What common features do all frames for inline skating have?
Each frame mounted in inline skates is characterized by the following features:
- Material of construction,
- Mouting type to the boot,
- Length,
- Type of screws,
- Weight.
All these features influence the purpose of the frames, the type and model of boots they will fit, and ultimately affect the quality, dynamics, comfort, and safety of skating.
Selecting the appropriate length of the frame relative to the boot and its purpose is crucial.
The length of the frame primarily affects:
- Maneuverability,
- Stability.
The longer the frame, the less maneuverability, but the stability during skating or jumping is significantly greater.
The shorter the frame, the greater the maneuverability, but stability and push power are less.
In most cases of complete inline skates, the length of the frames mounted in them is well adapted to their purpose and the proportion of the boot size. However, there are situations when the manufacturer mounts the same length of frame in all sizes of skates, for example, from 36 to 48, which is definitely not an optimal solution for ensuring appropriate stability during riding for people with super small and super big foot sizes.
Therefore, it is important to know how to correctly measure the length of frames in inline skates.
Many models of frames, both those mounted in complete skates and sold separately, have a sticker or print with the length of the frame in millimeters or inches (especially in frames for speed skating).
However, to realistically assess whether the chosen length is suitable for us, or when the frames do not have a described length, and we need to know it, for example, to purchase accessories such as ice skating blades, we must measure them correctly.
The length of frames in inline skates, i.e., the so-called wheelbase, is the distance between the centers of the first and last axle, not the total length measured from two extreme points.
Having knowledge about the length of the frames we own or want to buy makes it much easier to:
- Assess whether frames of a different length (shorter or longer) will be suitable for us, which will allow us to consciously influence the quality of our skating,
- Select the appropriate size of parts and accessories for the frames, such as ice skating blades for inline skates.
