SouthernSkater Forums

I am starting to skate again, this time with my 6yr old daughter. I find that the rental skates are very painful to my feet. They are plastic. I have been researching purchasing my own skates and have found a lot of options. I believe I should get skates like the Sure grip S-55 Probe Fugitive, but It seems that the 45 degree plates like the avengers may turn better. I am just a casual skater and don't need a derby skate, but I am looking for something of quality without purchasing something that would be above my skill level. I am very steady on my feet and skates, so I am not worried about falling down very much, but I don't want to get over confident. I often have my daughters feet tangled in mine when she falls, but luckily and surprisingly I don't fall down. I often have to support her dangling in the air with her legs flailing until she regains her footing. She is getting better though and we will soon be able to glide around the rink together. I have just found that when I finally get to skate on my own, my feet are killing me from the rentals. Can someone point me in the right direction? I have tried to talk to the personnel at the local rinks without much success. They are hard to get in contact with. Any help would be appreciated.

Welcome to SS.
It would be helpful to know more about you. Mainly size.

The setup you described sounds good except for the probe plate. If you can afford the Avenger, get it. I don't think you will be very happy with the probe once you two find your feet. She won't be little for long, and you will probably progress and skate harder than you might think. That's when you will be glad you went the extra money.

Have it built for you, rather than buying it as a prepackaged skate. That way it will be properly aligned and bolted. The package skates are not always well aligned, and they are often riveted. Rivets work loose after a while and have to be bolted. Might as well have it done right, right from the start.

Are you looking at skates online? If so, what seller?

Welcome. Listen to Res. He knows he stuff. Your daughter will progress faster than you can imagine. I'm with Res, spend the money now for a sturdier plate than just trying to upgrade in 6 months when your little girl is skating around you.

(01-29-2013, 05:22 PM)Delta Hurt Wrote: [ -> ]Welcome. Listen to Res. He knows he stuff. Your daughter will progress faster than you can imagine. I'm with Res, spend the money now for a sturdier plate than just trying to upgrade in 6 months when your little girl is skating around you.

Hi Rick and welcome to the forum!!!!!!

Heres a idea. First the S-55 boot is a very good buy for the amount of money. They do fit a little snug for the size/ Its the padding etc.

The Plate:::: Around $200. Roll-Line" Varient."

This is a artistic plate made in Italy. It is a copy of there $350++++ plate in design,but made out of aircraft 6061-T6 heat treated. Slightly heavier.

Whats neat about the Roll Line plates, is you can do just about anything you want on them. Speed,Jam,Art or just session skate.

There handling is a little slow for tight derby tracks though. Designed more for stability than quick spurts around a tight turn.

They come with high strength 7MM axles.

One thing about buying a first quality skate plate in the beginning,is they will always be waiting on you to improve,your not going overskate them? Unless your Katrina Witt?.

They will bail you out when you make a mistake,(predictable handling).

The biggest detraction to a cheap skate plate is you catch up to them quickly as your ability progresses.

And if you decide to quit skating. The Roll Lines are like a Porsche,no matter how broke they are,someone will still try to buy them.

Wheels,you choose those by your weight and floor grip.

Bearings: 7MM Bones reds are plenty good for anything but racing all out.
okie

Thanks for the response.
About size: I am 45 yrs old, 5'10" and 185 lbs. I wear size 9 1/2 - 10 shoes and my feet are wide. I usually have to buy wide shoes or purchase size 11 (Euro 45). The rental skates I get are usually size 11 (10 1/2 bowling shoes ).

I read that the Sure Grip boots are better for wide feet (then say the Reidell), but do I need to purchase size 11s? I like the S-55 boots because they are laced with no Velcro. I am not a big fan of velcro. The S-75 seam ok but are they any different then the 55 except for the velcro strap? I have tried to get the information from the Sure-grip website but it seems they are very similar. The Rebel boots might present a problem with my feet width. The laces start higher on the toe. That is my take on the boots.

The plates get into something different. Is there a different learning curve for the DA-45 plates? Their description shows that they turn easier and this means that it is more responsive for agility, but does that mean that things can go awry quicker? Do you lose stability? I don't mind a little more of a learning curve. I think I am up for it, but at my age falls take longer to heal so I would like to keep them to a minimum. I understand that the Probe plates bend making them unpredictable, I had a race car frame that did the same thing. Very hard to control. I just wanted to make sure that as a casual skater the Avenger plates weren't overkill. (or designed for advanced skaters)

And then there is the short mounted or forward mounted plates. I do not plan to enter any races, so if the benefit for this mounting is just for speed, then it may not be necessary. However if this makes turning more natural without sacrificing my tail bone, I may still be interested in this option.

The Fugitive wheels and the Qube Juice bearings seem sufficient, but once again I am still a novice and I have no idea what I am talking about.

Thanks again for any suggestions or recommendations.

Riedells have different foot tracings pending the model number you get. I have wide feet, and they work great in my 395s, but I had to go up a 1/2 size for my 122s.

If you consider the DA-45 plates, the thing about them is you can get harder cushions and make it where you dont get the easy turn and responsiveness they are known for. Then you can get softer cushions if you want, as your skills increase. Option B, get a non-da45 plate. There are plenty around so it just depends on what you want to spend.

The length depends on you. If you have no interest in doing anything but recreational skating, just buy the *recommended* plate size from that company.

Wheels and Bearings - you'd be doing well with the Qubes. I dont use Fugi's so that'd be up to you or others to recommend

DA45 plates don't really take any special skill to enjoy. They are not overkill at all.
Check with stiines for an opinion on the S55 from someone who has them.

Fugis are good wheels. Just be aware that the different colors represent different hardnesses. At your weight, I would recommend a 95A or harder unless your rink is slippery.

OKIE made a good point about buying good plates, in that you can resell them and get most of your money back. You can't do that with plastic plates.

(01-29-2013, 08:10 PM)RickHart9 Wrote: [ -> ]Thanks for the response.
About size: I am 45 yrs old, 5'10" and 185 lbs. I wear size 9 1/2 - 10 shoes and my feet are wide. I usually have to buy wide shoes or purchase size 11 (Euro 45). The rental skates I get are usually size 11 (10 1/2 bowling shoes ).

I read that the Sure Grip boots are better for wide feet (then say the Reidell), but do I need to purchase size 11s? I like the S-55 boots because they are laced with no Velcro. I am not a big fan of velcro. The S-75 seam ok but are they any different then the 55 except for the velcro strap? I have tried to get the information from the Sure-grip website but it seems they are very similar. The Rebel boots might present a problem with my feet width. The laces start higher on the toe. That is my take on the boots.

The plates get into something different. Is there a different learning curve for the DA-45 plates? Their description shows that they turn easier and this means that it is more responsive for agility, but does that mean that things can go awry quicker? Do you lose stability? I don't mind a little more of a learning curve. I think I am up for it, but at my age falls take longer to heal so I would like to keep them to a minimum. I understand that the Probe plates bend making them unpredictable, I had a race car frame that did the same thing. Very hard to control. I just wanted to make sure that as a casual skater the Avenger plates weren't overkill. (or designed for advanced skaters)

And then there is the short mounted or forward mounted plates. I do not plan to enter any races, so if the benefit for this mounting is just for speed, then it may not be necessary. However if this makes turning more natural without sacrificing my tail bone, I may still be interested in this option.

The Fugitive wheels and the Qube Juice bearings seem sufficient, but once again I am still a novice and I have no idea what I am talking about.

Thanks again for any suggestions or recommendations.

I'm Back?

Anyway,I have used the S-55 boots. So that is just my opinion. I do take off the heels. Of course,I take them OFF ever boot I skate and have since 1990.

I can't say they will fit your foot for sure. One thing you can do,most people you are going to order from will send out the boots by there self for you to try on. Sometimes the expense is worth it vs to small or too big etc.

The one big deal about a all leather boot,sole included is you can make it bigger!

Its rubbing alcohol. It stretches leather. Fast and simple. You can put it in spray bottle and apply to tight spots.

When I was in Oklahoma,I had 2 Women's Roller Derby teams,most of the girls were party cowgirls, wore cowboy boots to the bars.

They showed me how they broke in the stiff cowboy boots in 10 minutes. Poured a bottle of rubbing alcohol in there boots and ran around the house. Poured out the excess and let Dry. They fit perfect and softer. Just be sure you have no sores etc.

After that, I said lets do our skate boots to!!!!!!!!!! It does not effect the leather life. It was tanned with solvents to dye to.

Anyway always best to just keep asking questions,there is people that have experience with all kinds of stuff on skates,you just glean what fits your ideas best.



Here is another quality lightweight plate. NYLON>Composite.
Lasers,they come in race versions,Single action cushions or slower handling Double Action 2 cushions.


What ever you choose,remember! Your WORK. The less you fall down the less chance of injury. Plate handling is very important.

But also if you do not ever think you have the desire to really spool it up,get up to speed etc. A Sunlite Nylon Plate will work just great.

Once you find out it is a lot different today,wheels,plates,bearings than the old days,pretty hard to not want to get up to speed once in a while. Have some real fun with little effort safely.

Teenagers reflexes can make up for alot of goofups.?????????
okie

Can you recommend a good company to have skates made for me? Someone who will sell the brands you are recommending. I like the idea of getting a boot to try before making the skates. I didn't realize that was an option.

(01-30-2013, 08:57 AM)RickHart9 Wrote: [ -> ]Can you recommend a good company to have skates made for me? Someone who will sell the brands you are recommending. I like the idea of getting a boot to try before making the skates. I didn't realize that was an option.

Well? The way the skate business works usually.

The sellers unless they have a real store. Nothing in stock.

They drop ship from the major warehouses. R C Sports/SESS.

When you order they assemble your order at the warehouse.

Now they are not going to ship your boots free to try on.

If you do order some and they fit. Ship back and they will mount for you.

As far as mounting, well its real easy. First thing you do for sure if you order a pair of boots.

You ask RC Sports to mark the boot centerline for you. They use a Snyder Boot marking tool. Makes it easy. They aslo sell a boot bolt mounting kit. You only need to line up centerline on plate and drill the 3/16's holes. There is a few specialty mounters. The only thing there is the price. They usually try to make it sound more complicated than it really is.

Some ideas?????

One thing about quality,they can always be repaired/upgraded etc. Real leather last over 20 years. As long as you air them out after skating.

Don't put in closed container or trunk of your vehicle. Let them dry out etc. Your sweat salts are hard on the stitching and rust the mount hardware,unless you use stainless bolts etc.

OR Look for some quality used ones.

Usually a selection on Craig's List,look under Sporting,type in Roller skates in the search bar.

And E Bay.
Okie