LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

Simon · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 620 Location: Out side edge

At some point soon, we will be getting our new skates Very Happy

Now what frames should I get?

I know that 4x100 is the current way to go and this sound good to me.
But how do I know a good frame from a bad one?
What should I look for?

Hans · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 12:36 pm Subject:

Two of the best 4x100 frames on the market at the moment in my opinion are
Maple Diamond and the Fila Matrix 100

This is based on the deck, height and weight. However they are not cheap but i am looking at investing in the Maple Diamond frame or stealing the one that Gav has. Wink

peterc · Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 1269 Location: M3 somewhere

Not too sure if Belotti does a 195mm one, but there 165mm 4 by 100 was scary cheap. (150 quid with 8 wheels, axles and spacers.)

dan_b · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 2417

The Bont Sniper has served me well, but I probbaly would not buy it again as it can't be fixed to the boot using a standard frame tool but requires a stupid stubby allen key

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5888

Belotti do the Sentouno. It's a 12.8" 4*100 195 frame.

This is an interesting pdf file listing a lot of frames. 4 8 100s start on page 3:
http://www.racereports.net/images/framechart.pdf

roger · Joined: 26 Feb 2004 Posts: 528

I also have a Maple Diamond 4x100 frame and I am very pleased with it.

It cost 200 Euros at Berlin.

Simon · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 620 Location: Out side edge

Who is coming shoping with me in Berlin Smile

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5888

I will be shopping in Berlin. I did ask Daniel to quote me for a Maple frame too but didn't get anything on that. Maples come in a number of lengths. 12.8", 13.0", 13.3" and Daniel said they offer to make some 13.2" ones. Am tempted to go with the 13.0s

fzurro · Joined: 09 Sep 2005 Posts: 796 Location: Middlesex

I'm also shopping (not boots or frames as I'm getting my new stuff soon, but there are loads of goodies to buy Smile

)

ed! · Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 4:34 pm Subject:

Simon · Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 620 Location: Out side edge

Or I will join you with Dan's offer..

ed! · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 1:29 pm Subject:

Without doing much looking myself, how much do the Fila Matrix frames cost? Does the frame have a specific name, e.g. M100?

I might be able to source one/some cheap, but need to negotiate a price...

Rick · Joined: 25 Feb 2004 Posts: 5888

Fila ones are pretty short. 12.4" I think. If you want a good amount of maneouvrability then they could be a good option for you. I stil think a bigeer skater can have a better heel carve with a bit more heel to carve with so I am holding out for the Maples in 13"

Daniel said he had the Filas available in Berlin but he was short shipped on the Maples.

I quite enjoyed Fred's Diaboliks last night and will see how i get on over the next couple of weeks until Cologne. They are 12.54" and I found them quite twitchy but good fun and were great on the uphills. Of course the skates might have something to do with it. Sorry none of you guys managed to get yours in Berlin. They do appear to be worth the wait.

Xia · Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 874 Location: Geneva (Suisse)

Ask Hans about Fila matrix, thats what he has. I did asked him, and they are two frames at fila: the Matrix and the worldcup.
The matrix is the one Hans used and is used on the matrix fila skate. He said that they are one of the best frame around.
The world cup is on the F100 and the M100 (my skates) they are shorter than the matrix and use a lower grade aluminium but are also cheaper. I dont have any issue with them except when taxi drive on top of them.

ed! · Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:36 pm Subject:

Thanks for the quick feedback guys...I've made an enquiry about those and possibly the Maple ones.

I'll keep you all updated.