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Bike:
Waxing Guide
In your store’s kick wax display you’ve got "natural" corks and "synthetic" corks...what is the difference?
True, this is not a frequently asked question, but it might be asked someday, and if you read onward, you may be prepared to answer it! First of all, "corks" are used by Classical Nordic Skiers to smooth kick wax in the "wax pocket" on the base of their skis. The purpose of a cork is to create enough friction to melt the wax that was crudely crayoned on into a long-lasting glassy sheen.
A natural cork actually comes from a certain kind of Oak tree of European origin, whereas synthetic corks are a petroleum product. So it's much like being asked, "Paper or plastic?" at the check out line. Synthetic corks tend to work better because they are able to more easily generate friction. But some folks like to do things the old fashion way, and so we have both. If you’ve read this far, it is probably 3 a.m. on some humid mid-July morning…go back to sleep.
| Natural Cork | Synthetic Cork |
