Adjustable roller skate for streets

Roller skates are a sports equipment which make it possible to move forward by means of wheels which are part of a mechanism fastened to the shoes. Since their invention in the 18th Century their appearance and function has not essentially changed. Ever again there were-and still are-developments of special models (one track roller skates, models with three axles, roller skates with brakes to enable postmen to climb stairs), but all these could never replace the basic form of the models which are used today. These roller skates consist of a metal base plate having one axle each behind the toes and the other one under the heal. Each axle has two wheels which extend by one or even more centimetres to each side of the base plate, this extension varies according to the intended use of the roller skates. Axles are either rigidly fastened to the base plate for very low priced models, or are bolted to the base plate with rubber buffers in such a way that they can be steered. In the latter Passer the positioning of the axles can be changed by shifting the weight which is a great advantage to maintain balance of the body.


Better models are constructed in a way that the connection between axle, rubber buffer and base plate can be adjusted by means of a screw so that the flexibility of the roller skate can be varied in accordance with the weight and the skill of the skater or as required for the intended use. Under the tip of their shoe, some models are equipped with a hard rubber block which is also fastened to the base plate. This block is called "toe stop" or "stopper" and, as the name says, will be used to brake. In the course of time special models for different uses have been developed and roller skates are available in a wide variety in quality and prices.


Roller Skates for Competitions


Roller skates as they are used for competitions today have the roller mechanism screwed to a special boot. This is necessary because other connections (straps, brackets) would not withstand the stresses of the competition and not give the necessary stability. The proper fitting of the skates to the foot gives the skater sufficient safety and makes the performance of difficult skating figures possible. The better models of today are made of light metals to save on weight, the wheels consist of synthetics the hardness of which depends on the condition of the skating area to be used.
In most cases the wheels are very hard to have a minimum of friction. Soft wheels are slower but have more grip and are better for uneven surfaces. Each wheel is equipped with two precision ball bearings which make skating speeds of more than 40 km/h possible. The wear and tear is reasonable due to the quality of production and used material. All single parts can be replaced.
Roller skates for competitions cannot be adjusted in length and width due to their rigid connection with the boot, that means they cannot "grow" with the foot of a child.


Adjustable Roller Skates for the Street


The market offers a wide variety of roller skates ranging from skates with plastic base plates and plastic wheels to models which are similar to the roller skates for competitions in their basic design. The only difference is that they are adjustable in length and width which means they are not as stable and cannot be rigidly fastened to the boot. They will be fastened to shoes or boots by straps and do not have the stability of roller skates for competitions. Only some models are adjustable up to shoes size 9, most of them are smaller. The construction of some models is not such that they can carry the weight of adults. They have only simple ball bearings, are insufficiently buffered and of low price material. To save money there was a considerable effect on the pleasure of skating because these roller skates are considerably slower, much less comfortable and too difficult to steer. They have steel, plastic or rubber wheels. The latter are mostly very soft which necessitates more power.
The supply of spare parts is very often not guaranteed so that even small defects, for example a blocked ball bearing, can be a problem. These roller skates are available for between $ 12 and $ 40.


Permanently mounted Roller Skates for the Street


Following the roller skating boom which originated in America we can find also roller skates which are mounted to normal tennis shoes. These have very wide axles which resemble those of skateboards with similar wheels and are idely suited for roller skating on sidewalks and similar surfaces. Even the beginners have a reasonably safe footing due to the side supporting area of the wheels. The soft wheels absorbe the uneven surfaces and one can achieve a high speed with these skates.
It is this kind of roller skating which has become an "alternative transportation" all over Germany; ever more often you meet people who use them on their way to the offices, for shopping, on all trips where one can leave his car in the garage.


Condition of the Skating Area


Because of the small size of the wheels (max. 6 cm Diameter) the roller skater needs an even and hard surface. Since he is permanently at an unstable balance an uneven surface such as gravel, slippery or rough areas, cracks, wide joints or even holes in the skating area may lead to falls. Rough and uneven surfaces also lead to a loss of speed caused by the high friction, thereby considerably reducing the actual rolling. Wet surfaces very often are extremely slippery and the moisture can also cause defects of the ball bearings. Children often use playground areas which are covered with sand which easily penetrates the movable parts of the roller skates and which can lead to defects.
The following surfaces are best suited for roller skating: For outdoors asphalt, terrazzo, concrete floors and well laid tiles. Tiles of small dimensions could be a danger if the wheels are too hard. With roller skates for the street, however, such areas should be no problem. Indoors, the same surfaces are well suited but also an unpolished parquet and other wooden floors. Floors of synthetic materials in halls can be very much different and one has to check in each case whether they can be used.
Contrary to ice skating which can only be performed on horizontal surfaces roller skating can also be performed on sloping surfaces: ascending and descending surfaces and also sloping curves, i.e. skateboard tracks, should pose no problem for advanced skaters.