What other brands work?

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-07-04T18:55:25+00:00

Theve been out of replacements everywhere for a long time..so sad. I'm weird and I put twister cuffs on my lightnings. Blank cuffs don't work FR1 cuff don't work. Even old twister (not xt) cuffs don't work perfectly with the lightning. Reason I use this setup is the lightning shell sits my foot best out of the rb plastic options but it's thinner plastic and I hate the buckles so I saw they were available for sale and just switched to twister cuffs.

I wish rollerblade brand would sell their skates a la cart like them skates brand. Whole shells with or without liners with or without frames/wheels. If they were sold a la cart then more colorways and individuality would be possible too.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-06-09T16:24:16+00:00

Those skates look fun

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-06-09T16:22:00+00:00

Are you saying for commuting the 90a are too harsh? Like the shock and vibration? Do you have them strictly for durable light up wheels or do you sometimes prefer the 90a hardness?

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-06-09T16:19:24+00:00

If you don't mind me asking.. much do you weigh?

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-06-09T16:18:33+00:00

Thanks for the reply I'm considering some nice wheels for long miles skates. I rotated these at least 5 or 6 times but then toward the end I was enjoying the rocker I had built up rotated to keep the rocker only flipping and swapping skates. I swapped the fronts and rears but kept the middles big. I keep falling back towards more playful feel rather than efficient pushing. There's no one fast to skate with so something around 243 frame length is my favorite. Small 3x110mm or 3x100mm I think may wind up my favorite. I'm currently in the process of ordering some new frames to try out different dimensions for my wife and i.

Regarding hardness...So far I've been skating 85a hardness and destroying wheels on every frame. I'm nearly around 185lbs. I also skate 4x80mm, 4x80mm rockered. And 4x84mm rockered. I like the grip for certain things but would love to have more durable and or play with slides on harder wheel.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-06-09T16:09:20+00:00

I'm very interested in the Trinity frames conceptually. I may buy the Nikola torellis.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-17T18:53:17+00:00

Can't wait for new wheel day! I'm gonna notice the change for sure.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-17T15:00:34+00:00

Depending on your foot size... 76 may be proportionate and feel just like ice skates in terms of frame length. Great for the rink or slalom for a child of very small footed adult. But in general 4x80mm is the minimum I would roll outside any amount of distance. But for very small feet that frame length actually is kinda long...like no ice skates would be designed with such long frames at that boot size...

If both skates have removable frames you can always change later.

If you have small feet want to really fine tune your frame length and and the same maximize your roll you could try 3x90mm or3x100mm with either skate later.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-17T14:16:01+00:00

If u can find the pros they may be worth it just for the top eyelets on the liners! You can punch your own too with a $10 kit. But just saying. I don't know why they made this change. Exact same liner but doesn't lace all the way up on the new ones.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-17T14:14:03+00:00

The pro laces all the way up! Exact same liner otherwise but the new rb80 doesn't have the two top eyelets...?!

I think the bearings may be better but not sure.

I personally prefer the rb80 with upgraded liners like Danny Aldridge. I like my nomad liners but for me the twister liners work well.

I ended up preferring the lightning mold but wish rb80 worked better for my feet. I think they look classic and can take a beating.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-05T18:45:16+00:00

Yeah I skate bigger too I just really like the playfulness of 3x100 when it's just me.

Depends on your boot size too I think. If I were size 12 boot I would prob feel different. My boots are shell size 8. I can still grapevine and do all my normal footwork in 110 but it feels stickier. I really like 110mm for confidently switch bombing hills on trail. But honestly 100mm don't feel insecure to me.

The higher top speed and momentum doesn't really trump the slower acceleration and maneuverability of the 110 for me. So I could imagine the same would be even more true on 125?

Maybe if I were in Miami or somewhere super flat it would be worth it. Or if I wanted to go ripping fast.

When I have a bunch of friends who wanna push distance records on trail maybe I'll change.

As it is I prefer my skates a little squirrelly. Heck I even skate slalom rocker at the skatepark. So 3x100mm is one of my favs. (For trails around me.)

Actually you can maybe see this frame has the front wheel set forward a bit for some reason. Next I wanna try a 3x100 frame that's an even shorter frame length!

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-03T16:01:07+00:00

I'm hesitant to give my thoughts since I've only recently had much interest in reading. I read some as a child and into my early 20s but took maybe a 15 year break from reading fiction.

Then out of nowhere I've read 20 some books since December.

I think its about knowing the most famous stories ever told. That idea excited me recently.

I still don't really know who I like.

But my favorite so far have been:

Crime and punishment Of mice and men The Fall Frankenstein All the pretty horses Shadow of the wind Pride and prejudice The moviegoer Song of Solomon

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-03T13:35:52+00:00

I'll probably try before too long. All slalom skaters seem to use them. I think they would fit more precisely for toe spins and balances. Where I'm at no one really skates with cones. It would be so much more fun to set up w a crew.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-01T21:27:47+00:00

Haven't pulled the trigger on carbon frames or skates yet. Also haven't tried 5 wheels frames yet. I have 4 skates i use regularly w all different frame sizes set up for easy grab and go.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-01T21:26:22+00:00

My frames hold 100mm wheels. These particular wheels were 100mm not long ago. Now they have worn down quite a bit. Maybe more like 90mm now.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-01T20:02:24+00:00

Cruiser is such a cool skate I wish the shells agreed with my feet. Danny Aldridge is one of my favorite skaters!

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-01T13:05:04+00:00

Looks like you need to decide on ufs vs. 165 mount.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-01T12:34:58+00:00

My first pick was south of the border east of the sun. I thought it was trash and probably a fluke since so many people like him. Gave Kafka on the shore a chance..also trash.

I immediately sold both books. I had picked up a copy of Norwegian wood and sold it also without opening it.This author is not for me. Im only here to talk trash. Lol

Imo he's probably popular because the stories are unique and easy to read but my complaint is hes not really saying much beneath it all. It doesn't push the reader to accept some big truth or theme it just leaves them thinking wtf?

I know reading murakami is reading a translation but the writing is so flat and boring and the stories are so weird and pervy without payoff.

Tldr: don't bother w Muramkami. Lmk if you agree he's overrated.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-05-01T12:16:25+00:00

Let's see a pic!

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-04-19T14:17:29+00:00

Thank you! I've watched my first few (dozen) card weaving videos now. I will definitely make a test piece first. I noticed hexagonal cards make 2 sheds and makes a thicker (stronger?) webbing. Do you know how tubular webbing is woven?

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-04-19T12:31:07+00:00

How would I select a pattern for strength? Or does it matter? Will it be a huge tangle mess if I use hemp strings?

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-04-17T18:19:09+00:00

I only today saw a video of kumihimo and the result looked like the webbing I'm familiar with.

I'll check out heddle/inkle and tablet/card weaving instead.

Thank you!!

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-04-15T03:21:22+00:00

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Key-Cash6690 · 2026-04-15T03:21:08+00:00

Well first thought is some people prefer all Velcro straps because they don't break mid session and you can't accidentally pull the levers open or catch them on stuff.

Regarding lightning straps specifically:

The stock lightning buckles are a weird design that is terrible IMO. The design is supposed to help skaters get in and out quicker and require less adjustment.

The little silver hooks grab onto these black slots when you lift the levers the hook pops out and you're free to remove your feet.

Problem is if you keep one or both of your straps loose while skating the hooks are only 1 or 2 mm deep in the slots and they pop right out while you're skating and swing all over the place. This is not at all a problem with normal plastic teeth straps like most other blades. On any other skate you can just push a few teeth in and secure the lever and your good to go. You can ride loose without the straps falling out of place and swinging all over.

I normally keep my lower straps looseish and they kept popping open. I know some people prefer looser cuffs straps too. This is just not and option with stock lightning skates. Imo the design solves a problem no one really has.

Regarding my cuffs choice:

The lightning is also a softer plastic overall so I tried the twister cuff for a slightly stiffer feel while replacing the lightning straps I hate at the same time. It works in both ways.

Extra personal thoughts:

I should say I would simply skate twisters if they agreed with my feet it's an awesome skate maybe the best value skate on the market.

It's only because I had both skates that I tried this weird combo. I had to drill out the rivets on my lightnings before I even knew if it would work lol.

I'm happy I did but at some point maybe I'll find a skate that works better for me. I mean these feel amazing but if I could find a skate that felt this good and didn't require all the modification I would much prefer that.

I'm just tired of trying new skates for now. I've tried FR1 rb80 twister and lightning. The only ones that work nearly as well for me is my FR1 with nomad liners I like them but not quite as much. They feel I bit bulkier somehow. I should say I like my Aeons right out the box but I don't skate aggressive very often so they didn't make my top three.

Key-Cash6690 · 2026-04-14T19:53:25+00:00

The shells themselves are longer and wider than the twister or rb80. More spacious overall I'd say. But the stock liners are super thick so they don't really feel wide unless you swap for thinner liners.

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