The Madshus Nano 186, SC, and Classic for 2010
Thu, Mar 26, 2009 - By Mark Waechter
The Madshus Nanosonic was a big hit this year, and for 2009-2010 the skis will remain unchanged.
The same, but with a difference: Nano 186
The Nanosonic is unchanged, but there’s a catch. Nordic Ultratune will be receiving a limited number of the “Nanosonic 186”, which has previously been available only as non-catalog skis for racers (read: a world cup ski).
The Nanosonic 186 is a “hardpack” version of the very popular Nano-SC. The 186 has the nearly straight sidecut of the SC, but has the firmer camber characteristics of the Nanosonic Hardpack (HP).
The camber characteristics can be compared as follows: The SC has a high, active camber with a resting camber (no load) height of about 30mm. The Nano 186 has a resting camber of around 25mm, but has a more progressive spring rate and final closure is somewhat hard. In addition, the stiffness in the back half of the ski is noticeably firmer on the 186 compared to the SC. The camber in the front of the ski – tip flex and front compression progression – is almost identical on the two ski versions.
The Nano 186 is a little different in the tip, with a flatter, trimmed tip that reduces swing weight.
For skiers who use the Nano SC as their “all-around” ski, the 186 with have a very similar feel since it has the same waist dimensions.
Nanosonic Skate Skis
The Nanosonic skate skis will be available as follows:
- The “SC”, which Madshus calls as soft-conditions ski, but which I think is a great all-arounder. It has less side-cut (44-43-44) and feels really good under foot.
- Special Availability – Nanosonic 186. Camber of the HP, but same sidewall dimensions as the “SC” (44-43-44).
The all-around ski is the SC, which skis beautifully in conditions ranging from soft new snow to very firm conditions. Adding the Nano-186 as a second ski for firm to very-firm conditions is an excellent choice.
I’m using a 195cm Nano SC with reserve camber of about 0.2 mm, and flattening at 105% of body weight.
I think the shape of the SC ski really handles nicely and is particularly smooth at rolling edge to edge. Anyone who uses the outside edge of the ski with a V2 or V2-alt will really like the way these skis ride.
Jeremy Teela reached the Podium at the Biathlon World Cup at Whistler! Here, he’s standing with his Nano-186 skate skis. ( Photo: Peter Hale)
Nanosonic Classic Skis
I like the “plus” version of the classic ski. It has a little bit higher and more active camber. Fit, of course, is the key to getting a ski that kicks well. A well-fit ski of this version kicks nicely and will have room for a bit of klister, so it’ll make a great all-around classic ski. The bit of sidecut, and a not-too-soft tip make this ski a good handler on the descents, too. Like the skate skis, the Madshus classic skis are really nicely matched, ski-to-ski, so good pairs are the norm.
The skate and classic skis are extremely well matched (i.e. both skis in a pair are “the same”). Also, Madshus has done a great job preparing the bases – they’re flat and easy to tune. The factory structure is still a bit too coarse – in my opinion – for racing in most conditions, but a grind will make them race ready. If you’d like a pair hand-picked for you, drop me a line. They’re priced at $598.
