New Skates - 13:31 31 Jan 08Hello just wondered if you could help me and give me your opinion After visiting Loco skates in Eastbourne and looked at the skates there i decided that i wanted some new ones but im unsure on what should or what would be best suited for me the ones i liked the look of were the
K2 Alexsis K2 Athena Alu K2 Celena (the description of these ones scaring me slightly but they are pink) The link for the shop sight is http://www.locoskates.com/categ.php?s=47 saves you looking, Thanks for you help see some of you on tuesday Jodie
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Buying new skates can be tricky - there's a discussion thread about it under the Equipment and Techniques forum. (Help me write an FAQ on buying skates). In essence everyone advocates that you should go and try on skates to find out which is better for you in terms of fit (comfort), style and what you want them for.
If you're able to get to London Club Blue room near Marble Arch have a good selection of skates to look at, try-on, and they'll probably be better able to advise what you need based upon what you want the skates for i.e. recreational, slalom, artistic etc etc.
Good Luck
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dogsbody
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Re:New Skates - 20:31 31 Jan 08Hi Jodie and welcome to the site
It's a toughie you have there as you already have three skates which are very similar. They all have metal frames which is a nice step and they all have a "power strap" which holds the heal of your foot into the skate and helps a lot with control (although the Alexsis strap may be slightly low, it's hard to tell).
I imagine for the different costs all three will have different cushioning, frame positions and the way they hold your feet. This is entirely personal comfort and you can only really try them on.
The last difference are the wheels. The Alexsis has a Hi-Lo setup which means you have larger wheels on the back and smaller on the front but unless you are going to be very serious in your skating it's probably more faf than they are worth having to buy two sizes of replacement wheels. The Celena have much larger wheels than the others (90mm) and are also harder (83A) and so are better suited for outside where you will be doing distance in more of a straight line than going around and around a hall.
The Athena Alu looks like a good all round skate although it is the cheapest and the (non ILQ) bearings *may* not be the best compared to the others. You pays your money and you takes your choice Is it the weekend yet?? - Twitter Status
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lemming
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Re:New Skates - 08:02 01 Feb 08Surely the obvious place to start with this is to ask a couple of questions...
1. What are you current skates - the more details the better. 2. What sort of skating do you do (outdoor, indoor, slalom, street, distance etc).
I agree with what Dan and Red have said, although if you are close enough to visit, then you should try all of them on, plus a couple of the rollerblade skates they have as well. Different boots will fit different feet better, even within the same brand.
Generally, the more you spend, the better your skate. Don't be too put off by the bearings, you can always replace them for about 20 quid if you have to. Or ask for a discounted set when you buy them!! Skate Monkey !
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Peter
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Re:New Skates - 08:26 01 Feb 08lemming wrote: Generally, the more you spend, the better your skate. !
But be aware that an expensive pair of skates may not necessaily fit well. You really need to try before you buy.
My son has a pair of Crossmax (very expensive) and is quite happy in them. But I cannot wear them as the boot has a small stud that sticks in my heel.
I would suggest you try each skate on for about 5 minutes - think about each bit of the boot and hwo it fits. Do the toes pinch, does the heel fit snugly, does the cuff rub etc...
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dogsbody
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Re:New Skates - 10:47 01 Feb 08Don't be too put off by the bearings, you can always replace them for about 20 quid if you have to. Or ask for a discounted set when you buy them!This is a really good point, Bearings can be swapped/upgraded at any time and wheels too (I have soft wheels for indoors and hard wheels for outside) although you obviously can't put bigger wheels in than the frame can be used with. Some skates have interchangeable frames too although not the ones your looking at I don't think. Is it the weekend yet?? - Twitter Status
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Good Luck with the shopping spree and don't be put off. Shopping is fun, but if you're going to spend a lot of money you want to make sure you've bought the right skates for you.
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lemming
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Posts: 3044
Re:New Skates - 13:27 01 Feb 08Just to add to Peter's point - yes - don't spend lots just 'cos they cost more. Fit is all important.
BUT if you have two skates that fit equally well, a more expensive pair may well last longer / have better parts.! Skate Monkey !
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As mentioned by others, fit is very important in skates, and even though you may feel comfortable in one model from a manufacturer, the other models won't necessarily be as comfortable. I would not buy any skates without at least trying them on and rolling back and forth in the shop in them. When I bought my last skates I tried that years model, and the previous years model from the same manufacturer. The previous years model felt great, but the newer ones were really uncomfortable on me.
I can't quite make out the "power strap" on these K2 skates. It looks like it may be only a velcro strap. I have a liking for a proper ratchet "power strap". It's the place where the control comes from be keeping your heel locked in the skate.
Out of the three you have selected, it comes to fit, personal choice, and what your main skating will be. As DB has said, the 90mm wheels would be better for outdoor and distance, where the manoeuvrability is not as important. The ABEC 5 bearings could be an unknown quantity. ABEC ratings relate only to physical tolerances in manufacture, and do not give any indication of how free they will be on skates. The ILQ spec is designed for skating, and certainly I've been more than happy with my ILQ 9s.
Good luck with your decision.
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