I love skating. Most forms of exercise are rather blah to me but put some wheels on my shoes and I can go for hours slicing through the wind. Especially nice is the endorphin rush when I'm near the end of my return trip and I put in extra effort to head home at top speed for as long as possible. To top it off, San Francisco (where I grew up) is a great place to skate. (See the end of this post for some
well-worn skate paths.)
My original skate from the early 90's was a hard-boot model made by Ultrawheels (no longer in business). I really liked this model due to comfort but because I skated almost everyday for a decade, I destroyed this skate from heavy usage. (I certainly got my money's worth at $100.) Particularly damaged was the was the heel brake -- I snapped the brake arm right off the boot from countless high deceleration heel stops. (I semi-patched it by sawing off the damaged sections and screwing on parts from different skates.) But with the rest of the skate warped, bent and degraded, it wouldn't have lasted much longer.
Due to the good experience of my first skate, I picked up another Ultrawheels. Unfortunately, the entire industry had moved from plastic boots to padded boots with laces. While the fit was nice, it was nearly impossible to tie laces tight enough. Most people need more ankle-support so that is where the buckle is. For me though, I liked the inverse with the boot tight on the
cuneiforms
and I could never adjust my skating style to the new industry skate styles. Because of this, my skating time went down drastically as I'd actually get huge blisters on any extended run.
MY KINGDOM FOR A SKATE
Now that I'm in China, I have been thinking of getting another pair of skates again. While I walk 3 times per week to the central shopping district (distance: 1 mile), I will need a more active lifestyle to stay healthier. There are outdoor exercise machines in the condo complex but they don't motivate me. Knowing myself, skating would be the only exercise I could stick with long-term.
I first tried looking for skates in China but it's a lost cause. Inline skates might sell for as low as 50rmb (less than $7.50) for close-out models up to 350rmb ($50) for copies of U.S. brands. Unfortunately, none of them fit me. No retailer stocks size 10.5 (CN 45) for that 1 in 100,000,000 Westerner who lives here and wants to buy skates locally. I even tried Guangzhou (a city with many expats) but I could only find a 9 (CN 43). My foot profile simply does not match what merchants keep inventory for so my only option is to pick up another pair of skates the next time I head back to the U.S.
To that end, I've started researching what inline skates are available. Knowing my skate style, my preference is for 2 or 3 buckles on the boot with at least 1 at the cuneiforms. (Most skates simply have a velcro strap at that area and it's just not tight enough for my tastes.) After a few days of getting reacquainted with the state of inline skates, the following current year* models meet my criteria:
* I found previous year models that met my criteria. But since they were prior year models, only close out sizes (really small) were available.
ANALYZING THE CHOICES
I immediately tossed out
DBX Velocity
. It apparently is a store-brand for Dick Sporting Goods and they don't offer replacement brake pads for their own brand! Otherwise, it would have been a possible option at $50 since the money at risk is so low.
Roller Derby Pro Line 900
looks close to my skate from almost 20 years ago but the wheelbase is too short for larger wheels. It comes with 76mm wheels -- you could probably fit in 80mm wheels but nothing larger. Now
Spartan Z 9.9
-- that seems to be right up my alley. Not too expensive, 90mm wheels, light boot but with a buckle where I need it. The only problem? Nobody only stocks anything other than 6-9 and 12.
Every online store I checked stocked the exact same sizes!
I guess online stores don't carry inventory at all. Instead, everything is shipped direct from the manufacturer and everybody just picks up a commission. (Why don't the manufacturers directly sell instead, I don't know.)
Newron Touron 4.11
looks very visually appealing but the wheel-base is designed for off-season ice hockey training so it skates differently from the standard inline. The maximum wheel size it can take is 80mm limiting the top speed. Of course, the price is a bit higher than what I had hoped to pay.
The three Rollerblade options are all hard-boot urban skates which means instead of cheap plastic, it's heavy-duty construction designed to take plenty of damage.
Fusion X5
and
Twister 243
both have small wheelbases with maximum 80mm wheels.
RB 10
comes with 90mm wheels and could be used as a recreational skate. The main problems are weight and of course price.
Given the current state of my thinking, I'm hoping Roller Derby has a few size 11s in their production queue in time for my U.S. trip.
Spartan Z 9.9
is definitely my number one choice but I'd be willing to live with
Pro Line 900
given for *my* uses, it will work as well as the $200-$250 skates from Newron or Rollerblade. Unfortunately, if there are no sizes available, then I have no choice but to spend more money.
AN UNEXPECTED CONTENDER?
Partly resigned to the $200-$250 price range, I came across something rather different:
LandRoller Mojo
. The videos on LandRoller's site and Youtube are very exciting. With 2 big wheels at an angle, I'd give up speed for the ability to go over cracks, grass, dirt, rocks and
quad-like
manueverability. Hopefully because it skates more like a quad, I don't need the same lower boot buckle support I need for inlines.
Now I'll be realistic -- I doubt I actually *need* to skate on grass but the thought of it is just cool. Basically, this is gadget-envy for skates. Rolling around with skates that look completely different from what everybody is used to will attract plenty of attention. And deep inside, we all want to feel that moment of glory -- our 15 minutes of fame. For an extra $100 (after choosing faster bearings) over a
Spartan Z 9.9
(assuming size availability), I basically am giving myself a psychological reward. Perhaps letting the brain muscle take a rest once in while will keep the focus stronger where it counts -- at least this is what I'm telling myself. :) Now if only the Newrons or Rollerblades are available in my size, there would be no price difference so LandRoller is far more compelling.
Let's see how things play out. There is a retailer in Palo Alto so I can certainly head down there during my U.S. trip to test the fit.
SAN FRANCISCO/PENINSULA SKATE ROUTES
Route 1
Start at AT&T Park, skate along the Embarcadero through Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, the Marina Green and Crissy Field to beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. On more adventurous days, head up the hill to the toll plaza and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. (The west lane is supposed to be for biking while the east lane is for foot traffic -- I usually took the bike lane and except for a few bikers who didn't want to share with fellow human-powered wheeled transportation didn't have any hassles.)
Distance: 11 miles round-trip, 13.5 miles w/ GGB crossing
Route 2
Start anywhere at Sunset Boulevard and head south to Lake Merced. One loop around Lake Merced and then west toward the Ocean towards the S.F. Zoo. Go back up north along the Great Highway (48th Avenue) until Ocean Beach. Then up through Golden Gate Park on JFK drive all the way through the Panhandle to the Haight-Ashbury area. The way back usually would be short-cuts on city streets.
Distance: 13.5 miles complete loop
Route 3
Start at Coyote Point in Burlingame and head south along the bay. The path goes straight all the way to Redwood Shores. If desired, you can cross city streets to skate along some of the smaller parks in the area.
Distance: 11.5 miles round-trip
Route 4
Do Route 3, return to your car and find out you've locked your keys inside the car. Skate all the way back to San Francisco for spare keys to get your car the next day. Ugh. Luckily, new cars all use electronic locks so if you use your FOB to lock your doors, it's nearly impossible to make this mistake.
Distance: 21.5 miles (unfortunately, mostly uphill and against the wind -- should have taken public transportation back)
Route 5
Follow the
Midnight Rollers
where ever they go.
(Filed in spending)
Inline skate analysis paralysis
Posted by Mossy
April 23, 2010 11:11 AM
MY KINGDOM FOR A SKATE
Now that I'm in China, I have been thinking of getting another pair of skates again. While I walk 3 times per week to the central shopping district (distance: 1 mile), I will need a more active lifestyle to stay healthier. There are outdoor exercise machines in the condo complex but they don't motivate me. Knowing myself, skating would be the only exercise I could stick with long-term.
I first tried looking for skates in China but it's a lost cause. Inline skates might sell for as low as 50rmb (less than $7.50) for close-out models up to 350rmb ($50) for copies of U.S. brands. Unfortunately, none of them fit me. No retailer stocks size 10.5 (CN 45) for that 1 in 100,000,000 Westerner who lives here and wants to buy skates locally. I even tried Guangzhou (a city with many expats) but I could only find a 9 (CN 43). My foot profile simply does not match what merchants keep inventory for so my only option is to pick up another pair of skates the next time I head back to the U.S.
To that end, I've started researching what inline skates are available. Knowing my skate style, my preference is for 2 or 3 buckles on the boot with at least 1 at the cuneiforms. (Most skates simply have a velcro strap at that area and it's just not tight enough for my tastes.) After a few days of getting reacquainted with the state of inline skates, the following current year* models meet my criteria:
* I found previous year models that met my criteria. But since they were prior year models, only close out sizes (really small) were available.
ANALYZING THE CHOICES
I immediately tossed out DBX Velocity . It apparently is a store-brand for Dick Sporting Goods and they don't offer replacement brake pads for their own brand! Otherwise, it would have been a possible option at $50 since the money at risk is so low.
Roller Derby Pro Line 900 looks close to my skate from almost 20 years ago but the wheelbase is too short for larger wheels. It comes with 76mm wheels -- you could probably fit in 80mm wheels but nothing larger. Now Spartan Z 9.9 -- that seems to be right up my alley. Not too expensive, 90mm wheels, light boot but with a buckle where I need it. The only problem? Nobody only stocks anything other than 6-9 and 12. Every online store I checked stocked the exact same sizes! I guess online stores don't carry inventory at all. Instead, everything is shipped direct from the manufacturer and everybody just picks up a commission. (Why don't the manufacturers directly sell instead, I don't know.)
Newron Touron 4.11 looks very visually appealing but the wheel-base is designed for off-season ice hockey training so it skates differently from the standard inline. The maximum wheel size it can take is 80mm limiting the top speed. Of course, the price is a bit higher than what I had hoped to pay.
The three Rollerblade options are all hard-boot urban skates which means instead of cheap plastic, it's heavy-duty construction designed to take plenty of damage. Fusion X5 and Twister 243 both have small wheelbases with maximum 80mm wheels. RB 10 comes with 90mm wheels and could be used as a recreational skate. The main problems are weight and of course price.
Given the current state of my thinking, I'm hoping Roller Derby has a few size 11s in their production queue in time for my U.S. trip. Spartan Z 9.9 is definitely my number one choice but I'd be willing to live with Pro Line 900 given for *my* uses, it will work as well as the $200-$250 skates from Newron or Rollerblade. Unfortunately, if there are no sizes available, then I have no choice but to spend more money.
AN UNEXPECTED CONTENDER?
Now I'll be realistic -- I doubt I actually *need* to skate on grass but the thought of it is just cool. Basically, this is gadget-envy for skates. Rolling around with skates that look completely different from what everybody is used to will attract plenty of attention. And deep inside, we all want to feel that moment of glory -- our 15 minutes of fame. For an extra $100 (after choosing faster bearings) over a Spartan Z 9.9 (assuming size availability), I basically am giving myself a psychological reward. Perhaps letting the brain muscle take a rest once in while will keep the focus stronger where it counts -- at least this is what I'm telling myself. :) Now if only the Newrons or Rollerblades are available in my size, there would be no price difference so LandRoller is far more compelling.
Let's see how things play out. There is a retailer in Palo Alto so I can certainly head down there during my U.S. trip to test the fit.
SAN FRANCISCO/PENINSULA SKATE ROUTES
Route 1
Start at AT&T Park, skate along the Embarcadero through Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, the Marina Green and Crissy Field to beneath the Golden Gate Bridge. On more adventurous days, head up the hill to the toll plaza and cross the Golden Gate Bridge. (The west lane is supposed to be for biking while the east lane is for foot traffic -- I usually took the bike lane and except for a few bikers who didn't want to share with fellow human-powered wheeled transportation didn't have any hassles.)
Distance: 11 miles round-trip, 13.5 miles w/ GGB crossing
Route 2
Start anywhere at Sunset Boulevard and head south to Lake Merced. One loop around Lake Merced and then west toward the Ocean towards the S.F. Zoo. Go back up north along the Great Highway (48th Avenue) until Ocean Beach. Then up through Golden Gate Park on JFK drive all the way through the Panhandle to the Haight-Ashbury area. The way back usually would be short-cuts on city streets.
Distance: 13.5 miles complete loop
Route 3
Start at Coyote Point in Burlingame and head south along the bay. The path goes straight all the way to Redwood Shores. If desired, you can cross city streets to skate along some of the smaller parks in the area.
Distance: 11.5 miles round-trip
Route 4
Do Route 3, return to your car and find out you've locked your keys inside the car. Skate all the way back to San Francisco for spare keys to get your car the next day. Ugh. Luckily, new cars all use electronic locks so if you use your FOB to lock your doors, it's nearly impossible to make this mistake.
Distance: 21.5 miles (unfortunately, mostly uphill and against the wind -- should have taken public transportation back)
Route 5
Follow the Midnight Rollers where ever they go.
(Filed in spending)
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