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Marketplace - Other Product Reviews

(last changed Sunday, 03-Sep-2006 08:02:23 CDT)

Disclaimer: while these reviews include many facts and first-hand experiences, much of the text here is necessarily opinion. Also realize that the in-line market is changing rapidly, so prices and specifications may be out of date. If you have a forms-capable web browser, feel free to use the product review form for your convenience. For you others, the plaintext review sheet is at the end of this file.

Table of contents

accessory reviewsbearing reviewsclothing reviewsgrind plate reviewshopup kit reviewssafety gear reviewswheel reviews

accessory reviews

Reviewer: ()
Product Type: accessory
Brand:
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: accessory
Brand:
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: Andres Duarte (chicotudo@yahoo.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: sigma sport (inline computer)
Model: inline 800
Purchase Price: $30
Store: (a bicycle store here in Guatemala) (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 02/
Used for how long: since july 2001 3 months
Pros:
: Basically its a cyclocomputer (Sigma 800) so you can look all the functions on a bike catalog store or from a cyclist. Gives current speed, avg speed, distance, total distance, max speed (great for sprint training). wheights like a wristwatch, its attached on your foot via elastics, has a screen mode that keeps shifting between all the screen functions. It has a "speed sensor" that mantains the signals if the wheel stops when your foot is lifted, so it mantains the speed for about 3 seconds. I didnt gives any friction or anythig that slows you down.
Cons:
Not an article to buy if you want just to follow instructions, otherwise its a really great buy. I had to glue the sensor to my frame with hot glue, so i can take it off for any reason and not ruin the decals or leave glue on the frame. It seems it was designed for someone that didnt know much about racing skates, it has a sensor that has a hole to bolt on the wheel axle (you can do that on recreational skates, but racing frames dont have that option.) If you use smaller than 76mm wheels, the sensor may bend on a very inclined turn , but is tough and resist. On my bont inferno frame its imposible to touch the floor also tried on a boen superlight frame with no problem.
Comments:
maybe its easier to buy it from a bicycle shop that sells sigma cicle computer. If you are serious about training its a must and a great help. check it ot at www.sigmasport.com
Rating: 10 I think its the best one, but it has yet much to improve

Reviewer: Rob Keogh (stripeyrob@hotmail.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: API (Ankle Protective Inserts)
Model: Ankle Protective Inserts
Purchase Price: $19.99
Store: APIHOCKEY.COM (mail-order)
Location/Phone: RR#1, BOX 87, Wellington, PEI, Canada, COB 2E0, 902-854-3319
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 year
Pros:
As someone who has suffered from skate bite in the past, I was looking forward to trying out the Ankle Protective Inserts (API’s). Having heard a great deal about them, I was curious as to whether or not they would live up to their reputation and let me assure you now, they did! The inserts are essentially made from a foam pad, covered with black cotton. On two sides, there is a layer of rubberised mesh. This is to stop the pad from slipping. The pads are simple to use, just place them under your tongue and lace up as usual. You can lace the boots much tighter than without them, and not have to worry about the problems of circulation problems and/or skate bite. The rubber does the job, and I’ve not yet had a pad slip out of place during a game. It took me a couple of games to get used to the pads, but now I don’t know how I skated without them. Apart from preventing skate bite, they also effectively prevent ankle chaffing, whilst providing increased stability, balance, support and, protection. The API’s come in three sizes, which ensure a good fit each time.
Cons:
And as for downsides to the API’s... I haven’t yet found any!
Comments:
Without a doubt, API’s deserve five stars out of five. I would recommend that any players and officials not already wearing them get themselves a pair. At about US $20 the cost is a small price to pay for the awesome features offered by this product.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: J&J Titan
Model: Aluminum Rockers
Purchase Price: $20 for all 8 wheels (16 rockers)
Store: some mail-order house (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
Aluminum rockers won't crack or warp like plastic ones will. They may increase your speed a little, especially if you have plastic ones that are already broken or warped because they touch the bearing more preciley and won't rub up against it.
Cons:
$20 is a little expensive for 16 little pieces of aluminum but they're pretty much the only place that I could find that makes these things.
Comments:
I'm not sure what skates these things fit. I'm pretty sure they're made for the Rollerblade line. I know Roces makes their own aluminum rockers, specifically for their skates. I would recommend consulting your dealer to make sure that they'll fit on your skates.
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Jim Kiraly (kiraly@cse.utoleod.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Jofa
Model: ISD Speed Puck
Purchase Price: $10.95
Store: Tam-O-Shanter (local store)
Location/Phone: Sylvania,Ohio,
Purchase Date: 08/1994
Used for how long: Since August 7, 1994
Pros:
Puck comes installed with 12 (6 per side) nylon runners for textured surfaces. Also includes 12 runners for smooth surfaces. I have only tried the puck on parking lot type surfaces, were it works really well. Feels like puck, handles like a puck, etc..
Cons:
It doesn't get on the edge too often, but when it does, it doesn't like to lay back down. The runners are not easy to remove.
Comments:
The puck is wieghted around the edges and is spoked in the center, it is completely made of rubber with the exception of the runners. This is the puck used by the RHI.
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Chris Fourgnaud (inline@mountnet.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Jofa
Model: Jofa Speed Puck
Purchase Price: $14.99 cdn
Store: Sports Experts (local store)
Location/Phone: Mic Mac Mall, Dartmouth, ???-????
Purchase Date: 04/1996
Used for how long: Approx 1 month
Pros:
It's the best puck on the market, but that doesn't mean too much.
Cons:
The pucks cost a lot and when running an Inline Hockey league the are always being lost or stolen. the pucks are not heavy enough, runners constantly break and after the replacement runners are gone it's very hard to find a place that sells them the pucks have even cracked after hard shots. The puck won't stay flat it is always rolling on its side.
Comments:
There needs to be some improvments, if anyone knows where to get replacment runners let me know
Rating: 5.1

Reviewer: Ken Vong (agent_ninety_nine@thepentagon.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: LaserBlades
Model:
Purchase Price: $55US
Store: LaserBlades (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 01/
Used for how long: a couple of weeks
Pros:
It's an ice skate attachment for your inlines!! It's pretty stable and easy to install. Just remove the wheels and place the ice blades on and screw them in place. Get them from www.laserblades.com
Cons:
I felt that the blades where a bit longer than a normal ice blade. About a 2 cms.
Comments:
If you ice skate a little bit and don't want to bother getting ice skates then these are for you. Plus they make great conversation pieces. Numerous people have asked me where I got them and they always say "Neat!"
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Lazzy Legs
Model: arch and ankle tighteners
Purchase Price: $20
Store: Blades (local store)
Location/Phone: Manhattan,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
They really give you a lot more support. Nice price. Durable.
Cons:
Comments:
These aren't really meant to tighten your boot more around your foot. They're meant to hold your foot in place. The arch tighteners can be used as a replacement for laces but I would recommend leaving your laces on.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Jim Kiraly (kiraly@cse.utoledo.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Lazzy Legs
Model: Speed Demons hopup kit
Purchase Price: $21
Store: Play It Again Sports (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 05/1994
Used for how long: 1-1/2 Months
Pros:
Comes with: 8 Aluminum threaded bearing spaces with hex locks. 16 Normal length small headed axel bolts 2 Brake wheel lenght small headed axel bolts. 1 Hex tool
Cons:
Easy to strip the threaded spacers. The axel bolts would actually loosen up and fall out during normal skating sessions.
Comments:
I was not impressed with these. All three sets that myself and friends have owned have had the bolt loosening problem.
Rating: 3

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Lazzy Legs
Model: X-treme Pro hopup kit
Purchase Price: $25.90 for 8 wheels
Store: forgot (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 03/1994
Used for how long: 5 months
Pros:
Most hop-up kits are made of aluminum. Steel is a lot more durable.
Cons:
Steel is a little heavier than aluminum but the weight difference isn't even noticable so I wouldn't worry about it.
Comments:
If you're looking to upgrade your skates, a hop-up kit is probably the best place to start. You will certainly see a speed increase, it will cost you a little over twenty bucks, and it's a one-time cost. Once you install it, you won't have to worry about it again. The Lazzy Legs X-treme Pro is the Cadillac of hop-up kits.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Martin Sripan (ay169@yfn.ysu.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Lazzy Legs
Model: heel tightener
Purchase Price: $12.99
Store: Performance Bicycle (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 month
Pros:
*Great for: reducing road vibration at high speeds *Reducing heel lift due to weak instep area *Tightening boot fit *Protecting side of boot from crash-not intended use though
Cons:
*Mainly useless on unflexible boots such as plastics
Comments:
It seems to be more intended for racing, to prevent heel lift, but for some reason I look in Inline magazine issues, and many extreme skaters are wearing it.
Rating: 8

Reviewer: Tony Chen (adchen@garnet.acns.fsu.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Paragon
Model: bearing guards
Purchase Price: $4.99 for 20 guards
Store: Paragon Products, Inc. (mail-order)
Location/Phone: 690 Industrial Circle S., Shakopee, MN 55379, (612) 496-0091
Purchase Date: 03/1994
Used for how long: 1 month
Pros:
They DO keep the grit out and off of your bearings, and they're plenty cheap.
Cons:
The guards do their job well, but the way the work requires that they rub slightly against the wheel hub. This makes for very, very slow skating, compared to w/out them.
Comments:
Description: these guards are small plastic discs a little wider than your bearings. They have a hole in them to thread your axles through them. What you do is put them over your wheels at the bearings, on both sides, and thread the axles through everything.
Rating: 8, if you don't mind the large rolling friction caused. A rating of 1 if you do! 8-)

Reviewer: Jason Hyatt (ultramegas@aol.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Plasma Laces
Model: White laces
Purchase Price: 24.95
Store: plasmalaces.com (local store)
Location/Phone: Only sold on the net, 877-810-9002
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 month
Pros:
These are shoe laces that light up like if they were NEON! I was tottally noticed EVERYWHERE I went with these turned on, way cool! They are a tottal trip http://www.plasmalaces.com
Cons:
the laces were not the regular lemght of shoe laces, but they had a neat buckle so you wont have to tie them like a regular shoe lace
Comments:
I would LOVE to see everyone wearing these when we go out at night! They are just so cool to have and wear while skating that I cant beleive this wasnt inventeed long ago!
Rating: 100

Reviewer: Greg Rosenwald (greg@rollercycle.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Roller Cycle
Model: roller cycle /22
Purchase Price: 599.00
Store: Roller Cycle (mail-order)
Location/Phone: 1308 Meetinghouse rd Rydal Pa. 19046, 215 886-1745
Purchase Date: 03/1996
Used for how long: 1 1/2 yr
Pros:
propultion unit enables skaters to go on grass ,dirt, even sand(hard packed).
Cons:
faster
Comments:
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Rollerblade
Model: Power-strap
Purchase Price: $8
Store: Herman's Sporting Goods (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 12/1993
Used for how long: 8 months
Pros:
Give you a lot of support. Inexpensive. Very durable.
Cons:
They come with a little patch of velcro that you are supposed to attach to the heel of your skate. When you put them on, a piece of velcro on the heel strap sticks to that to help it stay secure, under your heel. I just thought that was a nifty idea so I mentioned it. I used a hot glue gun to keep that little patch on. The Lazzy Legs heel straps look a little thicker and they look like they might be a little more secure so you might want to check those out before purchasing these. But, on the other hand, for $8, you can't really go wrong.
Comments:
Rating: 8

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Rollerblade
Model: via blabde s
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: mark wiloughby (darkie04@hotmail.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Salomon
Model: SalST9
Purchase Price:
Store: (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /1999
Used for how long: 6 months
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Skatetread
Model:
Purchase Price: 39.95
Store: Melwayne innovations, LLC (mail-order)
Location/Phone: 470 Market Sw Grand rapids, MI 49503, 616-913-WALK
Purchase Date: 03/2000
Used for how long: 2yrs
Pros:
If you are in need of a awesome walking shoe for your inline skates Melwayne has done it. Ultra light weight, universal to all rec and extreme skates out there, new or old. Comes w/ a great nylon carrying bag w/ belt loop attachment and cord lock. It is by far the ultimate inline skate walking experience.
Cons:
Haven't found any as of yet
Comments:
Rating: 10,10,10

Reviewer: Ben (BenWK@aol.com)

Product Type: accessory
Brand: Transpack
Model: Pro
Purchase Price: $60
Store: Blades (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: a half dozen outings
Pros:
Durable Holds skates well Keeps water out, even in heavy rain Secure design
Cons:
Needs more accessory pouches Top loading drawstring top can be cumbersome for loading large things
Comments:
Rating: 8.5

bearing reviews

Reviewer: Jason Blankinship ()
Product Type: bearing
Brand: BSB
Model: ABEC 7
Purchase Price: 40.00 + tax US Dollars
Store: Sportmart (local store)
Location/Phone: Chicago, IL,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 summer
Pros:
Bearings rolled very smooth from the beginning. I noticed a considerable difference in the resistance from ABEC 1 & ABEC 5 rated bearings. I felt less vibration (due to friction) during my initial use of the new bearings. They were avaliable at several local sport shops. They came in a plastic package that included 16 bearings & bearing oil.
Cons:
I used the bearings in my K2 "Flight" model inline skates. I used my skates as my primary mode of transportation near my home in downtown Chicago, IL. I skated on various different surfaces such as sidewalks, paved roadways, dirt paths, etc. I was very disappointed on the condition of the bearings after getting caught in a rainstorm while skating. When I arrived home, I wiped my skates off & then inspected the bearings to see how they looked. There was dirt & water in each of the bearings. Even after cleaning, the bearings they were never the same again. The bearings are open on the inside, allowing dirt & moisture to enter & destroy the bearings.
Comments:
The bearings are very good for indoor skating ONLY!!! If you have ANY intention on using these bearings for outdoor skating (where they can be exposed to moisture, water, dirt, debris) DO NOT purchase them!
Rating: 3

Reviewer: Zack Borton (white_blur47@hotmail.com)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: BSB Ceramic
Model:
Purchase Price: $180 for 16 & $220 for 20
Store: sales@skatetownusa.com (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /1999
Used for how long: I have used it for about 3 hours
Pros:
It is VERY VERY FAST
Cons:
It hurt very bad to fall down going as fast as you can on these
Comments:
If you can skate you can go faster than anyone that dose not have these.
Rating: 47 and a half ++++

Reviewer: Jim Stein (stein.3@osu.edu)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Black Hole
Model: ABEC 3s
Purchase Price: $26.00 for 16
Store: Columbus Sports (local store)
Location/Phone: ?, ?
Purchase Date: 05/1996
Used for how long: A month
Pros:
Good, durable ABEC 3s. Fast (of course.)
Cons:
Not as "serviceable" as they claim to be. It's almost impossible to get the shields off! Noisy; need to be cleaned very often (they shed grease very quickly.)
Comments:
Go buy some other brand. The extra price attached to these "serviceable" bearings is wasted if you can't get the shields off without damaging the casing!
Rating: 6

Reviewer: Rob Remus (rwremus@rs6000.cmp.ilstu.edu)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Black Hole
Model: Rocks
Purchase Price: $21.95 for 16
Store: Wildcountry (local store)
Location/Phone: Normal, IL,
Purchase Date: 04/1994
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
The bearings are faster (better) than the ones that came in my Macro EQ's. That however is the only thing about them that is better.
Cons:
The bearings get dirty VERY quickly. The bearings came lubed with grease and within one day of skating they were dirty enough to start making noise. I then replaced the grease with oil, which made them even worse.
Comments:
Spend a little more money and get some good bearings.
Rating: 5

Reviewer: Drew (rhockeyplayer85@yahoo.com)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Boss
Model: ABEC-7
Purchase Price: $40
Store: SportMart (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 11/1999
Used for how long: 7 Months
Pros:
Great bearings. They can spin for 3 minutes 30 seconds spinning freely. Great bearings for players who want to skate faster.
Cons:
They get dirty quickly.
Comments:
Great Bearings for a good price.
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Andreas Knoll (aknoll@uni-duisburg.de)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Boss
Model: Swiss
Purchase Price: 52$(16)
Store: Team Paradise (mail-order)
Location/Phone: www.teamparadise.com, ?
Purchase Date: /1996
Used for how long: 1 year
Pros:
very smooth ride, don't get dirty, very fast
Cons:
one: the price....
Comments:
Best choice for fitness skater, not necessary for aggro
Rating: 10(fitness)

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: GMN
Model: ABEC-3, greased, tin-shielded
Purchase Price: $1.25/bearing
Store: some mailorder place (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
Very inexpensive.
Cons:
Shields aren't removable so you have to pry them open to clean them. They pretty much felt like my old ABEC-1s to me.
Comments:
I bought these because they were inexpensive but I'm sorry I did. They didn't do much for me. If I could go back, I would have probably spent a little extra money on a better set of bearings. If you're looking for a cheap set of bearings to replace a set of ABEC-1s and aren't really looking for a speed improvement then these will suit you fine.
Rating: 4

Reviewer: Jake Decetre (Doomsdayknight75@aol.com)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Ninja
Model: Ceramix
Purchase Price: $375.00
Store: www.motionskate.com (mail-order)
Location/Phone: 317 Union St, Roseville, Ca 95678, 916-783-9484
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
Extremely fast, very light as a 688 bearing, faster than the Bones Ceramics,(Possibly anything else) you could use these in the rain and without any lube and they would still roll very fast. (I haven't done this yet)
Cons:
Extremely expensive. It hurts really badly if you fall.
Comments:
These are the best bearings I have ever gotten. Used with 84mm wheels it feels as if you're flying, if you mix them with a 100mm wheel frame, expect to go at speeds over mach 2*. (* Not really, you could go about 70 mph or more on these) Save up some cash and buy these, you'll like them.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Tom Whang (twhang@compuserve.com)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Powell Swiss
Model:
Purchase Price: 55
Store: Venice (local store)
Location/Phone: Venice, CA.,
Purchase Date: 08/
Used for how long: 1 day
Pros:
These things are FAST. I used them for the first time at my local skating rink. They felt great, though I never realized how fast I was skating. I know this because someone commented to me about me speed ! If you like going fast, these bearings are worth every penny.
Cons:
Comments:
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Tony Chen (adchen@garnet.acns.fsu.edu)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Powell Swiss
Model: ABEC-1 "Bones"
Purchase Price: $2/bearing
Store: Skates Off Haight (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 09/1991
Used for how long: 3 years
Pros:
For a long time the Bones bearings were rumored to be ABEC-5 quality, but in the end the company said they were only ABEC-1's. Doesn't matter. These bearings spin very well. They are one-sided bearings, with only a plastic snap-cage to secure the ball bearings. The ones I ordered were in sets of 8 and came with a small plastic pouch of Bones speed cream.

In an extreme case of laziness and negligence, up until last week I had only relubed 2 out of the 16 since I first bought them 3 years ago. My main laziness stemmed from the fact that they still spun like crazy, and still sounded clean. I have since cleaned and relubed all of them, out of guilt 8-) but they're all in amazing shape still.

In terms of maintanence, the Bones are very easy to clean and handle because they have only two parts: the bearing and the snap-cage. With most of the two-sided bearings (like Yaks, TwinCams, etc.) you have to pry off the C-ring on each side and you end up with 2 rings, 2 shields, and the bearing.

Also, when you take the snap-ring off, the balls inside aren't constrained by a brace of any kind, so you can really clean out the whole inside pretty well. This also means you can apply your lube easily as well, since the balls are in full view.

Putting the snap-cage usually takes longer than putting a C-ring and shield back on (on the other bearings), but it's still pretty simple for the most part.

In any case, I have noticed ABEC-5 rated Bones for sale in some mail-order places now. 1 or 5, I don't think you can go too wrong with Bones bearings.

Cons:
Comments:
ABEC-1s are fast, but tend to have slightly more vibration overall than some ABEC-5 bearings like Boss or TwinCam. If you want ultra smooth rolling, you might have to go for the Bones ABEC-5's or other ABEC-5's.
Rating: 9.7-10

Reviewer: Darrell M. Crosgrove (Crosgrove@earthlink.net)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Power Edge
Model: SI-ABEC3 Speed Bearings
Purchase Price: $14.95
Store: Meijers (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 05/1999
Used for how long: six slow hours
Pros:
Cheap. Almost.
Cons:
Rolled as slowly as the ABEC 1 bearings that came with the skates, and within 6 hours of use, were slower, with blinding and catching sounds.
Comments:
Skip this product.
Rating: 1

Reviewer: Chris Gleaves (cgleaves@tivoli.com)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Twincam
Model: ABEC 3 bearings
Purchase Price: $30 for 16
Store: Sun and Ski (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 03/1997
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
Quiet, smooth, VERY resistant to dirt.
Cons:
Comments:
I skate a lot of sandy/dirty roads and have yet to clean these bearings. They take about an hour or so to break in, but they are incredibly smooth. Don't see how ABEC 5 could be any better.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: William Bradley (wbradley@thor.ece.uc.edu)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: YAK
Model: ABEC-3
Purchase Price: $2 per (normally) $1 per (on sale)
Store: Inline USA (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
o Removable Shields, Very nice bearing, no wobble
Cons:
  • Greased (you might be able to order oiled sets)
  • Having to listen to "DA YAKMAN" rant about them :-)
Comments:
Some people gripe that these aren't much better than ABEC-1s. I noticed a marked difference, though.
Rating: 7

Reviewer: Danya Rielly (gilbertrielly@securenet.net)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: Yak
Model: ABEC-5
Purchase Price: $40 canadian
Store: Fraser's Source for Sports (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 07/1998
Used for how long: one summer
Pros:
Serviceable
Cons:
You can't get any amout of sand in them. I used them for skating around my neighborhood that has older streets, and they were making noise in just a few days. I tried them again the next summer, and they were completely ruined.Even when I took them apart and soaked them, they sounded awful. Not a very resilliant bearing, considering the price.
Comments:
A definite disappointment
Rating: 1

Reviewer: chad renshaw (gusto@sprynet.com)

Product Type: bearing
Brand: boss
Model: abec 5
Purchase Price: $15.00
Store: play it again (local store)
Location/Phone: ?????, ???????
Purchase Date: 06/1995
Used for how long: 1-1/2 years
Pros:
spun better than my original bearings. I believe they were zz bearings. Oiled.
Cons:
The boss abec 5 spun good I thought. I bought new Roces Street skates which rule. They came equipted with abec 1 bearings. Surprisingly and to my dissapointment they spun and were smoother than my boss abec 5 .
Comments:
I'm buying Swiss Powell Bones now. I've read many articles on these bearings including ones at this site. All say that they kik. I can't wait for them to come in.
Rating: 3.5

Reviewer: the man© ()

Product Type: bearing
Brand: boss
Model: bsb8 abec 5
Purchase Price: 55
Store: ******* (local store)
Location/Phone: **********, **********
Purchase Date: /1996
Used for how long: 4 months
Pros:
Super fast long time before relube fast extra speed for tricks
Cons:
pricey
Comments:
best fuckin berings ever
Rating: 15

clothing reviews

Reviewer: Rob Louis (Saidfag@hot mail.com)
Product Type: clothing
Brand: England
Model: Ladies Man Shirt 99' (Hamsted East/West shirt)
Purchase Price: $59.46 (including sales tax and tip)
Store: ishmu's corner store (local store)
Location/Phone: 1 yaky way China Town Boston Mass., 363-732-4633
Purchase Date: 01/1999
Used for how long: Every Day
Pros:
100% polyester Picks up da chicks
Cons:
It makes you look like a fagget Girls hate it Smells Iches your pits
Comments:
Mike O'Brien
Rating: -31

grind plate reviews

Reviewer: K. Simpson ()
Product Type: grind plate
Brand: 5°element
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: K. Simpson (jwsim@en.com)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: CDS Detroit
Model: 1/4 Burgandy and Blue Ange
Purchase Price: $8 per
Store: Sidewalk Surfer (local store)
Location/Phone: 2602 North Scotsdale Rd., Scottsdale Arizona, (602)994-1017
Purchase Date: 08/1997
Used for how long: 4 months
Pros:
Great groove, last VERY long, both are fast on rails AND ledges, perfect size
Cons:
none
Comments:
the blue angel and burgandy function the same(blue is more preferrable of a color to me), anything over 1/4" doesn't grind as smooth
Rating: 10 some things are perfect

Reviewer: Ben (BenWK@aol.com)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: CDS Detroit
Model: 3/8 slot style
Purchase Price: $8
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: long enough
Pros:
Good price, nice groove, hard (no need to make bigger groove quickly), recessed flush area for axles , Easy installation, good on curbs
Cons:
a bit thick less good on rails none I can really think of
Comments:
Rating: 6.5 to 8

Reviewer: Martin Sripan (ay169@yfn.ysu.edu)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: CDS Detroit
Model: Boot grind plates, Size: 4 plates, 1x3 inches
Purchase Price: $9.99 or so for a set of 4
Store: Millennium In-Line (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 2 weeks
Pros:
Great if you can get it to work-helps with power stops, other boot grinding maneuvers *Very versatile-use for other stuff
Cons:
Hard to attach velcro lanyards, for me at least.
Comments:
Works better on CLEAN surfaces; unscathed ones recommended. All CDS products are probably good when used correctly, but I didn't really need the boot plates-my boot was screwed from the start. It works best on boots of the leather type probably.
Rating: 3 if you don't apply correctly, 10 if you do

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: CDS Detroit
Model: Street Line Frame Grind Plates
Purchase Price: $5.99 for two.
Store: some mailorder shop (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: 10 minutes
Pros:
They're made of plastic and plastic slides a lot better than steel does because there's a lot less friction. Inexpensive.
Cons:
When I power-slide, I slide on the grind plate because it sticks out so much and since it's so smooth, I keep on sliding. Sometimes, I'll even do a split. When I cut sharp turns, I will sometimes hit the grind plate on the ground and since it's so smooth, my legs just slip out.
Comments:
They are a good idea. They'll protect your frame and they'll slide better than any metal grind plate could ever dream. But I just couldn't sacrifice maneuverability and power-slides for it.
Rating: 5

Reviewer: Matt Brock (valrock@ktc.com)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: CDS Detroit
Model: Woodies
Purchase Price: 10.00 + tax
Store: team paradise (mail-order)
Location/Phone: Huntington Beach, California,
Purchase Date: 01/1996
Used for how long: a couple weeks
Pros:
Slides real fast on rails which improves my balance, slides nicely on curbs, although not as good as on rails
Cons:
There really isnt anything wrong with this grind plate
Comments:
CDS DETROIT IS THE BEST!!
Rating: 1000000000000

Reviewer: Chris Wilson ()

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: Commit
Model: LowBoy (wraparound)
Purchase Price: $12
Store: Sportfix (mail-order)
Location/Phone: , don't remember
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
Slicker than hell on rails.
Cons:
cant grind curbs.scrapes on ground when you turn.
Comments:
ONLY WORKS WITH 57mm WHEELS!!!!!!!!!
Rating: 5

Reviewer: Des (Caffine455@aol.com)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: Grease Sticks
Model:
Purchase Price: $9.00
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: few weeks
Pros:
Very fast on curbs. It's extremely smooth. Comes in different kinds of thicknesses and sizes.
Cons:
Slower on rails.
Comments:
CDS Detroit make the best grindplates. They have soo many different kinds of grindplates for different kinds of surfaces and speeds. They come in many sizes and thicknesses.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: Grease sticks
Model: grease sticks
Purchase Price: 9.00
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: Lazzy Legs
Model: Steel Bridge Grind Plate
Purchase Price: $20
Store: random mail-order house (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
It's made of steel so it's strong. It's thick so it will last a while.
Cons:
The largest wheel size you will be able to fit on a skate with a bridge grind plate is around 65mm.
Comments:
If you put a steel grind plate on your skate, it will slide nicely on metal but grinding a curb is a little more difficult because there's a lot of friction. There are many different ways you can outfit your skate for grinding. With this plate, you can skate with all small wheels or you can skate anti-rocker. I still haven't discovered the perfect grinding combo.
Rating: 8

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: Senate
Model: 96 plastic wrenches
Purchase Price: 10
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 week
Pros:
NONE!
Cons:
wears away in about one week too expensive for quality not thick can break with my hands bends right away doesn't do anything like stop wearing away slow etc. etc. etc.
Comments:
SORRY GRINDPLATES EVER MADE DO NOT EVER BUY!!!!!!
Rating: 0

Reviewer: An Ping HUo (uhuoa00@mcl.ucsb.edu)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: Senate
Model: Senate Blocks
Purchase Price: 10
Store: Inline sport (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 08/1996
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
good design...
Cons:
short life....too thick.....
Comments:
Rating: 5

Reviewer: Des (Caffine455@aol.com)

Product Type: grind plate
Brand: Woodies
Model:
Purchase Price: $9.99
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: few weeks
Pros:
Very fast and smooth on rails. Their extremely tough. Their on of CDS Detroit's toughest grindplates. You can Get them in different thicknesses and sizes.
Cons:
Slower on curbs.
Comments:
Get CDS Detroit grindplates. They make the Best.
Rating: 10

hopup kit reviews

Reviewer: ()
Product Type: hopup kit
Brand:
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: Martin Sripan (ay169@yfn.ysu.edu)

Product Type: hopup kit
Brand: Cyko
Model: HurricanZ
Purchase Price: $20 for 8 wheels
Store: Millennium In-line (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 08/1993
Used for how long: 4 months; 1993, Discontinued
Pros:
  • Aluminum-speedy
  • Threaded
  • Hex lock
  • Comes with instructions-really no need
Cons:
  • No frame spacers
  • Aluminum-bad for extreme
  • Threads are lost after time
  • Bolts too big-huge profile
  • Bolts slide like CDS Detroit Grind Plates, but in this case, it is a disadvantage-gives new meaning to power slide
  • Bolts get scuffed and flattened easily
  • No tools provided, though a Torx T25 helps, as I prefer handled hex wrenches over hex keys
  • Brake bolts aren't big enough for my brake
Comments:
The guy who sold me these practically forced me into these over the Blading Edge-should've bought the Hyper, it sounds/looks good. It's better than plastic, but seems like any other, Roces, Hyper, Mogema, Sure Grip, and other race frames are better
Rating: 3

Reviewer: William Bradley (wbradley@thor.ece.uc.edu)

Product Type: hopup kit
Brand: Hyper
Model: hopup kit
Purchase Price: $20
Store: Local sports chain (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 05/1993
Used for how long: 1 year +
Pros:
o Aluminum spacers *do* have internal hex hole for axle removal o Includes two slightly longer axles to account for brake mounting (Rollerblade, for example) o Each axle has a loctite patch for safety o Kit also includes washers, if you need them
Cons:
o Aluminum spacers...supposedly these deform easier during extreme skating (I wouldn't know) o Loctite...no star washers, if that's your bag...
Comments:
I've had no problems with these
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Jim Kiraly (kiraly@cse.utoledo.edu)

Product Type: hopup kit
Brand: Hyper
Model: hopup kit
Purchase Price: $25
Store: ISA (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: since June 1995
Pros:
- Comes with: 8 Red aluminun threaded spacers w/ hex lock. 16 Regular length, small headed axel bolts. 16 Washers 2 Brake wheel length small headed axel bolts. 2 Hex tools.
Cons:
None to report.
Comments:
I would recommend these over the Lazzy Legs Speed Demons.
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Mad Mac ()

Product Type: hopup kit
Brand: Sonic
Model:
Purchase Price: $20 (usd)
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 07/2000
Used for how long: 6 month
Pros:
Well Made, Stainless steel=strength, easy to install
Cons:
None
Comments:
Installed on a Pair of Rollerblade quantums, realy a waste on this pair of skates as the skate has a real good axle from the factory, but the hop up kit works as advertised.
Rating: 8

Reviewer: Jim Stein (stein.3@osu.edu)

Product Type: hopup kit
Brand: boss
Model: n/a
Purchase Price: $20+tax
Store: Sunsport Surfwear (local store)
Location/Phone: ?, ?
Purchase Date: 10/1996
Used for how long: A week
Pros:
Smooth ride, less friction (speed increase), quiet on smooth surfaces
Cons:
If you tighten them too much, the threaded axles get LOCKED INTO THE SPACER (!) I had to pry my wheel out sideways with a claw hammer, then use a vice grip to get the axle out of the spacer. If you tightem them just a hair less than this, the axles ***FALL OUT OF THE SKATES!*** I've taken two ten-minute trips with my skates and have already lost two. Also noisy/rough ride over even slightly bumpy surfaces.
Comments:
This kit is a WASTE OF MONEY. Get something else.
Rating: 2

safety gear reviews

Reviewer: ()
Product Type: safety gear
Brand:
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: safety gear
Brand:
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: William Bradley (wbradley@thor.ece.uc.edu)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Bell
Model: Image helmet
Purchase Price: $80 (normally) $40 (on sale)
Store: Bike Nashbar (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
o Well-vented o Light (sub-8 oz.) o Easy to fit (adjustable pads/straps) o Microshell (compromise between hardshell and foam)
Cons:
Comments:
Rating: 8

Reviewer: Ben (BenWK@aol.com)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Boneless
Model: Boneless Knee (Street)
Purchase Price: $80
Store: Blades (local store)
Location/Phone: 73rd and second, too lazy to check
Purchase Date: 05/1996
Used for how long: weeks
Pros:
Big Great padding Comfortable for large size No wraparound strap to tear below the plate Neoprene tube Replaceable plate
Cons:
Big Difficult to get on/off EXPEN$IVE!!!
Comments:
Rating: 9 for aggressive, 7, everything else

Reviewer: Jason Vincent ()

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Boneless
Model: Ramp knee pads
Purchase Price: $79
Store: Rollerwarehouse (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 year
Pros:
Thick, durable, comfortable pad. I got mine after I chipped my kneecap falling off a loading dock because my rec. kneepads weren't thick enough for aggressive skating. The wide, smooth cap helps you slide out of a fall well. The replaceable caps take a lot of punishment, and can be removed so you can wear the pads under your pants. And if it gets hot, you can put the caps back on, all though they may not stay in place as well as before, but I cant complain. If you dont want to take the caps off, just cover them with duct tape. You also get a nice sticker with them. Mine are just as good now as when I bought them.
Cons:
They really retain a lot of heat & sweat, and they dont stay in place that well under your . They should find a way to make it so you can tighten the top part.
Comments:
This is a classic, versatile knee pad that will save your kneecaps on the streets or the ramps. Get em from Rollerwarehouse though, cuz all the places are too expensive. These are also the ramps, so they have an extra .5" of padding which you'll be glad you had after you take the caps off.
Rating: 9.85

Reviewer: brdrgrrl (brdrgrrl@hotmail.com)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Crash Pads
Model: 2002
Purchase Price: $80
Store: online (mail-order)
Location/Phone: crash-pads.com,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 year
Pros:
Picture looks good. They are nice to you until you've forked over the cash. They claim these can be used for skating, so here's my warning to you.
Cons:
The product looks great in the picture, but in reality the material is so flimsy that they will rip when you try to pull them on. The pads don't stay in place because the material is so flimsy. When I did land on my tailbone the pad shifted up so I bruised my tailbone anyway. They make you look like you have a load in your pants (even with baggy pants like I wear). They are designed with Johnny Highcrotch in mind so the waistband will almost go up to your nipples and look pretty dumb with most lowriding pants/shorts (hence the tailbone pad being more of a lower back protector). The customer service is very nice to you when you are ordering the product, but once they have your money that's it. If you try to return the product they get defensive and try to blame you for any problems with the product. See MTBR.com for reviews of their padded mountain biking products, the majority of reviews seem to agree that their service is terrible and they don't deserve your business. The product is overpriced for what you get, there are other companies out there who make superior products and who will stand behind the product and treat you like a decent human being. Don't waste your money with Crash Pads!
Comments:
If you can get these used on eBay or something they could be worth it. They do offer some protection. But the retail price is way overpriced.
Rating: 1

Reviewer: Nic (bhsc1@netspace.net.au)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Harbinger
Model: Agressive Knee Pad
Purchase Price: A$120
Store: Skate Warehouse (local store)
Location/Phone: Marrindah Hwy Ringwood Victoria,
Purchase Date: 05/1997
Used for how long: 2 Weeks
Pros:
Good Padding
Cons:
Fell apart. Poor Workmanship, Substandard Materials. In only 4 skates they ripped in 6 different ploaces including the lower tension buckle falling off.
Comments:
Don't waste your money.
Rating: 1

Reviewer: An Ping Huo (uhuoa00@mcl.ucsb.edu)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Harbinger
Model: Agressive gloves
Purchase Price: 24.99
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1996
Used for how long: 5 months
Pros:
cool design, thick padding on the palm
Cons:
less protection on the wrist
Comments:
Rating: 8

Reviewer: FRanK (LiEW)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Lazzy Legs
Model: Protector WRist guards
Purchase Price: $40
Store: SPit FIrE (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 01/1995
Used for how long: 1 and a half years
Pros:
looks nice. with the leather, REALLY popular amongst agg. sk8ers, not that restraining.... excellent choice.
Cons:
the plastic that protex you doesn't look it could stand up to a big fall.. (it looks like a honeycomb)
Comments:
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Dave (dco2393@rit.edu)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: ROLLERBLADE
Model: Extreme Kneepads
Purchase Price: about $40
Store: Eric Flaim's Motion sports (local store)
Location/Phone: Newbury st. Boston, Mass.,
Purchase Date: 05/1997
Used for how long: 2.5 months
Pros:
Good kneepads, comfortable, good protection. They're pretty popular where I skate.
Cons:
None.
Comments:
They're a bit warm. They also slide down on some jumps and when I do stairs forwards.
Rating: 8

Reviewer: FranK Liew (hchl@pcnet.co.nz)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Rector
Model: Fat Boy knees
Purchase Price: 30-50 dollas
Store: SPiTFiRe (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 02/1996
Used for how long: approx. 4 months
Pros:
REAL nice padding..... i think its one inch thick, pretty cheap, good alternative to the Boneless if ya can't afford dem.... if u sk8 street, dese padz are one of da best... could be good for ramps though (i don't sk8 pipes)
Cons:
could use a tube, more secure, may slip if ya wear it too long.... also, if you sk8 in a tropics Country, say singapore, watch out, baby coz dese thangs are BOILING hot after a coupla hours....
Comments:
i reccomend dese to everybody..pros, grommies alike..
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Rector
Model: Fat Boys
Purchase Price: $50
Store: Skates Off Haight (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 04/1994
Used for how long: 4 months
Pros:
Nice and big with about an inch of padding between the plate and your knee. Your knees will survive any fall. Instead of a tube, it has four thick straps. These straps work as well (perhaps better) than any tube and you don't have to take off your sneakers or skates to get them off. Cheaper than Boneless Knee Pads. When you fall, the plates are made to slide across the ground instead of sticking. I found that some pads like the standard ones that Rollerblade, Inc. makes stick to the ground when you fall so all that momentum you have forces you to roll on the ground. With these pads, when you hit the ground, you just slide on your knees for a few feet instead of rolling. Does that make sense? Goes well with any wardrobe.
Cons:
You may find that your knees don't bend as well as they might with a smaller knee pad but as far as "extreme" pads go, these are the least cumbersome. You'll get used to them very quickly.
Comments:
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Dave from the House ()

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Roces
Model: Roces ramp knee pads / 300095
Purchase Price: $60
Store: yaaaaaaaaaah (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 01/2000
Used for how long: year kinda
Pros:
Cons:
The pads are enormous, huge padding and secure Velcro straps. The plastic shel is 5 mm thick, so it will easily block all your falls. The white shell looks cool too and you can replace it . Good price too
Comments:
Rating: They tend to slide down every now and then, sometimes people laugh at you until they fall and crack their nuts while you fall and go get a soda.

Reviewer: BK (kligfield@msn.com)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Rollerblade
Model: Advanced wrist
Purchase Price: $30
Store: Gymnasium (NYC) (local store)
Location/Phone: 42 st.,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: year
Pros:
Comfy Good idea Cool, good airflow
Cons:
Everything else Leather rips Beads wear down quickly Stitching of poor quality Plastic reinforcement on top bends and eventually breaks Not very protective
Comments:
These things are terrible. They rip, they smash they tear apart, and they don't even protect your fingers. The ideal user would be some kind of racer who only falls once or twice. They are not for agressive skating or anything where you "expect" to fall.
Rating: 1 to 3 (depends on use)

Reviewer: Chris (cgleaves@tivoli.com)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Rollerblade
Model: City Gear wristguards
Purchase Price: $15-20
Store: Amadillo Sports (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 01/
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
not as bulky as standard rollerblade wristguards easier to put on since you slip into them
Cons:
not as supportive as the standard wristguards seems to be not as sturdy as the standard wristguards
Comments:
I took a really nasty fall in them and they stood up to it, but i almost wore all the plastic off the palm area (slid quite a ways going down a big hill...nice road rash to go with it I might add). Seems that the shape tends to force your thumbs down instead of letting you hit square. Tore the straps to pieces because of the way the wrap through the plastic guards.
Rating: 5-7

Reviewer: William Bradley (wbradley@thor.ece.uc.edu)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: Rollerblade
Model: Standard Pads (knee/elbow/wrist)
Purchase Price: $15-$25 per set
Store: local shop (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: 1 year +
Pros:
o They work very well o Wrist guards have velcro pocket near right thumb
Cons:
o They're somewhat bulky, sometimes get in the way o Velcro pocket won't hold car key
Comments:
Rating: 6

Reviewer: James Rodatus (jrodatus@mindspring.com)

Product Type: safety gear
Brand: triple 8
Model: Second Skins Knee Pads
Purchase Price: $40
Store: Sonic Blades (local store)
Location/Phone: ?, ?
Purchase Date: 08/1999
Used for how long: 4 months
Pros:
Once broken in they fit like gloves...gloves for your knees that is. They are not bulky so you can wear them under blue jeans(great for skating to class). They slide with you instead of off your knees so you don't get skinned up. Its also cool to tell the chicks that you have on kevlar knee pads. I have gotten 3 dates this way. 4months and no problems.
Cons:
They take awhile to break in and the neoprene material can give you sweaty knees(not always, but occasionally). The velcro is a bit sticky.
Comments:
A good unconventional knee pad. Super light wieght so I would guess racers could use it without much trouble.
Rating: 9

wheel reviews

Reviewer: ()
Product Type: wheel
Brand: Bionic
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Black Hole
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: none/none
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: Mark Berman ()

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Black Hole
Model: Sport
Purchase Price:
Store: Donehower's Sporting Goods (local store)
Location/Phone: Lewisburg, PA,
Purchase Date: 05/1995
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
76 mm.,fast,hard,turns quickly.
Cons:
Plastic deforms after about a month causing bearings to wobble.Ride crappy when worn down.
Comments:
These come with the new macros'. I don't know if they sell them any other way.
Rating: 9 for the first month then a 3.

Reviewer: D. James Stein (stein.3@osu.edu)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Black Hole
Model: Sport
Purchase Price: $24.95 for four wheels
Store: Koenig's Sporting Goods (local store)
Location/Phone: ?, ?
Purchase Date: 06/1996
Used for how long: A week
Pros:
Good speed, look sharp
Cons:
Wear quickly (even with 74A rating), scratch easily
Comments:
Good wheels, but don't buy 'em if you can't afford replacing them in a couple of months.
Rating: 7

Reviewer: Martin Sripan (ay169@yfn.ysu.edu)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Cyko
Model: HurricanZ 1993, 72mm, 82A-Flat 22
Purchase Price: $20. for 8-$2.5 each (on MI-L sale), usually $40. for 8
Store: Millennium In-Line (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 2 days
Pros:
*Reinforced fan-blade core makes it fast and light-hard wheel- nice wear, nice cooling *Black color is nice, no prints or other obstructive stuff
Cons:
*Real bad on hard surfaces and on any extreme skates *Dull wheel-no laminated gloss surface (tread, sidewall)
Comments:
In my opinion, it's just like any other wheel but it's fast and cool.
Rating: 5

Reviewer: Scott Weintraub (scottw@wam.umd.edu)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: FR Progressors
Model: 60mm/88A
Purchase Price: $7/wheel
Store: forgot (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 07/1994
Used for how long: 1 month
Pros:
Nice size/hardness for street skating. Solid core.
Cons:
Difficult to find. I expected them to be a little flatter on the bottom (a la Hyper Midgets) but they were shaped a lot like your generic wheel, only smaller.
Comments:
For 88A, they seem to be a little soft. It seems that Hyper's version of an 88A wheel is harder.
Rating: 8

Reviewer: Chris Gleaves (cgleaves@tivoli.com)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Giants
Model: Giant 76mm/82A Grey
Purchase Price: $6-7 wheel - can't remember
Store: Sun and Ski (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 03/1997
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
Good wear, long lasting (no hub) and good asphalt traction
Cons:
No hub makes it slower, but works great for me.
Comments:
Bought these on advice from skater salesperson for all around use. I love em - they are not good racers obviously but a great "free-style" wheel.
Rating: 8-9

Reviewer: Max (pozzi_m@tin.it)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Hyper
Model: X-360 80mm/78A
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 year
Pros:
They are the best wheels I've ever had! With a proper rotation they shown long duration and a good stability even after a lot of kilometers! The core keep bearings in place firmly without affect rotation. The durometer is good for all terrain skating, even if sometimes it seems too soft.
Cons:
Comments:
Probably the best outdoor wheel, the price is not very nice, but it's balanced with the ability of the wheel to mantain the performances
Rating: 9.5

Reviewer: Will Decker ()

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Hyper
Model: X-360 Cross Trainer
Purchase Price: $62.00 Full Set (8)
Store: Oshman's (local store)
Location/Phone: ?, ?
Purchase Date: 12/1995
Used for how long: 8 1/2 months
Pros:
Good wear. They have not shown much wear. Good wet traction (as far as skate wheels go). Reasonable cost. Fairly low flex in rough turns. Also has good bearing to hub fit.
Cons:
Comments:
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Jess ()

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Ironcow
Model: 65mm/86A
Purchase Price: $40 Canadian/4 wheels
Store: None (local store)
Location/Phone: ----, ----
Purchase Date: 09/1996
Used for how long: 1 month
Pros:
Last long, comes with roll of stickers
Cons:
none
Comments:
good for anti-rocker, Ironcow wheels on front & back, Hyper Jacks in tha middle
Rating: 10

Reviewer: ()

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model:
Purchase Price:
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Cons:
Comments:
Rating:

Reviewer: Jim Kiraly (kiraly@cse.utoledo.edu)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: 72mm/82A Rampage Full Radius, tri spoke core.
Purchase Price: $32 for 8
Store: ISA (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: Since June 13, 1994
Pros:
Nice wide radius, nice for turning and such. Good even wear (with proper rotation).
Cons:
Hubs do not have a nice tight fit around the bearings, which causes the wheels to wobble from time to time.
Comments:
These are good wheels, I am not sure if the bearing problem above is a problem with just my set or found with all Rampages.
Rating: 8.5

Reviewer: Kenneth Wong (Art40247@leonis.nus.sg)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: 76mm Rampage 78A and 82A
Purchase Price: $35
Store: Gallen Sports (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 11/1994
Used for how long: 5 months
Pros:
Durable, Good for street
Cons:
Comments:
These are very durable wheels and are pretty good for roadskating but don't try skitching on them coz they'd probably melt. Good grip and are stable.
Rating: 7

Reviewer: Scott (scottwax@swbell.net)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: Diablo
Purchase Price: $70 (for 8 wheels)
Store: Oshmans (local store)
Location/Phone: South Cooper, Arlington TX,
Purchase Date: 05/2000
Used for how long: 3 months
Pros:
Very fast outdoor wheel and wears very well. I've put about 700 miles on them since late May 2001 and they are finally showing their age. I usually am lucky to get 350-400 miles out of wheels before they get slick in corners. Until they are worn, they stick real well in turns for such a long lasting wheel.
Cons:
I wish they were cheaper, but you get what you pay for.
Comments:
If you skate 50+ miles a week, they are a great investment. I got nearly double the mileage I was getting from Hiper wheels for the same price.
Rating: 9.5

Reviewer: Ben (BenWK@aol.com)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: Mini Roxx (aggressive middle wheels)
Purchase Price: $25/4 ($6? each)
Store: Paragon (local store)
Location/Phone: Broadway/ 18th,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Same as most other little wheels 52mm is a nice size for paring to larger outer wheels like 62+ mm Good hardness Rounded, but does not slip on grinds
Cons:
Same a other little wheels Rounded profile
Comments:
Unextroardanary
Rating: 7

Reviewer: Christopher Denman (nada)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: Mister Stickey
Purchase Price: $55 Aus ($22 US)
Store: Skate Biz (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 12/1996
Used for how long: 1 week
Pros:
Very Stickey and good for turning and accelerating quickly
Cons:
Have limeted range of sizes no small sizes 72mm is the lowest
Comments:
none
Rating: 9

Reviewer: Jim Kiraly (kiraly@cse.utoledo.edu)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: PowerPlay 72mm/82A w/ Krypto hockey radius, tri spoke core
Purchase Price: Came stock with skates (CCM RH555 Tacks)
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 07/1994
Used for how long: Since July 31, 1994
Pros:
Nice even wear, even with heavy usage. Great stability at high speeds. Can really hold tight turns, I have yet to have them slip out on me while turning.
Cons:
Comments:
My favorite wheel by far
Rating: 9.5

Reviewer: Dave (dco2393@rit.edu)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: Rampage (85a, 76mm and 72mm)
Purchase Price: about $60
Store: Eric Flaim's Motion sports (local store)
Location/Phone: Newbury st. Boston, Mass.,
Purchase Date: 06/1997
Used for how long: 2 months
Pros:
Both the 76 and 72mm's are fast. They wear slooooowwww, but they have really good grip for such hard wheels. They have also stood up to plenty of abuse (jumps, stairs) and haven't chunked or pulled off the core. They also work great for slalom.
Cons:
None.
Comments:
Rating: 8.5

Reviewer: Jason Vincent ()

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: Stones
Purchase Price: $30/4
Store: I forget (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 6.5 weeks
Pros:
This wheel is unchunkable. It simply will not chunk. And coming from New Orleans, the city known for its cheese-grater pavement, I should know. It lasts a real long time too. It also gives a soft ride for a 61/88.
Cons:
The core is too little and not very strong. I cracked mine in two places after doing a wall ride with a 6.5' drop.
Comments:
Strong urethane, wimpy core
Rating: 9.8

Reviewer: Jim Kiraly (kiraly@cse.utoledo.edu)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: VR Series 72mm/78A Narrow radius, tri spoke core.
Purchase Price: $40
Store: Play it Again Sports (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 06/1994
Used for how long: Since June 28, 1994
Pros:
Hub fits the bearings tightly.
Cons:
Not made for quick turns.
Comments:
Rating: 8

Reviewer: dand@locke.ccil.org (dand@locke.ccil.org)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Kryptonics
Model: pebbels [older ones]
Purchase Price: under $27.50
Store: wheel federation (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: week or so
Pros:
hard, VERY VERY VERY hard. the r scale [in which they are measured] is used for metals and stuff. i am pretty sure 50r is about 120a or somehting close to that. out of all 47mm wheels... pebbels are gods.
Cons:
well they could make em in smaller sizes, but i think 47mm is ok.
Comments:
the best 47mm wheel out there.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Eric B. Thomas (ethomas@dpc.com)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Labeda
Model: Bad Boyz/Trick core 72mm/82A
Purchase Price:
Store: Play It Again Sports (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: 10/1995
Used for how long: 3 Months
Pros:
Smooth rolling, grabs street good, hubs fit bearings tight.
Cons:
I have to rotate & flip about every one hour of street usage. Glass cuts wheel, & they seem to be wearing down fast.
Comments:
These are my third set of wheels & they feel smooth, but maybe a bit too soft for me. I got a lot of little cuts from road objects (like glass), but they still feel OK. I'm tired of rotating & flipping them so often, but this might by my style of blading, which is constantly slaloming around things & lines on the road... Boots used: Roces LAX w/ ABEC 3 bearings.
Rating: 7

Reviewer: vic (vching@hotmail.com)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Labeda
Model: Badboyz 72mm/81a indoor/outdoor hockey
Purchase Price: $30 CAN
Store: Sports Authority (local store)
Location/Phone: ?, ?
Purchase Date: 06/1997
Used for how long: 3 weeks before ferking up
Pros:
-sticky at first -super sticky on coated concrete -nice fit on bearings -strong core
Cons:
-wears so fast, especially last wheel -don't like power stops -don't like ashpalt -cracks and rips
Comments:
don't buy it unless y ou are exclusive indoor, don't be fooled by all surface claim
Rating: 3

Reviewer: (jeremym@pacific.net.sg)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Labeda
Model: Ice Lites
Purchase Price: about SGD$60
Store: Hypno (local store)
Location/Phone: Far East Plaza, Singapore,
Purchase Date: 11/1996
Used for how long: one month
Pros:
Bearings fit the hub tightly. Very light and nice clear smoke color.
Cons:
The 72mm 81a are not really that hard. Gets worn out pretty fast and I have to rotate my wheels after each session.
Comments:
Rating: 6

Reviewer: Da Phat Rabbit (daphatrabbit@cs.com)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Millennium Labeda
Model: Millennium Labeda Wheels 2000
Purchase Price: $12 ea.
Store: Atlantis Pro Shop (local store)
Location/Phone: Lake Worth, FL 33454, ?
Purchase Date: 12/2000
Used for how long: First set, a few games, second set, I'm at the half way point of my season
Pros:
These wheels are the best In-Line hockey wheels ever made, the price has gone down just a little since I bought them last, I paid 12 ea. The wheels help you stop faster, and keep your balance better, the wheels grip so well, it allows you to put more weight on one skate, and being a winger you get hooked a lot, so when one of your legs gets pulled up, and you only have one skate down, you still have great balance only because of the wheels, put simply, these wheels blast any other skate wheel out of the water
Cons:
A bit steep in price for wheels, the wheels have so much grip you increase the possibilty of rolling your ankle, but if your an experienced player will dominate. Being that the wheels are so soft, you may find your self buying 1-2 sets for one season, also if you don't play on the right surface the wheels begin to chunk (that's how soft hey are) so if you buy them make sure your school or league has a surface compatible with the wheels
Comments:
These wheels are awesome, no other wheel can touch this one, this wheel is the wheel I'm going to use for the rest of my life!
Rating: 10.5

Reviewer: Eric (dredded1@bellsouth.net)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Pleasure Tool
Model: Mac Oh Boy
Purchase Price: $12 set of 8 wheels
Store: EDS Wheels (mail-order)
Location/Phone: www.edswheels.com,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: few months
Pros:
Same as the Hyper Fat Boy. The Fat Boy wheel has been out of production for a long time. Pleasure Tool has gotten hold of some of these Fat Boy wheels and rebranded them. They sell at a huge discount which is great. Best all around skate wheel I can find.
Cons:
none
Comments:
Cheap, good wear, cheaper than Hyper's Fatback which is hard to find in some locals and much easier to find than the original Fat Boy wheel.
Rating: 10!

Reviewer: koosh (koosh21@hotmail.com)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Rollerblade
Model: TRUE 72mm wheels
Purchase Price: $8 for 4
Store: Sports Authority (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: half a year
Pros:
theese ar very very good wheels. if your aggressive skates can fit them you should go out and buy them. they are at a reasonable price. they run quietly and take bumps well. they also give you TONS of speed. they also take landings off ramps well.and my favorite part is that they stick to the ground well when you are making sharp turns. on my wheels i would never had been able to do that.
Cons:
there are none
Comments:
Buy theese!
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Eric Santman (esantman@ix.netcom.com)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Rollerblade XTRA Lite
Model: STD on 2002 Lightning 05
Purchase Price: n/a
Store: (local store)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 1 months /87 miles
Pros:
Light, sexy looking
Cons:
Fall apart. These wheels 'chunked' out ~ 10 miles, with major wear over the next 80 miles of Rec/Street use. They have a larger hub, and less urethane, for the sake of weight, but this really impairs performance. Too bad you spend $250 for a pair of great skates and you get these crap wheels. I replaced them before they had 100 miles on them.
Comments:
Skates themselve are great: good looking, fast, stiff frame, and comfy
Rating: 4 on the wheels

Reviewer: Mike Macura (coach_m@global2000.net)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Senate
Model: Aaron Feinberg
Purchase Price: $54 for 8
Store: Roller Warehouse (mail-order)
Location/Phone: ,
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long: 4 days
Pros:
EVERYTHING! These wheels are the best I've ever used. I've used Medium,United, FR, Krypto, and more and these are by far the best. great traction and speed
Cons:
price
Comments:
They work a little better on street than on vert because of the smaller size. Better in skate parks than on the street.
Rating: 10

Reviewer: Joe Patry (jpatry@concentric.net)

Product Type: wheel
Brand: Vanguard
Model: Snipers (90A)
Purchase Price: Approx $55
Store: Golden Skate (local store)
Location/Phone: 2701 Hooper Dr. San Ramon, CA, (510)820-2525
Purchase Date: /
Used for how long:
Pros:
Nice Grip, feel, and controll when new. Perfect fit on BSB bearings.
Cons:
For such a hard wheel (90A) used exclusivley on an indoor surface they wore out quite quickly and developed flat spots.
Comments:
A very nice wheel when new, however they deteriorated rapidly after moderate use.
Rating: 6

In-line Product Review Sheet

Fill out each question as completely as possible. There's no rush to turn these things in, so if you have to wait a couple days, couple weeks, a month, whatever, then take your time. The goal here is to provide as much information and informed opinions as possible. Thanks.

If you're reviewing a skate, please try and cover all features, like wheels, bearings, braking systems, wheel-rockering systems, liners, fasteners (laces, buckles, combo), chassis (the shell and runners), plus any other neat/adjustable features.

  1. Review by:
  2. Product type: (skate, safety gear, wheel, hopup kit, grind plate, bearing, clothing, accessory*)
  3. Brandname:
  4. Model name/number:
  5. Purchase price:
  6. From local store or mail order: (name the store too, with the address and phone number if it's a local store, otherwise just name the mail-order shop)
  7. Date purchased:
  8. How long have you used it:
  9. Pros: (list good features)
  10. Cons: (list not-so-good features and possible improvements it could use)
  11. Additional comments:
  12. My personal rating: 1 to 10 (10 being the best)

*use accessories as the catch-all, when it's none of the other types

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