UrbanSkaters

FSK skates have a reputation for performance that they have successfully managed to keep and improve upon through out the years. Unfortunately most people have the wrong impression that FSK skates are only for slalom, but there’s much more to them than just that.

2009 came as a reminder of the different styles and different shapes that FSK skates can take with an ample selection models that are so different from one another it makes choosing a favourite next to impossible.

This year Rollerblade, in between the bigger names, have made a gamble on its FSK selection adding interesting players to the game.

Rollerblade Fusion X5

Sporting a hip hard shell designed, this was a highly anticipated skate for 2009 and seems that it has not disappointed expectations.

Description

Structure: Urban Molded
Liner: Specialized 5 Star Fit, V-Cut, PU foam shock absorber
Closure: 45° buckle, cuff Velcro and laces
Frame: Aluminium UFS 4×80, 243mm
Wheels: Urban 80mm/80A
Bearings: SG9

Brake: in box

Compared to other FSK skates on the market the boot seems a little big but as the plastic is flexible it still gives a snug fit. The base of the boot has plastic plates for grinding, making this skate ideal for the urban playground where speed, versatility and performance are the main needs.

Rollerblade Fusion X7

The same as the X5 but with a 273mm frame.

Description

Structure: Urban Molded
Liner: Specialized 5 Star Fit, V-Cut, PU foam shock absorber
Closure: 45° buckle, cuff Velcro and laces
Frame: Aluminium UFS 4×90, 273mm
Wheels: Spiral 90mm/84A
Bearings: SG9
Brake: in box

Powerslide Cell 2

Powerslide pretty much kept the Cell’s original core design but made improvements to the material of both the strap and the boot. This gives the skate a more aggressive look whilst still keeping the manoeuvrability of an FSK skate for better performance on the streets.

Description

Boot: Coolmax with heel shock absorber

Frame: Aluminium 6463 UFS. 243mm (Max 4×80mm)
Wheels: Freestyle Syndicate 80mm 84A
Bearings: Powerslide 608 ABEC 7

K2 Il Capo

K2, however, opted to improve on, not one, but two of its older models, fusing them together and creating the “Il Capo”: boss of its Commission line. This has resulted in hybrid aggressive/fitness skate which provides speed and manoeuvrability be it cruising around the city, slaloming cups or grinding the occasional curb.

Description

Frame: Aluminium UFS 247mm
Wheels: Hyper Concrete +G 80mm 84A
Bearings: Twincam ILQ 7.

Seba GT

As if being the king of the FSK slalom scene was not enough for Seba, they now bring us the GT. This skate combines both a magnificent, semi-hard, well ventilated and extremely light boot with a 273mm frame that allows 90mm wheels for speed and performance.

Boot: Semi-hard, very ventilated. Support base in aluminium with 7 holes.

Frame: Aluminium 273mm 4×90mm

Wheels: Seba 90mm 85A

Bearings: Twincam ILQ 9 PRO.

Just because you have a tight budget doesn’t mean that you can’t buy a high performance FSK skate.  This is Powerslide and Seba’s latest idea:

How to provide low budget skaters with high performance skates that promise to be really incredible skates at a low cost, just by saving on small details.

Powerslide Metro FSK

The Powerslide Metro FSK is Powerslide’s answer to the demand for a hard shell boot that provides comfort and stability for high performance skating.

Description:

Frame: Aluminium 243mm with Thorx screws

Wheels: FSK syndicate 80mm 84A

Bearings: Powerslide ABEC7

Boot: Sifika Chicago with heel shock absorber.

• Composite Shell
• X-Slot mounting
• Mesh Material with reinforced outsole
• Anatomical ankle padding

This is a very stable, good for both slalom and freeskating, highly manoeuvrable skate. Powerslide’s way of telling us that low budget skaters can also have a very good FSK without spending a fortune.

Pros

• Comfortable high performance liner.
• X-Slot mounting and single axles.
• Special ABEC 7 bearings with Freespin technology.

Cons

• A None UFS Frame.
• Other tools than the usual for Thorx screws.
• No lateral protections.

Seba FRX

FR1 little brother has the same boot as the Seba FR1 except for the movable cuffs; the 45 degree mid strap is Velcro instead of a buckle and the frames are of lower grade aluminium than the FR1 6000 aluminium frames.

Description

Boot: Plastic with lateral protections

Frame: Aluminium 243mm

Wheels: Seba 80mm 85A grey

Bearings: ABEC 5

Pros

• Easily replaceable Velcro strap.

Cons

• None movable cuffs.

An ideal skate for skaters who want the comfort and performance of an FR1 and FR2 skate with a lower budget.

SkateLondon will be back in 2010…

Join the London inline skating community, including many more visitors from around the world for a weekend of action packed skating fun. There’ll be something for everyone.

Events include:

• International Freestyle Slalom
• Rookie Freestyle Slalom
• International Speed Slalom
• Amateur Street Roller-Hockey Tournament
• 24 Minute LeMans Relay Race
• Mini-Bladercross Style Assault Course
• Including Jump, Slides and much  more.

For more information or to register for an event, click here.

Skate Nation is a brand new series on BBC 2.  Where skaters battle it out for a place at skate camp.  With a top prize of a trip to see the World Games in Taiwan.  Only 5 teams will make it through to Skate Camp and only 1 team can win the trip.

Tune into CBBC on BBC 2 every Saturday at 9am or watch it online with BBC iPlayer.

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Thousands of people turned up to take part in the British 10k London Run on Sunday, including yours truly, Lee Hayward.

The weather was perfect, sunshine all the way!  I managed to complete the run in 1hr 2mins.  My gorgeous girlfriend and handsome son were there cheering me across the finish line.

So far I’ve raised £297 online and roughly £200 offline.  Thank you to everyone who’s sponsored me so far.  Don’t forget I’m not stopping at The British 10k London Run.

My fundraising page will stay open until after the 2011 London Marathon, which I’m also taking part in.  Between now and then I’ll be training with various 5-10k runs and half Marathons.  Click here to make a donation.