Rollerskating Question

[Prior22]

Recently I had the urge to do some outdoor rollerskating, so I purchased this pair:

https://www.skates.com/Sure-Grip-GT50-Motion-p/rgt50-mot.htm

Problem is I haven't skated in years, so I've been having a tough time maintaining any sort of balance (i'm using a 65mm wheel). Is there a particular wheel I can buy which would make it easier for a novice skater outdoors? Thanks.

 

[FAST6191]

Unless you are trying to skate on rough ground with hard wheels then not really. I assume however you have found a nice smooth and flat piece of concrete or tarmac or get back to form on.

If the skates are new the bearings are likely OK, not that most people would be able to tell usefully or be troubled by anything short of bearings that lock up.

To that end the only real advice I have is absolutely do not hang on to anything once you have gone beyond standing in one spot on them. Try not to even have a rail nearby "that I can grab just in case" as 99% of the time I see new/returning people try that it will completely throw their balance/positioning, and 1% of the time it usually involved a spectacular faceplant. Get some wrist guards* and maybe a mouth guard and fall over a few times.

*your profile does not say your age but unless you joined at 10 or something then your bones have probably started to go into adulthood which does rather up the chances of breaks and fractures. To say nothing of having a broken/fractured wrist as an adult is rather more troublesome than just going to school and getting it signed.

 

[Prior22]

Unless you are trying to skate on rough ground with hard wheels then not really. I assume however you have found a nice smooth and flat piece of concrete or tarmac or get back to form on.

If the skates are new the bearings are likely OK, not that most people would be able to tell usefully or be troubled by anything short of bearings that lock up.

To that end the only real advice I have is absolutely do not hang on to anything once you have gone beyond standing in one spot on them. Try not to even have a rail nearby "that I can grab just in case" as 99% of the time I see new/returning people try that it will completely throw their balance/positioning, and 1% of the time it usually involved a spectacular faceplant. Get some wrist guards* and maybe a mouth guard and fall over a few times.

*your profile does not say your age but unless you joined at 10 or something then your bones have probably started to go into adulthood which does rather up the chances of breaks and fractures. To say nothing of having a broken/fractured wrist as an adult is rather more troublesome than just going to school and getting it signed.

I try to skate early in the morning, that way I can use the roads in a fairly barren residential neighborhood. Heck I've even tried to stay level on a driveway that is really smooth and haven't been able to do so.

So the wheel selection is irrelevant in terms of easy of use? I'm just trying to think of anything possible to change from an equipment standpoint which would make getting used to skating again easier.

The reason I purchased this pair was they received excellent feedback from a comfort and speed standpoint. Based on the pictures and description do they look particularly tough to handle for a novice skater? I could return this pair and buy a different one if need be.

 

[FAST6191]

I guess I could come get your height, weight, weight distribution and design some combination of underside geometry and stopper placement that would be markedly worse, however in the real world and with the "design for everybody" approach taken by sensible companies then if the skates fit, are laced up and are in what would be considered well maintained condition (good bearings and tightened appropriately) then it is much of a muchness until you start heading down the tricks and speed route.

Wheel selection (hardness, size/diameter, possibly geometry) on trick focused roller blades and skateboards is a far bigger thing, and yeah if you are doing speed and/or rough roads it will definitely come back into focus for quads, however for basic skating on smooth ground it is not going to make all that much difference. If you are thinking old 70's/80's skis to modern skis style leaps then skates (and things that used similar wheels) already had that moment decades ago when people ditched clay wheels for polyurethane. You will probably be able to feel the difference if you laced up a set but as long as you are not doing anything silly like using wheels barely bigger than the bearings then I can not see it changing smooth ground learning in any meaningful way.

 

[Prior22]

I guess I could come get your height, weight, weight distribution and design some combination of underside geometry and stopper placement that would be markedly worse, however in the real world and with the "design for everybody" approach taken by sensible companies then if the skates fit, are laced up and are in what would be considered well maintained condition (good bearings and tightened appropriately) then it is much of a muchness until you start heading down the tricks and speed route.

Wheel selection (hardness, size/diameter, possibly geometry) on trick focused roller blades and skateboards is a far bigger thing, and yeah if you are doing speed and/or rough roads it will definitely come back into focus for quads, however for basic skating on smooth ground it is not going to make all that much difference. If you are thinking old 70's/80's skis to modern skis style leaps then skates (and things that used similar wheels) already had that moment decades ago when people ditched clay wheels for polyurethane. You will probably be able to feel the difference if you laced up a set but as long as you are not doing anything silly like using wheels barely bigger than the bearings then I can not see it changing smooth ground learning in any meaningful way.

Would you happen to know of any reputable sites which produce rollerskate shoes for men? Basically I'm talking about men's shoes with two wheels at the bottom. The wheels are also capable of being folded back into the shoe.

I've never used a skate like that. But since the wheels wouldn't be far off the ground would I be correct in assuming balance would be a whole lot easier to maintain?

 

[FAST6191]

That probably depends what size shoe you are, bigger obviously being worse, as they do make them for teenagers too. I have no idea about any sites selling less common sizes though.

Balance at the height of your average rolller skate vs a shoe like that does not make a lot of odds, in fact it might even be worse if you catch the edge of the shoe on the ground (on a skateboard the equivalent would probably be wheel bite if you have your trucks too loose).