Skater's Etiquette - Protocol

The
Unwritten Rules that bind skaters:

From the people who bought you the extreme skating tips below... check out their protocol section.. Useful reading.

Rollerblading / Inline Skating Tips - Etiquette / Protocol

Today's tip is the most important of all and believe it or not, its not a trick.
This is one where if you don't follow some of these rules you could turn into one of those skaters that go to the local skate park to drink and start fights. I've seen it many times before and unfortunately it seems to be quite easy to fall into this trap of basically being an idiot!

Technorati Tags: inline skating, ettiquette

The Back Flip

There are loads of web sites with instructions on how to perform various manouvers, mostly basic, some intermediate skills. The site below is worth checking out just to see it..  here we have detailed instructions on how to perform the most dangereous of tricks...  This one below, the back flip.

Who dares?

Rollerblading / Inline Skating Tips - Back Flip

Back Flip
Iain Smith backflip - notice the helmet kids...
The good old back flip... a great trick that is impressive and once you learn how it's done and how to fall out of it, is actually quite easy.

Back flips are not very popular in some circles but are always great if you do them big enough but don't start by going out and just doing it. There is a way to practice without actually completing one, it's called a ninja turtle or at least it used to be, I hope I can explain it well enough.

Technorati Tags: inline skating, backflip, skating ramp

Lighted Wheels

These always sounded a bit of a gimick to me but just recently a friend of mine got one fitted. He skates a lot at night and he skates from his house to the local park where we all meet. For him this is more of a safety feature than a 'go faster flashing light'.

He certainly gets noticed by the motorists.

Camelian Lighted Inline Skate Wheels

Innovative engineering & design make these wheels a "must have" accessory.
GREAT FUN FOR THE FAMILY

Technorati Tags: Inline skating, wheels, flashing wheels

The wheel FAQ

All you ever wanted to know about wheels...
how they are made, whats inside the different types that exist, what to do with them and how to maintain them.

This sections contains useful information of inline wheels and maintainence.

• Technical Info
  
• Wheel Diameter
  
• Durometer
  
• Rebound
  
• Profile
  
• Hubs / Cores
  
• Axle Kits
  
• Maintenance
  
• Rockering your skates
  

Inline Wheels FAQ

This sections contains useful information of inline wheels and maintainence.

• Technical Info
  
•  Wheel Diameter
  
•  Durometer
  
•  Rebound
  
•  Profile
  
•  Hubs / Cores
  
•  Axle Kits
  
•  Maintenance
  
•  Rockering your skates
  
  
  
  

Technorati Tags: wheels, skate wheels, inline skating

K2 Entry level Skate review

Thinking of buying K2 skates as your first pair?

Check out this article before you buy... Its from the about team and as such is meant to be impartial advice.

Whilst you are there you can also browse around their quite complete information on inline skating in general.

Inline Skate Review of the K2 Entry Level Inline Skates

Guide Review - K2's Soul 5 Entry Level Inline Skates
K2's collection of recreational and fitness skates is encompassed in their Soul line of skates, which has been redesigned for 2005 and includes the Soul Slide, Soul 7, and Soul 5. It appears K2 has gone back to their roots with their Soul family of skates. According to their web site, "The roots of skating revolve around a design that features a maneuverable short frame and a boot that you could stay in all day. Ten years ago we skaters enjoyed the freedom of rolling all day in skates that were designed to go anywhere and skate anything. At K2, we have not forgotten these roots."

Technorati Tags: inline skating, k2, skate review

Inline Online?

Inline skating lessons online?...
Does anybody actually take these classes?..  and whats more, if they do, do they get the proper training they need?

I personally still havn't made my mind up about it yet, but I think that with a good skating book as guidance and a few lessons from a qualified instructor to iron out any problems and prevent and bad habits from starting that is enough for most folks.

Inline Skating Center - Inline Skating Lessons, Rollerblade Maintenance, and Trail Guides

We provide lessons and modules to help recreational, inline skaters become advanced trail skaters. Our inline skating lessons are designed to take the novice skater from the schoolyard to the rollerblading trail in one season.

In addition, we teach you the skills you need to keep your inline skates in top, rolling condition. Our series on inline skate maintenance shows you how to inspect and adjust your skates on a weekly and monthly basis, as well as how to do an annual tune-up of your wheels, bearings, and brake.

Technorati Tags: inline skating, lessons, skating lessons

Buying New Skates

 "Kahuna" Matt's six steps to choosing the right skates.
Usefull information here basically showing the difference between the different types of skates. It also has a little bit of skate terminiligy. Some general purchasing and fitting considerations are covered too.

How to Buy the Right Pair of Skates

1.Consider the type of skating you want to do:

There are six types of inline skates for different styles: recreational, fitness, speed, hockey, aggressive, and freestyle.

Select skate type

Technorati Tags: inline skates, buying skates, guide

Rollerblade Crossfire 4D Skates Men's '06

OK - So If I don't buy the Roces S-201 then these little beauties would be a great alternative.
A little more expensive with a ticked of around $190 but they come with 90mm wheels and ABEC 7 fitted. Seems to be a somewhat superior skate.

Rollerblade Crossfire 4D Skates Men's '06

•  Closure: TFS POWER-By pulling on the TFS disc, this quick, light, effortless system provides tightening of your skate with zero pressure points. Ratcheting buckle
•  Shell: PLS-This Crossfire shell design provides stability and precise control for turning and has a lower cuff to accommdate the needs of an advanced skater, while still providing enough support for the average skater.
  
•  4 Drive Frame: Adjustable, aluminum frame provides the ultimate performance in speed and versatility. With a quick adjustment to a shorter wheelbase length, it is possible to make tighter turns with faster acceleration. Adjust the frame to a longer wheelbase for more consistent speed. This frame can also be adjusted laterally to personalize the boot-frame alignment for different skateing necessites. 4x90 Length 10.8" (275mm) - 11.8"(300mm), Max wheel size 90mm and 165mm mount spacing.
  
•  Wheels: Rollerblade Active 90mm 84A
  
•  Bearings: ABEC 7 Brake comes on the skate

Technorati Tags: rollerblade, crossfire 4d, inline skate

Roces S201 Fitness Skates

The new range of skates from Roces is now available.
I'm considering getting a pair of these. I think that with some ABEC 7 Bearings instead of the ABEC 5's that come as standard they will make a great allround fitness skate.

Roces S201 Fitness Skates Men's 2006

# Biomex Ventilated Nylon

# Special Shock Absorbing Insole

# Lace-memory Buckle / Velcro Power Strap

# Comfortable Ventilated Breath Liner w/ SLO-Memory Foam

# Easy Entry System / Cool Breath System Boot

# Ventilated Anatomical Footbeds

# Molded ALU Frame

# Hyper 80mm 80A X-350 Wheels (Max 84mm) ABEC5 Bearings

Technorati Tags: inline skate, recreational skate, roces

The T-Stop

Jim Safianuk explains step by step exactly how to perform this wheel wearing advanced level inline skating stopping method.


Inline Skating Technique -- The T-Stop

Advanced skaters sometimes prefer to use the T-stop as a quick way to slow down. However, excessive use of this means of stopping can prematurely wear out the inside edges and the profile of your wheels. If this isn’t a major concern for you, by all means use the T-stop when it’s to your advantage to do so. The T-stop is applied by forming a T-shape with your skates.

Technorati Tags: inline skating, t-stop

Inline Skate Bearing Maintenance

Check out this great article on how to clean your bearings.

You probably find yourself changing your wheels over from one skate to another and from front to back on a regular basis to eliminate the wear on one side of the wheels. You might also take out the bearings and spacers and give them a blow or even a drop of oil from time to time.
This article by Dicky Williams takes it one step further and tells you how to open the bearing housing and thoroughly clean the insides. Definately worth doing from time to time and will improve the performance of your skates no end.

Inline skate bearing maintenance

Bearing Removal

Removing your bearings can be quick and easy if you know a few tips and tricks. Right out the gates, you need to determine whether you have a standard bearing spacer or a “floating” bearing spacer. The easiest way to determine this is to look closely at the hole the axle goes through and see if there is a seam between the bearing and the spacer or if there is smooth metal all the way through. If you have a seam, you are the proud owner of Floating bearing spacers. If you have smooth metal all the way through (with no seams) then your skates are equipped with Standard bearing spacers. Now that you’ve determined the type of spacer you have, go to the section below that applies to you....

Read on: http://www.londonskaters.com/article_bearing_maintenance.htm

Technorati Tags: inline skating, rollerblading, bearings, skate maintenance

Ski Blading

Are you a skier using inline skates for crosstraining? If so then you might be interested in this video by Frank Boyd called 'Ski Blading'. He does downhill slalom skating using ski poles.
Check out the review on Kathie Fry's skatelog.com

Ski Blading: Cross Training for Skiers

 
In 2004 United States downhill inline skater Frank Boyd
released a downhill inline skating instructional video called "Ski Blading"
which focuses on using downhill
inline skating as cross training for competitive
and recreational skiing.


Technorati Tags: inline skating. rollerblading, ski blading