Return of the Clap

100/110 HiLo CadoMotus Clap Frames
Skaters can expect to experience smoother, more natural movement mechanics. Plantar flexion of the foot using a clap mechanism extends push length without having to sit deeper 'in the position' - resulting in reduced fatigue, the ability to sit higher when pacing in the group, and more effective straightline strokes when sprinting.

The HiLo format results in a lower forefoot deck height for stability and control, while benefiting from the roll of 110mm wheels and maintaining standard pitch (important if you wish to maintain the benefits of your existing, trained, 'neutral' skating position).

Expect to hear more about the NORDIC 100 and 110 frames as Nordic Bladers get their first real Nordic frames, and Speed Skaters approach the 2007 European Season with 110mm wheels a permitted marathon material.

Speed Skaters: Want 110mm speed with the stability, control and acceleration of a HiLo skate? 13.2-inch power and straightline speed, together with a clap mechanism on the front wheels for added push extension and effectiveness. The new NORDIC 110 is your frame. See it here >>. Also, there's the NORDIC HILO 100: A frame specifically designed for Nordic Blading and featuring a front-end clap mechanism operating two 90mm wheels, with two 100mm wheels on the fixed rear of the frame for optimum roll. The 12.8inch NORDIC 100 brings the best of clap and HiLo configurations together in one skate - optimized for Nordic Blading. The NORDIC HILO begins with CadoMotus SemiSolid extrusion (as used in our COMP frames), and a front-end clap mechanism to allow a more free-flowing skating movement and enhanced climbing performance. The HILO design keeps the clap action light and fast, and maintains the foot in a position low over the wheels for control and stability - with the added roll of 100mm wheels under the rearfoot.

Nordic Bladers: Want climbing performance? Want smoother, more fluid strokes and full muscular recruitment to your push? Want more roll, more speed and higher performance? The NORDIC 110 is your frame. Bringing together inline skates and ski poles or "stocks" is about a natural, whole-body movement for propelling yourself along or up-and-over any paved terrain.

Climbing is a key component of Nordic Blading, and the employment of upper-body power transferred through the ski poles makes it an impressively fast means of going uphill. Clap frames represent the next logical, and biomechanically efficient step. Testing has shown that as the clap action allows for plantar flexion (movement of the foot that flexes the foot or toes downward), muscle groups and joint articulations are employed in a more natural and efficient manner - similar to the benefits realised by ice Speedskaters. The most significant benefit of the clap action however was in uphill skating, where plantar flexion allowed for an increased range of movement and employed more muscle groups for forward propulsion.

The names behind CadoMotus have four years of experience in Nordic Blading product development, running a Nordic project for a leading brand in the Cross-Country and Nordic industries. The same names that were involved in the defining stages of klapskate development for longtrack ice Speedskating, brought the knowledge of clap-blades and clap-frames to Nordic Blading, developing a true Nordic skate that was unique to an activity that had been founded on "borrowed" inline skates.