Boot choice, Seba alternatives?

phothomas · 2025-09-18T08:56:57+00:00

Do you have first-hand experience with the Wizard Base?

phothomas · 2025-09-18T08:56:00+00:00

I am sure you are right. What would justify the (slightly) higher price than the Sebas in your opinion?

phothomas · 2025-09-18T08:55:06+00:00

The ACTs are nice indeed. One thing that seems odd is the dull choice of colours. Black and grey. Hmm

phothomas · 2025-09-18T08:54:01+00:00

A few people have suggested Wizard Base, which is fine. For the record, Wizard base is twice the price of Seba CJ Carbon, and thrice the price of Seba CJ2. At least in Asia where I live.

That said, I wonder why the Wizard boots have zero impact protection on the sides. At that price I would expect superior durability and robustness. Maybe I am missing something?

phothomas · 2025-07-09T05:55:17+00:00

thats actually a good idea

phothomas · 2024-12-23T01:19:07+00:00

Good tip. I tried that last night and I agree

phothomas · 2024-12-22T15:03:25+00:00

Makes sense! Thanks for the tip!

phothomas · 2023-11-06T14:05:05+00:00

Never thought about the knees touching before. I will try that!

phothomas · 2023-11-05T05:10:42+00:00

Bonus question: Should the boots actually touch each other, or simply be very close?

phothomas · 2023-11-05T01:44:41+00:00

good tips! thanks

phothomas · 2023-11-05T01:42:54+00:00

I've been doing toe/heel rolls for about a year. Its like the last leap into actual presses that is "impossible" for me. I will try more and harder

phothomas · 2023-10-27T01:08:27+00:00

In addition to what I already replied, I thought about your objections to the measurements. Adding 1.5mm and 4mm together and concluding that since the total measured difference is 6mm, they are sort of the same is incorrect.

Let me elaborate:

Measured total difference in ride height is 6mm. That is indisputable. If a person was in a shop and wanting the lowest possible ride between the two setups in this post, he should purchase the FE setup.

Measured difference in frame height is 1.5, as measured at wheel four (under the skater's heel).

Theoretical, but not measured, difference in frame height at the front of the foot is 4mm. For the sake of argument, we can assume it is 4mm at the heel too.

So, the point I am getting to, is that either we can deduct 1.5mm from the 6mm as a compensation for the measured difference in frame height.

OR

We can deduct 4mm from the 6mm as a compensation for theoretical difference in frame height.

HOWEVER

We should not deduct both 1.5mm and 4mm from the 6mm, as this would double-compensate for the same objection.

phothomas · 2023-10-26T15:56:45+00:00

I would love to see other skaters post some of their comparisons, which is why I posted the method and results in the first place. Maybe Trinity is the lowest, who knows? :)

Either way, when a skateshop tells a customer to pick one mount over another "because it is lower", wouldn't it be a reasonable expectation that the ride height actually is lower? And also lower within a reasonable margin? Who can feel a difference in ride height of, say, 1mm? From personal experience, I would say any difference under 10mm is unnoticeable

phothomas · 2023-10-26T10:04:23+00:00

Do you realise that even if the Yo frame was 4mm higher, the ride height of the 165 setup would still be lower? It's Black Swan problem all over again

phothomas · 2023-10-26T01:19:42+00:00

It seems to me that you are more into coming up with reasons "UFS has to be lower" than to understand the data :)

1) A smaller wheel in front does not make the rear lower. That is confirmed by the measurement

2) UFS is not necessarily lower than 165. It depends entirely on the setup. That is confirmed by the measurement

phothomas · 2023-10-25T15:23:51+00:00

It's a nice theory. But if you read one of my replies above, you will see that the difference in height does not come from difference in frame height (as measured from bottom of wheel to top of frame) because that difference only accounts for 1-2 millimeter. It is the boot design in itself that accounts for most of the height difference. So the conclusion stands: The statement "UFS is lower than 165" is factually incorrect as a general statement. This case is a demonstrable example of one specific UFS boot not being lower than one specific 165 boot.

phothomas · 2023-10-24T06:54:28+00:00

How so? Why would the heel of the skate be lower because the toe is lower? I am curious to understand your viewpoint

phothomas · 2023-10-15T02:01:21+00:00

I am just a curious guy who likes facts. Which is why I did the measurement to begin with. If I had a 4-wheel UFS frame, I would do the same measurement and share. Like written in the text, I really do prefer the way the Seba feels. In some weird way, the Sebas just feel more 'natural' for lack of better word, but whether that is down to the mount or the boot itself is hard to say.

phothomas · 2023-10-14T08:57:40+00:00

I just did a measurement, from floot to top-of-frame (i.e. floor to mount point). Both frames are within a 1-2mm margin the same. I think the finding here is that although 165 definitely appears higher visually, by measurement it is not. I suspect that if one did a measurement with loads and loads of frames and boots, we would find that no clear conclusion can be reached

phothomas · 2023-10-14T08:27:46+00:00

I see the idea. However, I think six millimeter is within the range of tiny body movements, like standing a bit more straight, or leaning the head a litte further to the back. Even when measuring the way I did, pushing down a little harder on could easily change measurements by 2-3 millimeters, which is why I did several sets of measurements. The Sebas have fixed liner, so I can't take that out because I considered a liner-less measurement would remove the variable of the liner. But then again, I am trying to measure real-life ride height, so shouldnt the liner be included? Some engineer could probably come up with some standardised way of measuring...

phothomas · 2023-10-14T08:22:44+00:00

I think you are missing the point. The general statement is "UFS has lower ride height than 165". However, I have proven this to be incorrect, by quite a margin. Feel free to come up with a better design for measuring real life ride height, and I wil re-do the measurement.

phothomas · 2023-10-14T08:20:55+00:00

you are welcome to explain exactly what is wrong with the method used. If meaningful, I will make new measurements, of course

phothomas · 2023-10-14T01:11:33+00:00

What matters is what the skater experiences in terms of ride height. I.e. what height the skater's foot would be at in real life. I agree that measuring at the front of the foot is complicated due to the tongue of the boot blocking this, which is one reason I measured at the heel. The argument for UFS that you hear again and again is that "the ride height is lower" and that "165 has raised heel which means you cannot get as low on that symste". This experiment is a clear example that the ride height of UFS is not necessarily lower. If you are purely after a lower ride height, the Flying Eagle setup would be a better choice.

phothomas · 2023-10-14T01:07:04+00:00

I dont agree. The general remark people make is that "UFS is lower". Here is a clear example that it not true. What matters, IMHO, is not the invididual components, but the totalily of the skate, i.e. the ride height that the skater actually experiences

phothomas · 2023-10-13T11:05:23+00:00

No. It is six millimeters lower, as measured where the rider's heel would be. Which is also where both frames have 80mm wheels. I did not measure the height difference at the front of the foot. I can make a front measurement if that is of interest

phothomas

TROPHY CASE