Rollerblades

[metallicat]

I have been wanting some rollerblades for awhile, so I went looking today. I went to only two stores, and didn't trust the help I got from them. Frankly, I am not going to trust the opinion of a teenager when it comes to something like this. I am not trying to offend anyone with that comment, but I would prefer to get more of an expert opinion.

I want them mostly for riding on the sidewalks, or on city trails in the river valley. Should I be buying hockey skate type blades, or regular rollerblades? What is a good and reliable brand name? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks,.

[calf]

The regular style are best for sidewalk/trail rollerblading - can still play hockey in them (a little bit - it's tougher than if you had the hockey style ones), but they're designed for what you're going to do. K2 is a really good brand.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Originally posted by calf@Jul 24 2005, 03:20 PM
The regular style are best for sidewalk/trail rollerblading - can still play hockey in them (a little bit - it's tougher than if you had the hockey style ones), but they're designed for what you're going to do. K2 is a really good brand.

Agreed with calf.

I worked at Sport Mart for 2 and a half years, and those were the best blades by far.

They are a bit pricey, but make friends with someone that works at Sport Mart and you can get them at just a bit more than cost.

[sebbie]

2 things u wanna do before u buy a pair of blades is

1: spin the wheels, if they stop under 30 seconds pass on them. crappy bearings are gonna make it a work out instead of fun

2: wear them in the store for about 10 minutes, if they hurt your feet dont buy.

[Prototype]

Understand the ABEC rating of bearings. The boot is designed for comfot and support, but a pair of inline skates can get away from you if you don't choose the right bearings.

I wouldn't reccomend anything under ABEC 3, cause those are primaraly on kiddie skates. If you consider yourself a rookie inline skater, look at 3... or maybe 5. If you've been inline skating for a while, and are comfortable... 5 is a good bet. 7s are for those who know what they are doing, and are able to control and enjoy speed. I bought 7s when I worked at Sportchek and I learned quickly that I should have purchased ABEC 5s.

Bearings and wheels are really the only thing on inline skates that you can upgrade and downgrade, so I agree that you should find a comfortable boot first and foremost. Then look at wheels and bindings.

And when you buy your skates, take good care of your bindings so that you don't have to replace them as often.

[sebbie]

agree with prottotype about the bearings, u can change them but they will cost you in the the 60 to 100 dollar range if your gonna upgrade. i have 7's and they are pretty damn fast, if u do get sevens then look into learning how to brake without using your heel brake. things like snow plow, hockey stops and toe braking.


heres a decent link to help u out with learning to rollerblade. http://web.skatefaq.com:81/

it also has a " buying guide for inline skates". i havent read it but you may want to give it a shot.

[ratech]

Are you coming out of the closet?

[sebbie]

you talkin to me ratech? if so, no i like it here, its cozzy in this closet.

[metallicat]

About the gay stuff...I stopped worrying about perception and image after graduated high school. If rollerblading makes me gay, then I guess I'm gay!

Thanks for the tips though...these are things that I didn't know. I am glad I didn't buy a pair today.

[Shawnski]

<shuddering as he helps a bloody Oilers fan>

Have to concur with the K2 group. Loved them. Put about 2700 miles in one year on a pair several moons ago. VERY comfortable, durable, and fast. I got the higher end model, can't remember which one now.

Lost 65 pounds in five months.. blew my knee out skiing that year, haven't bladed much since and now... back where I was.

[SoulOfTheFlame]

Originally posted by calf@Jul 24 2005, 02:20 PM
The regular style are best for sidewalk/trail rollerblading - can still play hockey in them (a little bit - it's tougher than if you had the hockey style ones), but they're designed for what you're going to do. K2 is a really good brand.

Also bought some K2's. Very impressed so far, but had to pay around 200$ for them.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Woah... lets not get too carried away with focus on ABEC ratings. These ratings are more for extremely high speed motors and devices. Unless you're rolling at about 320mph the differance between ABEC 5 and 7 is negligable(Heck even 1 to 5 is not a difference you should really notice on recreational skates)

The spin test really isn't a great indicator of how well you'll roll. The grit you get in your bearings will quickly negate any differernce in ABEC 5's.

If you really want to get some speed out of your skates, they type of bearing lube you use makes a difference. Oil will be faster than grease, but oil needs more maintenance.

Do some googling on how to service your bearings, its easy to do and will keep your ABEC 1's spinning better than unserviced ABEC 5's.