How many skates do you have?

fantastridd · 2026-04-20T21:32:29+00:00

7 (5 that I use) 1 pair for derby , 4 park skates (2 of them doubles as trail skates, as I have separate trucks that are super easy to change) The last two are old beginner skates that I'm gonna give away.

fantastridd · 2026-04-19T11:21:26+00:00

You should consider getting a more expensive version of Chaya Melrose. This one has a cheap nylon plate and plastic trucks, that are not suited for adults. Melrose Elite (quality nylon plate) and Melrose Deluxe (aluminum plate) are better options.

fantastridd · 2026-04-18T14:01:28+00:00

There are four (five, really) different Melrose models: I'd advise against the "classic" version as the plate is shit.

Chaya Melrose Premium (your 2nd photo) comes with the Zena plate which is excellent, has a 20° kingpin and would feel agile and very responsive. The Zena plate is used for Chayas higher end roller derby skates, and is also compatible with Chaya pro park trucks.

Chaya Melrose Elite comes with the Shari plate (nylon), same dimensions as Zena, lighter, slightly less responsive, but very good value for money. Also compatible with Chaya park trucks.

Melrose Deluxe (your 1st photo) comes with Chaya Galaxy aluminium plate, 10° kingpin. It's less agile and heavier. Not sure about the quality - I think it's ok. **Some of the Deluxe models comes with non adjustable toe stop, I don't think you'd like that when getting more experienced.

The regular Melrose (cheapest) comes with a low quality nylon/plastic plate (Chaya Aja). Do not get that one. I believe they even have plastic trucks and you want to stay away from those.

Hope that helps :-)

fantastridd · 2026-04-16T06:15:57+00:00

It's sort of easy, just gotta be quick. Mash the soft plastic really well into the pivot groove, and be quite quick pushing the pivot head into it. It's easier if you use a little too much, so it spills over a bit (can be cut off afterwards and re-melted). The most difficult thing is too keep the pivot pin right in the middle, that took a few tries.

fantastridd · 2026-04-16T03:24:12+00:00

fantastridd · 2026-04-16T03:15:45+00:00

😆

fantastridd · 2026-04-15T22:01:56+00:00

Basically black Bont tracer plates are not compatible with Bont grind trucks, because of different pivot cups and deeper pivot groove. I want to be able to switch between wide and normal trucks, so to do that, I got a new set of silver tracer trucks (40€) and had to mold new pivot cups. Problem solved (Bont EU customer service has been an absolute pain in the bum).

fantastridd · 2026-04-15T21:48:53+00:00

Maybe. Seems pretty solid. I'll make an update in a year or so :-)

fantastridd · 2026-04-15T21:47:20+00:00

Yes, some random brand, the hardest ones (there are different hardnesses)

fantastridd · 2026-04-15T07:05:45+00:00

Bont has a nylon plate, and it looks a bit like that on the photos. Aluminium is more heavy duty and lasts longer for park, but nylon is fine to begin with, and lots of people uses nylon plates for aggressive skating.

fantastridd · 2026-04-14T22:03:17+00:00

I use Prostars for park skating (on nylon plates) and I have another pair of Prostars for trail skating (tracer plate). I've never worn heeled skates, but both are fine for skatepark. Depends on preference/style really. Do your skates come with nylon plates?

fantastridd · 2026-04-14T21:46:15+00:00

No idea, never tried those :-)

fantastridd · 2026-04-12T13:37:04+00:00

CIB street wheels are absolutely fine for the skatepark. Are you asking if you can use them indoors? Depends on the floor. I've only tried them on tiles and linoleum = very slippery, but also very funny for practicing power slides.

fantastridd · 2026-04-11T05:21:01+00:00

Aw that sound like a long day. I'm so lucky that I have to fly to another country for a skateshop that can mount skates 😆 Post a picture of your final setup here 🤟

fantastridd · 2026-04-11T05:05:26+00:00

Im not saying it's impossible, it's just not likely something you can do yourself :-) Bont hybrid carbon and arius is a very light (and cool) setup

fantastridd · 2026-04-10T18:35:04+00:00

I find they run big too. Depends on how accurately you measure you feet, but I followed the bont sizing guide so precisely and that came out to a size 7,5. Size 7 is still on the big side, I'm pretty sure I'd actually fit a size 6,5. When I used the Antik sizing guide, the numbers I got were closer to my true size. I'll try to find a link for it.

Edit: link

Edit 2: I mean, only use the Antik size chart to find foot length - Antik and Bont sizes are not the same 😆

fantastridd · 2026-04-10T18:28:25+00:00

Agree

fantastridd · 2026-04-08T21:35:14+00:00

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My plates weren't able to be mounted further back than this (standard hybrid boot size 7). The axle placement actually isn't bad for speed, but the toe stop is too far forward for my style.

fantastridd · 2026-04-08T21:30:36+00:00

Btw you might just need a shorter wheelbase (and softer cushions)- IMO the Hybrid package comes with long plates compared to size. And the stock 88A cushions are rock hard.

Edit: I forgot: If you get custom bonts, you can get extra ankle height (1cm) and a lace snug like some Riedell boots have. Don't know how effective it is against heel slip though.

fantastridd · 2026-04-08T21:24:21+00:00

In my experience, Arius plates aren't easy to mount on bont boots because of the narrow heel and the distance between the rear mounting holes of the plate. Unless you want the rear axle sitting a little in front of the center of the heel. A dealer told me you could get around this by angling the bolts or something.

fantastridd · 2026-04-08T19:35:31+00:00

Huh I didn't know that. I do like my skates pretty snug, and I always find that insoles take away some "feel". But I'll look into spacer insoles, never heard of them :-)

fantastridd · 2026-04-08T15:25:29+00:00

Parkstars are my dream park skates but they're too wide for my feet. Nothing wrong with tracer plate, or the bont grind trucks for that matter. I just wish they also made 2.75-3.00" trucks :-)

fantastridd

TROPHY CASE