I am training for a Rollerblade Marathon. I have some quick questions on skates?

1. Are swiss bearings the best bearings you can find?


2. What are the pros and cons of racing style inline skates.


3. How much of a disadvantage would I be at if I were to purchase regular workout blades, and after time, replace them with new wheels and the new swiss bearings. They come with SG9 bearings and 90 mm wheels to start. Crossfire 90II by Rollerblade.

I am training for a Rollerblade Marathon. I have some quick questions on skates?
1) no


Between the better bearings, there is actually very little difference to your speed. Your wheels will make a much larger difference. Take a look at the TwinCam (http://www.ilq9.com/) and Zero Drag(http://www.rollerbob.com/cat-8.html) bearings.


I use the Zero Drag racing wheels but I have 5x84mm frames and they don't make that wheel in 90.


RollerBob (www.rollerbob.com) has just gotten some AmWing wheels that the fast people have been raving about. They aren't on his web site yet so you would have to email him to get the details. They come in 90 to 110mm





2) If you are very fast, the low unpadded racing boot allows you to put more power into the stride.


If your ankles are not up to it or they don't fit you really well, they can kill your feet and time.


I know of one person who fought with them for many years and finally mounted his racing frames on a rec boot. He cut his time at the next Northshore Marathon by over an hour.


Bont (www.bont.com) introduced their semi race skate this year for those who want something better than the typical fitness skate but aren't ready for a race skate.





3) Your fitness and skill will each swamp your choice of skates.


Many (especially the more serious ones) people will keep a better set of wheels and bearings for race use and use their older ones for training.





You didn't say what level you are at. It makes a diffence if you are going for an hour twenty or will be happy with an hour fifty.


I am typically in the 1:45 area.



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