From: Jawara@AppleLink.Apple.COM (Ron Drake)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: "Mistake" Skates
Date: 20 Aug 92 22:35:18 GMT
Followup-To: rec.skate
Organization: Apple Computer, Inc.

So...what do you do if you've bought a pair of cheap skates that are 
driving you crazy or you're long on desire and short on money? I have
a few suggestions based on my own experience (i.e. MISTAKES!). These
tips also apply when you just want to get more performance out of
your skates. I hope more knowledgeable skaters will correct or enhance 
what follows:

Skates

I started out with the cheapest skates I could get (Wayne Gretzky Skate
Attacks). My only prerequisites were that they rolled and that they fit.
They barely did either. From what I know now, I'd have kept them if the
boots had fit better. Get a good, comfortable fit in the boot and make
sure they're sturdy. Also, make sure that the boots accept standard wheels 
and bearings because these are what make or break your skating experience. 
In frustration, I bought a pair of Bauer ZS/5's. The difference between
great and lousy skates is dramatic. But if you want to avoid spending over
$200 on skates, start with a comfortable boot and upgrade the wheels and
bearings.

Wheels

Most bargain-basement skates are equipped with the hardest wheels you can
get. These are fine for good sidewalks and high-quality asphalt but they
are dreck for street-skating--skating on variable surfaces. Wheels are
rated by durometer number (the higher the number, the harder the wheel).
Hard wheels are in the 80-82 range. I use 78's. Softer wheels wear out
more quickly but provide a smoother (albeit slower) ride.

The bigger the wheel, the faster you go. If you can get an inexpensive,
comfortable boot that accepts 80 millimeter wheels, buy it. Most skates
are equipped with 72 mm wheels and can only accept larger sizes through
special modification.

The best brands I know of are HYPER, LABEDA and ROLLERBLADE.

Bearings

The day I decided to ditch my Heart Attacks, I had been distance skating
with some friends. I couldn't keep up with them. I took my skates off
and began walking up a very steep hill--a hill my friends took with no
trouble. The centers of my wheels were radiating heat. Bad bearings!
It's like having your brake to the ground all the time. The FAQ will
explain what standard bearings should look like. In skating, ABEC 5
bearings are best. ABEC 3's are good. ABEC 1's are the minimum. No
ABEC rating is no good. Look for sealed, lubricated bearings. Look for
a good deal. The ABEC standard is a standard whether they're made in
Bern or Beijing.

Gravy

For an extra $20 (and twenty minutes of grief), you can buy a 'hop-up' kit.
These kits replace the plastic bearing spacers with smoother-rolling,
longer-lasting metal. By the way, there is (or should be) a hex fitting
inside 
a metal spacer so you can stick a wrench in and stop the wheel from
rotating. I
botched up a perfectly good spacer before I found that out.

Bottom Line

You can find 'cheap' skates for between $60-$125. A good deal on ABEC 3
bearings is about $20. Good wheels are about $6 apiece. You may be able
to get better prices through mail order (see the mail order FAQ). You
can end up with a very satisfactory pair of skates for $130-$200. A
good skate shop or a fellow skater can help you put them together or
you can experience the joys and frustrations of doing it yourself. It's
worth the time and effort. Building your own skates gives you a better
feel for their mechanics and their capabilities. You'll be able to
fine-tune them to your own taste and needs.
Newsgroups: rec.skate