[SkateDC] New Blades

Thu May 1 22:55:10 PDT 2008

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-----Original Message-----
From: Bill English <english60 at yahoo.com>

Date: Thu, 1 May 2008 16:15:51 
To:George Marinkovich <skatewash at yahoo.com>,       James Vlach <james.e.vlach at gmail.com>, skatedc at www.skatedc.org
Subject: Re: [SkateDC] New Blades

All,

I recently bought the K-2 Moto (the cheaper basic Moto, not the Moto 90) from Sports Authority. After breaking them in for about 30 miles, they have been very comfortable for me. Unfortunately, they seem slow. I changed the wheels & bearings but they are still slower than all my other skates. I will switch wheels with a faster pair of skates and see what happens. At least you can try out the Moto at Sports Authority (they have plenty in stock) and if it fits you can order the Moto 90, which should fit about the same but is supposed to be faster. The K2 Radicals seem to have a nice design, have any of you tried them yet?

The guys that came through DC last summer while skating from Florida to Maine used K2 Moto skates, a mix of Moto and Moto 90 (www.rollingforautism.com). K2 was their sponsor. A guy stuck with the basic Moto replaced its wheels with 90mm wheels but only three per skate because a 90mm wheel would not fit in the second position. He liked that better than the high/low 84mm/80mm stock setup. 

At least I have lots of confidence while skating down steep hills with my slow Motos.

Sports Authority does not usually mind much if you skate around their store for a while while comparison shopping for skates.

I  weigh about 230 lbs so perhaps a lighter skater will have better luck with the Moto. It has plastic rockering inserts that connect the axles to the aluminum frame and maybe I am squishing them.

I welcome advice about new skates on or off list. I miss Solomon badly.

Bill

----- Original Message ----
From: George Marinkovich <skatewash at yahoo.com>
To: James Vlach <james.e.vlach at gmail.com>; skatedc at www.skatedc.org
Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2008 9:31:57 AM
Subject: Re: [SkateDC] New Blades

Hi Jacque,

The K2 boot seems to have a unique fit.  People seem to either love the fit or hate it (I'm in the latter group).  Given that you have been on K2s for a considerable period of time I'm assuming you have no issues with the K2 fit.  Therefore my recommendation would be look at the new K2s.  Another advantage sticking with K2 is that you probably will be able to get the same size which will be helpful if you order by mail (for better pricing and avoidance of sales tax) and don't get a chance to try it on beforehand.

http://tinyurl.com/5t6sft

The biggest change in technology seems to be in longer frames and in larger wheel sizes (90 and 100mm).

You can get into a 90mm K2 for about $100 at discount:
K2 VO2 Max

For about $150 you can get other 90mm K2 skates:
K2 Nordic 90
K2 Radical 90

For about $200 you can get another 90mm K2 skate:
K2 Moto 90

The differences between the various 90mm skates seem pretty subtle to me.  Presumably the more expensive skates weigh less and have other features that may make the skate faster.  The other technological advances mostly have to do with comfort and ease of fastening.  Something with a separate ankle strap can be useful for achieving a solid (tight) fit without excessive lace tightening.

For about $300 you get into a 100mm K2 skate:
K2 Radical 100

None of these skates will be a big transition from what you are used to (which I assume are 78mm).  The 90mm (and 100mm more so) will be a little less maneuverable than what you have.  You'll notice the heel brake isn't as effective (due to the longer frame).

I think you're only other real choice is Rollerblade, but you may find the fit significantly different than K2.

You can try on skates at a couple places in VA.  Pro-Fit in Leesburg is probably the best.  You might also try Alpine in Sterling.  There are knowledgeable and friendly people working at Pro-Fit.

Finally, I find the K2 boot to be very uncomfortable for me and consequently I have no experience whatsoever with skating in K2s.  I'm sure there are people in the club who skate on K2s and they are probably a much better source of advice about the currently available K2s.

Hope this helps,
George

James Vlach <james.e.vlach at gmail.com> wrote: Hi All,

Does anyone have a recommendation for new soft boot skates for a decidedly
low intermediate skater.  My old K2s need to be retired.  They were good but
I feel certain science has made them obsolete since I purchased them in
1998.

Thanks
Jacque Vlach
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