Finding Balance on the Ice: A Review of the Cádomotus Balance
When it comes to speed skating, balance is everything. A technically sound skater will always outperform someone with less technique—that's a given. The Cádomotus Balance promises improved balance, enhanced technique, and as a bonus, increased speed and skating enjoyment. Here's how the Balance performed on three very different ice rinks.
As a pure, yet dedicated enthusiast, I skate my laps on the Vechtsebanen in Utrecht. For years, I've been skating a marathon every Sunday evening on my home rink, with regular trips to one of the other six rinks in our region. With several natural ice classics, Alternative Eleven Cities tours, and a dozen Dutch Championships under my belt, I can look back on some great experiences. As a skater, I'm always looking to improve: physically, tactically, but especially technically. Because I'm a pure power skater, I'm always at risk of neglecting technique. This leads to sloppy skating, which isn't helpful in a race over 70 laps or more.
Testing on endurance, corners, and speed
I decided to test the Cádomotus Balance on three different ice rinks, each with its own type of ice: Leisure World in Dronten, Triavium in Nijmegen, and the Uithof in The Hague. After a somewhat complicated route to the middle of the rink in Nijmegen due to corona measures, I decided to put on my old skates first. That would probably feel more familiar and make the comparison fairer.
After half an hour on my trusty skates, I felt ready to switch. The Balance felt a bit unfamiliar at first. It felt like the blades were sticking to the ice, and I wondered if this was normal. I started with a steady pace to get a feel for the skates. I immediately noticed that the lateral pressure was much greater than I was used to. The skate almost seemed to have a mind of its own, but in a good way: straight ahead.
Enforcing the correct skating posture
In the corners, I was surprised and almost slid out. The skate is so stable that a small mistake in posture sends you wide. I had to adjust quickly and found that by keeping my shoulder in, I could corner much better. The technical block of 10 laps gave me a good feeling, although I felt like I was going slower. However, when I checked my lap times, I was pleasantly surprised: I was significantly faster. The increased pressure allows for a lower cadence, making me more efficient.
More confidence through better cornering technique
But anyone can drive a Ferrari if you don't go too fast. So it was time to push it. I approached each corner at a higher speed, trying to accelerate as much as possible. This proved to be more challenging than I expected. The high stiffness of the skate made it difficult to build up a high cadence. However, when I managed to get up to speed, I felt more stable and could lean into the corners more aggressively.
On the fast ice of Leisure World Dronten
The ice in Dronten is much faster than in Nijmegen, making cornering even more interesting. The acceleration is even greater in Dronten, and I could feel how I could control my push-off very precisely. The skate almost dictated the movement. The corners were also better, and I felt much more confident.
On the rough ice of The Hague's Uithof
The transition from the smooth ice of Dronten to the rough ice of The Hague was significant. The ice was rough and after an hour, it was quite worn. This was the perfect test to see how the skate would handle rough conditions. I found that the skate was very stable and didn't get caught in the grooves.
Conclusion
The Cádomotus Balance is a skate that, in my opinion, makes you a better skater. It's a skate that doesn't forgive mistakes, but it rewards good technique. Personally, I found the acceleration in the corners a bit challenging, but the overall stability and control were excellent. The skate forces you into a better posture, which leads to more speed and efficiency.
