LondonSkaters Speed Team - Speed Skating & Rollerblading Club in London

KarineM · Posted: Tue Oct 11, 2005 2:35 pm Subject: What skates for a beginner to speed?

Hello,

I've been reading the forum for a while, but haven't seen a reply to my question in similar topics.

I've been skating for about 18 months on fitness skates and having lessons in a non-speed club. I'm on my third pair with upgrades. I knew they were no good for speed when I did Le Mans this year, my first speed event.

But there are so many speed skates. From the cheapest Filas at about €500, with quite a lot of different makes at around €750 and then the really good ones for over a €1000.

As I'm already classed as a "veteran" I'm not looking to win a Marathon, but I'd like to give the best I can and keep up with the others when I start training in a speed club.

What should I do? Go for a cheap or second hand pair and upgrade if I get better , go for good ones and keep them? Or just buy good boots and get second hand plates?

Karine (Confused in France)

Mikey-two-Names · Joined: 24 Feb 2004 Posts: 4108

I would suggest go for skates that fit your feet well, with comfort, above all else. Any other way will lead to pain and unhappiness. I too would buy boots first, though you have to decide now what boot/frame mount spacing to go for.

My bonts are exceedingly hard and have almost no padding, I feel every little bump in the road through them. Still, they are comfortable and fit well enough that I can wear them for an entire day's skating.

KarineM

Ok for comfy. That sounds like good advice. Thanks.

But 160 or 190 ? If I buy new I presume 190 would be more flexible with a majority of combinations. And no need for silly sizes like the 3x100 + 1x84 stuff.

And what frame/wheels to go for? 4 or 5 wheels, big or enormous?
Is 4x100 reasonable for a 1M66/6'6" woman beginner with shoe size 39 (It's the fashion, but would they do my knees or ankles in, or tire me out?) Is 5x84 better for me? They certainly look more stylish Smile

I also saw 4x90s yesterday. Is that good? I couldn't try them the boots were too big.

I think my use will be longish distance events , 24H du Mans, Marathons, 30kms etc. No 300m type stuff or sprints. My heart would give out Exclamation

I don't know if all this information I've given is usefull for advising me or just irelevant? Better too much than not enough Wink

KarineM · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 2:55 pm Subject: correction

oops - 165 or 195 Embarassed

I guess you knew that already Smile

Gav · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:01 pm Subject:

and 5'6" too I would be guessing Smile

195mm spacing is mostly useful if you want to skate on a 4x100mm setup. I would not recommend buying a 165mm spacing for a 4x100, as it makes you just that little bit higher off the ground.

almost every other frame setup still works on 165.

My personal opinion - if it's new (beginnerish) skates and you 5'6", you don't really want to be skating on 4x100 (yet!). Go for a standard 165mm spacing as it gives you more options.

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

Hi

I'm not expert or anything but I can tell u what I've decided to do after getting some advice from these guys.

I'm going for a comfy not too expensive 165. Going to try a few frames for that one (2nd hand/new stuff from ebay ). The only one I can't really try is the 4x100, But I can try almost anything else.

I don't now if 5x or 4x is best for me, But at least I can try quite a few combinations and not fork out a silly ammount of money.

I have a 4x82 and a 5x80 frame for now. Going to try those quite a bit with the boots and see what I preffer.

In a couple of years time (If I want to go for the 4x100) then I guess I'll change for a 195 boot.

By the way, I'm liking the 5 wheel setup more than the 4 so I might just get a 5x90 for my boots Very Happy

Kim (KD) · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2005 3:36 pm Subject:

In my experience, useing long frame is better than shot frames
for increase your skating skill in the fast times
when people change their skate from fitness to Racing skate.

so I can tell you 84 x 5 frame is good for start of skating.

what do you think? Smile

cheers.

KarineM

Oh yes 5'6" Embarassed

I'll be going for:

Comfy shoes with 165 spacing
and 5*84 frames

Wish me luck Wink

Tim · Joined: 26 Jul 2004 Posts: 381 Location: leytonstone E11

GOOD LUCK

KarineM · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 10:36 am Subject:

Thanks for all your help.

I spend nearly all day at Hawaii Surf near Paris Saturday trying on different boots. I eventuelly found the pair that were the right size, were narrow enough and of course were confortable.

As they were available as a complete skate set I bought them like that.
Exactly as you advised:
Boots with spacing 165 and confortable plus frame 5x84

I was even luck enough that they are pretty Cool

KarineM

Gav · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2005 12:34 pm Subject:

Cool - post a pic Smile

What are they?

KarineM · Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2005 9:10 am Subject:

They are Pro Skate. I bought the complete skates, rather than build them up from parts.

http://www.hawaiisurf.com/asp/home.asp?Id_Art=11993&Id_Rub=1&Id_Sous_Rub=20&Id_Rub_Active=80

I hope you like them.

I have never heard of pro skate. Any information would be welcome. Maybe it's Hawaii Surf's own make.

Karine