Jeff Higgins' customized inline artistic skates
(This is a copy of a note Jeff sent to a skate store who is beginning to get requests for skates like his. I'm posting this for Artskate mailing list members by permission. --Wendi)
I designed the skates for Roller Dancing only (no figures or Free Style). In twelve months, I passed all bronze and silver international team tests and several solos. I will be taking the first gold bar this month (European, Harris, Rocker) with my eye on the gold medal next March...all on inlines. I have 20 years (Pre-Gold Dance) ice Amateur/ Pro experience.
My priorities were (and haven't changed):
- Find a plate that did not extend beyond the front or back of the boot more than 1/4", regardless of mfg, number of wheels, style, color, or price. Larger boots will require 4 wheels, smaller only 3. NO STOPPERS, the'll rob you of a wheel (power) or just get in the way.
- Find a plate that has no rocker (front-to-rear). No rocker gives the best run, but slightly tougher turns. Beginners (or slower) skaters may enjoy a slight rocker (less than .030") on the front wheel only. A larger rocker will result in significant loss of power, roll, and directional control at dance speeds.
- The bilevel (hi-Lo) concept seems to work for me, giving me more power and roll from the heel. And the smaller front wheels facilitate snappier three turns. I would steer customers away from frames with moving parts and other gimmicky designs, going with high grade, lightweight, airplane aluminum frames. NOTHING can protrude from the boot or the frame that could mar the rink floor during a fall, believe me, rinks still check my skates)
- Sell them the the highest rated, no-maintenance bearings available.
- Sell them the largest, highest durometer wheels with the sharpest profiles (elliptical preferred, no fat boys) that will fit into that plate. Keep in mind, larger-than-stock wheels will stick out in front and back and change the front/back relation to the boot.(see priority #1) But if the frames require different sized wheels, keep the durometer variance no greater than 6, to reduce the drag during turns or when leaning too far forward. Mine are 80mm/90a in front, 72mm/86a in rear. In no case should the skater be using any wheels less that 72MM/84a on indoor (roll-on) floors.
Customer Satisfaction guarantee: Customers should bring the boot they plan to wear to your store, or at least an maximum boot length measurement.
When you think you've found the right combination, (before drilling the first hole). Assemble everything, line up everything, don each boot seprately, stand on each foot carefull, mark appropriately. After drilling and mounting, melt some black electrician's shrink tubing (1/4" diameter) around each bolt to reduce abrasion and improve appearance. I found some at Home Depot for less than $1, in the electical department.
Photos
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Site design ©2001 Wendi Dunlap-Simpson. Icons used with permission of Rubber Trouble Rubber Stamps.
