For the past 8 years of life i've bladed, and am now a completely competant, and confident skater with just... standard skates.
I've never really been interested in trick-skating, and although i'm fine jumping, etc. it just doesn't do it for me!
Speed has always been what im looking for, and although i've managed to go at considerably fast speeds on my 4-wheeled solomons, i've just got the feel for change, and would like to buy a new pair of "speed skates"
Here's the problem. Although ive always loved skating, i've never got into the technicals! Never changed a wheel, a bearing and don't even know what a bearing is. Obviously with speed skates, i'd need to introduce myself to the basics, but for starters, can anyone recommend a good make/model of "speed skate", or a specialised/good shop in the Surrey/camberly area where i could go and see what fits!
thanks.
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Well, you have certainly asked a lot in one post, I'll try and cover your questions but I'm sure you will have more after I finish
Firstly, like anything, personal preference is going to take a huge part so do take all advice as guidance, As I'm sure you know from the skating you do now there is no such thing as a right or wrong skate, just what people like. Second, you have asked a very open question, a bit like how do I drive fast, it depends on so many things from the type of person to the equipment (and unfortunately, money).
First the equipment, definitely, get into the technicals, it's not scary, perhaps buy some new wheels or bearings for your existing skates or even just take them appart and put them together, you will find some great info in the FAQ section of this site. It's like my driving instructor always said, you don't need to know how a car works in order to drive but if you do know, you can make it work a lot better for you.
Skates wise, there is a very open question and relates hugely on budget. Speed skates do vary but predominantly have a much longer frame and much bigger wheels (harder turning but much better in a straight line). For a standard off the shelf skate you should probably look at Rollerblade Speed skates. Professional speed skates don't have any ankle support like the Rollerblade Racemachine skates however if your new to speed you should probably try the Rollerblade Speedmachine Skates which have a little ankle support. Once you know you want to stick with speed then you probably want to look at professional Skates like Bont or Junker however they are £600 and up just for the boot although they are custom moulded to your own foot!
As for places to try them on, you may struggle a bit with this, normally I would suggest Proline Skates and Club Blue Room however from their website they don't really have speed skates, you may be able to phone them up though and they could get some in for you to try on. Definitely worth asking other speed skaters too (see below).
A fast car is useless unless you know how to drive it and in my opinion skates are no different. Do do go on a course to teach you the technique for speed skating. A number of us have done and highly recommend Mike van Erp's skate faster courses as he breaks things down wonderfully no matter what your starting level. Also do ask the same questions on the London Speed Skaters site, they are a very friendly bunch and know their stuff. You can also come along and ask any of us at the skate session at Camberley Arena on a Saturday.
Oh and if you want something to aim for then do sign up to the Goodwood Roller Marathon ... we organise it If it weren't for pick-pocketers, I'd have no sex life at all.
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1. Ask LSST for the shop in London that stocks some speedskates. I can't remember what it's called.
2. As Dan notes, you can spend *a lot* on skates. I know I have. Fit is vital.
3. You'll get stock boots for a couple of hundred quid I reckon, but you'll then need to add frames, wheels, etc. My first set of speedskates cost just under £400. They're for sale too, if you're around a size 9 . Was after about 150 quid. I'm not entirely sure where they are at the moment though.
5. Small steps up to bona fide speed skates may be the way to go though - you didn't mention what you're on at the moment? Are we talking aggressive style, or just 'normal' skates (take a look at the FAQ on skate types http://www.cskate.co.uk/content/view/64/80/. I went from rec / free to speed.
Please ask if you have any further queries.! Skate Monkey !
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I'll consider lessons after i've seend how i get alogn with these skates. I'm naturally a quick learner, but i'd imagine true technique can only be found through lessons from a guy like that!
My budget, as it stands is £200 or so. Although i could easily spread intop the £700 or so mark, i just wouldn't want to spend so much on a first pair!
It's a "racemachine" one that you mentioned above.
I'm leaning more towards the Bont's at the moment, as they seem to be a more reputable brand, and hence would imagine they'd be of better wuality, but i can't seem to find a seller of those Bont Semi-race skates for under £200 over here in the UK or even europe! Does anyone know where i could pick up a pair of bont semi-race outside the US?
I assume they're good!
Oh, and right now i use salomon recreational's that i've found have been quite slow on the road recently, so i'd like a new pair, and may as well go for a pair that glide smoother, and thought of speed skates!
*Mod edit: fixing weblink*
Post edited by: dogsbody, at: 20:19 14 Apr 08
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MCS
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Re:Taking up speed skating - 19:49 14 Apr 08adramshaw wrote: I'm leaning more towards the Bont's at the moment, as they seem to be a more reputable brand, and hence would imagine they'd be of better wuality, but i can't seem to find a seller of those Bont Semi-race skates for under £200 over here in the UK or even europe! Does anyone know where i could pick up a pair of bont semi-race outside the US?This is the only place I have found who sell speed skates in the UK. They don't mention prices on the website. The US site you point to only seem to do size 11 (US presumably) only, so maybe they're a cheap end of line.
There are a few German sites who will deliver over here, if you can accept not trying them on first. Warehouse One is in our Web Links. I have bought Fila speed skates from them while in Germany, and another Camberley Skater has mail ordered Rollerblade speed skates from them.
adramshaw wrote: Oh, and right now i use salomon recreational's that i've found have been quite slow on the road recently, so i'd like a new pair, and may as well go for a pair that glide smoother, and thought of speed skates!Sounds like you could be in need of some of that bearing work if they have slowed down. You'd be surprised how many people actually do our Goodwood Marathon at a good pace in recreational skates. Sure the winners are on speed skates, but rec skates don't stop the good skaters doing a good time, and keeping up with the pace lines.
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dogsbody
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Re:Taking up speed skating - 20:28 14 Apr 08As MCS says, if you have never done any maintenance work at all to your skates I'm not surprised they are slowing down! Be prepared to do maintenance to your speed skates If it weren't for pick-pocketers, I'd have no sex life at all.
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My UK normal shoe size is 10, and trainer size 11.
i have quite wide feet, so that can be a problem, but were i to order online, what sizing would be best to go for? aim up or aim down?
I'd rather not have the ankle supports as i'd like to feel more freedom in my movements
But if the semiraces are off the menu £235 from the UK has put me off! then maybe something like the ones in that link would be good?
Would they still give me similar smoothnes/gliding to semi-races?
I'll make sure i know how to keep bearings, wheels etc. in good condition with my new ones, and maybe take care of my current ones that ill be keeping too!
Post edited by: adramshaw, at: 23:09 14 Apr 08
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lemming
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Re:Taking up speed skating - 22:07 14 Apr 08Bont are a very well regarded race boot - I'd say certainly more so that rollerblade, but don't discount teh rollerblade boots - they're good too.
I'd suggest that the two links which aren't bont are more of a recreational skate.
However two things to watch out for buying from abroad the way you're intending. 1. You may get stung for import duty getting them from the states. It's a gamble and you might get away with it. Or you could find yourself with a fee to pay. 2. You can't get the fit. The trouble with sizing is that each skate / boot is different. However, it looks like the bont may be at least semi heat mouldable, so you may be able to go at it with a heat gun and spread it where it pinches.
I would strongly recommend talking to the guy at Checker sport (see MCS's link). He's team GB and does the Bont mouldings in the UK and will know what he's talking about.
Finally, when you do finally get the set, wherever from, you may need to spend some time setting them up. This means getting the frame in the right position for your foot by moving the front and rear of the frame relative to the boot. This takes time, so persevere.
Regarding you're whole gliding and speed thing, I've had people go past me in mararthons and at LeMans in rec skates and even racing quads. And I was in my Junkers. It's not about the boot, or the wheels, or the bearings. It's about the technique and the legs that drive the skates. It does sound like your bearings are shot though. And new wheels wouldn't hurt. Having said that, new wheel will be 50 quid (probaly), bearings another 20, so that's already 70 quid you can think about adding to your fund.
It it was me, I'd save a bit longer and buy from the UK via Checkersport.
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adramshaw
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Re:Taking up speed skating - 23:08 14 Apr 08lemming wrote: Bont are a very well regarded race boot - I'd say certainly more so that rollerblade, but don't discount teh rollerblade boots - they're good too.
I'd suggest that the two links which aren't bont are more of a recreational skate.
However two things to watch out for buying from abroad the way you're intending. 1. You may get stung for import duty getting them from the states. It's a gamble and you might get away with it. Or you could find yourself with a fee to pay. 2. You can't get the fit. The trouble with sizing is that each skate / boot is different. However, it looks like the bont may be at least semi heat mouldable, so you may be able to go at it with a heat gun and spread it where it pinches.
I would strongly recommend talking to the guy at Checker sport (see MCS's link). He's team GB and does the Bont mouldings in the UK and will know what he's talking about.
Finally, when you do finally get the set, wherever from, you may need to spend some time setting them up. This means getting the frame in the right position for your foot by moving the front and rear of the frame relative to the boot. This takes time, so persevere.
Regarding you're whole gliding and speed thing, I've had people go past me in mararthons and at LeMans in rec skates and even racing quads. And I was in my Junkers. It's not about the boot, or the wheels, or the bearings. It's about the technique and the legs that drive the skates. It does sound like your bearings are shot though. And new wheels wouldn't hurt. Having said that, new wheel will be 50 quid (probaly), bearings another 20, so that's already 70 quid you can think about adding to your fund.
It it was me, I'd save a bit longer and buy from the UK via Checkersport.<br><br>Post edited by: lemming, at: 22:12 14 Apr 08
Mmmm, i spoke to the guy from Checkersport, and he's given me a £235 quote for the semi-race, and the US seller has offered £180 inc. P&P and a high probability it wont get caught by customs >.<
I'm used to customs charges though, i've been stung so many times, as i import wholesale games and re-sell them on ebay (hence money not bein g a problem for me! I could spend over a thousand on skates if i wanted, so it's not a matter of saving! It's just a matter of me being a tight git, and not wanting to spend too much on skates unless i'll be starting to go to competitions, etc. and really making the most of them!)
I'd rather not go for the rollerblade rec/race skates when i could aim for the more racey, and official Bont semi-race. I guess it's just now a matter of whether it's worth an extra £55 to be sure of the fit and be able to return them. But isn't the Bont boot oven mouldable, so if it's a slight imperfect fit, i can correct that over here by 20 mins in the oven at 85oC? Obviously though as far as size is concerned, i'd contact Bont first with a stencil of my foot (as said in their service) so that they can advise me on the size.
So i'll probably end up going for the US site (sorry for being a cheap sod! I know you lot would frown upon this kind of tightness!) But i'll see what Bont say about my foot and sizing first, and see whether they seem certain as to what size ill need!
Wish checkersport would be negotiable to £200! Don't see why they market for £150 in the US, yet £235 over here! I'm so sick of our expensive country!!
Maybe i'll give one of these marathons, or some event a try after some lessons to gauge where i'm at.
Are the events regular throughout the summer? Are they open to all ages, and all skill levels! Sounds like something i'd like to get into!
Oh, and i understand the speed is in the skater, and i've been able to keep up with cars, etc. around where i live (a quaint area where the speed limit is 20mph! but maybe they were driving slower, im not sure!) but it's just.... the feel of the skates!! It's not so much that i want them to glide so that i'll need to take less strides/pushes, but more so that they just don't feel so pleasant on the roads anymore! I've probably worn down the wheels and shattered the bearings as i do skate a lot! But it's hard to explain what i meant exactly by "glide" But don't worry, i haven't got the total wrong end of the stick in thinking that speed skates will make me much faster! Yet would hope they'd give a more comfortable and free experience!
I've never used these salomon's for tricks much, so wouldn't need their rugged-ness!
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lemming
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Re:Taking up speed skating - 08:32 15 Apr 08I agree with you about the costs. It is irritating. Yes, they're mouldable, so you'll have some leeway. Whichever way you go, you should have a decent setup.
As far as 'event's go, there are now two UK races - Goodwood Marathon and the London Inline Marathon. Dates should be in the calendar section. There will be some very fast people at both if you really want to gauge yourself. Depending on where you're based and how easy it is for you to get places, you can always hit hte arena in Camberley, or head to Dorney / Eelmoor or get to London for an LSST session.
I'd be inclined to get them ordered and enter Goodwood - it's friendly race and a good introduction to racing.
Best of luck.! Skate Monkey !
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