skate comparison

[stp-sk8r]

I am going to inline skate the Seattle to Portland bike run in july, which is 208 miles, now aside from thinking im insane, i need help finding the right skate for the job, something that will really hold up. I have been comparing the k2 radical 100 '05 and the Salomon Pilot V Pro 2 Race Skate Men's '05 but i cant figure out which one would be better or if there is another product out there in that similar price range that is better. I was thinking that the k2 choice would be fine but the salomons have a 84mm second wheel, I'm guessing to improve your center of gravity? I'm also wondering about the performance difference in their bearings and axles. but any who i really need some advice in the worst way as i have already started training and I would like to get in my actual race skate asap.
thanks
-candace

[baamonde]

Holy cow!
208 miles on skates? You are insane. But I think it's pretty awesome too!
Good luck!

[IW Staff]

My preference is the K2 skate. The Radical 100 or even the 90. For that long a skate, the 100 might serve you better but the 90 would be fine and is my choice. Great skates.

My vote is for the K2!

Stan @ IW

[chaosdsm]

I am going to inline skate the Seattle to Portland bike run in july, which is 208 miles, now aside from thinking im insane, i need help finding the right skate for the job, something that will really hold up. I have been comparing the k2 radical 100 '05 and the Salomon Pilot V Pro 2 Race Skate Men's '05 but i cant figure out which one would be better or if there is another product out there in that similar price range that is better. I was thinking that the k2 choice would be fine but the salomons have a 84mm second wheel, I'm guessing to improve your center of gravity? I'm also wondering about the performance difference in their bearings and axles. but any who i really need some advice in the worst way as i have already started training and I would like to get in my actual race skate asap.
thanks
-candace

WOW! That sounds like something Eddy Metzgar would do!

Is this 208 miles non-stop, or broken up into 2 or 3 days? If non-stop, I would suggest the Salomon's because of the lower profile. A lower profile will put less strain on your ankles & lower your center of gravity. If the races is broken up into multiple days, then the K2's may give you a slight speed advantage.

Which ever way you go, I would not use the wheels & bearings that come with the skates, especialy if this is a non-stop race. For a non-stop, you should use ceramic bearings as they will not expand durring the race, steel bearings will expand which can lead to increased friction & possibly bearing seizure which, I can tell you from personal experience, is not a fun thing to experience.

I personaly use & would recommend Hyper Mach II wheels (82A for rough roads, 84A for smoother roads) & TwinCam ILQ-9 BCB bearings (http://www.ilq9.com/bcbinfo.html) which come with a lifetime re-new program (http://www.ilq9.com/renew.html)

[chaosdsm]

Forgot to mention:

You might also want to look into replacement footbed's for your skates such as Shock Doctor's (http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?PCODE=SDFB) or Superfeet (http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=SSFF).

I'm currently using the Superfeet inserts, & am quite impressed, my feet fit better in my skates, & the inserts help absorb a little more of the vibration from rough roads Vs. the footbed's that came with the skates. I'm going to order a pair of the Shock Doctor inserts next payday & see how they compare... I'll need every bit of help I can get for the Disney Inline Marathon on April 2nd :)

[ultrask8]

I've skated STP (2 days - 7hr45min and 8hr20 min total each day including rest) and I would suggest finding the most comfortable boot you can, 100mm wheels, and having someone ride with you on a bike .

I did it in 95 or 96 on 80mm wheels OUCH!

email me if you need further info. BTW you need to log lots of training miles!

Jonathan Seutter