Rollerblade Suggestions, Please.

xnplo · Mar 18th, 2008, 06:21 PM

Hello! I was wondering if I could get some feedback from anybody who is familiar with rollerblading equipment or has input...

I am looking to purchase a pair of rollerblades but I have no idea to start. There are just so many brands, types, materials, skill levels etc...

. Maybe somebody can suggest a nice and basic one?

Conditions are as follows:
-Beginner user
-No male/female style preference (unless there is some technical reason there needs to be; like, the design is different because male/female center of gravity is different?

)
-Will be used about 1-3 times a week
-Might encounter grassy areas
-Will definitely encounter sand (skating by the beach)
-Budget range: around $200

Thank you for your help...

Mrs. MC · Mar 18th, 2008, 06:25 PM

When I used to rollerblade I used the ABT break Rollerblades. I loved these skates and it was easy to do hills with those breaks and easy to stop smoothly. I hope they still make these, if so I would get these. Maybe someone else has more info

Leelee · Mar 21st, 2008, 08:04 PM

Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions, but back when I was younger and braver I absolutely loved to roller blade. I bought a pair of skates at Sports Authority for about $100 (that was in about 1996) so it's been a while. I have no idea what happened to them. One thing I do know, though, is to wear knee pads! I had a terrible fall on a steep hill and the pads saved me.

yui · Mar 21st, 2008, 10:39 PM

and wrist guards! I wouldn't have hands today if not for wrist guards.

Leelee · Mar 22nd, 2008, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yui

and wrist guards! I wouldn't have hands today if not for wrist guards.

That's a good point! I'd forgotten! A helmet might also be a good idea.

kbell · Mar 22nd, 2008, 02:49 PM

If there are some that are easier to stop in than others, get those! I was so good roller skating when I was young - I thought rollerblading would be no problem.

My pair also came from sports authority & as a beginner I thought'd be fun to wear them out of the store to the car. Well - I ended up flying through the parking lot because of a 'slight' incline and stopping myself using someone's SUV & falling on my A__ before I went into traffic, which my husband found hysterical - me not so much!

I have never rollerbladed off my street since I STILL can not stop in these!
They were 100.00.

msterling · Mar 22nd, 2008, 06:12 PM

Although I skate a lot (at least 1,000 miles a year now), it is hard to make a recommendation because people are very particular about brands. If you have a skate shop nearby, you should definitely start there. Try on several pairs and check for the fit since you will get blisters if you go skating with skates that don't fit right.

For me, Rollerblade is the only brand that I like. I'm currently using a 2006 Activa model that came with 84 mm wheels. You might want to try out one of the Activa models. There are some variations, so I would suggest the Rollerblade Activa TFS Fitness Skates. They come with an 82 mm wheel. Many skates for beginners have 78 mm or 80 mm wheels - smaller wheels don't go as fast. However, if you enjoy skating and end up going several times a week as you indicated, you won't want a skate that is designed just for a beginner.

I recommend the TFS because that means it comes with an easy-to-use lacing system. Basically, you just pull on a string on the side of the skate and it tightens the laces for you. With my previous skates, I had to tighten the laces myself and would end up with sore spots on my hands from trying to pull the laces tight enough.

Some people mentioned the ABT brake which allows you to stop by sliding your brake foot forward. Some people like this because you don't have to lift your brake foot up to use the heel brake. This skate does not have ABT brakes, so it would not work for you if that is important. I have another pair with ABT brakes, but I couldn't get the hang of it. Plus, I find the heel brake easy to use.

If you have never been on inline skates before, try to take a class first. I got lessons even though I grew up on roller skates and ice skates. All skaters need to learn how to stop. I've seen a lot of skaters on the W&OD trail in Virginia who don't know how to stop and it is scary to watch them. Also, you must wear at least a helmet and wrist guards!

I bought my skates from Zappos and I was going to recommend them to you if you don't have a good skate shop nearby. However, the skates I mentioned are $205 at Zappos and only $119.95 at inline warehouse.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage-RBA2T.html

A little sand shouldn't get in your way when skating. I've never run into grassy areas when skating, but I don't think I'd try that. If you will have a lot of obstacles in the way, you might also consider Land Rollers. I haven't tried them, but they are supposed to be easy to use and they can handle off-road conditions. They are more expensive at around $250. They are still fairly new, so people will probably look at you funny if you get them. I've only seen one person in my area with Land Rollers and she loved them.

http://www.landroller.com/

Oops! I guess I went on and on. Can you tell that I love inline skating?

xnplo · Mar 24th, 2008, 01:16 PM

Thanks for your thoughts everyone!

Yes, I will definitely get those wrist guards and knee pads. I'm such a klutz.

Thank you msterling for the great info!

Mar 18th, 2008, 06:21 PM	#1
xnplo Member	Rollerblade Suggestions, Please. Hello! I was wondering if I could get some feedback from anybody who is familiar with rollerblading equipment or has input... I am looking to purchase a pair of rollerblades but I have no idea to start. There are just so many brands, types, materials, skill levels etc... . Maybe somebody can suggest a nice and basic one? Conditions are as follows: -Beginner user -No male/female style preference (unless there is some technical reason there needs to be; like, the design is different because male/female center of gravity is different? ) -Will be used about 1-3 times a week -Might encounter grassy areas -Will definitely encounter sand (skating by the beach) -Budget range: around $200 Thank you for your help...

Mar 18th, 2008, 06:25 PM	#2
Mrs. MC Member	Re: Rollerblade Suggestions, Please. When I used to rollerblade I used the ABT break Rollerblades. I loved these skates and it was easy to do hills with those breaks and easy to stop smoothly. I hope they still make these, if so I would get these. Maybe someone else has more info __________________

Mar 21st, 2008, 08:04 PM	#3
Leelee Up On My Toes! Location: Highland, Maryland	Re: Rollerblade Suggestions, Please. Unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions, but back when I was younger and braver I absolutely loved to roller blade. I bought a pair of skates at Sports Authority for about $100 (that was in about 1996) so it's been a while. I have no idea what happened to them. One thing I do know, though, is to wear knee pads! I had a terrible fall on a steep hill and the pads saved me.

Mar 21st, 2008, 10:39 PM	#4
yui Member	Re: Rollerblade Suggestions, Please. and wrist guards! I wouldn't have hands today if not for wrist guards.

Mar 22nd, 2008, 02:49 PM	#6
kbell Member Location: MA	Re: Rollerblade Suggestions, Please. If there are some that are easier to stop in than others, get those! I was so good roller skating when I was young - I thought rollerblading would be no problem. My pair also came from sports authority & as a beginner I thought'd be fun to wear them out of the store to the car. Well - I ended up flying through the parking lot because of a 'slight' incline and stopping myself using someone's SUV & falling on my A__ before I went into traffic, which my husband found hysterical - me not so much! I have never rollerbladed off my street since I STILL can not stop in these! They were 100.00. __________________ Heal quickly & come back soon!

Mar 22nd, 2008, 06:12 PM	#7
msterling Member	Re: Rollerblade Suggestions, Please. Although I skate a lot (at least 1,000 miles a year now), it is hard to make a recommendation because people are very particular about brands. If you have a skate shop nearby, you should definitely start there. Try on several pairs and check for the fit since you will get blisters if you go skating with skates that don't fit right. For me, Rollerblade is the only brand that I like. I'm currently using a 2006 Activa model that came with 84 mm wheels. You might want to try out one of the Activa models. There are some variations, so I would suggest the Rollerblade Activa TFS Fitness Skates. They come with an 82 mm wheel. Many skates for beginners have 78 mm or 80 mm wheels - smaller wheels don't go as fast. However, if you enjoy skating and end up going several times a week as you indicated, you won't want a skate that is designed just for a beginner. I recommend the TFS because that means it comes with an easy-to-use lacing system. Basically, you just pull on a string on the side of the skate and it tightens the laces for you. With my previous skates, I had to tighten the laces myself and would end up with sore spots on my hands from trying to pull the laces tight enough. Some people mentioned the ABT brake which allows you to stop by sliding your brake foot forward. Some people like this because you don't have to lift your brake foot up to use the heel brake. This skate does not have ABT brakes, so it would not work for you if that is important. I have another pair with ABT brakes, but I couldn't get the hang of it. Plus, I find the heel brake easy to use. If you have never been on inline skates before, try to take a class first. I got lessons even though I grew up on roller skates and ice skates. All skaters need to learn how to stop. I've seen a lot of skaters on the W&OD trail in Virginia who don't know how to stop and it is scary to watch them. Also, you must wear at least a helmet and wrist guards! I bought my skates from Zappos and I was going to recommend them to you if you don't have a good skate shop nearby. However, the skates I mentioned are $205 at Zappos and only $119.95 at inline warehouse. http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage-RBA2T.html A little sand shouldn't get in your way when skating. I've never run into grassy areas when skating, but I don't think I'd try that. If you will have a lot of obstacles in the way, you might also consider Land Rollers. I haven't tried them, but they are supposed to be easy to use and they can handle off-road conditions. They are more expensive at around $250. They are still fairly new, so people will probably look at you funny if you get them. I've only seen one person in my area with Land Rollers and she loved them. http://www.landroller.com/ Oops! I guess I went on and on. Can you tell that I love inline skating?

Mar 24th, 2008, 01:16 PM	#8
xnplo Member	Re: Rollerblade Suggestions, Please. Thanks for your thoughts everyone! Yes, I will definitely get those wrist guards and knee pads. I'm such a klutz. Thank you msterling for the great info!