Starting rollerblading at 61. Am I insane?

I have been inspired to give it a go (at 54).

Some quick questions as I take size 49/50 trying them on instore is going to be pretty much impossible, what kind of buying decisions is worth while.

How much difference does wheel sizes 80 84 90 make for a beginner?

Is fastening systems like boa worth it?

Anything else I should look out for?

Then I just need to find a flat smooth carpark away from prying eyes, once I get used to it, there are quite a lot of nice wide shared pedestrian/cycle paths alongside rivers that go on for miles around here that would be really pleasant skating in summer.

As others have said, pad up well.

Wrists, knees and a lid minimum

Learn to fall properly – forwards if you can.

If you’re going to go, get low!

Oh and stuff what anyone else thinks

Those that can, understand, those that can’t, can’t and probably wish they either could or that they had the bottle to 👍🏻

Have fun

Those that can, understand, those that can’t, can’t and probably wish they either could or that they had the bottle to 👍🏻

It’s pretty cool that despite being older, you’re willing to give it a go. Don’t worry about people think or that they’re judging you.

However I would genuinely cut my feet off rather than go rollerskating (skated for 37 years. Proper skated, as in skateboard). So I’m judging you.

At least it’s not a scooter though.

Wheel size can make a difference, bigger wheels means taller skates, which means more leverage. I’m used to 60mm wheels max on my aggressive skates so they are really low, I’ve skates 84mm in the past and they felt tall but amazing. Also some frames (the bits that hold the wheels) may be longer with bigger wheels. Longer wheelbase is more stable as per bikes.

There are some great shops about, locoskates or slick willies are both super helpful and experienced.

I need all the stability I can get! Keeping it old school with ACS-651’s. 😃

Oil’s Skate Shop built mine. Bauer Nexus, playmaker plates, ACS-651’s and Sims Street Snakes. I love ‘em

These are mine, though I have some others on pre order, and another set stashed away if some different ones, and I’ve just sold 2 sets of skates, and there are others I want. Yes I have a problem.

There’s an old guy, about 82 according to the GF, who lives in the same block as the GF’s folks. Everyday he goes out, fully kitted up with helmet, knee, elbow and wrist pads on his I line skates. Oh, and his Walkman. He cruises around the area for an hour or two.

Cool AF.

Where are you @alpin? I’ve mentioned him before but before our local rink sadly shut, there was a guy like that used to go to the midweek, kid-free skating sessions. He was in his 80’s and would skate round all night with his headphones on, listening to classical music. Chatted to him a few times and he was a lovely bloke. Like you said: Cool AF!

If I ever make it that far, I want to be like that

How much difference does wheel sizes 80 84 90 make for a beginner?

As I understand it the bigger wheels are faster and you might not want that :).  I opted to start with 80s

Some quick questions as I take size 49/50 trying them on instore is going to be pretty much impossible, what kind of buying decisions is worth while.

I ended up buying online as I couldn’t find a store with different sizes apart from Decathlon.  Fortunately I got the size right and they fitted well

Is fastening systems like boa worth it?

I don’t know.  I opted for a skate with two ratchet straps as I wanted something that was solidly attached.  They seem easier to tighten than laces and work well but I don’t really know if that’s necessary

Where are you  @alpin?

Right now? Mont Alpet bike park in Piedmont… But I guess that’s not what you meant.

OAP skater dude….? the suburbs of Munich.

inline skating is pretty popular in Germany. Lots of nice smooth bike paths through forests or along rivers,separated from the roads.

Lots of folks doing the summer nordic skiing thing with sticks.

Tri-skates (3 wheeled ones) give you the ability to run larger wheels (100, 110 or even 125mm) but in a relatively short frame. The larger wheels give you better roll over and carry speed better – think 29ers vs 26ers – while the shorter frames mean that they remain maneuverable. Personally I would avoid 125mm wheels if you’re a beginner. You could use them but there will be a steeper learning curve, although they are awesome as it’s easier to go fast (although slower to accelerate) and they roll over ground imperfections better than anything else.

@msp I would talk to loco skates. They are really helpful and let you return skates for free if they don’t fit. One possibility that might work for you is using a thinner liner as it may mean that you can fit a 48 shelled boot, but loco can help you with this.

I have ordered some k2 FIT 84, they come in a size 49, I will have to see how they do. The size of my feet may be the first hurdle I fall at.

I am in Germany, so recommendations for UK stores is unfortunately wasted on me since brexit.

Use grindhouse instead then 😊

Another great shop and been going for a long time.

https://www.grindhouse.eu/en/home.html

I’d love to break out the skates again, but I live in a place with no flat or smooth roads and/or parks.

I would be a bloodied mess withing in minutes.

Terrible excuse, I’ve lived in a small east Lancashire town based in a valley with a height variation of 800ft either side, and I’ve been doing it for 20+ years!

It is one of the more challenging aspects of being able to do it, but there should be enough car parks, industrial estates, possibly even a skatepark nearby to give it a go on. Takes a lot of time to get good at it though, which is why so many kids hit the scooters these days. Just so much easier nowhere near as fun though.

When Mrs noise is able to start running again, I keep toying with the idea of skating with her (I won’t/can’t run).

Trouble is…

One. At 53 I’ve never really skated on wheels at all. Was OK on ice…

Two. She runs in the woods on the fire roads. Gravelly and smoothish but deffo not tarmac.

So… Big wheels and (relatively) fat rubber for a novice? What could possibly go wrong?!?

Thanks @lucasshmucas for recommending tri-skates

Not come across them before, but have just ordered Powerslide 100mm 3x3s which will be an upgrade from my 4x 80mm roller blades that I currently use

Has anyone here used wheels that don’t skite all over the place when the ground is a bit damp?  With the current weather it’s looking like my attempts to get better at this might be over for this year

Skate wheels tend to be made from polyurethane and has zero grip on wet conditions unfortunately. Not to mention the bearings don’t last very long if you do go out when it’s wet.

There are some off road style skates with rubber tyres but they are likely to be very big and heavy and expensive so not the best to learn with.

Dry days only or find somewhere indoors for winter skating.

Dry days only or find somewhere indoors for winter skating.

I did find some were slightly better in the wet but were still very poor if the ground was a bit dirty.  Think finding something indoors is the solution though really.  

Softer wheels may have slightly more grip but not enough to make it work enough. Lookout for roller rinks, skateparks etc.

Dry winter days are fine. Having spent many many years skating around the streets I’ve been out there in all temperatures and any moisture just doesn’t work well. I also got better at reading clouds and knowing when to go home because of impending rain doom.

Lidl car park in a Sunday afternoon for the win!

Kids blade and scoot,.so I don’t look too out of place on the skateboard.

Enjoying ice skating with daughter at the moment so wondering what kind of skate would best emulate ice skates?

I’d assume small wheeled roller blades, but wonder if quads have more in common with ice skating as you lift and place for feet in ice skating more?

Any thoughts/experience?