new skates after 15 years

[zethustra]

I'm thinking about getting new skates after skating on my roces with 76mm wheels for the past 15 years. I was thinking about the k2 mach 90 or 100. Is there a big difference in the speed and maneuverability between the two? I'm 31, 165 lbs, 5,10. I skate mostly on the path around central park, sometimes through the city. Do you think the mach 100 would give me enough control to skate through the city? Thanks.

Paul

[IW Staff]

Both are considerable jumps from you 76mm wheel size and you will notice the difference. I have no doubt you can skate either and will adjust quickly to them, but the smaller wheel size maintains the most maneuverabilty.

So I'm thinking the Mach 90 may work best for you. The Mach 100 will take a little more to get up to speed, and then hold that speed better. So faster, but not as quick if that makes sense to you. The 90mm wheel size gives you a good deal of both speed and agility so if skating in tighter spots as well, they may work better for you.

Thanks for the post.

Stan @ IW

[zethustra]

Thanks for the reply,

Have you skated both wheel sizes? Which one do you like more, and why?

Does the hi-lo setup make it more difficult to skate upright/slowly?

Thanks.

Paul

[IW Staff]

I have skated both...

The hi-lo setup doesn't make it difficult at all to skate upright and you don't feel like you have different wheel sizes when standing on them. They work for you to help keep you positioned over the balls when skating, but no matter what speed you are going you feel very comfortable and not pushed forward at at all.

I enjoy my 90mm skates alot. They are quick, meaning I can get going quickly and turn/maneuver quickly and so forth. I skate in a residential area often and the 90mm wheel size works well there. There's not a lot of traffic, but I like weaving in and around things and doing a lot of corners circling the residential blocks and terrorizing the neighborhood :)

I skate a 100mm/90mm hi-lo setup often as well. I use these on a longer route I skate where I'm not turning as much but can enjoy a more steady/longer stride and let the wheels carry me away. So both are great, but where you will do most of your skating likely will determine which is best.

Hope that helps!
Stan @ IW