Seba Trix 2 80 - Black Inline Skates

The Trix 2 is, without a shadow of doubt, one of the most unfortunately named skates in the history.

Why? The digit „2” in the name suggest that it’s a successor to Trix, but in truth it’s anything but. Similarities end on the surface: whereas Trix (and Trix Pro) are high end, expensive slalom skates, Trix 2 are entry level, affordable ones. They are designed for people taking first steps in this sport and for those on a tight budget, who want to step-up their game and upgrade from cheaper hardboot skates. They are one of the very few skates of this type on the market and the confusion around their name is doing them a disservice.

As said before, even though skates look similar to Trix at a first glance, they are different in majority of aspects. Most importantly, the shell is not made out of carbon – instead, it is a composite one. Worry not, though, as it’s the same base as the Seba High and High Light shell – a part designed for freestyle slalom to begin with. Sure, it’s an older tech, but still very decent and offer good amount of support and rigidity. It has embedded aluminium plates, each coming with 7 threaded holes for frame mounting bolt. They reinforce the boot-frame connection and give excellent level of compatibility with 165 mm mount spacing frames.

Outer skin of the skate looks like one used in Trix and is pretty strong. Calling these skates „softboots” would be an insult to them. As it’s more of a slalom boot than anything else, the additional reinforcements are fairly minimal – there is an abrasive pad sewn on the side, that’s all. Inner padding is anatomically shaped to lock the heel in place and provide a close, tight fit to give you precise transfer of movements. Thanks to integrated padding, the skate is also relatively lightweight: only roughly 1.5 kg for a full setup in size EU43! The insole is comfortable and gives a good amount of arch support.

The lacing is a key element to make this skate „work”. Lace the boot properly, and it will repay you with amazing level of control. As most of the slalom skates, Trix 2 have additional velcro strap in toe area, to give even better amount of control on wheelings. A micro metric buckle eliminates any heel lift and makes the skate more rigid in ankle area. Top of the cuff is secured with a strong Velcro strap.

Looking at Trix 2, one of the most outstanding features is no doubt the „triangle” instead of a normal cuff. This element is shared among all Trix skates and older KSJ models and was designed to increase ankle mobility without sacrificing the lateral support. It really works – if you have ever skated with loose cuffs to make certain tricks easier, this solution should be to your liking. The skate follows movement of your body like no other (well, apart from its more expensive relatives).

The frame used in Trix 2 is the cheapest one available in Seba and FR Skates models, but it doesn’t mean that it is not okay. The X2R model is a gravity casted aluminium frame, strong enough to withstand requirements of not only freestyle slalom, but urban skating, too. It comes with a trick up its sleeve – the outer axles can be rockered up and voila! You have a „banana” rocker, ready to roll between the cones, without replacing outer wheels with smaller ones. Only one frame size is used for all boot sizes – 243 mm long, fitting four 80 mm diameter wheels. The skate comes stock with Street Kings wheels and ABEC9 bearings – a good starter setup to get you rolling.

To sum it up, Trix 2 are rare breed of skates – a very competent attempt at making an affordable, entry-level freestyle skate without losing any core features that make a difference in handling compared to hardboots. They are in a class of their own and barely have any competition.