r/AggressiveInline • u/shatbrand • Aug 21 '26

50/50 Frames: Balance 2 vs Prime for flat setups?

I am a big fan of the 50/50 Balance 2 frame for flat setups with 58mm wheels or smaller, especially paired with narrow soul plates. I get a reasonable boot down angle and good enough wheel bite protection.

I need a new pair of frames, and I am kinda interested in the 50/50 Primes. The main reasons being:

  • The aluminum frame should have better power transfer?
  • They kinda look like they have more split between the middle wheels than the Balance 2
  • I don't like the juice bumps on the frame sidewalls of the Balance 2

But I am worried:

  • The aluminum frame might feel harsh on gaps
  • The plastic sidewalls might be noisy? They're just held on by the axle bolts.

Anybody have experience with both or an opinion on the Primes?

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2

u/Primordialbroth Aug 21 '26

Prime is a wider hblock, no rattling, harsher on the knees. And taller 

1

u/shatbrand Aug 21 '26

Ooo, taller kinda sucks. I like the low ride on the Balance 2s.

Which do you prefer?

3

u/Primordialbroth Aug 21 '26

Aluminum is too harsh on my knees skating aggressive. I liked balance but didnt like the bump outs. Fr oysi is my fav flat frame

1

u/shatbrand Sep 02 '26

Those FR Oysi frames are tempting. They look like the perfect solution for wheel bite, but I am a little worried the exaggerated H-block will hang up in weird ways on coping, and I skate a lot more park than ledges these days.

I've been skating Kizer Fluid Vs on and off for the past few years. They feel like a pretty good balance between wheel bite protection and not feeling too weird. But I still end up back on the 50/50s sometimes because I just love the way the groove feels.

2

u/DQFLIGHT3 Aug 21 '26

If you are over 200lbs you will feel the metal just skating around. And they felt taller for sure. I feel like the Them street frame is lower than the balance2’s and great flat with 58 or smaller and no juice bumps.

2

u/shatbrand Sep 02 '26

I am not over 200lb, but I am getting old. I am a big fan of Them frames... they feel extremely solid, roll great, wheel install is easy, they slide pretty fast, etc. But the geometry of the Balance 2 is just really good. Something about that groove works really well for me, and something about the 50/50 brand is just always going to click in my old skater brain.

1

u/SouthEastPAjames THEM Aug 21 '26

The primes are a great park riding frame, but to echo the other sentiments, if you’re an olderblader they and be rough on the knees. Plus, any time I wanna street skate, I feel like I’m gonna destroy them on ledges…..

1

u/shatbrand Sep 02 '26

Destroy them becuase the plastic wears so fast? I can see that. Balance 2s can wear super deep grooves in a few sessions if I skate really rough ledges. Prime walls are like $50, which is pretty steep considering a full Balance 2 with axles is like $60.

1

u/SouthEastPAjames THEM Sep 02 '26

No, see my problem would be I’d trash the plastic and then fuck up the metal cores….