boots. The 100SR does not have fenders. If you only ski in fair weather, then no problem. Or make your own rollerski fenders.

Skiing on the 100SR's

There was no learning curve on the 100SR's: I put them on and they felt completely natural on my feet. The skied in a totally straight line, felt solid and neutral under my feet, and were very stable. I think the stability comes from the extra three millimeters in width the 100SR has over the Pro-Ski S3, Ski Skett, or Elpex F1. The stability is better than Jenex's Aero 125 and much better then the Aero 150.

The skis felt heavier than the S3, Skett or F1 - probably because of the wider wheels. The 100SR also has a longer frame. I looked around for their weight on the Jenex site but couldn't find a reference - just a statement that they are 18 grams heavier than the Jenex 800-series. But I could not find weights for the 800-series either.

If you're expecting the comfy ride that characterizes the Jenex Aero 150's or even the 125's, your expectations will not be met. These skis are for smoother pavement - just as Jenex recommends. I did ski over several lengths of rough pavement and definitely felt it. The 100SR felt perhaps a little rougher than the Pro-Ski, Ski Skett or Eplex, but nowhere near as rough as smaller diameter wheeled rollerski like the old Jenex 800-Series.

I was able to snowplow on the 100SR - always a good thing when you're on a hill heading down toward a stop sign. Just jump into the snowplow (WIDE legs) well before you pick up any speed.

Fortunately, the 100SR takes Jenex's Universal Brake - a really nicely designed speed reducer.

Bottom Line

Pluses. Much better stability than either the Aero 150's or 125's, and more stable than the slew of 100 x 22 mm wheeled rollerskis out there. Can use the Universal Brake. Can't get flats.

Minuses. Rumors of poor wheel wear. Slightly heavier than the 100 x 22mm wheeled rollerskis.

This is a nice rollerski for folks who want a little more stability than found on the skinnier 22mm wide rollerskis, and who train mainly on smooth pavement. With the Universal Brake, you can also be pretty fearless on the downhills.