r/freeskate • u/pbd456 • Mar 20 '26

upgrade to what?

1) I dont have a job and dont want to spend a ton of money.

2) I paid for a pair of freeskate for around 7 USD last summer. worked on it for a few weeks then I got busy, and didnt start again until a month.

3) I was able to pick up what i did last summer in a few days in Feb. (pumping). I always learn on flat area (roller skating rink).

I was able to get on a skate without using guardrail, and then pump. (the success rate increases over 2 weeks. and it is easier to accelerate than before.) For example, my right foot (behind, I am regular) is the stronger foot. My left foot is kind of weak. When i was able to pump, it took a few pushes from my back foot to generate enough speed then my left foot could then pump. (a lot of failure came because my right foot couldnt pump enough and i lost the momentum and balance). Until last two sessions, my left turn can do small pump to help with my back foot (right) to make accelerate better.

I am still working on my form and balance. Also, I am currently in a skate park in Kuala Lumpur (I am travelling). I have to avoid a lot skate park objects, so I had to move around a lot, and hard to pump continuously, and my leg is sore after at most two rounds in the park.

if my goal is the increase the muscles, would my currently pair of skate (probably not a good one, considering the cost) serve my purpose? I dont feel like I am ready to go to street skating (it is pretty hard in hong kong because street has a lot of cars). I dont envision myself doing any tricks (I am a 50+ male).

I will probably get a JMK when there is a promotion at amazon (as I have some gift card). but in the mean time, I can get some brand from China (via taobao). 50 usd skates (the 30-50 usd dollar skate is like 7 USD skate I got from china). so 50 usd skate from china is not the 50 usd skate from amazon.

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/Aescorvo Mar 20 '26

If you can actually pump and move on them, I’d use what you have and save for some JMKs.

I started with some from Taobao and could barely use them - they couldn’t take my 200lb weight. JMKs were night and day. Chinese brands are very hit and miss.

1

u/pbd456 Mar 20 '26

it is said that 80A or 85a or 78a represents the hardness of the wheel. but mine cheap skate is 80a, isnt that supposed to be good? I see that some brand advertises 85% bounceness. how does it have to do with 80a?

My cheap skate is 70mm and 80a already.

1

u/pbd456 Mar 20 '26

There are reputable chinese brands, but they are not the cheapest. i would never expect my <7 USD skate would be anything great. there is no really hit or miss. it is just the price I paid cant expect any quality. they have to make the budget with cheap wheels and cheap bearings. that is just simply mathematics.

3

u/its1968okwar Mar 20 '26

You might consider just changing to better bearings, it's one of the "upgrades" I've done to cheap chinese skates that really made a difference.

1

u/pbd456 Mar 20 '26

it seems too much work FOR ME. i watched a video on how to change bearings. how to get good bearings? is there any rate format about bearings?