Looking to get some fast rollerblades

[Yzzim]

Sping is almost here and with the snow melting and the warmer temps, I'm really looking forward to getting out and rollerblading again. The Rollerblades I have now are Rollerblade Aero 5 (last year's version) and they are pretty good for recreational skating, but I want something I can just speed with.

Most of my rollerblading is done on a 5 mile stretch of road with no stop signs so I don't need a brake, but it would be very nice if I decide to venture up town.

I'm looking at these based on a review I found off google. They sound like they'd be pretty good. Just want something fast. Think I can buy a add-on brake for them too.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

edit: I was also thinking, doesn't more wheels mean more friction and then less speed? How come most of the "speed skates" have 5 wheels? Why not 3 wheels spaced out enough to give you something to push off of without having the friction.

 

[BornStar]

I use K2 skates that I really like. They're extremely comfortable and there are lots of options on berrings that you can get.

 

[Yzzim]

the last K2 skates I had hurt my ankles too much. Went back to rollerblade brand because they were much more comfortable

 

[aceO07]

Speed skates have brakes? I haven't seen that before. Learn to do T-braking and never use brakes again.

I still have my Rollerblade blades from years and years ago. I learned to do T-braking with street blades and then removed my brake on the Rollerblades.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: aceO07
Speed skates have brakes? I haven't seen that before. Learn to do T-braking and never use brakes again.

I still have my Rollerblade blades from years and years ago. I learned to do T-braking with street blades and then removed my brakes on the Rollerblades.

I use t-braking all the time, but my brake is used if I'm about to cause an accident.

like I said, a brake would be nice, but it isn't needed.

 

[aceO07]

hmm.. Power slide? I wonder if it's possible on rollerblades. I've only done it sucessful once and it was accidental.

Back on topic, sorry I can't recommend any brands for you. I should consider getting new blades this summer myself.

 

[paulney]

Originally posted by: Yzzim
Sping is almost here and with the snow melting and the warmer temps, I'm really looking forward to getting out and rollerblading again. The Rollerblades I have now are Rollerblade Aero 5 (last year's version) and they are pretty good for recreational skating, but I want something I can just speed with.

Most of my rollerblading is done on a 5 mile stretch of road with no stop signs so I don't need a brake, but it would be very nice if I decide to venture up town.

I'm looking at these based on a review I found off google. They sound like they'd be pretty good. Just want something fast. Think I can buy a add-on brake for them too.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

edit: I was also thinking, doesn't more wheels mean more friction and then less speed? How come most of the "speed skates" have 5 wheels? Why not 3 wheels spaced out enough to give you something to push off of without having the friction.

Five wheels mean much more stability going fast. With five wheels you get the wobble effect at much higher speeds, therefore you can accelerate more. Furhtermore, five-wheelers give you a much greater leverage when pushing off -> greater speeds. Frame and boot on five-wheelers are much more rigid -> less losses when pushing off.

Salomon Vitesse is a decent five-wheeler, but it runs on mini-bearings. You have to be religious about cleaning and running on minis. They tend to overheat faster and burn through the lubricant. The boot is quite comfortable, yet a bit heavy.

Rollerblade's models offer on-par quality and speeds in the same price range. I suggest you look at Lightning 07 and 09:
http://www.blackdiamondsports.com/Item/1853.htm
http://www.blackdiamondsports.com/Item/1844.htm

These are great for speeding, yet controllable enough for occasional city-skating. They do come with rear brake, but, honestly, both on Vitesse and on Lightning, they can be hard to use, being moved so far back on the frame. Learn to use right/left leg slide to come to a stop. This can be expensive (wheels eat up really fast), but a much more efective way to brake on five-wheelers.

 

[nife4]

How do you T-Brake?

 

[nitsuj3580]

I've had the same Rollerblade Sniper OTS for years now (it's a roller hockey skate). I've kept the same boot but upgraded my bearings to ABEC-7 and got some new wheels. Now they are good as new

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: nife4
How do you T-Brake?

i put my left foot forward and drag my right foot behind and perpendicular to my left foot. I'm assuming this is a T-brake.

 

[TubStain]

T braking wears out the wheels too quickly, it's cheaper to replace that lil rubber pad that to replace the wheels. But t-braking is super cool nonetheless.

Edit: I cant wait to hit the blades too.

 

[TubStain]

Originally posted by: nitsuj3580

Originally posted by: nife4
How do you T-Brake?

i put my left foot forward and drag my right foot behind and perpendicular to my left foot. I'm assuming this is a T-brake.

yes, cept I do it in reverse, right foot forward, left foot drags perpendicular, though you can vary it to slow down in a turn or something else.

 

[KokomoGST]

More durable and a set of fast bearings on a 5wheeler should do you... it's mostly about comfort after that.

BTW, it is possible to powerslide / parallel stop on rollerblades... my brother does it all the time on his hockey rollerblades. It's prolly be a lot harder to do with a long 5-wheeler.

 

[Modeps]

I'm about to buy the Mission D1's... and seeing that I play roller hockey, and having a brake is against the rules, T-braking forever!

 

[Modeps]

Originally posted by: KokomoGST

BTW, it is possible to powerslide / parallel stop on rollerblades... my brother does it all the time on his hockey rollerblades. It's prolly be a lot harder to do with a long 5-wheeler.

What skates does your brother have? Hockey Stops are basically impossible with normal 4 wheel Hi-lo's... there's just no way to slide your feet like that without turning.

 

[Yzzim]

Originally posted by: paulney

Originally posted by: Yzzim
Sping is almost here and with the snow melting and the warmer temps, I'm really looking forward to getting out and rollerblading again. The Rollerblades I have now are Rollerblade Aero 5 (last year's version) and they are pretty good for recreational skating, but I want something I can just speed with.

Most of my rollerblading is done on a 5 mile stretch of road with no stop signs so I don't need a brake, but it would be very nice if I decide to venture up town.

I'm looking at these based on a review I found off google. They sound like they'd be pretty good. Just want something fast. Think I can buy a add-on brake for them too.

Anyone have any other suggestions?

edit: I was also thinking, doesn't more wheels mean more friction and then less speed? How come most of the "speed skates" have 5 wheels? Why not 3 wheels spaced out enough to give you something to push off of without having the friction.

Five wheels mean much more stability going fast. With five wheels you get the wobble effect at much higher speeds, therefore you can accelerate more. Furhtermore, five-wheelers give you a much greater leverage when pushing off -> greater speeds. Frame and boot on five-wheelers are much more rigid -> less losses when pushing off.

Salomon Vitesse is a decent five-wheeler, but it runs on mini-bearings. You have to be religious about cleaning and running on minis. They tend to overheat faster and burn through the lubricant. The boot is quite comfortable, yet a bit heavy.

Rollerblade's models offer on-par quality and speeds in the same price range. I suggest you look at Lightning 07 and 09:
http://www.blackdiamondsports.com/Item/1853.htm
http://www.blackdiamondsports.com/Item/1844.htm

These are great for speeding, yet controllable enough for occasional city-skating. They do come with rear brake, but, honestly, both on Vitesse and on Lightning, they can be hard to use, being moved so far back on the frame. Learn to use right/left leg slide to come to a stop. This can be expensive (wheels eat up really fast), but a much more efective way to brake on five-wheelers.

Thanks for the info Paul!