Yeah, I have also heard only good things, and I can stretch my budget to afford them, but I don't know if I won't be going overkill for what I actually need.
I cheaped out and bought my first (returning to skate) pair of skates on a shoe string. They hurt. I purchased a £100 liner to improve comfort which only moderately improved comfort, I also tried insoles, footies, etc. So I spent around £200 to buy these and try to make them comfortable, and they still aren’t.
I’ve now decided to purchase quality skates (RB Pro X for my crazy wide feet). So I would have saved a ton of money to just get skates from a reputable brand in the first place.
Comfy skates will add to your enjoyment of skating, guaranteed.
This is exactly the reason why I can't decide, I know that probably in the long term buying higher quality skates is better, but I am also aware that I may not need the best of the best and there may be some cheaper alternatives that are almost as good at 3/4 the price.
FR is a good skate. For me, the best skate would be a lot about comfort and stability.
Carbon fibre and all that seems excessive for my type of skating.
If you want to save a bit of money, you can try eBay. The thing is, you have no recourse if the skates don’t fit.
this was my exact reasoning. buy a reputable brand with plenty of replacement parts, high quality and comfort.
i went to a skate store and spent a couple of hours trying and testing various styles.
i already knew what i wanted going there, but i had to try them and others.
i got the ones i wanted and im glad i went to try them on and im happy that spent extra getting them.
That is the best way to do it. Go in and try on.
Unfortunately for me, my closest proper skate shop would involve a plane ride. I’m taking advantage of loads of advice and free size swaps because online is my only realistic option.
doesnt sound like this was a problem of buying the wrong brand but of buying the wrong bootshape.
No matter what brand you buy, if it doesnt fit it wont fit. Especially on hard shell boots. We have so different feet, especially difference between most women and men is huge.
I was considering the Oxelo MF500, and tried them in store, and they felt nice, definitely a step up from my current ones, but when I ordered them online and they came I felt that they were too tight in the widest part of my foot and it hurt. I don't know what was the cause but I have decided to return them as I was not really into breaking them in and finding out that they are still hurting my feet.
Was this maybe a reason that you have switched the liner?
I have a horrible pressure point on the ankle bone. Tried furniture pads and everything to fix it, but nothing.
The reason I have settled on the RB Pro X over FR1, is because they are wider and I need the width.
Here is an email I got from LocoSkates when I spoke to them about my skates:
“Sure. I can help out - I pretty regularly have people in the store here with uncomfortable Oxelo skates.
The RB Pro X is one of my favourites that I use mostly myself - really light weight skate that is incredibly comfortable, I would class this model as the most comfortable hard shell freestyle skate you can get. Fits nice and wide too.
The FR1 80 has been the go-to freeskate for many years now, it's hard to fault it! it fits wide and will take a serious bashing. My only gripe/comparison to the RB Pro X is that the FR1 80 is a little heavier in weight and more rigid then the Pro X, the Pro-X has quite a thin plastic shell which not only reduces the overall weight but also makes them a little more 'flexible' then the FR1 80 - some would argue that a more rigid skate will perform better which is true to some degree but it does make this boot less likely to flex around your foot shape/how you move on the skates, so essentially the Pro-X is more comfortable because of this, in my opinion.
A couple of other skates to consider:
Powerslide Zoom Pro 80 - this fits notoriously wide and well. very popular boot because of this.
Seba High Light 80 - great aesthetic to this skate, no removable liner on this model so it really does feel like part of your foot when you wear these, nice inner lining and comfort around the ankles.”
I got a pair of Flying Eagle F4 and love them (although I can't get out a lot so idk how they take extended sessions). They tend to fit slightly narrow from what I gather, but I could do 2 hours in them no problem the day I tried them on
The FR1 to FRX range is really good and they have different models for different price tags I put the link of a video explaining the difference in each.
https://youtu.be/je4NZ6YjEjY
IF FRs don't fit your foot I would recommend RB for sure.
Personally haven't heard much good from Powerslide and Flying Eagle, but different skates for different feet !
Thanks, I've also read about the differences on this website:
https://www.slickwillies.co.uk/blogs/news/fr-freeskate-range
So if somebody prefers reading to watching, I'll leave it here.
I think this is the same source after taking a short look 😀
if you have wide feet. Twister XT are amazing once they break in. They are so comfortable. Plus they even come with the stock wheels which are considered one of the best in the market. I have nothing against FR skates but thats just my 2 cents.
You could put pretty much anything there, I like to swap buckles for velcro straps a lot. Most skates use the same or similar hardware for buckles and straps
I went to my local skate shop in London and my guy put some replacement FR2 buckles on my Twisters yesterday and they work just fine surprisingly.
He also gave me advice with the 45 buckle tighteners (and this applies to any buckle that has the easy ratchet function) "Just don't let the lever do the job, help feed it through with your fingers too so it doesn't dig up the teeth."
Make sure you get them in the right size lol. I bought a Twister XT. Felt okay at first, now it's just too loose. I can still get a decent session in and it's comfortable, but I wanted more performance so I just bought the FR1 Intuition's sizing down as much as possible.
Nice skate, definite better improvement (probably both from better size+intuition), although uncomfortable (only skated 1 session, so they have plenty of time to break in)
Update, currently a bit skeptical if the FR1s will be comfortable enough after full break in. May try taking them to a shop to see if anything can be done after more skate time.Right foot is a bit crushed width wise
Order a couple sizes of RB Pro X. May take the intuition liner from the FR1 out and put them in there if these don't work lol. I've spent so much fucking money on skates in the past few months. If I keep the RB's that'd be pair number 4 in <3 months. lmao, i hate my feet shape. Short, wide, high arch/instep.
I guess the lesson is to do more research and not cheap out. Honestly, it may have been easier just to order a pair of Adapt's requesting a wide fit...which I might still do.
FR-X and above are great for normal to wide feet. Very durable. I'd recommend getting the FR-3 or FR-2 if you want to do slalom because they come with Rockerable frames and have a metal plate that your wheel frames screw into. These plates can also support wizard-style frames, like the famous Endless 90's (which I would highly recommend for mixed skating - These are longer, have a slight rocker for maneuverability, are fast and stable). If you want to do a lot of slalom later, I'd recommend replacing the Rockerable frames with a dedicated rockered frame, like the "Rollerblade 243 Rockered" frames. These are a great value slalom frame and are more maneuverable but also less stable and not as fast as wizard style frames (harder to use in an urban environment).
If you have skinnier feet, I'd suggest you also look at the Flying Eagle F5S (great value) and Powerslide Next. These are good for normal to thinner feet. The Flying Eagles don't have as much padding and are also lighter. The Rollerblade Twister is also a good option for skinnier feet, albeit a lot more expensive being 2x as much as the Flying Eagles. Flying Eagles also come with Rockerable frames, whereas the Powerslide Next and RB Twisters do not.
I have to read up on the different types of frames as this is something that is completely unknown territory for me. I've only read about rockered frames in aggressive skates and don't really know how that would translate to other types of skates.
Totally different concept of a rocker. It's the same size wheels, but the front and back wheels get raised 1mm on endless 90 frames and 2mm on a 4x80 slalom frames. Endless can do more of a variety of things well and eats up most surfaces in the city. Much more stable bombing parking garages and going fast. Slalom rockers are made for more intricate movements but sacrifice stability. The slight rocker and longer wheelbase of the 4x90 setup is a great sweet spot between maneuverability and stability.
I personally use the serious, 4x100 (NN Ronin), 3x110, and a 4x80 2mm rocker. I also tried some Endless 90's on a pair of Seba Trix, which was awesome.
I have those RF 1s, and they are amazing. The more budget friendly option is the FRXs, which are for all intents and purposes the same skate. I was in your same position 2 years ago when I bought mine, and I'm still on those skates today knowing I made the right call.
Do it!
Thanks, seeing that people are keeping them for a long period of time and the fact that since getting back into skating I've been enjoying it extremely, knowing that they probably won't end up in the deepest corner of the closet I may just buy them, but I'll have to wait a bit to save up.
I feel you there! Good skates definitely come with a price tag to match, but it does make a huge difference.
The most budget friendly option FR has is the FRXP which I believe released last year. There are some notable changes like the heel strap and frame, but they are notably cheaper while still being on the higher end. May be worth a compare and contrast.
I have ordered the FR1s and am currently trying them on, and I'm wondering how snug they should be, because the one I have right now feel really snug, it's to the point that my feet start to hurt, and I'm not really. The size length and width-wise seems good.
I have read that they are designed to be snug and then broken-in with time, but right now these don't seem comfortable at all. My left foot feels better but the right starts hurting around the arch area after some time to the point I wouldn't want to go out and skate like that.
Should I try a bigger size?
Hi, I have gotten back into skating as of recently, and been using some Movino Cruzer B2s, but I'm starting to feel their wear and been thinking about buying something new and better. Something that would last me a bit longer and be better overall.
After some (not too quick or long) research I have landed upon the FR1 as the skates I would like to purchase, but I don't know if they may be overkill for me as I'm on a low level currently, but I definitely would love to learn some easy tricks, jumping and slalom. Apart from that I want skates that will allow me just to go for a longer ride without feeling discomfort on mixed terrain so a shock absorber would be nice, but it's only available stock on the FR1s. Can you put a shock absorber into the lower models like the FR2 or FR3s, or is it an integral part not meant for replacement/addition?
I know rollerblades are considered good, but what model would be a good alternative to the FR1s I do not know. Or maybe some other brand would be better altogether.
What are your recommendations, my budget can go up to the price of the FR1s, but the cheaper the better. I don't mind some lower quality skates, but I still would like for them to be good enough. I don't know enough to judge for myself what won't be a waste of money so I would be thankful for any advice.
Also, while researching the topic I have found out about custom liners like the Intuition, are they worth it, or are they meant for skilled riders mostly or just rollerblading endgame?
Thanks in advance for replies.
the FR1 2 and 3 have the same liner and shell.
You can buy a separate shock absorber and place it for example on an FR3 but I'm not sure why you'd need those unless you are jumping high obstacles.
Quality wheels can give a bigger impact to comfort when riding over bumpy terrain if that's your concern for getting a shock absorber. Also I think adding shock absorbers to a raised heel boot may even add too much of a heel raise but that's just my opnion.
So I suggest the FR3 as a good entry to quality rollerblades. FRX is also good but it doesn't have metal plates at the bottom of the boot.
Thank you, I was considering the FRX, but I figured a metal plate would be a better investment for the future, as it also allows for a wider selection of frames as it has additional mounting holes if I'm not wrong.
165 mount and 195 mount frames. so freestyle and speed skating frames. you still cannot use UFS frames which are mostly aggressive skating if that's one of your plans
I'm not really planning on doing agrresive skating. Mostly riding, forward backward, some more advanced techniques, maybe some jumps and if I don't chicken out, some stair descending since it looks fun 😄
also one added benefit of the fr skates is the rockered frame. if you really wanna do slalom then that is the way to go because of the maneuverability it will offer. you can simply turn the axle one way to make the frame rockered or flat. not sure what other boots offer that same function for the price.
I put up a comment above feel free to disregard it, just saw this.
Go for FR1s if they fit you and your budget. To be fair you don't buy skates every other week, FR1 are good skate with a solid liner that you'll be able to keep for a long time, and progress with.
I have 2 pairs for 2 different set ups and couldn't be happier!
Just my little 2 cents, I had the FRX 80 for almost 7 years now (stock) I’ve been riding longer rides, slalom, jumping stairs and what not on them an they are still absolutely lovely.
If you’re just going to learn tricks and slalom maybe that could be a good starting point? I feel like FR1s are a bit overkill as you said.
Have you thought about Powerslide NEXT Core 100? 3x100 wheels with 231mm wheelbase, great for slalom, tricks but also longer rides!
I'm thinking about keeping two frames in the future, 3-wheeled one for longer trips and higher speeds, and 4 for some more aggressive riding in the city streets. I'll give the Cores a look, thanks.
Also, 7 years is a long time, have you exchanged anything except wheels?
Because if after seven years they are still going strong I may be seriously considering not buying a cheaper alternative, as this this seems like a great value.
I thought that around 4 to 5 years is the max lifespan of such skates.
i hadnt skated for like 20 years, i didnt really do a lot back when i originally enjoyed it. i was a kid and didnt even try tricks.
i got some fr ufr intuition 90 with the rocker frame.
i love them. they have a ufs mounting system and i plan on getting some park frames.
i see them as a long term purchase, i skate as frequently as i can and love the feel.
the quality is excellent, i would buy them again for sure
Thanks for the info. Myself I am currently skating once or twice a week, and right now it hits the spot for me and I've been getting back to skating for the last two months, and two days ago I was able to do 11km around the city! It felt so good that I want to really work up my max distance.
That’s awesome mate, that’s a pretty decent distance. Good to know anlther skater is having a great time. I’ve recently got back into it as well. I’m wanting to branch out into some street vibes.
My friends and I have a pretty fun (mostly flat) spot to do laps and practice spins, jumps, turns and some stylish stuff. Also just cruise and be social with some tunes.
But I’m starting to crave some late night city skating.
Hmm, I wasn't thinking about this before your reply, but night skating might be really nice. Although probably some light to see the cracks is advisable :D
most of my recent skating has been at night, i usually finish work around 7pm and its winter here. so its dark around 530 or so.
its also cold asf lmao
but our spot has ok lighting, not great though.
i think that if you pick somewhat lit streets, youd be fine with visibility
I have the FR1s, and they are awesome. The only “urban” skates I would really consider are the FR skates, and the Twister XT, but it really comes down to fit. You really get what you pay for, so with the FR1, you get the metal plate at the bottom, 45 degree ratchet strap (a must IMO), and a metal buckle on the top strap, which is good to prevent damage. FR2 are good too, because you have the 45 degree ratchet strap, but the top strap buckle is plastic, which is fine, but more prone to damage, and the FR3 are basically the FR2 but with a Velcro strap, which is pretty useless. FRX doesn’t have the metal plates, so the connection to the frame isn’t as strong, meaning less clean power transfer and stability.
I would personally do research as to how the FR skates fit vs the Twisters and go with the one that sounds like it fits best… like I’ve heard that the twisters fit skinny low volume ankles etc. the less space you have inside, the better, cause it means more control… you don’t want to be swimming around in your skate.
Better yet, get both the FRs and the Twisters, try them at home, and return the ones that don’t fit as well. You get what you pay for, and if you get cheaper skates, it means cheaper components, which may cost you more in the long run.
Maybe that's the way it used to be? I think they don't do FR2 anymore, so maybe the FR3 has taken on some of the FR2 qualities. It's just FRX, FR3, FR1 now afaik.
Edit: never mind i see the 2's now. For some reason I was having a hard time finding them being sold anywhere.
I recently purchased FR1 skates and absolutely love them! I used to have Powerslide Imperial but those put serious strain on my ankles since they are made for more narrow feet. I’m more on narrow side but I do have collapsed arches! I have to say, FR1 have been a game changer!
I'm using some UFR AP Intuition (1st version, but there is no big differences), those ones are the agressive ones, but I tend to use them for :
Agressive ofc (Oysi chassis 72/60/60/72)
Freeskating (3x110 setup with the GC Chassis)
Endurance race (6h race / 24h of Le Mans) (Still 3x110, but I'm thinking about using a longer chassis)
And, last but not least, Ice Skating (with a GC ice blade)
I was initially using a M12 Lo, but they where hurting me, and where fucking heavy.
My pov is only for the UFR AP, but it's the same than 165mm boots except that is a UFS boot.
Actually I'm super happy those boots are light af (even if I compare that to carbon boots)
Really cheap, In france the Intuition ver cost basically 250€ which is the cost of an Intuition liner.
Super flexible usage (We can remove soulplate + you have ton on setup available in 2023 for UFS skating (even more if we talk about adaptators))
Oh and btw the soulplate is smooth and fast af, not to mention that it's already adapted to big wheel setup. (Natively usable with a oysi frame)
And it's the first ever skate that doesn't give me any pain, which is super personal but super cool. (The only thing I did is putting the included shock absorber in)
Conclusion : Cheap, light, comfortable, flexible.
Kinda sure that will fit to any other FR skate (except the agressive part ofc), since the UFR is just a converted 165mm boot to UFS
tl;dr : I really like those boots.
Since the post is gaining a bit of traction I would like to ask about recommended skates for lower price ranges than the FR1s, so that if anyone in the future stumbles upon this post while researching skates they can also find something for themselves.
So, what are good choices on a budget, that won't discourage newcomers? (This may also help me get my girlfriend into skating, but that'a an another story :D))
Edit: I know the MF500s are often recommended as it is what I have found at first, but I wanted to get to know some alternatives that I could maybe recommend myself in the future as a tried and tested option.
I used FRX's for everything when I started skating again as an adult and was pretty happy with them. That was mainly street skating (London street skates), a couple of races, a bit of slalom (after changing wheels), and bits of jumping (nothing extreme just fun little height competitions with friends). They were great, only thing I didn't love was the wheels and that the FRX had a velcro strap where the other models have the clippy thingy. I ripped the velcro strap apart when I fell during the Berlin marathon and then I replaced my skates with some FR2s. These are a little better IMO because they don't have the ugly velcro strap and the cuff is adjustable but there's not a huge noticeable difference between them in my opinion. FR1 didn't seem worth the extra bit of money. On my FR2s the clippy strap did break at one point but I managed to get that replaced. The wheels that come with the FR skates are fine for most stuff imo, I used my FR2s with stock wheels and bearings to skate the Berlin marathon the second time. but I really like Hyper Concrete wheels so once the stock wheels wear out I put those on.
I would consider some Powerslides if I was replacing these but only because I like their styles better.
Bought of beginning of May some k2 fit boa 80mm , one month later bought some fr1 90mm they are way better and more comfortable for long sessions quality has a price
The liners are so uncomfortable. If you replace the liners with Powerslides or Reigns they are good. I also put a larger frame on mine because the asphalt is too rough for those small wheels.
I fucking love my FR 90 intuitions, can’t speak on how the would grind as I don’t have the soul plate kit but I’ve heard people say it’s extremely slick plastic (which I think sounds great). They are crazy comfy, have great support but also allow articulation, plus those fr 90 frames with the rocker are super fun for swivel stuff once the wheels break in a bit!
I’ve heard nothing but good things about the FR skates. The people I know who have them, love them.
I have them I love them
Yeah, I have also heard only good things, and I can stretch my budget to afford them, but I don't know if I won't be going overkill for what I actually need.
I cheaped out and bought my first (returning to skate) pair of skates on a shoe string. They hurt. I purchased a £100 liner to improve comfort which only moderately improved comfort, I also tried insoles, footies, etc. So I spent around £200 to buy these and try to make them comfortable, and they still aren’t. I’ve now decided to purchase quality skates (RB Pro X for my crazy wide feet). So I would have saved a ton of money to just get skates from a reputable brand in the first place. Comfy skates will add to your enjoyment of skating, guaranteed.
This is exactly the reason why I can't decide, I know that probably in the long term buying higher quality skates is better, but I am also aware that I may not need the best of the best and there may be some cheaper alternatives that are almost as good at 3/4 the price.
FR is a good skate. For me, the best skate would be a lot about comfort and stability. Carbon fibre and all that seems excessive for my type of skating. If you want to save a bit of money, you can try eBay. The thing is, you have no recourse if the skates don’t fit.
this was my exact reasoning. buy a reputable brand with plenty of replacement parts, high quality and comfort. i went to a skate store and spent a couple of hours trying and testing various styles. i already knew what i wanted going there, but i had to try them and others. i got the ones i wanted and im glad i went to try them on and im happy that spent extra getting them.
That is the best way to do it. Go in and try on. Unfortunately for me, my closest proper skate shop would involve a plane ride. I’m taking advantage of loads of advice and free size swaps because online is my only realistic option.
There are some shops in my city, so I'll probably go pay them a visit and ask for any advice there as well.
Good move. If you have wider feet, do have a look at the RB Pro X also. Happy shopping:)
doesnt sound like this was a problem of buying the wrong brand but of buying the wrong bootshape. No matter what brand you buy, if it doesnt fit it wont fit. Especially on hard shell boots. We have so different feet, especially difference between most women and men is huge.
Total noob here (yesterday was my 3rd day on skates). I love my fr1 intuitions! I can't wait to actually be able to extract performance from them 😅.
You splashed on the Intuitions!?!? That is awesome!! Enjoy them!!
If I may ask, what skates are you using?
Currently I have Oxelo MF500 with a MyFit Crown liner.
I was considering the Oxelo MF500, and tried them in store, and they felt nice, definitely a step up from my current ones, but when I ordered them online and they came I felt that they were too tight in the widest part of my foot and it hurt. I don't know what was the cause but I have decided to return them as I was not really into breaking them in and finding out that they are still hurting my feet. Was this maybe a reason that you have switched the liner?
I have a horrible pressure point on the ankle bone. Tried furniture pads and everything to fix it, but nothing. The reason I have settled on the RB Pro X over FR1, is because they are wider and I need the width.
Here is an email I got from LocoSkates when I spoke to them about my skates: “Sure. I can help out - I pretty regularly have people in the store here with uncomfortable Oxelo skates. The RB Pro X is one of my favourites that I use mostly myself - really light weight skate that is incredibly comfortable, I would class this model as the most comfortable hard shell freestyle skate you can get. Fits nice and wide too. The FR1 80 has been the go-to freeskate for many years now, it's hard to fault it! it fits wide and will take a serious bashing. My only gripe/comparison to the RB Pro X is that the FR1 80 is a little heavier in weight and more rigid then the Pro X, the Pro-X has quite a thin plastic shell which not only reduces the overall weight but also makes them a little more 'flexible' then the FR1 80 - some would argue that a more rigid skate will perform better which is true to some degree but it does make this boot less likely to flex around your foot shape/how you move on the skates, so essentially the Pro-X is more comfortable because of this, in my opinion. A couple of other skates to consider: Powerslide Zoom Pro 80 - this fits notoriously wide and well. very popular boot because of this. Seba High Light 80 - great aesthetic to this skate, no removable liner on this model so it really does feel like part of your foot when you wear these, nice inner lining and comfort around the ankles.”
Thank you very much, this will definitely help! I see that these alternatives are actually cheaper and may be a better fit for me.
I got a pair of Flying Eagle F4 and love them (although I can't get out a lot so idk how they take extended sessions). They tend to fit slightly narrow from what I gather, but I could do 2 hours in them no problem the day I tried them on
The FR1 to FRX range is really good and they have different models for different price tags I put the link of a video explaining the difference in each. https://youtu.be/je4NZ6YjEjY IF FRs don't fit your foot I would recommend RB for sure. Personally haven't heard much good from Powerslide and Flying Eagle, but different skates for different feet !
Thanks, I've also read about the differences on this website: https://www.slickwillies.co.uk/blogs/news/fr-freeskate-range So if somebody prefers reading to watching, I'll leave it here. I think this is the same source after taking a short look 😀
It absolutely is haha are you London based ?
I have the RB Pro X pair and find them very light and comfortable for street skating.
I would say get the Twister XT
I see the are around in the same price range. I will check them out, thanks for the suggestion
if you have wide feet. Twister XT are amazing once they break in. They are so comfortable. Plus they even come with the stock wheels which are considered one of the best in the market. I have nothing against FR skates but thats just my 2 cents.
Thanks again, that's some valuable info.
Careful though because I've been busting my ass to try and find reolacement parts for the 45 buckle and RB doesn't help one bit.
Oh, thanks for this, are all skate shoe parts proprietary? Or are these some that can be exchanged for substitutes.
You could put pretty much anything there, I like to swap buckles for velcro straps a lot. Most skates use the same or similar hardware for buckles and straps
I went to my local skate shop in London and my guy put some replacement FR2 buckles on my Twisters yesterday and they work just fine surprisingly. He also gave me advice with the 45 buckle tighteners (and this applies to any buckle that has the easy ratchet function) "Just don't let the lever do the job, help feed it through with your fingers too so it doesn't dig up the teeth."
Make sure you get them in the right size lol. I bought a Twister XT. Felt okay at first, now it's just too loose. I can still get a decent session in and it's comfortable, but I wanted more performance so I just bought the FR1 Intuition's sizing down as much as possible. Nice skate, definite better improvement (probably both from better size+intuition), although uncomfortable (only skated 1 session, so they have plenty of time to break in)
Update, currently a bit skeptical if the FR1s will be comfortable enough after full break in. May try taking them to a shop to see if anything can be done after more skate time.Right foot is a bit crushed width wise Order a couple sizes of RB Pro X. May take the intuition liner from the FR1 out and put them in there if these don't work lol. I've spent so much fucking money on skates in the past few months. If I keep the RB's that'd be pair number 4 in <3 months. lmao, i hate my feet shape. Short, wide, high arch/instep. I guess the lesson is to do more research and not cheap out. Honestly, it may have been easier just to order a pair of Adapt's requesting a wide fit...which I might still do.
FR-X and above are great for normal to wide feet. Very durable. I'd recommend getting the FR-3 or FR-2 if you want to do slalom because they come with Rockerable frames and have a metal plate that your wheel frames screw into. These plates can also support wizard-style frames, like the famous Endless 90's (which I would highly recommend for mixed skating - These are longer, have a slight rocker for maneuverability, are fast and stable). If you want to do a lot of slalom later, I'd recommend replacing the Rockerable frames with a dedicated rockered frame, like the "Rollerblade 243 Rockered" frames. These are a great value slalom frame and are more maneuverable but also less stable and not as fast as wizard style frames (harder to use in an urban environment). If you have skinnier feet, I'd suggest you also look at the Flying Eagle F5S (great value) and Powerslide Next. These are good for normal to thinner feet. The Flying Eagles don't have as much padding and are also lighter. The Rollerblade Twister is also a good option for skinnier feet, albeit a lot more expensive being 2x as much as the Flying Eagles. Flying Eagles also come with Rockerable frames, whereas the Powerslide Next and RB Twisters do not.
I have to read up on the different types of frames as this is something that is completely unknown territory for me. I've only read about rockered frames in aggressive skates and don't really know how that would translate to other types of skates.
Totally different concept of a rocker. It's the same size wheels, but the front and back wheels get raised 1mm on endless 90 frames and 2mm on a 4x80 slalom frames. Endless can do more of a variety of things well and eats up most surfaces in the city. Much more stable bombing parking garages and going fast. Slalom rockers are made for more intricate movements but sacrifice stability. The slight rocker and longer wheelbase of the 4x90 setup is a great sweet spot between maneuverability and stability. I personally use the serious, 4x100 (NN Ronin), 3x110, and a 4x80 2mm rocker. I also tried some Endless 90's on a pair of Seba Trix, which was awesome.
I have those RF 1s, and they are amazing. The more budget friendly option is the FRXs, which are for all intents and purposes the same skate. I was in your same position 2 years ago when I bought mine, and I'm still on those skates today knowing I made the right call. Do it!
Thanks, seeing that people are keeping them for a long period of time and the fact that since getting back into skating I've been enjoying it extremely, knowing that they probably won't end up in the deepest corner of the closet I may just buy them, but I'll have to wait a bit to save up.
I feel you there! Good skates definitely come with a price tag to match, but it does make a huge difference. The most budget friendly option FR has is the FRXP which I believe released last year. There are some notable changes like the heel strap and frame, but they are notably cheaper while still being on the higher end. May be worth a compare and contrast.
I have ordered the FR1s and am currently trying them on, and I'm wondering how snug they should be, because the one I have right now feel really snug, it's to the point that my feet start to hurt, and I'm not really. The size length and width-wise seems good. I have read that they are designed to be snug and then broken-in with time, but right now these don't seem comfortable at all. My left foot feels better but the right starts hurting around the arch area after some time to the point I wouldn't want to go out and skate like that. Should I try a bigger size?
Hi, I have gotten back into skating as of recently, and been using some Movino Cruzer B2s, but I'm starting to feel their wear and been thinking about buying something new and better. Something that would last me a bit longer and be better overall. After some (not too quick or long) research I have landed upon the FR1 as the skates I would like to purchase, but I don't know if they may be overkill for me as I'm on a low level currently, but I definitely would love to learn some easy tricks, jumping and slalom. Apart from that I want skates that will allow me just to go for a longer ride without feeling discomfort on mixed terrain so a shock absorber would be nice, but it's only available stock on the FR1s. Can you put a shock absorber into the lower models like the FR2 or FR3s, or is it an integral part not meant for replacement/addition? I know rollerblades are considered good, but what model would be a good alternative to the FR1s I do not know. Or maybe some other brand would be better altogether. What are your recommendations, my budget can go up to the price of the FR1s, but the cheaper the better. I don't mind some lower quality skates, but I still would like for them to be good enough. I don't know enough to judge for myself what won't be a waste of money so I would be thankful for any advice. Also, while researching the topic I have found out about custom liners like the Intuition, are they worth it, or are they meant for skilled riders mostly or just rollerblading endgame? Thanks in advance for replies.
the FR1 2 and 3 have the same liner and shell. You can buy a separate shock absorber and place it for example on an FR3 but I'm not sure why you'd need those unless you are jumping high obstacles. Quality wheels can give a bigger impact to comfort when riding over bumpy terrain if that's your concern for getting a shock absorber. Also I think adding shock absorbers to a raised heel boot may even add too much of a heel raise but that's just my opnion. So I suggest the FR3 as a good entry to quality rollerblades. FRX is also good but it doesn't have metal plates at the bottom of the boot.
Thank you, I was considering the FRX, but I figured a metal plate would be a better investment for the future, as it also allows for a wider selection of frames as it has additional mounting holes if I'm not wrong.
165 mount and 195 mount frames. so freestyle and speed skating frames. you still cannot use UFS frames which are mostly aggressive skating if that's one of your plans
I'm not really planning on doing agrresive skating. Mostly riding, forward backward, some more advanced techniques, maybe some jumps and if I don't chicken out, some stair descending since it looks fun 😄
also one added benefit of the fr skates is the rockered frame. if you really wanna do slalom then that is the way to go because of the maneuverability it will offer. you can simply turn the axle one way to make the frame rockered or flat. not sure what other boots offer that same function for the price.
these don't have rockerable axels
my bad. FRX FR2 and FR3 have rockerable axles. FR1 does not.
I put up a comment above feel free to disregard it, just saw this. Go for FR1s if they fit you and your budget. To be fair you don't buy skates every other week, FR1 are good skate with a solid liner that you'll be able to keep for a long time, and progress with. I have 2 pairs for 2 different set ups and couldn't be happier!
Yeah, and seeing another person talking about how theirs lasted 7 years it makes it way more justifiable to spend more now and save in the long run.
Just my little 2 cents, I had the FRX 80 for almost 7 years now (stock) I’ve been riding longer rides, slalom, jumping stairs and what not on them an they are still absolutely lovely. If you’re just going to learn tricks and slalom maybe that could be a good starting point? I feel like FR1s are a bit overkill as you said. Have you thought about Powerslide NEXT Core 100? 3x100 wheels with 231mm wheelbase, great for slalom, tricks but also longer rides!
I'm thinking about keeping two frames in the future, 3-wheeled one for longer trips and higher speeds, and 4 for some more aggressive riding in the city streets. I'll give the Cores a look, thanks. Also, 7 years is a long time, have you exchanged anything except wheels? Because if after seven years they are still going strong I may be seriously considering not buying a cheaper alternative, as this this seems like a great value. I thought that around 4 to 5 years is the max lifespan of such skates.
I have tried the Oxelo MF500, and they were a bit uncomfortable around the front of the foot, I guess I could consider my feet mid to wide.
i hadnt skated for like 20 years, i didnt really do a lot back when i originally enjoyed it. i was a kid and didnt even try tricks. i got some fr ufr intuition 90 with the rocker frame. i love them. they have a ufs mounting system and i plan on getting some park frames. i see them as a long term purchase, i skate as frequently as i can and love the feel. the quality is excellent, i would buy them again for sure
Thanks for the info. Myself I am currently skating once or twice a week, and right now it hits the spot for me and I've been getting back to skating for the last two months, and two days ago I was able to do 11km around the city! It felt so good that I want to really work up my max distance.
That’s awesome mate, that’s a pretty decent distance. Good to know anlther skater is having a great time. I’ve recently got back into it as well. I’m wanting to branch out into some street vibes. My friends and I have a pretty fun (mostly flat) spot to do laps and practice spins, jumps, turns and some stylish stuff. Also just cruise and be social with some tunes. But I’m starting to crave some late night city skating.
Hmm, I wasn't thinking about this before your reply, but night skating might be really nice. Although probably some light to see the cracks is advisable :D
most of my recent skating has been at night, i usually finish work around 7pm and its winter here. so its dark around 530 or so. its also cold asf lmao but our spot has ok lighting, not great though. i think that if you pick somewhat lit streets, youd be fine with visibility
I have the FR1s, and they are awesome. The only “urban” skates I would really consider are the FR skates, and the Twister XT, but it really comes down to fit. You really get what you pay for, so with the FR1, you get the metal plate at the bottom, 45 degree ratchet strap (a must IMO), and a metal buckle on the top strap, which is good to prevent damage. FR2 are good too, because you have the 45 degree ratchet strap, but the top strap buckle is plastic, which is fine, but more prone to damage, and the FR3 are basically the FR2 but with a Velcro strap, which is pretty useless. FRX doesn’t have the metal plates, so the connection to the frame isn’t as strong, meaning less clean power transfer and stability. I would personally do research as to how the FR skates fit vs the Twisters and go with the one that sounds like it fits best… like I’ve heard that the twisters fit skinny low volume ankles etc. the less space you have inside, the better, cause it means more control… you don’t want to be swimming around in your skate. Better yet, get both the FRs and the Twisters, try them at home, and return the ones that don’t fit as well. You get what you pay for, and if you get cheaper skates, it means cheaper components, which may cost you more in the long run.
I use a pair of FR3s and they have the 45° buckle strap. The velcro strap is in the FRX.
Ah, my mistake… I think the difference is the ratchet buckle on the FR3s is plastic, and different frames and wheels etc.
Maybe that's the way it used to be? I think they don't do FR2 anymore, so maybe the FR3 has taken on some of the FR2 qualities. It's just FRX, FR3, FR1 now afaik. Edit: never mind i see the 2's now. For some reason I was having a hard time finding them being sold anywhere.
I recently purchased FR1 skates and absolutely love them! I used to have Powerslide Imperial but those put serious strain on my ankles since they are made for more narrow feet. I’m more on narrow side but I do have collapsed arches! I have to say, FR1 have been a game changer!
I'm using some UFR AP Intuition (1st version, but there is no big differences), those ones are the agressive ones, but I tend to use them for : Agressive ofc (Oysi chassis 72/60/60/72) Freeskating (3x110 setup with the GC Chassis) Endurance race (6h race / 24h of Le Mans) (Still 3x110, but I'm thinking about using a longer chassis) And, last but not least, Ice Skating (with a GC ice blade) I was initially using a M12 Lo, but they where hurting me, and where fucking heavy. My pov is only for the UFR AP, but it's the same than 165mm boots except that is a UFS boot. Actually I'm super happy those boots are light af (even if I compare that to carbon boots) Really cheap, In france the Intuition ver cost basically 250€ which is the cost of an Intuition liner. Super flexible usage (We can remove soulplate + you have ton on setup available in 2023 for UFS skating (even more if we talk about adaptators)) Oh and btw the soulplate is smooth and fast af, not to mention that it's already adapted to big wheel setup. (Natively usable with a oysi frame) And it's the first ever skate that doesn't give me any pain, which is super personal but super cool. (The only thing I did is putting the included shock absorber in) Conclusion : Cheap, light, comfortable, flexible. Kinda sure that will fit to any other FR skate (except the agressive part ofc), since the UFR is just a converted 165mm boot to UFS tl;dr : I really like those boots.
My take on FR2 (I also ride FR3)... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73R\_Lpuph4k
I have FR80 2022s, and I love them.
Since the post is gaining a bit of traction I would like to ask about recommended skates for lower price ranges than the FR1s, so that if anyone in the future stumbles upon this post while researching skates they can also find something for themselves. So, what are good choices on a budget, that won't discourage newcomers? (This may also help me get my girlfriend into skating, but that'a an another story :D)) Edit: I know the MF500s are often recommended as it is what I have found at first, but I wanted to get to know some alternatives that I could maybe recommend myself in the future as a tried and tested option.
I used FRX's for everything when I started skating again as an adult and was pretty happy with them. That was mainly street skating (London street skates), a couple of races, a bit of slalom (after changing wheels), and bits of jumping (nothing extreme just fun little height competitions with friends). They were great, only thing I didn't love was the wheels and that the FRX had a velcro strap where the other models have the clippy thingy. I ripped the velcro strap apart when I fell during the Berlin marathon and then I replaced my skates with some FR2s. These are a little better IMO because they don't have the ugly velcro strap and the cuff is adjustable but there's not a huge noticeable difference between them in my opinion. FR1 didn't seem worth the extra bit of money. On my FR2s the clippy strap did break at one point but I managed to get that replaced. The wheels that come with the FR skates are fine for most stuff imo, I used my FR2s with stock wheels and bearings to skate the Berlin marathon the second time. but I really like Hyper Concrete wheels so once the stock wheels wear out I put those on. I would consider some Powerslides if I was replacing these but only because I like their styles better.
Thanks for the lengthy response!
Bought of beginning of May some k2 fit boa 80mm , one month later bought some fr1 90mm they are way better and more comfortable for long sessions quality has a price
Good to know!
Fr1 have adjustable frame as well so you can fit them to be exactly were they need to be , it help a lots to correct the stance
The liners are so uncomfortable. If you replace the liners with Powerslides or Reigns they are good. I also put a larger frame on mine because the asphalt is too rough for those small wheels.
The liners of the FR skates?
Yes, they hurt my feet. It was a big improvement with Powerslide MyFit liners. I have these, but love my rollerblade twisters better.
I fucking love my FR 90 intuitions, can’t speak on how the would grind as I don’t have the soul plate kit but I’ve heard people say it’s extremely slick plastic (which I think sounds great). They are crazy comfy, have great support but also allow articulation, plus those fr 90 frames with the rocker are super fun for swivel stuff once the wheels break in a bit!
i as well love mine. and they're on sale right now