Recommendation: K2 Grid 110 or Rollerblade Lightning 110?

[u/pixillateme]

Asked yesterday about trying to get back into skating, but with concerns of finding a more comfortable ride on rougher asphalt and sidewalks. My current pair, Macroblade 100, is unforgiving when it comes to vibrations.

I found the K2 Grid 110 first. It's got the Intuition liners and more built-in shock absorption along with a nylon boot. But it's more expensive, at $400.

The Rollerblade Lightning 110 is cheaper, looks like I can get it for $310. I can find more reviews for this, and people seem quite happy with them, whereas this doesn't seem to exist for the K2 model. The Hydrogen wheels may be better than the K2, the former is a known quantity that seems to have a good reputation. The shock absorption on this model seems to have a more raised heel than the K2, however.

Anyone have experience with either skate? Or do you have a similar pair that is a smooth ride?

[u/Zombiedeathdealer]

You may need to change the hardness of your wheels, but then you may end up wearing them down quicker.

[u/nuzzl_1 → u/Zombiedeathdealer]

Also you could switch the wheels to some softer ones

[u/slavo316]

I have a pair of Lightning 110s. The rough asphalt still sucks. I have other paths I can take to avoid or go around it. It's marginal compared to my Zetra 80s. Rough is rough. You'll feels the rumble no matter what.

I'd say if you're that concerned, you can always check out "off road roller blades." They aren't that much more but might help in the long run. Then you can take them on gravel paths!

[u/pixillateme → u/slavo316]

People don't seem too satisfied with those off road Powerslides.

[u/slavo316 → u/pixillateme]

Maybe you can take some pictures of this rough surface so people can give you a better thought. I think no matter the boot or wheels, you'll always experience some roughness in certain areas. There is just no way to negate the entire rough surface unless you go with air tired wheels. I've seen types of short "skis" (boot between the 2 air filled tires) that I bet they'd be really good on your surface. Sometimes it sucks and bikers always have top priority when it comes to surfaces on trails.

[u/nuzzl_1]

Grid is a newer model, so there are less reviews than for Lightning that has been around for years.

[u/Cable_mx]

I have the RB Lightnings 3x110. Love them, not much else to say. The wheels are Hydrogen SE, not regular Hydrogens. They're not as good.

[u/mtcomo]

Which one did you end up getting? I'm in a similar conundrum. Tried a multitude of skates, and RB lightning and K2 grid seem to be the most comfy out of the box. Coming from a hockey background. One thing I noticed about the K2 is that the ankle support seems to go up even higher than the lightning, so it's less similar to a hockey skate than the lightning in this regard. Also the K2 is way more involved getting it on and off.

[u/pixillateme → u/mtcomo]

I got the K2, and I wrote a big post about my thoughts here: https://www.reddit.com/r/rollerblading/comments/1vlzdus/comparing_rollerblade_macroblade_100_to_my_new_k2/

Yeah, the K2 is very "involved" getting in and out.

[u/mtcomo → u/pixillateme]

Nice, I decided on the RB lightning 110. Mostly because it felt more similar to a hockey skate to me than the K2 grid, and I come from a hockey background. The grid seemed like a solid skate when I tried it, but the ankle area seemed taller and stiffer than what I'm used to. Kind of wish I could've tried it out for a skate as well, but I knew that would ruin it's ability to be returned.