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elric

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Posts: 262

Help me write a FAQ on buying skates - 12:24 23 Jan 08 dogsbody wrote:
Thanks elric

I would have thought you could do (or perhaps even just part do) the buyers guide to skates. Perhaps even start up a new thread for it to get peoples ideas and then put them into an FAQ entry. Just an idea.

None of these FAQ's need to be long but just nice introductions to the subject and perhaps links to more information. That way new visitors to the site won't be scared off when we talk about "Goodwood" or "LFNS"

I can't say I have any experience buying skates myself so I need help.
Recomended shops, on the high street and online.
What skates are under or oversized, I.E buy 1 size lower than you normal footware.
What brands come highly recommended, moderately and rubbish.
What to look for.
What fit to expect on purchase and after breaking them in.

Anything else you can think of.
Thank you.

When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

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lemming

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Posts: 2996

Re:Help me write a FAQ on buying skates - 23:38 23 Jan 08 I think this is a brave one to try and write; mind you, your previous ones have been pretty good, so this should at least get people heading in the right direction..

Shops we can recommend (Blue Room, Proline, Kate's Skates)

Trouble with sizing is that even same brand skates can come up different.
I have had 4 sets of Salomons and they've all fitted slighty differently. Hell, even my custom speed skates aren't perfect.

My buying advice would be
- What sort of skating do you want to do (to get a general type of skate - soft / hard boot, wheel size etc.)
- Try on lots to get the best fit
- Don't spend less than 100 unless they're on offer

It's really tough and I think anything we do provide should have a caveat at the beginning and end.

Post edited by: lemming, at: 23:44 23 Jan 08 ! Skate Monkey !

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Red

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Posts: 3123

Re:Help me write a FAQ on buying skates - 08:54 24 Jan 08 Agree with Lemming - blimey never thought I'd say that ! It is important to try on skates and to take your time, after all you will hopefully get at least a couple of good years out of them and you want them to fit right and to meet your needs. It's a investment in your sport and your feet.

Happy writing.

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dogsbody

Moderator

Posts: 5319

Re:Help me write a FAQ on buying skates - 14:49 24 Jan 08 Little snippets of things from me...

Proline Skates is a good shop (I really wish they were affiliates

)

Trying them on is important but don't be scared of online retailers. By law you have to be able to return good that don't fit when you buy from somewhere that you couldn't try them on.

Generally speaking, with all the skates I have seen you should buy either a whole or half size larger than your shoe size. Beware of US, EU and UK sizes.

Brands wise, Salomon (if you can get), K2, Rollerblade, Seba are all good for inlines you can add Roces & Bauer for quad although there are probably others. Saying that even the cheap makes such as Skateside are an OK skate as they are properly made with the right parts. As lemming Says, pay over £100 and say well clear of anything with plastic wheels (argos).

It's probably worth linking to the FAQ about skate types and just discussing briefly about a few things such as frame length (the longer the frame the easier it is to go faster in a straight line but harder to turn, I'm generalising) and rocker (used for slalom but needing special frames unless you do "poor mans rocker" and put different sized wheels in). Wheel size could also be talked about and wheel hardness. I don't think these things need a lot of talking about but worth covering. Or they could be a separate FAQ!!

I think that is it!

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

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lemming

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Posts: 2996

Re:Help me write a FAQ on buying skates - 19:40 24 Jan 08 The returning isn't an issue, but you will have to pay postage - that's what makes it bad... ! Skate Monkey !

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dogsbody

Moderator

Posts: 5319

Re:Help me write a FAQ on buying skates - 20:43 24 Jan 08 That is true

The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

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elric

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Posts: 262

Re:Help me write a FAQ on buying skates - 20:53 24 Jan 08 dogsbody wrote:

I think that is it!

So only about 8 pages then.

I'll do my best.

Thanks for the tips everyone, it really helps.

I know Seba highs for example are slalom skates but in our Cskate Skate Types http://www.cskate.co.uk/content/view/64/80/ we don't have a slalom type listed, the closest is hockey or free skates, is this right or are we missing slalom as it's own type?

Post edited by: elric, at: 21:09 24 Jan 08 When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

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