From: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Newsgroups: rec.skate
Subject: Re: Are the Switchit skates any good?
Date: 21 Aug 92 20:08:46 GMT
Reply-To: grr@cbmvax.commodore.com (George Robbins)
Organization: Commodore, West Chester, PA

In article <42090023@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM> aites@hplvec.LVLD.HP.COM (Jim Aites) writes:
> |    As a side note, when I look at in-line skates, they look cheesey to me,
> |    but the point of comparison is ski boots, which are of similar material,
> |    construction and cost, but have a much nicer finish and considerably
> |    more technical detail.  The in-line boots look like 10-year old low end
> |    plastic boots...not very impressive.  On the other hand, maybe they're
> |    exactly right - I guess sooner or later I'll have to break down and try
> |    it, eh?
> 
> Please help me understand.  Perhaps I'm reading this incorrectly.  You're 
> saying that in-lines look 'cheesey'?  You compare them to ski boots?  AND
> if I might ask, what does "...look like 10-year old low end plastic boots..."
> mean to you? (something from K-mart?)

I guess what I mean is that when I look at the level of technical development,
fitting features and finish provided by a pair of state of the art downhill ski
boots and that of a top-end plastic in-line boots, I am not impressed by the
in-line boots.  I don't claim that this is fair, it's simply an observation and
there may be more appropriate comparisons to be made, perhaps between cross-
country boots and in-lines where there is a similar demand for flexibility.

What does 10-year old low-end plastic ski boot look like?  A cheap piece of
plastic that you stick you foot into and crank down on some straps or buckles.

I think that if the boom persists without falling completely into the pit of
the discount outlets, competitive presssres may lead to more sophisticated
skates (at higher prices of course).

> After all this you say that you HAVEN'T TRIED IN-LINES?  I'm crushed...so much
> for hero worship.  I sort of figured that you knew what you were talking about
> (from your earlier posts). AHhh! Maybe there is more than one George Robinson?

Well, actually I have "tried them" but after only a few minutes the store
attendent made me take them off before I knocked over all the display racks.

> I'll listen AFTER you've rented and/or bought, but fer cripes sake...try 'em!  

> PS - the above light-hearted teasing was NOT meant as a flame.  Besides, he was
>      just making a personal observation...right?

Jim, the main role I play with respect to in-line postings is to serve as one
of the ~3 informal moderators here.  I try to answer the questions that come
up that no one else seems to have time for, reply to the "a stork just dropped
inlines down my chimney" newbie questions in a positive way, addressing any
unique/personal issues that come up.  I also retrieve material recollected
from the past two or so years of alt.skate/rec.skate and regurgitate it on
demand.

Of course I also spend considerable energy inflating my ego and attempting to
address various issues from an engineering pespective.

I'm not offended by the teasing, but please feel welcome to help share the load.

There are a couple fundamental reasons why I haven't gotten into in-lines.
First - I am an untreated workaholic, second - I despise sunlight, third - in
my negligible spare time, I currently skate (indoors) as many as 5 nights a
week on my conventional roller skates.  I'd actually put learing to ice skate
competently a tad higher priority than getting to in-line skating at the present.

Anyway, some of my best friends are in-liners 8-).


Credit should also go to:

Phil Earnhardt - who tends to represent the western, health and fitness blader,
	with some cross-over from skiing and who was responsible creating the
	rec.skate group from the backwaters of alt.skate.

Tony Chen - who seems to be more the eastern, semi-urban colleage recreational
	skater, who made the FAQ's happen.

Albert Boulanger - who is another indoor, conventional skater with a major
	interest in dance as a form of personal expression.

There have been other excellent contributions from various in-line racers,
hockey skaters and ice folks...

Newsgroups: rec.skate