skate upgrade suggestion - currently in Rad 90s

[jwied82]

Hi. I am currently skating on a pair of K2 radical 90s that i got from IW last year. I like them but feel like i would like something faster and that i may not need all the support they have.

Ive been skating about 40 miles a week lately and have skated up to 24 miles in one session (which took about an hour and a half) and never skate less than 10 miles a session. All of my skating is done on a pretty flat, paved bike trail with no sharp turns and minimal stops (a few for road crossings). Its a great trail for just getting into a good rythym and skating for a long time.
I also run alot... running is my real passion, blading is just a super-fun way of cross-training (but i must admit, ive been slowly getting hooked on the skating since i got my radicals)... so my overall fitness and endurance is well above average.

Lately ive been averaging about 16-17 mph for most of my sessions, but i have started skating with some novice cyclists and as their bike fitness and speed increases i would like them to not have to slow down too much for me. Plus i just think it would be more fun to have some skates that would allow me to go faster.

Since i will be needing new wheels and bearing before long i have thought about just buying a 100mm frame and wheels and just putting them on my Radical boot, since it fits me and allows me to skate comfortable for pretty good disctances. How much of an increase in speed would there be just from stepping up to 100mm wheels? Would it really be worth my money going this route?
I am definitely not opposed to simply getting new skates though. Would it be too big of a change going to a 110mm set-up? Im not sure i should go for a full-on race boot since all i want to do is be able to go out and skate fast for 15-20+ miles a few times a week. Would something like the bont semi-race or the powerslide r4 split the difference between my radicals and real speed set-up? Part of me feels like i could handle a speed boot, but i dont want to make that investment and then not like it.
I can't try anything like this on locally, so im looking for suggestions/advice before i make the desicion on what skate to get next. thanks

[IW Staff]

You are exactly right.

The R4 or Semi Race would be logical and great choices. I'm doing a review on the Semi Race later today or this weekend and will post as well as have a video up next week.

But you already know what you need to really. Right out of the box, the Semi Race will not feel like your Radical 90. They are stiffer and more responsive. They are meant to be molded as well, so you can't just throw them on and go. They definitely get you more speed, response and get you from edge to edge better. A bit heavier than a true race boot as the cuff is a little higher, but the perfect step between yours and the low cut speed boot. Once molded they are very comfortable. Perhaps not quite as comfortable as your Radical 90's however. But a different type of skate and for what it is meant to do, it does wonderfully.

The R4 as well has that semi race boot cut with a higher cuff. It fits a bit looser out of the box but is also moldable. Where you would be true to size or even ordering up a little on the R4, you'll likely be in a size smaller than your running shoe size when ordering bont.

Reference the sizing chart for size recommendations. Thanks for the post !
Stan @ IW
http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/custservice/sizing/fitness/

[jwied82]

thanks. im think leaning towards the semi-race. My K2s are a 10, but i wear a thick sock with them and feel i could have went with a 9.5. Would a 9 in bont probably be OK.

If i do decide on the semi-race, should i got with 100s or 110s???

[IW Staff]

You would possibly be in an 8.5 Semi Race actually. Check your measurement on the sizing chart on our site.

I would go with the 100mm skates. 110 is a lot of wheel.

Thanks again for the post !

[jwied82]

From measuring my foot i thought i was between an 8 and a 9, so i thought 8.5 would be ideal. But you only carry 8 and 9, and i assumed that bont didnt make an 8.5

[IW Staff]

Use the sizing chart. Your size is covered, you just would need to use the chart. Bont doesn't have a skate that wouuld read 8.5 on it, no.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/FitSkateSizing.html