Begginer

[shnuggs 0]

Although being a Modsquadhockey member for about a year - this is the first time a have clicked on the roller hockey section. As summer comes around i am looking to broaden my horizons and try playing some pickups - outdoor roller games. The problem is i dont have a clue about anything. If somebody can break down the anatomy of a roller skate- wheels- bearings? arent they all same ? :) (joke) and suggest some skates to buy for a begginer- level entry player---- for someone whos just learning the game that would be great.

Thanks

[sdcopp 1]

ok, so there really only 4 brands to choose from: Mission, Tour, BNH and CCM/RBK. For outdoors (and as an asphalt rookie), you'll probably want to stick to a lower to mid end skate.

Wheels are very subjective items, but generally speaking you'll want to get a harder wheel designed for outdoor use. Every wheel will have an XXa hardness rating, such as 74a and 84a. The softer the wheels, generally the better grip but the less durability. Some good outdoor wheels to look for are Rink Rat World Cups, Hyper Pro 250 and Labeda Asphalt.

Bearings are rated on an ABEC system rating. The range from low to high starting at Abec1 and going odd numbers to Abec9. Abec 3 or 5 should be as high as you go for asphalt since they are usually a heartier bearing.

Chassis anymore come in three materials and two builds. 6000 series aluminum, 7000 series aluminum and Magnesium Alloy, low to high; extruded/stamped and fully extruded. Basically, the materials will help determine weight and material strength, 6000 seris Al being the low end, Mg Alloy being high. Extruded means cut from one block, so stamped/extruded is extruded in pieces and cobbled together, whereas fully extruded is one block being carved into shape.

Ok, so now that we've got that out of the way, how much are you looking to spend? The Mission HE3500 is a great choice in the $150 range, and the HE500 is in the $100 range and designed for outdoor use. (note that the two low end Mission skates, the HE500 and the HE1500, are an exception to the chassis standard and use 5000 series Al) Tour offers the Omni 600 and Omni 800in the $150 and below range. Bauer-Nike has the Mega 30-50 and the Flexlite 2 in this range, where CCM/RBK have the PF4 and PF2.

The chassis on all of these is different too. Mission offers the Hi-Lo, which has two 72mm wheels in the front half, and two 80mm wheels in the back half. Tour offers a flat frame of all 80's. BNH has the one up frame that is almost the same as the Hi-Lo, but has a 78mm wheels on the back (note that these can be made into Hi-Los by placing an 80mm wheel in place of the 78mm one) CCM/RBK offers the Tri-Di which from front to back are 72-76-76-80.

Overall, most people are going to reccomend the Missions or the Tours. I am in with Mission stuff, as I felt the Tour Hummer chassis while fast robs quickness. That is my personal preference though, and should not be taken as pure fact.

Hope that all helps

[notorious#29 0]

As far as skate suggestions, Check out the Mission 500's. I bought a pair of them for this summer. They are built specially for what you are planning to do. They already come with outdoor wheels and bearings so you won't have to worry about replacing them right away.

http://www.epuck.com/webapp/wcs/stores/ser...ategory_rn=1783

[shnuggs 0]

Thanks,

where are the bearings on the skates eh ? i see the chasis and the wheels but i dont see bearings- what do they look like. Also are roller hockey skates like hockey skates with regard to each brand fits differently -- diiferent sizes and fits - or is it more universal?

Thanks again

[dix0r 0]

i'm also an ice guy looking to get roller gear, so instead of starting a new thread, i'll hijack yours B)

seems like the skates in my price range ($150-200) are as follows:

beemer

blue max

he5500

he3500

mega 30-90

vapor XR

flexlite 6

code red

4K

vector PF6

vector PF4

obviously they're all gonna fit differently, but without trying them on - are there any that are any on that list i should avoid for durability reasons, or any to be sure to check out that are pretty well liked?

for ice i'm in graf 703's. any on that list that fit similar to those?

lastly, are there chassis that are better from switching between ice and roller, or can you accomplish the same thing with any chassis by switching wheels or something?

sorry for all the dumb questions :]

[sdcopp 1]

my personal here: 5500s are the best on that list, and everything is going to feel different. If you want the closest to ice feel, get some Rocker chassis. Hi-Lo is just fine though, and the Hummers will feel like pontoons because they have a longer wheelbase, that is until you get into sizes 11 or so and above.

As for the bearings, the are in the wheel hubs. Basically, the wheel is open in the middle where the bearings and spacer fit in. If you're just starting out, the bearings that come stock are fine.

[notorious#29 0]

Thanks,

where are the bearings on the skates eh ? i see the chasis and the wheels but i dont see bearings- what do they look like.

Thanks again

The bearings are pushed inside the hub of the wheel. I'm really bored, So I took pictures to illustrate.

Wheel

Bearing

Bearing pushed into wheel

Hope that helps.

[sdcopp 1]

just a note since you stated you're a complete beginner, each wheel will have two bearings and a spacer in between.