Roller skates, anyone?

Arminas

So I'm looking for some advice dealing with Rollerblades (actually a company, but all my life that's what everyone calls those shoes with 4 wheels in a line) or roller skates, whatever you want to call them. But I don't know a whole lot about them and would like to learn if using them would be a feasible form of transportation.

So I live about a 10-minute walk from my college campus, I know, not far. But there are days when I make treks up and down campus and just wish I had some wheels. Is using roller skates an okay form of transportation? I've only used them twice in my life when I was 10, but I have a little experience with ice skating (i.e. not dying and moving with alright speed, though braking is another story )

I suppose you'll need some background information on my terrain. It's mostly city, a lot of residential and commercial areas. Hilly in some places that I'll be going and a general incline when walking through campus. (west to east incline)

And if it's doable...what do I need to know about roller skates when buying them?

Invisible

I would recommend getting a bike over rollerblades. There's just a certain perception that goes with them, one that you might want to avoid. Plus they're hard to use for transportation. They don't stop easily and there's no place for you to really use them: sidewalks are full of grooves and people and it's even less safe for you on the road.

Arminas

Ah, I was hoping to avoid a bike for fear of theft.

Er, and I'm not familiar with perceptions that go with them?

And I was under the impression that rollerblades would go over grooves without a problem? But what do I know. ^_^;;

drxand?

they are also called inline skates

i think they are certainly a feasable mode of transportation, especially in a college setting. Not like you have to be in a business suit or formal wear or anything and it would make a quick portable way to get around.

fuck the social perception, fuck it up its stupid ass - if anyone were to stereotype you for using them to get around, they're probably jealous they suck at them.

personally i suck at them, but this thread actually inspires me to try them out again just to have a fun way to roll around.

blincoln

I have a friend who used to commute to work (further than you're talking about) on rollerblades. He liked it, although he took a few spills e.g. avoiding people with kids who weren't paying attention.

Speaking of which, I would highly recommend getting a good set of pads and wearing them until you can be reasonably sure you're not going to fall down. It took me a long time to be able to rollerblade without falling on my ass, or just falling in general. Especially since it's not possible to stop on a dime.

I'm too paranoid to skate on streets and sidewalks, but it is a fun way to get around and get some exercise. If you have a locker at school you should easily be able to stash them there.

Arminas

I'm happy for the positive commuting feedback on this. I don't think I really care about the stereotypes that may or may not surround rollerblades. I don't think I fill the part just in terms of looks and there's so much cycling and skate boarding by the student population that it's just common transport. Everyone and their mother longboards here. And I guess I'll just have to practice for a while I'm sure...maybe when Spring Break rolls around or something. Oh, and safety pads are a must since I do yongmudo in a club and I kind of need functioning joints :-\

Though, does anyone have advice on make/model, etc? keep in mind I don't need a lot of speed and just want control for stopping/dodging. I tried on some Zetrablade II's at a nearby Sports Authority and enjoyed the glove-like feel on them. Rolled around the store a bit until they kicked a friend and I out (it was closing).

Tucan

If you're getting blades for outdoor use get hard wheels. They usually have a number from 72a-80a or something around there. Lowest being the softest and so on. The harder the wheels are the less they will wear on the concrete. However, I think it may be harder to control. I'm not entirely too sure but it's just a heads up just in case the salesperson tries to pull some tricks. I play indoor roller hockey so I use about 74 softness wheels for grip on smooth surfaces.

I'm pretty sure 80a wheels would suffice for outdoors, if anyone knows more please correct me. I personally use 80a wheels for when I skate outside, they seem fine to me. Also another heads up are the ABEC numbers that you might see on probably all wheels. The higher the number the faster the wheels spin. The numbers range from about 4-8, I suggest asking others for more info on that too.

Damn this is a long post.

Basically what you want are good quality wheels, the boot should be comfy and the chassis should be sturdy. I can't recommend any brands that are for outdoors. I suggest you could follow up on some research with the info here. I may have more later. I'm going to bed now.

Edit: The back brakes on the roller blades will NOT stop you, it will only slow you down depending on how fast you're going.

blincoln

Definitely consider get some replacement wheels. If you're getting skates that aren't super expensive, you can buy better wheels for as little as $30.

Also, on the last pair I bought, the axle bolts were tightened *way* too much at the factory. I ended up loosening them considerably, and also applying machine oil to the axles every couple of weeks. Whether you do that or not, be sure to have a hex wrench around for working with the axle bolts. On the skates I've had, two identical wrenches is best, so you can use one from each side.

CangoFett

This looks like a job for Heelies!

GurtPerk

Rollerblading always seemed acceptable throughout the places I've lived and worked at around here in Portland, but I do seem to see far more bikers then anything in the city.

Me, personally, I wouldn't be too worried about theft unless there is some reputation going around about them often being stolen in your campus. Bikes a reliable source of transportation and, if it's a big issue, I would recommend getting a cheap bike or borrowing someone elses before trying commiting to anything else.

Arminas wrote:

And I guess I'll just have to practice for a while I'm sure...maybe when Spring Break rolls around or something.

Ho ho, and a jab to the gut for you over that pun.[/quote]

Rabid_Llama

CangoFett wrote:

This looks like a job for Heelies!

I was the first kid in my school to have a pair of those way back in 5th grade. Needless to say, I was the coolest kid in school. It was a big fad in my area to have them for about 6 months or so.

They are most certainly NOT a practical solution to this problem though.

Jimmy King

Invisible wrote:

I would recommend getting a bike over rollerblades. There's just a certain perception that goes with them, one that you might want to avoid. Plus they're hard to use for transportation. They don't stop easily and there's no place for you to really use them: sidewalks are full of grooves and people and it's even less safe for you on the road.

Not really true, none of this, except for the perception that commonly goes with them and perhaps safety on the road.

I used to do a bit of aggressive in-line. I wasn't spectacular... no flips, only grinding on shorter things of waist height or so at max, etc. but it was enough. I skated pretty much everywhere, every day.

The cracks and stuff in the sidewalk don't matter, unless your sidewalks are truly terrible. A normal sidewalk is no problem. You just step over the few cracks that are big enough to be an issue in one smooth motion and don't even notice them.

Stopping is also no problem. You don't use the brake that comes on the skate. I (and every other skater I knew and saw in videos, magazines, etc) always removed that shit brake as it wasn't any better for stopping than a t-stop and was always a risk for getting caught on shit, causing you to fall on your face. You stop using a t-stop, which is where you take one foot and drag it behind you, sideways. It causes extra wear on your wheels but with hard wheels it's not really noticeable for quite awhile as long as you rotate wheels to balance the wear properly.

If you can't stop safely, then you're going too fast for the area and/or need more practice. No different than any other form of travel.

As to the perception, well, don't put on spandex pants and a neon fanny pack and you can avoid most of that.

The biggest reason to not use skates for this is that many places do not allow skating on their premises, including many college campuses, and some cities actually do not allow it in some areas of town. Also, the hills mentioned may be problematic. While skating uphill becomes easier, it's never going to be the smooth, fun, ride of a flat or downhill surface if it's of any size.

redx

Tucan wrote:

Also another heads up are the ABEC numbers that you might see on probably all wheels. The higher the number the faster the wheels spin. The numbers range from about 4-8, I suggest asking others for more info on that too.

uhhh... not on the bearings? Unless a whole bunch of stuff has changed, anyway.

I don't really know what sterotype folks are talking about. But, whatever it sounds pretty retarded.

Blades are kinda annoying because you're going to have to spend a few minutes taking them off and putting them back on and taking them off and... It can be kinda annoying.

Comfort is important, and the that fit should be pretty snug. The boot warms up a bit as you move about, and the padding will breakdown a little. You get blisters when your foot is moving about in the skate. Tight it good, so if you are getting something that fits like a shoe, you will probably regrete it later.

I don't like the little back brakes. I'd learn to get by without them, cause they kinda get in the way later on, and they don't work all that great anyway.


Jimmy King seens pretty right about stuff. I concure with all that.

Now... he did leave out that down hill can stop being all that much fun if there is a step grade. Well, it can be fun, but really fun. But... not... safe exactly. Uphill isn't fun, but you don't end up thinking "oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, how do I stop or turn?"

Jimmy King

redx wrote:

Tucan wrote:

Also another heads up are the ABEC numbers that you might see on probably all wheels. The higher the number the faster the wheels spin. The numbers range from about 4-8, I suggest asking others for more info on that too.

I don't really know what sterotype folks are talking about. But, whatever it sounds pretty retarded.

It's the "rollerbladers are gay, spandex and neon wearing, sissies" stereotype. Honestly, I don't know where the hell it came from myself, but I know it exists.

redx

Jimmy King wrote:

redx wrote:

Tucan wrote:

Also another heads up are the ABEC numbers that you might see on probably all wheels. The higher the number the faster the wheels spin. The numbers range from about 4-8, I suggest asking others for more info on that too.

I don't really know what sterotype folks are talking about. But, whatever it sounds pretty retarded.

It's the "rollerbladers are gay, spandex and neon wearing, sissies" stereotype. Honestly, I don't know where the hell it came from myself, but I know it exists.

Yeah, I like your recomendation about not wearing spandex or neon.

Fuck, I ski, and that got a bad name from all the tools walking around as billboards for northface. I don't think anyone has ever confused me with either of those steretypes because of what was on my feet.

Nice post by the way.

WeeSneak

Only thing i can think of being wrong is the stopping, i mean, its really hard unless your real good at it. Why dont you get some heelies or whatever those things are? The ones with the retractable wheel in the back?

And also going up hills youll have to do that silly little side walk ive seen them do. With heelies you just walk up it.


Fuck i want some heelies.

redx

And also going up hills youll have to do that silly little side walk ive seen them do. With heelies you just walk up it.

???

whut?

no, really, you don't.

I can't imagine a hill where that is true, and I haven't always lived in florida.

blincoln

Skating up hill is harder, but you don't have to do anything unusual. I guess maybe if you were a really crappy skater you might?

I've never gotten the hang of the T-stop. I use the back brake, because it doesn't require any special balancing feats.

Gravity and Punishment

I'd recommend getting a skateboard over anything else. I've been skating since I was 6 or 7, and I find that (barring bikes) it's the best form of cheap transportation. Even a Sector-9 (big, gummy wheels and all that) would be great if you need to go down hills or anything. They go over bumps fine and all that and yadda, yadda. Best part is, you can just pick it up and stash it in a corner or even under your feet in class, better than having to tie/untie a pair of rollerblades.

Jimmy King

redx wrote:

Uphill isn't fun, but you don't end up thinking "oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck, how do I stop or turn?"

Man, I miss that feeling while praying there aren't any cars going to cross the intersection as I get to it. Being married and working in an office all day sucks.

Really, though, while it does take some practice and a few "oh shit, I'm going to die!" moments you can learn to keep your speed pretty well under control even on steep hills. The area I originally learned in was pretty hilly and coming full speed down a hill towards a T intersection, unable to stop or turns, to slam into the curb or jump the curb and land in the grass and fall on my face taught me to keep control pretty quickly.

But you're right, it's definitely something to check out and get some practice with in a low/no traffic area before venturing out onto city streets that might land you zooming out of control in front of traffic.

Arminas

Thanks for all the input

I didn't want heelies because I've never seen those as an efficient way to get around. Not to mention, being shoes, they wear down (more quickly than say a longboard or skates). And from what I've seen of Heelie usage, not so great for going down the sidewalk for a few blocks.

As for a skateboard... i have several friends that do board and they all complain about grinding their shoes down to nothing since that's the only break. Oh, and with a longboard, it appears to be near impossible to ollie onto sidewalks from the street.

And now I'm looking forward to getting some skates
Though, it'll probably take some time before I figure out exactly what kind of wheels I want to use...but I'll try a few of the different skates to see what's the most comfortable (and snug) on my feet.

But, are there any last yays or nays for particular brands or does it really just come down to preference? (er, besides hearing stock wheels are awful) I guess for example, as a beginner, will I regret not springing for the $100+ skates when I bought the cheaper $70 pair?

wombat

Are you going to school at Cal?


I wouldn't recommend roller skates for that kind of hilly area.





I also wouldn't recommend roller skates because they are oh so very nerdy

khain

Where are you going to store them during class? Obviously I don't know the rules at your college, but I would think that at the very least it would be frowned upon to actually wear them into class. Even if you can I never found them to be all that comfortable to wear while siting down or normally walking around.

Arminas

wombat wrote:

Are you going to school at Cal?


I wouldn't recommend roller skates for that kind of hilly area.

I am, but I live on the Southside where it's a slight incline to Northside, I'm just concerned going through some portions of campus though I was going to see if i can find ways to avoid the steeper portions.

And I'm already a nerd :P

CangoFett

The scientific term is Fruit Booter.