I have been going roller blading on the local bike path for a few months now. Maybe 5 miles each time, a few times a week. I have some adequate skates but I really don't know a thing about brands or quality, what should I be looking for? I think with the distances, the harder, larger wheels will be better for me and ceramic bearings seem to be a good upgrade. Any pointers?
This is just leisure activity but I am gravitating towards the faster side and away from the comfortable side.
Dont listen to these asshats. Most of them arent coordinated enough to walk from their keyboard masterbatoriums to the fridge without wheezing. There is no way most of these fucks could stay upright on skates, much less go anywhere on them. Ive been on skates (ice and inline) and playing hockey most of my life and here is my 2 cents. If you are skating outside dont waste your money on expensive bearings, the sand and dirt outside is hard on them and they wont last. Best bang for your buck is ebay ceramics, they are cheap as hell and will last a long time. You can usually pick a set up for around $40. Ignore all of the ABEC rating shit, its marketing wank. ABEC rating typically deals with lateral load tolerances on a bearing and for skate purposes it is nearly irrelevant. A single 608 bearing has a weight load higher than your average skaters weight, there are eight per skate, and the bearings are captured in a frame and wheel so the lateral load is minimal. The most important part of skates is the boot. If its not comfortable your day is going to suck. In the hockey world (ice and roller) you can heat the skate boot at low temps in the oven and strap them on as tight as you can to form fit them. Pretty much minimal break in time. Avoid skates that have a lot of plastic on them, straps and buckles WILL break. Lace up is always better. Look for a pair with an aluminum chassis that holds the wheels. They are lighter and more durable. HARD wheels. Wheels have a durometer (hardness) rating on them. For outside you want around an 80a hardness wheel. Best advice is to get a set of inline hockey skates, they are built way better and are far more comfortable. Only drawback for rec skating is hockey skates dont have a brake on the back. But in my opinion you should know how to stop skates without a brake. On the brake subject I agree with most of the lazy uncoordinated degenerates on here. Brakes are for fags.....
TheGenitalGiant 7 points 2.9 years ago
Dont listen to these asshats. Most of them arent coordinated enough to walk from their keyboard masterbatoriums to the fridge without wheezing. There is no way most of these fucks could stay upright on skates, much less go anywhere on them. Ive been on skates (ice and inline) and playing hockey most of my life and here is my 2 cents. If you are skating outside dont waste your money on expensive bearings, the sand and dirt outside is hard on them and they wont last. Best bang for your buck is ebay ceramics, they are cheap as hell and will last a long time. You can usually pick a set up for around $40. Ignore all of the ABEC rating shit, its marketing wank. ABEC rating typically deals with lateral load tolerances on a bearing and for skate purposes it is nearly irrelevant. A single 608 bearing has a weight load higher than your average skaters weight, there are eight per skate, and the bearings are captured in a frame and wheel so the lateral load is minimal. The most important part of skates is the boot. If its not comfortable your day is going to suck. In the hockey world (ice and roller) you can heat the skate boot at low temps in the oven and strap them on as tight as you can to form fit them. Pretty much minimal break in time. Avoid skates that have a lot of plastic on them, straps and buckles WILL break. Lace up is always better. Look for a pair with an aluminum chassis that holds the wheels. They are lighter and more durable. HARD wheels. Wheels have a durometer (hardness) rating on them. For outside you want around an 80a hardness wheel. Best advice is to get a set of inline hockey skates, they are built way better and are far more comfortable. Only drawback for rec skating is hockey skates dont have a brake on the back. But in my opinion you should know how to stop skates without a brake. On the brake subject I agree with most of the lazy uncoordinated degenerates on here. Brakes are for fags.....