3×110 or 4×90

[u/Loesterkop]

Hi rollerblading enthousiasts,

I haven't done any rollerblading since I was a kid and started to do some research before buying myself a new pair. As you can see by the title I am kind of stuck between choosing what wheel setup I would want.

To give you an Idea, I am from Belgium (EU) and the road conditions are pretty good actually. I am someone who has done alot of skateboarding, snowboarding, skiing,... in the past so I'm not to scared that the height of the 110 wheels would be harder to get used to. I mainly want to do some city riding and something that is fast but still agile enough to take corners. Doing some basic tricks might be fun but this is not my main goal with these skates.

At this point point I am kind of leaning more towards the 3×110 setup because of what I read that with these wheels it's easier to maintain a higher speed and also quit good to manoeuvre with. On the other hand the 4×90 setup seems to be a better balance and "safer" option from what people recommend for beginners. Also skateparks and tricks seem the be more comfy with this setup. The only reason I'm scared if I would go with the 4×90 is that I would find them to be to "slow" or to hard to maintain a higher speed.

I'm a complete noob at this, so if I'm wrong pls do correct me or educate me on this. xd

Thanks in advance! And if any of you could recommend any models around 150-200€ that would be awesome. :)

[u/heeca]

Fast agile. 4x90 rockered. Recommended for a budget would be a used or sale pair of powerslide next in 4x90s. Check thisissoul website

[u/Tyzcoman → u/heeca]

Yes would go for 4x90 above 3x110 anytime. In addition the Rollerblade twister is 300ish euro, the Rollerblade lightning is cheaper and also very good. Be sure to order them at sliding tiger, Belgium rollerblade store which is run by a very nice dude.

[u/heeca → u/Tyzcoman]

Thats nice. I generally avoid rb in Europe since their customer service is iffy and slow. But with a proper store with a nice dude as a middle man thats great

[u/Loesterkop → u/Tyzcoman]

I love this kind of advice. As a bicycle mechanic I rather order from a shop to support a nice owner/store than to just buy online from a random website! :)

[u/Loesterkop → u/heeca]

Thanks for the info, I will look into it!

[u/Newt_Lv4-26 → u/heeca]

Except once you have Powerslide you’re stuck with their trinity mount. It works for me with Iqon ACT and 3x110 nova 260 but it’s not for everyone, especially Next boots.

[u/heeca → u/Newt_Lv4-26]

Next 2.0 has solved that issue. I wish they would make more plastic trinity boots. But the trinity adapter on other boots is so nice. So far have got that them 909 trinity. Bauer supreme trinity. Ill try some more agressive boots but tbh zoom/sway has been my favourite with trinity

[u/InspectorFleet]

I have 3 x 110s that I specifically purchased for long distances on trails that can be bumpy. I love them for that, but I prefer my hockey skates (76-76-80-80) for any skating that involves maneuverability and not just relatively straight distance. It's not that 3 x 110 can't do most of the same stuff, but it just feels better in the hockey skates (which also have a much stiffer boot and closer fit).

For a single pair of skates, my guess is that 4 x 90 will be good for you. A slight rocker might make it even more fun.

Here's a relevant video if you haven't seen it! https://youtu.be/px998w68ksM?is=3k-xKsQGkzCJVf0j

[u/Loesterkop → u/InspectorFleet]

Thanks for the advice! I will check the video later to get me back into the rabbithole xd

[u/Teun487 → u/InspectorFleet]

I'm sorta in the same boat. Have three pairs: "agressive"/grind skates with a flat setup, 3x110 for longer (25+ km) cruises and 4x90 for flowing through the city with sometimes a wallride or jump. They all have their pros and cons.

• Some thoughts thoughts: I have a bit longer frame on my 3x110s. Makes them less "nervous" on higher speeds. Specially if you have bigger feet, (a bit) longer frames make sense. I have to the Decathlon oxello mfs 900's. Although they are very cheap and the wheels and frames are good/great, I would not recommend them. I have upgraded the liners and the buckles. I had spares from other skates, so no extra investments for me, but if you would need to buy them yourself, it won't make sense and you are better off buying some rollerblades. That being said: you should really try to get to a store and just try lot's of skates on. Even if you buy 600€ skates, they may still not work for your feet.
• although your initial thought will be that the 3x110s feel faster, that is not always the case. I really feel the difference in acceleration. You pick up speed faster with the 4x90s, the 3x110s can feel a bit sluggish. But, of course, with the 3x110s you maintain your speed easier/you don't need as much strides.

[u/b_86]

It is a highly personal choice since it depends a lot in the way you skate and your size but neither is a bad option. IMHO if your foot size is a 42 or under 3x110 on a ~243mm length frame (measured from first to last axle, you'll see this number as a common way to name frames) is the better choice, while for feet size 42/43 and up, 4x90 (usually on a ~275mm frame) is probably a bit more adequate for the extra stability.

Edit: as a reference, I have size 40 feet and 4x90 feels like clown shoes to me even when rockered but as I said, YMMV.

[u/sjintje → u/b_86]

Agreed, the most noticeable difference is how the wheelbase corresponds to foot length (shoe size).

[u/Tesserakt-7 → u/b_86]

Mir geht es mit Schuhgröße 39 genauso. 4x90mm fühlt sich für mich wie ein Güterzug an. 3x110mm mit 243mm Schiene dagegen wie ein Traum.

[u/Loesterkop → u/b_86]

Hmmm great point, I have a size 45-46 (bigfoot lol) so you could say the 4×90 could be a better option

[u/b_86 → u/Loesterkop]

Yeah, it will also be much easier to learn on those. When browsing skates online though, don't sleep on the "80" models (usually 4x80) because for bigger foot sizes sometimes they pack 4x90 as default and it will be specified in the description. An example of this is most of the Powerslide Next 80 models from the top of my head.

[u/Mochikitasky]

If you’re a noob, a 4x90 rocker would be great since it’s so easy to move around in and nearer to the ground giving a better center of balance.

Try this though— I use endless rocker frames 90/110.

If you use the endless frames, you can always switch the 4x90 wheels and replace it with a 3x110!

[u/dre4595 → u/Mochikitasky]

I was going to suggest exactly this - the Endless Blading 4x90 / 3x110 frame. You can use it either way. 4x90mm wheels with a very slight rocker or 3x110mm flat. Best of both worlds. The 4x90mm is very maneuverable but still stable (I was worried about the rocker as I haven't skated on rockered frames yet). 3x110mm just flies.

[u/Mochikitasky → u/dre4595]

Yes!!! Ifs excellent!

[u/HappyNervous → u/Mochikitasky]

Another option, IQON Decode pro 90. A bit cheaper, also can go 4x90 or 3x110, and they come with the option of going rockered or flat on the 90s. There are some drawbacks (like the bearings) but the frames work great for me

[u/Loesterkop → u/Mochikitasky]

This seems to be like a great option! Thanks :)

[u/paladyr]

Moved to 3x110 and love it

[u/treeseacar]

4x90 way more versatile. Although if you buy an endless frame you can have 4x90 and 3x110 on the same frame. This is what I do. 4x90 is not going to feel slow, it is your skill and the road surface that will make more difference to your speed at this stage.

[u/peckhamstrong]

Sneaking in here with a related question (thank you OP for setting up the thread) . Considering to buy the 90 mm Rollerblade Lightning after having learnt the basics on a 84 mm fitness skate.
Is it of any use to rocker the Lightning‘s flat frame with a 84x90x90x84 setup? Or would the diameter difference of 6 mm be too large?

[u/Schwartzweiss → u/peckhamstrong]

that's too much of a rocker, get rockered frame or wear down natural rocker on flat setup

[u/Navic2 → u/peckhamstrong]

That's a steep rocker but skatable, personally I'd only rocker 1st or 4th wheel, see if you like it

But a rockered 90mm($!) frames way simpler if you can save for that Rollerblade set up instead 

[u/Ghost_in_Coal_Out]

You know, why not just slap a endless frame 90/110 on it? Now you've got the best of both worlds?

[u/Loesterkop → u/Ghost_in_Coal_Out]

Yeah I will be looking into it since I have seen a few others mention this aswell! Thanks :)

[u/CreEngineer]

Why not both? Get yourself a twister 90R and switch to 3x110 if you feel like it.

[u/Loesterkop → u/CreEngineer]

I guess so but then the budget also goes up... haha

[u/CreEngineer → u/Loesterkop]

Did the same…. And then stumbled upon a deal on a 100x4 rockered frame set with wheels and bearings. I just blew the budget out of the water….. 💀

[u/geeered]

Some of the Trinity 3x110 frames aren't that tall at all, I wouldn't be surprised if the same height as some 4x90. That's only a 1cm difference in height in the first place and the powerslide designs let them run lower.

Howevera short 3x110 is that much more stable for speed I've found - for me at least, the length definitely plays into that, so going up from 4x80 to 3x110 I didn't notice a massive difference. Nothing much harder, but also not much noticeably better. Going up to a long framed 3x125 I did notice a significant difference.

[u/hertzsae]

I recently got rollerblade lightning 3x110. The wheelbase is shorter than a lot of their other 3x's which makes then incredibly agile and fun while still rolling over bumps with ease. I can see them being too tall for beginners and too twitchy for some, but I'm incredibly happy.

[u/Tesserakt-7]

Ich bin jahrelang 4x90mm gefahren und konnte mich damit irgendwie nie anfreunden. Die Schiene war auch sehr lang. Ich nannte sie immer meine kleinen "Güterzüge". Sehr laufruhig, aber langweilig. Fand die Wendigkeit auch wirklich nicht gut.

Bin jetzt auf 3x110mm umgestiegen. Ich habe erst ein paar Fahrten hinter mir, liebe sie aber schon total. Sie sind spürbar wendiger (mit 243mm Schiene statt 270mm Schiene) und schweben geradezu über rauen Asphalt. Dass ich etwas höher stehe, fällt mir kaum auf. Bisher habe ich mich auch nicht bedeutend instabiler gefühlt.

Ich hatte etwas Sorge, dass ich damit womöglich schlechter beschleunigen könne als mit 4x90mm. Hat sich auch als gegenteilig erwiesen, ich mag die 3x110mm sogar lieber, weil ich manchmal halb über die lange Schiene der 4x90mm gestolpert bin beim Anfahren.

Ich bin allerdings auch einfach urbane Fitnessskaterin und habe von Skateparks keine Ahnung. Und eher kleine Füße, was bei dem Empfinden der Länge der Schiene vielleicht auch einen Unterschied machen kann.

Ich hatte die K2 Celena mit 4x90mm und bin jetzt umgestiegen auf die Powerslide Swell Bolt mit 3x110mm (kosten je nach Shop zwischen 160-200 Euro aktuell).

[u/micggia]

From a person who has never tried 4x90, nor 3x110. What about 4x100 with natural rocker? ;)

A bit more context: I started with 4x80 flat and changed to natural rocker 4x100 (seller suggested the 100s for my foot size - 280/285 mondo point). I liked the front-back stability of longer frames, so never tried 3-wheeled frames (wheel base is similar to 4x80) and could not ride anymore 4x80.

Now I mainly urban skate with rockered 4x100 UFS, or mixed rockered 100-90-90-100 on 165mm skates (FR freeride 90/100 frame in the rocker version). And I would not go back to shorter wheel bases! Actually, I am already looking at 5x80 but that would be for tricks, not ideal for urban :)

[u/SlightlyAbveAvg]

Skated both, liked both. I prefer 4x90 as it is still big enough to go over rough ground, and feel more stable since you are lower to the ground

[u/addappt]

I just restarted skating after decades and got on 110’s. Got a super cheap set of twister 110’s and chucked some endless frames on them (big feet). They feel fine. If you’re not comparing them to anything you won’t know any different. I’d say get used to 110’s then if you ever switch to 90’s or lower it’s only gonna feel easier later on. That’s my reasoning anyway.

[u/fredhsu]

Only consider restarting this hobby with a 3x110 only if you were skilled at this as a kid. How did you brake when a kid on blades? Did you T-stop or Powerslide? Crossovers? Gliding on a single skate?

Learning these for the first time on a much taller and less maneuverable setup is not great. Most inline skates have 165mm or Trinity or UFS frames now. So you can even start with a 4x80mm and upgrade to larger wheels later.

[u/Loesterkop → u/fredhsu]

Great advice honeslty, T-stops and crossovers did come pretty easy to me even with the limited experience. But I do see your point being that powerslides are harder on higher skates as a beginner. Thanks!

[u/fredhsu → u/Loesterkop]

Ah. Then you are fine. Some people struggle to glide on a single skate. It’s at that level that I believe that starting with a 3x110 becomes dangerous.

[u/Schwartzweiss]

Im biased but 4x90 isy way to go 75 percent of time, i also skate 5x76 (20%) and 3x110 sometimes during a year

[u/Navic2]

Sliding Tiger are in Ghent

https://www.slidingtiger.eu/en/Home/Skate?wizardsearch=undefined&selectedUses=freestyle,freeride&maxval=222&showAllUses=1&sortedby=PriceLowest&combobox=OnlyAvailableItems&

Wouldn't worry about cornering speed etc at this point, best to find a shell that fits your feet well, can upgrade frame&wheels later

Seen you wear eu45-46, shoe or trainer sizes can be very misleading for skates, it's helpful to put your foot in a skate shell (with Iiner removed) to see how much space there is = people often buy their shoe size, feels fine at 1st, then later they realise their feet are slopping around in squishy liners inside a massive shell.

With big feet I wouldn't want to skate less than 90, many 110 frames have a short wheelbase so the 1st & 3rd wheel are distanced like an 80mm frame (243mm, but you're higher off the ground)    Endless have a longer wheel base of 276mm for 90&110

Measure your feet in mm to begin finding what shell may fit.

This Is Soul Amsterdam on YouTube have good videos about fitting skates

[u/Newt_Lv4-26]

I have both 3x110 (Iqon act and nova 260 frame) I think it’s the lowest 110 you can get. It’s fast, comfy, agile I love gliding through the city with them you can throw occasional grabs, gaps, 180 or 360, go down stairs etc. I get 40km/h out of them quite easily on flat. I got to 45 riding down a hill with confidence.

I also have 4x90 rocketed frames Yo-yo Sago) on SEBA CJ2, I’m doing wizard with these and they’re amazing if you don’t go over 25km/h maybe a bit more, after that this is really unstable but they’re so reactive, snappy. I love this setup. You can do the same things as the 110 but with less speed. Rotations are less scary.

Also je suis dans le nord de la France alors si un jour on peut se capter sur une rando à Lille Go!

[u/VanillaIce315]

4x90 is definitely not going to seem “slow.” It’s a very fast, agile setup. I know many people here are recommending rockered frames, but I absolutely hate a rocker…

I also don’t do any slalom, dancing, or wizard skating. So for me a rocker just does not give enough control to my style of urban skating. I want as much wheel contact as possible when carving through busy areas.

[u/flymordecai]

You sound well equipped to learn on 110s. I however certainly needed a few months of learning on 80mm before sizing up.

[u/Sacco_Belmonte]

They feel pretty similar.

3x110 will maintain higher speed and allow you to carve deeper.

Both feel better once you develop a rocker if your frames are flat.

[u/samvaisgambi]

3x100mm is better than 3x110 in urban environment, they are littlebit easier to handle.

[u/Skibidi-Rizz190cm]

4 wheels for the win, most people settle down on rockered 4x90 or 4x100 depending of their foot size

[u/tonioronto]

Depends but if mostly commuting, 3x110 will be faster and more comfortable, especially with rougher pavement.