Advice on rollerblades

[ferrara]

I have a pair of K2 Flight ALXs circa 2000 or so. I used to use them a lot, but in the last couple of years I haven't been using them, and I've lost all but 3 axles, 3 wheels and 3 sets of bearings. Now they are a bit beat up, but still usable if I put the money into them to pretty much replace everything except the boot and frame. I was also considering just going and spending the money for some other blades, particularly I was looking at radical 90s. The question I have is #1 is there enough ankle support in the radicals to actually get around town and such? and #2 should I just stick with the flight alxs and fix them up, or take a step up to an advanced level skate.

[IW Staff]

Those were cool skates. We used to sell axle sets for those but no longer. More than likely it was becuase they didn't make them any longer, but I can try if that is what you decide.

Radical 90 is more of a performance/speed skate with a lower cuff. Check out the Moto 90 which also has the 90mm wheels but with more stablity around the cuff for support. Might be what you are looking for. The 90mm wheels are fun, so I would steer you to the new skate if you think you are going to stick with it. Axles, wheels and probably bearings is what you would need to get the old going again. Could get close to $100 doing that. New skates for $199.

Thanks,
Stan @ IW

[ferrara]

for sure it might be a pretty penny that I'll be spending just to get them all fixed up. I used to use them for transportation as I was too young to drive, but now if I blade they're probably just going to be used for fitness purposes (mostly around a track to start out with), and possibly races if I can find any in the area in the future. The moto series looks like it does the same job as my flight alxs (bigger wheels though). My dilemma though is that if I do get a new pair, I don't want to have to upgrade down the road if I decide to do something other than just exercising (which is exactly why i thought of getting the radical 90s). I consider myself a high level intermediate, or low level advance, as I've played hockey since i was 5 or 6 and have been blading since maybe 8 or 9, so my ankles are pretty strong from years of skating. How little support is there with the radicals as compared to the higher cuff of the motos? What settings are the radicals/motos ideal in and least ideal? Another question I have is, is there any difference performance-wise between the moto extreme and the moto 90 other than the hi/lo set-up. All in all, for sure speed is going to be a factor as well in my next blade purchase.

edit:
the axles are available for purchase from k2 directly, but I live in Ontario, Canada, so apparently they don't ship out of here. I was told to go to a k2 dealer in the area and get them to order the axles directly.

[IW Staff]

I'll make the axles visible so you may order them off our site. Link below.

http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/searchresults.html?search=products&searchtext=flight+axl

Skates. The Moto or Moto Extreme are great for long skates, marathons, etc.. Radical 90's are great too. If dinkin' around and going slow a lot, Radical 90's may not be the best. Moto's are more friendly to get the speed when you want the speed, and cruise when you want to cruise. If doing one style of skating more than the other, that's where you need to decide.

Thanks

[ferrara]

i'm still leaning toward the rad 90s. My huge problem is that the only skates I can find anywhere are the motos (extreme, 90s and regular). The only thing I really want to figure out is if I'm going to have a problem with the cuff being so low compared to what I'm used to. Definately my main reason for purchasing them will be for long distance skating, which exactly why I'm leaning towards the rads, but without trying them on it's definately hard to judge whether they'll be good for me or not. (As well, I have to say that the motos are probably the ugliest looking rollerblades ever). Still deliberating though, the weather is starting to get better now so it's almost showtime to start up the old outdoor exercise routine. Can't wait to start going around the track with whatever I get.

[IW Staff]

I don't believe you'll have a hard time adusting to the cuff if used to skating. Just my opinion. If not used to skating, I would be more concerned. Your muscle memory will handle it for you though.

[chaosdsm]

i'm still leaning toward the rad 90s. My huge problem is that the only skates I can find anywhere are the motos (extreme, 90s and regular). The only thing I really want to figure out is if I'm going to have a problem with the cuff being so low compared to what I'm used to. Definately my main reason for purchasing them will be for long distance skating, which exactly why I'm leaning towards the rads, but without trying them on it's definately hard to judge whether they'll be good for me or not. (As well, I have to say that the motos are probably the ugliest looking rollerblades ever). Still deliberating though, the weather is starting to get better now so it's almost showtime to start up the old outdoor exercise routine. Can't wait to start going around the track with whatever I get.

I loved my K2 Flight ALX skates, only got rid of them because I was ready for bigger wheels & it was only a couple bucs more to get all new skates.

The Cuff on the radical 90's has plenty of ankle support for all but beginning skaters.

If you want to fix up the Flights, just google "K2 Flight ALX axle" there are still vendors who carry them in stock. Inline Warehouse has some great deals on complete wheels, bearing, & axle sets like these two:
http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=WB80
http://www.inlinewarehouse.com/descpage.html?pcode=128919