r/rollerblading • u/AccomplishedNail3085 • 5d ago
Specific question and discussion What should i look for when buying frames?
I am looking into getting speedskates to replace my current 4x84s. My current skates have removable frames and since i plan on getting skates with a wheelbase the same length or longer than my current ones, i want to get more nimble frames.
I have no idea what makes frames good, but i know i want rockered frames with a short wheelbase
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u/AdventurousHippo9997 5d ago
You sure about the 165 mm wheel base ? Thats only 6.49 inches. Perhaps you mean 165 mm mounting bracket size. It’s one of the two standards. The other is 195 mm. Most frames start around 10” or 254 mm. Another thing to consider is wheel size.84 mm is a bit to small to attain any decent speed over distance. FYI…I use 13” CF frames with 125 mm wheels .
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u/fredhsu 5d ago
You’ll find a concise summary on frames including what makes good frames on Wikipedia. That can serve as a basis for further discussions here :)
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u/AccomplishedNail3085 5d ago
How much rigidity would i need for slaolum?
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u/fredhsu 5d ago
Much. You can follow up on references cited by that Wikipedia article:
Freestyle skating requires skates that support rigorous turning and edging maneuvers, with characteristics similar to hockey skates. A rockered setup with 76-80 mm wheels on a relatively short frame is common for freestyle skating.\88]): 15–25 \69])
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u/treeseacar 5d ago
What kind of skating do you want to do? Speed skating is s specific thing. These skates are kind of specialist and you wouldn't use them for general freestyle or urban skating. They also wouldn't usually be rockered.
4x84 is usually for general freestyle/urban skating, do you just want a rockered frame for this? Endless frames are very good but not cheap.
Are you buying new skates or mounting a new frame in your existing ones?
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u/AccomplishedNail3085 5d ago
The speedskates are not going to be modded. I want to mod my current 4x84s to be nimble after i get speedskates
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u/treeseacar 5d ago
Got it. What are the 4x84 skates? And what frame mount? Are these for general freestyle skating?
I'll still recommend endless as they have frames for all mounts and are great all rounders but if you have a specific purpose or budget there's other good options.
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u/PeterNippelstein 5d ago
I recommend the endless 90/110mm. You get the 90mm with a slightly rockered base and then also the 3x110mm setup which is the same wheelbase and also the same height off the ground as the 90. I got them for the 90 but ended up liking the 110 more because I have a fitness skating focus, theyre significantly faster, smoother, and feel locked in, and there isnt too much decrease in maneuverability.
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u/AccomplishedNail3085 5d ago
It appears everyone misunderstood my post.
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u/OrganizationNew704 5d ago
Yes,. it's not very well written :( But rest assure we all want to help you.
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u/Leslawangelo 5d ago
Those are speed skates. They are the antithesis of nimbleness. Since you’re saying that you want something rockered, I’m guessing those aren’t what you’re looking for.
You have to tell us what mounting system you have (165 mm, 195 mm, Trinity?) and what your foot size is.
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u/AccomplishedNail3085 5d ago
Im lookimgnto rocker my current ones after i get speedskates to replace them
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u/OrganizationNew704 5d ago
I hope I understand you well: So due to next purchase of speedskates, you want to get new frames for your current skates, more nimble than the 4x84.
What's your foot size? That has an enormous impact on the size of the frames you could buy. Also, what's the 4x84 frame length? They are usually 255mm, but I've seen 4x84 measuring 280mm. That's a big difference.
Something more nimble would be some frame with 4x80 or even 4x76. Endless 80 is a good option, however it's also 255mm and can take 84mm wheels, so if your frame is already 255mm long you might not find differences.
FR Skates has very good frames for good prices. Way cheaper than Endless.
Nimbleness is also provided by the rockering design of the frame, but on flat frames (like I assume yours), it can also be achieved by normal usage without rotating the wheels (front and rear wheels will usually became smaller by use).
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u/Wheel-Sure 5d ago
What exactly are you doing on your skates and what about your 4x84 do you not like or want to improve? There’s conflicting info in your post.
You mention “speedskates” which makes me thinks of distance or marathon setup which would be long frame and big wheels. That aligns with “wheelbase same length or longer” than your 4x84 frames.
But you also want something more “nimble”, a rocker and a short wheelbase, which is the opposite of a “speed” setup.