Vertical Rollerskating

Vert-Skating-Forum

Message 9708 (28. Jun. 2009 05:12) (Tree)

Sender:	claudine
Subject:	beginner questions
Content:	Jay said most what I could say. I assume you want to get into ramp/bowl skating? The ideal vert skate doesnt work well in a rink, but for starters any decent recreational speed skate will do. Think roller derby skate. I would start with that and get the suregrip trucks so you can put wide trucks later if you dont want to invest much money into it yet or are unsure of this. For rollerskating wheels, I liked the aerobics the best. You want speed wheels for indoors if you go to the rink. Eventually you will want to get skateboard wheels and trucks. But if you have narrow feet, the carerras are good. Ankle support isnt needed with rollerskates but some people prefer higher cut boots. High heeled boots dont work well though but the Europeans seem to prefer the hockey type of boot. Besides that, the MOST important thing is to get protective gear. This IS dangerous! And we want to keep any future rollerskaters here and healthy. ;-D! And ask any question no matter how trivial. Dont worry, I started not that long ago and started not being able to do anything. But please get pads, knees, elbows, wrist (not protec type!) and helmet. Welcome to the forum!!!! : : Hi, I've just rediscovered roller skating (something I hadn't done since I was twelve!) and want to buy myself a pair of quad skates but I have no idea what to look for in a skate. For instance, are skates that look like shoes instead of boots (meaning, they don't go up the ankles) harder on the ankles? If I buy outdoor skates, will I be able to use them once in a while in a roller rink too? Are there any cheaper brands that people recommend (I really can't afford to get fancy)? I would hugely appreciate any input about buying skates that anyone wants to share. : : thank you thank you thank you! : : Hey Loofa. : Welcome to the Forum AND Vertical Rollerskating. :) Where do you live? : If you're totally new to park skating & don't have skates I'd suggest you just get decent skates that are comfortable for you. Skates.com has alot. If you want REAL Vert Skates, check out Gambin in the archives, he makes killer custom vert skates. As to high or low cut boots, that's really just a matter of preference. I was an old speed skater before skating pools, so I like ankle speed boots. But that doesn't make them better. If you skate awhile & find your skates lacking you can always upgrade. I skated stock speed skates in the parks for over a decade before finally getting "real" Vert skates just this year! : Most important thing to have is PADS!! Knee Pads, Wrist Guards & Helmet are a Neccessity. : Hope you find the Forum (& all of us) a useful resource. All kinds of Great videos & pictures in the Archives from EVERYBODY, avail yourself of them. : PEACE & Keep Rollin on 8. : Jay :
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Jay: beginner questions (28. Jun. 2009 05:00)
	: Hi, I've just rediscovered roller skating (something I hadn't done since I was twelve!) and want to buy myself a pair of quad skates but I have no idea what to look for in a skate. For instance, are skates that look like shoes instead of boots (meaning, they don't go up the ankles) harder on the ankles? If I buy outdoor skates, will I be able to use them once in a while in a roller rink too? Are there any cheaper brands that people recommend (I really can't afford to get fancy)? I would hugely appreciate any input about buying skates that anyone wants to share. : thank you thank you thank you! Hey Loofa. Welcome to the Forum AND Vertical Rollerskating. :) Where do you live? If you're totally new to park skating & don't have skates I'd suggest you just get decent skates that are comfortable for you. Skates.com has alot. If you want REAL Vert Skates, check out Gambin in the archives, he makes killer custom vert skates. As to high or low cut boots, that's really just a matter of preference. I was an old speed skater before skating pools, so I like ankle speed boots. But that doesn't make them better. If you skate awhile & find your skates lacking you can always upgrade. I skated stock speed skates in the parks for over a decade before finally getting "real" Vert skates just this year! Most important thing to have is PADS!! Knee Pads, Wrist Guards & Helmet are a Neccessity. Hope you find the Forum (& all of us) a useful resource. All kinds of Great videos & pictures in the Archives from EVERYBODY, avail yourself of them. PEACE & Keep Rollin on 8. Jay
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claudine: beginner questions (28. Jun. 2009 05:12)
	Jay said most what I could say. I assume you want to get into ramp/bowl skating? The ideal vert skate doesnt work well in a rink, but for starters any decent recreational speed skate will do. Think roller derby skate. I would start with that and get the suregrip trucks so you can put wide trucks later if you dont want to invest much money into it yet or are unsure of this. For rollerskating wheels, I liked the aerobics the best. You want speed wheels for indoors if you go to the rink. Eventually you will want to get skateboard wheels and trucks. But if you have narrow feet, the carerras are good. Ankle support isnt needed with rollerskates but some people prefer higher cut boots. High heeled boots dont work well though but the Europeans seem to prefer the hockey type of boot. Besides that, the MOST important thing is to get protective gear. This IS dangerous! And we want to keep any future rollerskaters here and healthy. ;-D! And ask any question no matter how trivial. Dont worry, I started not that long ago and started not being able to do anything. But please get pads, knees, elbows, wrist (not protec type!) and helmet. Welcome to the forum!!!! : : Hi, I've just rediscovered roller skating (something I hadn't done since I was twelve!) and want to buy myself a pair of quad skates but I have no idea what to look for in a skate. For instance, are skates that look like shoes instead of boots (meaning, they don't go up the ankles) harder on the ankles? If I buy outdoor skates, will I be able to use them once in a while in a roller rink too? Are there any cheaper brands that people recommend (I really can't afford to get fancy)? I would hugely appreciate any input about buying skates that anyone wants to share. : : thank you thank you thank you! : : Hey Loofa. : Welcome to the Forum AND Vertical Rollerskating. :) Where do you live? : If you're totally new to park skating & don't have skates I'd suggest you just get decent skates that are comfortable for you. Skates.com has alot. If you want REAL Vert Skates, check out Gambin in the archives, he makes killer custom vert skates. As to high or low cut boots, that's really just a matter of preference. I was an old speed skater before skating pools, so I like ankle speed boots. But that doesn't make them better. If you skate awhile & find your skates lacking you can always upgrade. I skated stock speed skates in the parks for over a decade before finally getting "real" Vert skates just this year! : Most important thing to have is PADS!! Knee Pads, Wrist Guards & Helmet are a Neccessity. : Hope you find the Forum (& all of us) a useful resource. All kinds of Great videos & pictures in the Archives from EVERYBODY, avail yourself of them. : PEACE & Keep Rollin on 8. : Jay :
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loofa: beginner questions (28. Jun. 2009 06:47)
	: : Hi, I've just rediscovered roller skating (something I hadn't done since I was twelve!) and want to buy myself a pair of quad skates but I have no idea what to look for in a skate. For instance, are skates that look like shoes instead of boots (meaning, they don't go up the ankles) harder on the ankles? If I buy outdoor skates, will I be able to use them once in a while in a roller rink too? Are there any cheaper brands that people recommend (I really can't afford to get fancy)? I would hugely appreciate any input about buying skates that anyone wants to share. : : thank you thank you thank you! : : Hey Loofa. : Welcome to the Forum AND Vertical Rollerskating. :) Where do you live? : If you're totally new to park skating & don't have skates I'd suggest you just get decent skates that are comfortable for you. Skates.com has alot. If you want REAL Vert Skates, check out Gambin in the archives, he makes killer custom vert skates. As to high or low cut boots, that's really just a matter of preference. I was an old speed skater before skating pools, so I like ankle speed boots. But that doesn't make them better. If you skate awhile & find your skates lacking you can always upgrade. I skated stock speed skates in the parks for over a decade before finally getting "real" Vert skates just this year! : Most important thing to have is PADS!! Knee Pads, Wrist Guards & Helmet are a Neccessity. : Hope you find the Forum (& all of us) a useful resource. All kinds of Great videos & pictures in the Archives from EVERYBODY, avail yourself of them. : PEACE & Keep Rollin on 8. : Jay Hi Jay, thanks so much for the reply. actually, I didn't even know what vertical skating is when I wrote here; it's just that this was the only quad skating forum I could find that seemed to have enough usage to expect a reply. I'm in Oregon. I just want to skate on sidewalks really, and sometimes in a roller rink, nothing glitzy or hardcore. thanks again :-) :
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Jay: beginner questions (28. Jun. 2009 07:38)
	: : : Hi, I've just rediscovered roller skating (something I hadn't done since I was twelve!) and want to buy myself a pair of quad skates but I have no idea what to look for in a skate. For instance, are skates that look like shoes instead of boots (meaning, they don't go up the ankles) harder on the ankles? If I buy outdoor skates, will I be able to use them once in a while in a roller rink too? Are there any cheaper brands that people recommend (I really can't afford to get fancy)? I would hugely appreciate any input about buying skates that anyone wants to share. : : : thank you thank you thank you! : : : : Hey Loofa. : : Welcome to the Forum AND Vertical Rollerskating. :) Where do you live? : : If you're totally new to park skating & don't have skates I'd suggest you just get decent skates that are comfortable for you. Skates.com has alot. If you want REAL Vert Skates, check out Gambin in the archives, he makes killer custom vert skates. As to high or low cut boots, that's really just a matter of preference. I was an old speed skater before skating pools, so I like ankle speed boots. But that doesn't make them better. If you skate awhile & find your skates lacking you can always upgrade. I skated stock speed skates in the parks for over a decade before finally getting "real" Vert skates just this year! : : Most important thing to have is PADS!! Knee Pads, Wrist Guards & Helmet are a Neccessity. : : Hope you find the Forum (& all of us) a useful resource. All kinds of Great videos & pictures in the Archives from EVERYBODY, avail yourself of them. : : PEACE & Keep Rollin on 8. : : Jay : : Hi Jay, : thanks so much for the reply. actually, I didn't even know what vertical skating is when I wrote here; it's just that this was the only quad skating forum I could find that seemed to have enough usage to expect a reply. I'm in Oregon. I just want to skate on sidewalks really, and sometimes in a roller rink, nothing glitzy or hardcore. : thanks again :-) : : Hey Loof, If you ARE interested in Vertical Skating check out my most recent thread subject: "Area 702 (Stop 4)..." I've got several video clips from my session today. It'll give you an idea what we do/talk about here. Good Luck with your Skates. I've always been partial to Carrera boots myself! PEACE! Jay
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biffsk8er: beginner questions (28. Jun. 2009 09:18)
	: thanks Claudine, : like I just said to jay, I really just want to roller skate around town for now, so easy. You two were great to answer my questions; and I'll take to heart your words on protective gear, even though I'm not planning on vertical skating (still just figuring out what it is!) since I'm plenty likely to fall a bunch. : cheers, : l Loofa, you should go HERE and ask about skates. That forum has lots of helpful people who will answer you all day long about regular roller skates. However, I suggest looking for skates on Craigs List or freecycle, if you do not want to spend a lot. Also, resale shops are great for finding great deals. Maybe you can see if you can try on some other skaters boots to see whether or not you like high ankle support or low?? Do not buy tennis shoe skates.....unless you are just going to skate VERY casual. Not enough support for anything even slightly advanced. Leather boots are the best in my opinion. And finally, if you are going to be skating outdoors, get softer wheels. You can also find good deals on E-bay for wheels. Good luck!
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Bernhard: beginner questions (28. Jun. 2009 15:22)
	Hi loofa, for cruising around town, you will want soft wheels. 78 A hardness is nice, around 80 A will also be acceptable. For the rink, you will want harder wheels. There really is no such thing as an all round skate. We tailor our skates to their purpose. But it's better to occasionally skate a rink with soft wheels than trying to use hard wheels on a rough surface. The latter isn't a nice experience. For finding out what vertical is you are in the right place. Just start at the home page and look at the event reports and the personal pages about some skaters. You will get some impression. An of course you can also get some advice on street skates here. I have a pair myself and e.g. the Spaniards do quite a bit of street skating.
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claudine: beginner questions (28. Jun. 2009 17:29)
	: : thanks Claudine, : : like I just said to jay, I really just want to roller skate around town for now, so easy. You two were great to answer my questions; and I'll take to heart your words on protective gear, even though I'm not planning on vertical skating (still just figuring out what it is!) since I'm plenty likely to fall a bunch. : : cheers, : : l : Loofa, : : you should go HERE and ask about skates. That forum has lots of helpful people who will answer you all day long about regular roller skates. : : However, I suggest looking for skates on Craigs List or freecycle, if you do not want to spend a lot. Also, resale shops are great for finding great deals. Maybe you can see if you can try on some other skaters boots to see whether or not you like high ankle support or low?? Do not buy tennis shoe skates.....unless you are just going to skate VERY casual. Not enough support for anything even slightly advanced. Leather boots are the best in my opinion. And finally, if you are going to be skating outdoors, get softer wheels. You can also find good deals on E-bay for wheels. : : Good luck! : Skatelog is best for recreational skating. Just get any rec skates that are comfortable/affordable to you and large 78a wheels. A nice set up would be trucks forward, but that takes some doing on your part. Unless you are very heavy, plastic trucks work better on streets then metal. Metal rattles.
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claudine: beginner questions (29. Jun. 2009 15:10)
	Flexing is great for street skating on rough surfaces. Metal makes your legs shatter. Sorry, I prefer plastic for street skates. They are also less reactive which is good for me. I dont like my lower legs vibrating constantly. Now I have a set with tracker trucks for streets and I dont like the ride as much. : : Unless you are very heavy, plastic trucks work better on streets then metal. Metal rattles. : : I've never had metal rattle...ever. Keep your bushings in good condition, and replace them when needed, and you'll never have a problem. Plastic will warp and flex much faster than metal. But, for light skating, plastic will be the better 'light weight' choice! : : It all depends on what type of skating that you'll be doing. Most of the time it will not make a difference on the plates unless you are a speed skater.
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