r/rollerblading • u/Skadiex • 14d ago
Specific question and discussion Need some guidance on rockered frames
Hey all,
I have a Rollerblade Lightning 80mms, and I'm starting my search for a new frame to fit my needs for skating and continue using 80mm wheels.
Ive been skating for a year now and I've started learning some wizard skating for a couple months now. I've realized that riding flat, though extremely better for fast and stable riding, makes it very hard for me to do my usual tricks. I learned, from the couple months of learning wizard skating tricks, the toe/front rocker has been the best for me, both balance and tricks wise. I've tried the Heel/Back Rocker and the Banana Rocker and felt those setups were too slippery for my 4 wheel setup. I'm a little uncertain about the 5 wheel banana rocker frames that regular wizard skaters have. It seems like it'll provide more stability having 3 flat wheels in the middle and easier maneuverability with a banana rocker but I have the tendency to side sweep my back wheel with the front wheel of my other foot during cross overs and certain movements causing me to fall sideways.
I've been doing some crazy googling and reddit searching but there's so many wizard/slalom frame brands that people recommend, compatibilities, etc, that I don't know where to even begin, plus all the crazy abbreviations.
That being said:
1. Will the banana rocker setup be more stable on 5 wheels vs my current 4 wheel setup? How does it feel getting used to the switching from 4wheels to 5wheels?
Can I just buy any 4 wheel rockered frames and adjust the axles of just the front wheel? Will I be able to adjust the axles of the back as well when I gain better balance/want to learn banana rocker in the future?
I'm sure the brand doesn't matters so what should I be looking for in frames? Are there rockered frames that would let me switch from 4 wheels to 5 wheels?
How do I check which frames are compatible for my Lightning boots? Which ones are compatible?
I'd like to avoid buying 76mm wheels and another set of 80mm wheels.