SK8 GYM highly recommend buying rollerblades in person rather than online. There can be discrepancies in sizing between brands and versus your shoe size. It is important to have blades you are comfortable in.
When trying on your blades at the shop, keep in mind what kind of socks you are wearing (are they thin like nylon or thick crew socks?)
Some examples of issues with these cheaper blades are plastic frames, boots lacking ankle support, and cheap bearings.
It is important that you are fitted for your blades by someone knowledgeable prior to purchasing. Sock thickness will make a difference in sizing when you wear them after purchasing. Please avoid purchasing rollerblades (inline blades) at big box retailers such as Target, Walmart, or online such as Amazon. Many times these blades come with less than desirable parts making a very difficult activity even more difficult.
Rollerblade prices can vary greatly, from cheap blades with plastic parts starting at $35-$70 to high grade professional quality blades for competitions costing thousands of dollars. For the beginner to intermediate level inline skater, blades ranging from $150-$300 are recommended for the best learning results. Having high performing blades is crucial for all levels of learning.
There are different types of rollerblading activities such as: recreational blades, distance blading, downhill, speed (ie. racing), hockey, derby, artistic/ figure blading aggressive and freestyle/ slalom.
Clean bearings frequently.
If there is metal showing through the toe/heel stop, it's time to replace it. You can rotate if you use one more than the other.
Check for fraying on laces,replace if necessary. 72 inches is the standard roller skate lace length.
Make sure all bolts connecting boot to plate are tight.
Adjust truck tightness as needed
Check cushions for disintegration if your skates are vintage or second hand.
Rotate wheels every once in awhile. You will know its time to rotate your skate wheels when you see that one side of your wheels -usually the inside edge - is wearing down more quickly than the other.
Check that toe stops are screwed in tight before skating.
Anatomy of Recreational Rollerblades
Be on the lookout for these inline skate differences when shopping. Choose what fits your Blading goals and needs:
VS
*Blades with heel stops are easier to learn in*
VS
The K2 Alexis 80 PRO skates come with 80mm wheels which is the average size for all around recreational skating. These skates also feature removable liners and heel stops which come in handy for beginners. It features the vibration-absorbing Tec Composite frame that sucks up road vibration for a smooth rolling ride. Combine that with an ideal amount of support, provided by a Stability Plus cuff and the unmatched comfort of the K2 Softboot®, and you have one of the best entry-level fitness inline skate ever designed.
The Powerslide Next Core Black (White) 80 skates come with 80mm wheels which is the average size for all around recreational skating. These skates also come with removable liners. These boots are rigid which gives the user more support needed due to larger diameter wheels which give the rider a taller ride height and higher center of balance. The “Next” boot comes with a “45 degree” strap which adds to support and increase the responsiveness of the skates.
AGRESSIVE INLINE SKATES
Aggressive Inline skates are built to withstand impact, capable of doing different combinations of grinds, and give you the ability to use lateral flex while maintaining ankle support. Aggressive inline skating involves performing tricks on mini ramps, bowls, skateparks, and streets. Transition/ Vert skating uses ramps and bowls (pools), whereas street skating uses urban obstacles such as handrails, stairs, ledges, and curbs to perform tricks.
The Razors SL Series and Cult Series skates like most other aggressive inline skates come with removable liners that can be replaced with aftermarket liners when needed, sole plates which allow the user to perform grinds using both the outer and inner side of the boot, and frames that include an H-Block (ie. the grooved area in between the four wheels) which allows the user to do grinds by using the arch of the foot to lock in between the two middle wheels.
maintenance
Rotate your wheels every so often to increase wheel life. When you see one side of the wheels (usually the inside edge) is wearing down more quickly than the other side "Coning," you’ll know it’s time to rotate them.
Service bearings every so often, especially if unshielded.
Purchase backup break in case it wears down too far.
Stay out of water, snow and mud, keep Blades dry.
Make sure all bolts connecting boot to plate are tight.
Check cushions for disintegration if your Blades are vintage or second-hand.
WHEELS
Wheels are measured by hardness (mm) and diameter.
The lower the number, the softer the wheel and the better the grip. 75-88A
The higher the number, the harder the wheel, less grip, and more forgiveness when performing tricks. 92-103A
Diameter: The smaller the wheel diameter, the lower your center of gravity and the easier you can maneuver. The larger the wheeL diameter, the higher your center of gravity and the more traction you will have.
Extra Small, 47mm-55mm wheels are typically very hard and used for aggressive (highest maneuverability, glide easily)
Small, 57mm wheels are used primarily for freestyle/artistic Blading (high maneuverability)
Mid-Size, 62mm wheels are used for indoor Blading, speed, derby & dance Blading (some traction, sustained speed)
Large, 60mm - 70mm wheels are used for outdoor Blading (highest traction)
INDOOR & SMOOTH SURFACES
Higher hardness 92-103A
Slippery and increased maneuverability for advanced tricks
Does not absorb shock of textured surfaces
Faster roll
OUTDOOR ROUGH SURFACE WHEELS
Low hardness/ softer wheels 88-78A
Sticky and decreased maneuverability- not for advanced tricks
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