From: pae@netwise.com (Phil Earnhardt)
Subject: Re: alternative brakes [Re: Rollerblading]
Reply-To: pae@netwise.UUCP (Phil Earnhardt)
Organization: Netwise, Inc.  Boulder, CO
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 18:43:38 GMT

In article <ABOULANG.92Apr16104826@pilsner.bbn.com> aboulanger@bbn.com writes:
>
>In article <ROSEN.92Apr16025440@radar.bu.edu> rosen@radar.bu.edu (David B. Rosen) writes:
>   On the other hand, an experienced skater should have little trouble
>   stopping, the only question being whether they excercise good
>   judgement about the appropriate speed for a given situation.  It would
>   not be fair to force them to use new braking equipment that would
>   require that they change the way they skate, or that might be
>   expensive.
>
>The problem is that the inlining "fad" has put a lot of
>inexperienced skaters at risk in urban entaglement situations. We need
>to figure a methodology for covering the risks of these situations.

On the roads, we have similar problems with the 100-year "fad" of automobiles.
One particular class of abusers of this fad, drunk drivers, are dealt with by
fines, increases in insurance premiums, removal of their driver's licenses,
and spending time in jail. Most importantly, a tone is getting set in our
society that drunk driving will not be tolerated. This message of education
has come forth from virtually nothing over the past 15 years.

A similar program of education and possible penalties for out-of-control
skaters should be instituted.

>There were 2-wheeled inlines that had front brakes. I posted a message
>several weeks ago about them.

When you made those postings, objections to your claims were voiced.

>One thing I have noticed on them is that the leading wheel was not as up
>front as the current generation.  What if one were to offset the wheels back
>(or loose the front wheel) to gain space for a front brake? (I would also not
>loose the back brake.)

I see no advantage to a skate's having both a front and a rear brake
simultaneously (whether or not the rear brake is loose :-). Too much clearance
is consumed by having both brakes there; only a person adept at both braking
styles could possibly benefit from having both brakes on the skate.

The current wheelbase of 4-wheel skates provides stability. Moving the front
wheel further back would decrease the skate's fore/aft stability.

>How effective you use the front brakes in quad skating is a function of
>experience (just like inlines) and preference. You might want to talk to
>several good outdoor quad skaters who do radical terrain on this issue. I
>have noticed that there is a period for some beginning indoor skaters where
>they use their front brakes to stop by hopping or turning backwards first.

My understanding is that toe stops only work well when going backwards. Is
that what you're saying?

There is a certain amount of skill to decelerate with in-lines, using a rear
brake, while going 25 mph. There's a certain amount of skill to decelerate
with quads, turning backwards and using a toe stop, while going 25 mph.

I claim the skill to do the turn then decelerate while going backwards on
quads is much higher.

>It really is non-economical-of-movement way to stop.

What is "It?" Are you saying there is an efficient means of using a toe stop
to stop while going forwards? Could you describe it to the group?

Otherwise, I say that heel brakes are far more effective for stopping in-lines.

>Albert Boulanger

Phil Earnhardt		pae@netwise.com
Netwise, Inc. 		Boulder, CO  (303) 442-8280