Vertical Rollerskating

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Message 433 (18. Oct. 2002 03:45) (Tree)

irene
Parts ??? Where ???
1. Where can I order those grind bars and toe guards?
Are the ACS trucks still being manufactured?

Grind bars are from Chicago frames. Years ago when rollerskating died, one shop was trashing stuff and I got about a dozen of these bars. They just happen to fit perfectly. I tried finding them, but no luck yet. They will crack and bend and break. I had 3 bars on my old skates and they still bend. I want to find a metal shop that will custom make stronger wider ones for me. Lisa Rollergirl makes her own, cuts them herself.
Toe Guards are off of K2 inlines, the Backyard Bob & Fatty line. You could try K2, Kelly, who rides for them, got them for me. They work great. You could cut the toes off some inline boots.
I don't think ACS is in business anymore.

2. I also have Variflex plates; yesterday, I tried some Tracker hangers; the rode great, but the tip (the other side, not the kingpin side) didn't really fit into the hole in the plates, so it could jump out. Bummer.

Yeah, Tracker pivots are larger. ACS hangers fit perfectly into Variflex plates. They are hard to get. I see them on ebay, but the bidding wars are fierce, mostly collectors. Thats where I got mine from. I rode the 500s (2.5" wide hangar), then got four 580s (3.5" wide) and its what I've been riding. I have 500s for sale on ebay now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1867633460
I think Bennett hangers fit, too, but I have never tried them. I know Tracker makes 85mm trucks for slalom and freestyle. Contact Climax manufacturing and express your interest in rollerskates, they are not convinced that there is a market for this stuff. Ask Brian Wainwright for their #.

3. So to get more robust skates, I seem to have two choices:
a) Build some, with custom plates and tracker trucks (base plus hanger) or b) Buy complete metal systems, such as Sure-Grip etc
Both options will be quite heavy; I'm still looking for a good non-metal solution, or one where only the hangers are metal. I'm mostly doing street, but also a bit of vert.
Any tips anyone?

: Tobi
:
Our choices are limited...and yes, all metal is heavy and it's hard to get wider trucks to work on rollerskates. We are stuck with building our own skates with whatever parts we can find that work. Good luck and let me know if you come up with any ideas.

--- irene
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Replies

irene: Woodward Video (10. Oct. 2002 05:04)
 Howdy All,

The WithitGirl website has posted an interview and video. Go check it out, they have included links to this site and Rollergirl.

http://www.withitgirl.com/index.htm
  Write reply
Bernhard: Woodward Video (10. Oct. 2002 08:53)
 Hi Irene,

now I've finally been able to view your video. Great!

Your statement in your interview, that people assume "That I should be riding inline skates, as if I've never tried them and that I am ignorant as to how great they are." is very well put. I myself have tried inlines when hardly anyone in Germany knew they exist, I still have a pair of inlines and I still prefer roller skates on vert. I have to admit, however, that I prefer inlines for hockey use.
  Write reply
Tobi: Woodward Video (10. Oct. 2002 15:04)
 
: The WithitGirl website has posted an interview and video.
: [...]
: http://www.withitgirl.com/index.htm

It didn't work in my Netscape 6; so for everyone else who has
problems, here is the direct link to the flick:

www.withitgirl.com/videos/irene_ching/irene_ching.mov

(the direct link to the interview is
www.withitgirl.com/_asphalt/as_story4.html )

Unfortunately, I'm not able to view the video; I'll try updating my Quicktime player.

Irene:

Your skates look great with the new boots!

1.
Where can I order those grind bars and toe guards?
Are the ACS trucks still being manufactured?

2.
I also have Variflex plates; yesterday, I tried some Tracker hangers; the rode great,
but the tip (the other side, not the kingpin side) didn't really fit
into the hole in the plates, so it could jump out. Bummer.

So to get more robust skates, I seem to have two choices:

a) Build some, with custom plates and tracker trucks (base plus hanger),
as in
http://www.adinfinitum.de/Rollerskate/howto/VertSk8.html,
or
http://www.pinkjuice.com/rollerskating/tim/pics/howto_build_article_p1_big.jpg
+
http://www.pinkjuice.com/rollerskating/tim/pics/howto_build_article_p2_big.jpg

b) Buy complete metal systems, such as Sure-Grip etc

Both options will be quite heavy; I'm still looking for a good
non-metal solution, or one where only the hangers are metal.
I'm mostly doing street, but also a bit of vertt.

Any tips anyone?

Tobi




  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 15:27)
 Bernhard wrote:
:I have to admit, however, that I prefer inlines for hockey use.

I know we're digressing a bit from ramp talk here, but if you wore your roller skates setup like this picture you may prefer them to inlines for hockey. They belong to my friend Dean who plays roller hockey against inline skaters and has no problem skating circles around them. I wear my skates mounted like this now and after a couple sessions getting used to them, you don't ever want to go back to conventional mounting. Your stability, maneuverability and smoothness of ride is dramatically improved, even on rough pavement.

RollerSkater Dave
  Write reply
Tobi: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 15:33)
 
Hi Dave,

: I know we're digressing a bit from ramp talk here, but if you wore your roller skates setup like this picture you may prefer them to inlines for hockey.[...] I wear my skates mounted like this now and after a couple sessions getting used to them, you don't ever want to go back to conventional mounting. Your stability, maneuverability and smoothness of ride is dramatically improved, even on rough pavement.

What's the difference to conventional mounting?

Tobi

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Tobi: Woodward Video (10. Oct. 2002 15:36)
 


After having installed the latest Quicktime player, I now can watch the flick; awesome stuff, Irene!
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 16:01)
 : What's the difference to conventional mounting?
:
: Tobi
:

The plates are mounted farther forward than regular artistic or "disco" type skates. The rear axles are mounted more or less in line with the ankle bone, not in the rear half of the heel like regular skates. A longer wheelbase is used so that the front axles are as close to the toes of the boot as possible, instead of crossing at the ball of one's foot. They're no good for roller disco moves (although you can shuffle just fine with them) but they handle more like an ice hockey skate. The centre of balance is now in the arch of your foot, instead of being more to the rear like roller rink skates. I'll see if I can put together a comparison photo to show the differences better.

Dave
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 16:15)
 : : What's the difference to conventional mounting?
: :
: : Tobi


Here's a picture showing the difference in mounting styles.

RS Dave
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 16:17)
 : : : What's the difference to conventional mounting?
: : :
: : : Tobi
:
:
: Here's a picture showing the difference in mounting styles.
:
: RS Dave

Forgot to add, click on the image to expand. It's a little easier to see.
  Write reply
Bernhard: Woodward Video (10. Oct. 2002 16:24)
 :
: : The WithitGirl website has posted an interview and video.
: : [...]
: : http://www.withitgirl.com/index.htm
:
: It didn't work in my Netscape 6;

Mozilla 1.1 has no problems.


: I also have Variflex plates;

I also have a pair of Variflex plates for street (ab)use. Never had any serious problems.

: but the tip (the other side, not the kingpin side) didn't
: really fit into the hole in the plates, so it could jump
: out. Bummer.

You probably mean the pivot? You surely don'r want it to jump

: a) Build some, with custom plates and tracker trucks (base plus hanger),
: as in
: http://www.adinfinitum.de/Rollerskate/howto/VertSk8.html,

Really heavy for street.

: I'm mostly doing street, but also a bit of vertt.

I think that you need specialised skates for each type of skating you are doing seriously. I tried to compromise myself and ended with a pair of skates which wasn't good neither for street nor for vert.

Bernhard
  Write reply
Tobi: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 20:54)
 
Thanks Dave :)
  Write reply
Tobi: Woodward Video (10. Oct. 2002 21:05)
 
Hi Bernhard,

: Mozilla 1.1 has no problems.

Works now in NN6; I just had to update the Quicktime player.

: I also have a pair of Variflex plates for street (ab)use.
: Never had any serious problems.

Yes, they really are OK so far (Irene uses them too AFAIK). I mainly worry about the hangers...

: You probably mean the pivot? You surely don'r want it to
: jump

Yeah; it happened with my previous plates, often when jumping down stairs.

: I think that you need specialised skates for each type of
: skating you are doing seriously. I tried to compromise
: myself and ended with a pair of skates which wasn't good
: neither for street nor for vert.

Having several pairs definitely is a good solution skates wise. But that's expensive :(
I enjoy skating round town all day in my sneakers (that's a major reason why I don't switch to inlines), doing anything from jumping to cruising (suboptimal surfaces) to (+/- tiny) vert.
I can't carry two or three pairs; I'd have to go by car or subway ...

So I'm still looking for a good compromise, and still think it's possible. Sure, for serious competitive vert skating for example, a specialized skate is probably the only option.

Tobi

  Write reply
Tobi: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 21:10)
 
Dave,

: [...] A longer wheelbase is used so that the front axles
: are as close to the toes of the boot as possible, instead
: of crossing at the ball of one's foot.

If I understood you correctly, my skates are mounted like that:
www.pinkjuice.com/rollerskating/pics/tobi/one_skate.jpg

Tobi


  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Hockey Skates (10. Oct. 2002 21:45)
 :
: Dave,
:
: : [...] A longer wheelbase is used so that the front axles
: : are as close to the toes of the boot as possible, instead
: : of crossing at the ball of one's foot.
:
: If I understood you correctly, my skates are mounted like that:
: www.pinkjuice.com/rollerskating/pics/tobi/one_skate.jpg
:
: Tobi
:
:

Pretty close. Having a wheelbase length that puts the rear axles in the "zone" between the middle of your heel and the ankle bone gives more maneuvering and turning ability. Check out the skates being used in the troca video
http://www.rollerfr.net/videos/slalom/oldschool/troca-part2.avi

You could also try reversing the plate, putting the toe stop at your heel for a heel brake and moving the now front wheels even closer to your toe.

RS Dave
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Re: Woodward Video (14. Oct. 2002 01:54)
 Just a little tip for those wanting to view Irene's video.

Right click on this link http://www.withitgirl.com/videos/irene_ching/irene_ching.mov then do a Save Target As to save it to your hard drive.

The withit girl site is using Javascript for the link on it's site and you can't directly save the download from it. This way you can watch Irene over and over at your leisure. By the way Irene, nice choice of music for the video. I always liked The Cure.

Rollerskater Dave
  Write reply
irene: Parts ??? Where ??? (18. Oct. 2002 03:45)
 1. Where can I order those grind bars and toe guards?
Are the ACS trucks still being manufactured?

Grind bars are from Chicago frames. Years ago when rollerskating died, one shop was trashing stuff and I got about a dozen of these bars. They just happen to fit perfectly. I tried finding them, but no luck yet. They will crack and bend and break. I had 3 bars on my old skates and they still bend. I want to find a metal shop that will custom make stronger wider ones for me. Lisa Rollergirl makes her own, cuts them herself.
Toe Guards are off of K2 inlines, the Backyard Bob & Fatty line. You could try K2, Kelly, who rides for them, got them for me. They work great. You could cut the toes off some inline boots.
I don't think ACS is in business anymore.

2. I also have Variflex plates; yesterday, I tried some Tracker hangers; the rode great, but the tip (the other side, not the kingpin side) didn't really fit into the hole in the plates, so it could jump out. Bummer.

Yeah, Tracker pivots are larger. ACS hangers fit perfectly into Variflex plates. They are hard to get. I see them on ebay, but the bidding wars are fierce, mostly collectors. Thats where I got mine from. I rode the 500s (2.5" wide hangar), then got four 580s (3.5" wide) and its what I've been riding. I have 500s for sale on ebay now.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1867633460
I think Bennett hangers fit, too, but I have never tried them. I know Tracker makes 85mm trucks for slalom and freestyle. Contact Climax manufacturing and express your interest in rollerskates, they are not convinced that there is a market for this stuff. Ask Brian Wainwright for their #.

3. So to get more robust skates, I seem to have two choices:
a) Build some, with custom plates and tracker trucks (base plus hanger) or b) Buy complete metal systems, such as Sure-Grip etc
Both options will be quite heavy; I'm still looking for a good non-metal solution, or one where only the hangers are metal. I'm mostly doing street, but also a bit of vert.
Any tips anyone?

: Tobi
:
Our choices are limited...and yes, all metal is heavy and it's hard to get wider trucks to work on rollerskates. We are stuck with building our own skates with whatever parts we can find that work. Good luck and let me know if you come up with any ideas.

--- irene
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Parts ??? Where ??? (18. Oct. 2002 15:38)
 :Contact Climax manufacturing and express your interest in rollerskates, they are not convinced that there is a market for this stuff. Ask Brian Wainwright for their #.

Maybe not in North America yet, but the french and dutch seem to be. Brian might have better luck marketing them over there first while Canada and the States catch up. In the meantime what is needed is lots of exposure and being seen. I used to get razzed constantly when I first took to the streets with my quads 3 years ago (I know you can't stand that term Mr.Jessup) but now I'm accepted, even by teenagers, who will diss anybody different than them. (My apologies to any teens in this group).

I know I'm just a newbie in this particular area of skating, but it appears to me that keeping it a totally underground sport will only make it die out, not bring in new participants. After all, who's going to buy Brian's skates unless skaters are seen using them?

RS Dave
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Tobi: Parts ??? Where ??? (18. Oct. 2002 17:05)
 
: In the meantime what is needed is lots of exposure and
: being seen.

I agree.

[marketing strategies etc]
: I know I'm just a newbie in this particular area of
: skating, but it appears to me that keeping it a totally
: underground sport will only make it die out, not bring in
: new participants. After all, who's going to buy Brian's
: skates unless skaters are seen using them?

I know of no rollerskater who's so underground that he can't be seen :)

Anyways, I think that many, including Brian, are open enough to the mainstream, and include it in their marketing strategies.

But all strongly rooted plants grow from below the surface.

Tobi

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irene: Parts ??? Where ??? (18. Oct. 2002 17:26)
 this is getting mighty philisophical...
with skating and other so called extreme sports hitting the mainstream, along comes exploitation as well. good with the bad. kids are so brainwashed, but they like the new and different. most have tried all kinds of wheels except rollerskates. for business, it has to be a guaranteed market and that will only come from exposure and promotion. retro is in and I see rollerskating making its comeback. will it last? or become underground again?
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: Parts ??? Where ??? (18. Oct. 2002 20:40)
 : this is getting mighty philisophical...
: with skating and other so called extreme sports hitting the mainstream, along comes exploitation as well. good with the bad. kids are so brainwashed, but they like the new and different. most have tried all kinds of wheels except rollerskates. for business, it has to be a guaranteed market and that will only come from exposure and promotion. retro is in and I see rollerskating making its comeback. will it last? or become underground again?
**********************

Promoted properly it should last at least a few years. Roller skating has always gone through cycles of 15 to 20 years, popping up again when the last generation of skaters has kids that "discover" the sport. With inlines currently tailing off a bit, maybe this will seem like something new. Only time will tell.

As for the philosophical part, Bernhard said his site is
adinfinitum.

RS Dave
  Write reply
Ron: Re: Woodward Video (20. Nov. 2004 19:31)
 nice photo at
www.adinfinitum.de/Rollerskate/people/irene_ching/index.php
------

: Just a little tip for those wanting to view Irene's video.
:

Right click on this link http://www.withitgirl.com/videos/irene_ching/irene_ching.mov then do a Save Target As to save it to your hard drive.
:

The withit girl site is using Javascript for the link on it's site and you can't directly save the download from it. This way you can watch Irene over and over at your leisure. By the way Irene, nice choice of music for the video. I always liked The Cure.
:

Rollerskater Dave
  Write reply
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