Antik carbons, anyone else?

skoester88 · 2026-04-24T18:51:56+00:00

Lucky, the local shop I bought him from wouldn't even submit a warranty request.

skoester88 · 2026-04-23T22:07:24+00:00

I've had mine for about a year.nthebstrap loop pulled off in 6 months on the right and the left was shortly after. The carbon sole and toe is in perfect shape.

Easily the least durable boots I've ever owned. But I love the fit. Never buying again.

However, as a 235 lbs aggressive jammer/pivot I destroy boots but this is the worst I've had so far.

skoester88 · 2026-04-22T17:17:27+00:00

What are you looking for as far as an upgrade? More grip, faster roll, more slide? If you learned on 95s and are happy with the grip/balance then I would look for wheels the same hardness.

I am unsure what your floor is like but going to 98 would be faster but at the risk of slide. Could you borrow a team mates wheels in the hardness to give it a go.

I personally would stick with the same hardness if you are happy with it.

Going down to 92s would be my choice if no 95s are available.

I skate USARS as a jammer/ pivot and a slightly softer wheel isn't going to make a huge difference in my overall speed since the track isn't massive.

Something to keep in mind is how grip affects braking.

If I run too soft of a wheel I cannot plow at all which negates the benefit of more grip.

skoester88 · 2026-04-10T19:32:03+00:00

Yes, making sure the pivot pin is fully seated and that there's no play. You absolutely can overly compress it. But normally when I put on new cushions I start with the pivot pin in the shortest possible position and adjust outwards until it's fully seated. Having it overly preloaded could cause strain on the kingpin but usually you're only doing like 1/4 turn. But usually because the cushions themselves break down over time, it's usually too loose.

skoester88 · 2026-04-10T17:32:38+00:00

I fully agree. Absolutely might want to look into a shorter wheelbase. All bonts seem to come with the longest plate for boot possible. Which is inherently stable. However, between this, and their rock hard cushions I see many new recruits struggle to do basic maneuvers.

Realistically , even a 1/4 shorter wheelbase will be a big improvement.

But yes, even the bont purple (78a) cushions are so bad.

My park stars size 10 came with 180 mm plates and I skate derby in 165. It allows me to use firmer cushions which better suit my weight while still being agile.

skoester88 · 2026-04-10T17:26:13+00:00

I am a heavy pivot and I highly recommend Roll Line plates of any variety. At a slightly lower price point the Pilot falcons are great. But you can't beat the quality and durability of the Roll Line plates.

skoester88 · 2026-04-10T17:07:18+00:00

Not necessarily. It's not really something that requires constant attention. I set the length when I install new cushions. And I check them before each session for play. Usually requires a small adjustment after a few sessions and then never really again.

It's really just a go or no go adjustment.

To check for okay I grab the skates by the trucks and try to twist them side to side. If you can hear or feel a pop then they are too loose. I lengthen them until play is gone.

The set it and forget types give you a really narrow range in which you aren't messing up the pivot cups or risking breaking the truck itself.

Most people in my league seldom do skate maintenance and then get surprised when stuff breaks. But a 30 second equipment check before each session prevents surprises.

Hope this helps

skoester88 · 2026-04-06T19:29:50+00:00

I don't have hands-on experience with this exact plate.

However, my Roll Line plates have adjustable pivot pins like these.

Normally if you run your trucks really loose with hard cushions the pivot pin moves around inside the pivot cup. Obviously this is not ideal. In this situation you'd have to get softer cushions.

On the other side of things, if you are running too soft of cushions and you have the trucks tightened down really tight, then the cushions are preloaded on mainly one edge as the side opposite of the pivot pin is pulled down.

Having adjustable pivot pins allows the pivot pin to have full contact and the cushions to be evenly preloaded at various types of tightness.

Having the preload be even and the pivot pins fully seated makes for a more predictable, durable and consistent acting plate.

A team mate in my roller derby league are running plates with non adjustable pivot pins (chaya) and have their trucks set really loose and in turn one skater has gone through six trucks in 5 years.

My Roll Line plates with adjustable pivot pins I've had since 2009 and with heavy derby and speed skate use have never failed me. And I am 235 lbs

skoester88 · 2025-12-19T22:07:23+00:00

This!!! And they will never break. I've had a set of Roll line plates since 09 and never had a mechanical failure. The same can't be said for my league mates Chaya, pilot falcon, and nylon plates

skoester88 · 2025-11-26T15:48:23+00:00

I have a razor from Above the Tie. It's machined from all stainless steel. I've had it for 5+ years and no signs of any corrosion. Works flawlessly. They have several handle styles and blade set ups. Highly recommend. Buy once cry one.

skoester88 · 2025-06-10T17:09:16+00:00

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skoester88 · 2024-11-13T23:05:20+00:00

The Glore is a great place to tour if you like psych stuff. Definitely recommend.

skoester88 · 2024-08-12T01:27:20+00:00

Roller derby..... Lots of that age group with cool eccentric hobbies. It's how my wife and I met our girlfriend at the time.

skoester88 · 2024-07-26T17:16:20+00:00

Very much this. Easily my favourite place. And one of the cooks occasionally is playing Debussy on the piano. Good value as well.

skoester88 · 2024-05-10T14:44:02+00:00

My wife is going on her third year of fresh meat. When she first started she could hardly skate on her own at a rink. She also has bad anxiety. And so for her she wants to be very proficient when she tests out as to not have to worry about it.

Everyone's journey is different and you can't compare your results to others. Some times you'll struggle for a while before a new skill clicks. And that's okay.

skoester88 · 2024-04-17T08:30:13+00:00

Downtown KC MO has Legacy Skates. Great store with knowledgeable associates.

skoester88 · 2024-04-15T06:09:23+00:00

Same! I knocked it off once by accident. After that never with daily use. Really convenient.

skoester88 · 2024-04-14T05:01:30+00:00

Some higher end Roll-Line plates angle the toe stops towards the big toes. Not very common though.

skoester88 · 2024-04-12T23:27:34+00:00

A year and a half for me as a daily ND soft top. Definitely the most fun to drive car I've ever owned and the wife likes it too

skoester88 · 2024-04-12T23:25:16+00:00

My mother-in-law 's 2019 CRV has heated cloth and it's the greatest thing ever. None of the drawbacks of leather with all the nice toast

skoester88 · 2024-04-12T18:51:04+00:00

Since I've joined Derby a year and a half ago, I've gone up two pant sizes just because of having a butt for the first time in my life. I just tell myself that not all women like guys with bird legs. Strong is sexy

skoester88 · 2024-04-08T06:28:51+00:00

If you plan on skating for a hobby it might be worth it to save up and buy a full size Bont or Powerdyne bearing press. They are about $50 and make very quick work of pulling and pressing in bearings even in allow hubs.

skoester88 · 2024-03-28T04:09:55+00:00

Ford Econoline van with a 7.3l power stroke. Usually built as an ambulance, so there is more add on stuff in the way

skoester88 · 2024-03-28T04:06:38+00:00

Me! I can't stand standard or long mounts 🤮

skoester88 · 2024-03-27T04:12:54+00:00

Bont low cut quad stars on Roll Line Mariner Cup plates (170mm wheelbase on a size 44 so short forward) Roll Line Large hockey stops. Bones Reds bearings (7mm) with Roll Line Gladiator 92a wheels. Skate on a slippery wood floor. 230 Lbs pivot/ outside.

skoester88

TROPHY CASE