Back in 2015 a group of us went roller skating at the local rink. The rental skates sucked, but then I rented the old 1 dollar rentals. Neither of the skates were set to the same tension on the cushions. So each turned at their own rate, and trying to stand on one at a time was an experiment in terror.
I did not fall down! My real only high point of the night.
So, I have bought skates, why? because I am obsessive, I want to use my stuff not another. I want shit that actually works, not something apparently fixed by a person, or possibly a Racoon in the advanced stages of rabies.
So I found a pair of Dominion 718 Super X skates with 95a Carerra wheels. Got em for 30 dollars! plus 15 shipping. that is still less that the price of the plates alone. Boot is not top of the line but all leather, apparently well made and will do for a while, if not longer. The plates are Sure Grip Super X, not the best plate but the rock solid plate you can do just about anything with. And the wheels are not all that good from what I understand.
At the rink they lost me as a customer when the guy behind the counter could not find the wrench to loosen the lock nut on the kingpin. How about chain that thing to the bench so it does not walk off?!?!
So being who I I am… I bought my self one of those too.
So for about 25 bucks I replace the cushions, pivot cup and toe stops. 55 bucks all together for pretty darn good starter skates! Not to mention I will be replacing the Kingpin bolt with a reverse kingpin setup, new laces, and replacement wheel nuts and kingpin nuts.
A comment (that has been lost) added that bearings are probably one of the best upgrades to get.
A picture to describe what some of the parts are, I sure as hell didn’t know until a few days ago!
Now I just need to get my butt back on them!
THREE YEARS LATER I STILL NEED TO!!!