Power Kite Forum

Skates at JIBE?

Demoknight - 24-3-2014 at 10:15 AM

I was wondering if anyone going to JIBE plans on bringing Coyotes or some other form of all-terrain skates. I want to get some sort of skates for kiting, but I am not sure what I would like more between Coyotes or more of a Skike style, with only two wheels. I have been watching a few Ebay auctions and Coyotes are going for around $200 give or take $50 depending on condition. They might seem a bit tall to me. The Skike style, or the homebrew style look awesome since you can get the boots closer to the ground, but I am not sure I like the fact that they have fewer wheels and possibly less grip because of that. I was an inline speed skater growing up, so wheels under my feet are very natural to me compared to a board or skis. I want to try both the Coyotes and the larger doomwheel/homebrew style and see which I like better. My ultimate intention is to work on jumping progression in a way I feel would be most comfortable for me. I have gotten about as much air as I can get static jumping with my Toxic and Charger. I feel way too awkward riding ATB, and care too much for my spine to jump in my buggy, so skates make the most sense. I know I want skates, I just want to make sure I would enjoy them before I spend a lot of time or money putting a pair together.

PHREERIDER - 25-3-2014 at 07:40 AM

lots of platforms to choose from , the coyotes are tall fairly nimble, but clumsy for skates in general at 7.5 lbs. each after about 2 hours legs are smoked! the rest are even mORE clumsy. coyotes are best all around but the tires tube set up is subject to wear the tires tend to move around on the rim and chaffe the tube then leak. ...seems like every session had a issues if they had any decent time at all. then the big killer the jumps , they pop like ballons ,(every session!) just not enough side wall to soak up hard drops , adding pressure helps the movement but increased tube pops. for novelty damn fun! but for a daily rider NO! the doom set with ATB wheels(8") by far more durable set up.

i think BR has custom rims with better fitment i think. the ATB tire/rim set up is ultra tight with zero movement , the bead stays in place works great.

the draw back which just does not fit my typical sessions, being in the boot! i hate it even coming from speed skating. i am on the water, on the ATB , just effortless easy back and forth. but putting on the skates just did not flow.

i will bring some stuff ...some assembly required

Demoknight - 26-3-2014 at 05:15 PM

I was kinda thinking the same thing Phree... Doom wheels look a lot more cumbersome, but they look like they take abuse a lot better than Coyotes. I feel like since they weren't made for kiting, they were't designed for the insane forces that go with it. I plan on jumping these things and riding them on beach and in the park. I don't mind having to homebrew some skates, but I definitely am limited in the tool department because I didn't bring any of my metal bits or saws from home when I moved to Chicago. I used to be an iron worker, and will always consider myself one. I just couldn't bring my tools to a tiny apartment in a city where space is a commodity and I had a desk job anyway.

PHREERIDER - 27-3-2014 at 05:27 AM

coyotes are the easy go to choice, for a lighter rider they may not have tire/tube issues i have had , any skate that uses the ATB size wheels is gonna be more robust and tolerate lateral pressure and landings .

the doomwheels setup by bob have steel rails where mine are AL and can use 8" or 12" ,

my advice is build from the limiting factor of a common wheel /bearing set up so parts are super low buck and available, choose odd ball stuff and it will be pricey and frustrating

Demoknight - 27-3-2014 at 09:06 AM

Yeah, I have an ATB that I never ride, because I bought it and realized I hate the feeling that my shoe laces are tied together so I have tried riding it probably twice and gave up. I could re purpose the wheels though for my skates. I think they are 8" wheels, and I would prefer to keep the skates able to fit 12" wheels. I have a set of speed skates already and was considering using those frames, but they are 5x80mm and probably too long to fit 12" wheels easily without being 3 feet long on each leg. Also, the boots are ice skating speed boots from BONT meaning ZERO ankle support. So I am back to square one, and considering finding some good cheap K2s or something on Ebay to build off of. Weight isn't much of a concern to me as long as the stability is there, because I am not a small guy. 190 lbs right now, but depending on the season I gain a lot of weight and get up around 220 sometimes.

Slowly but surely, I am starting to get a better idea of what I want after looking at stuff on the Doom wheels website. I definitely want to go that rout as I just don't think Coyotes will cut the mustard for me. I buggy hard, and plan to skate even harder. High speeds and high jumps are the ultimate goal for me. I feel like I haven't given my Charger the proper beating it deserves yet because I don't do any jumping in the buggy.

flyguy0101 - 27-3-2014 at 11:04 AM

Bring your board to Jekyll and phree and I will have you riding in 1/2 hr. Be going up and down the beach in an hr. You just have to trust the kite. Soooo fun to fly ( I'm still working on landings;) )
Scott

Demoknight - 27-3-2014 at 12:01 PM

I will definitely be bringing it with me, but the wheels might be on my skates by then :P. My brain just doesn't work when my feet are attached to each other by something rigid. Maybe with enough encouragement and the perfect conditions I could be coaxed into trying it some more. I know once I am able to actually do it consistently that I will enjoy it more than I do, but for now it is a buzzkill and I have no desire to learn. Skates come naturally to me. I can use long frame speed skates like figure skates and flow like water on a hardwood rink.

PHREERIDER - 27-3-2014 at 04:37 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Demoknight  
Yeah, I have an ATB that I never ride, because I bought it and realized I hate the feeling that my shoe laces are tied together so I have tried riding it probably twice and gave up. I could re purpose the wheels though for my skates. I think they are 8" wheels, and I would prefer to keep the skates able to fit 12" wheels. I have a set of speed skates already and was considering using those frames, but they are 5x80mm and probably too long to fit 12" wheels easily without being 3 feet long on each leg. Also, the boots are ice skating speed boots from BONT meaning ZERO ankle support. So I am back to square one, and considering finding some good cheap K2s or something on Ebay to build off of. Weight isn't much of a concern to me as long as the stability is there, because I am not a small guy. 190 lbs right now, but depending on the season I gain a lot of weight and get up around 220 sometimes.

Slowly but surely, I am starting to get a better idea of what I want after looking at stuff on the Doom wheels website. I definitely want to go that rout as I just don't think Coyotes will cut the mustard for me. I buggy hard, and plan to skate even harder. High speeds and high jumps are the ultimate goal for me. I feel like I haven't given my Charger the proper beating it deserves yet because I don't do any jumping in the buggy.


don't use speed boot, they will break. nor frames. it will destroy good speed gear.

use vert skate. very thick, great ankle support, slam grind tough super thick heels, and toe box and easy one snap top, usually all one chunky piece. ... 2 bolts on the ends for rails NO MODS. easy waterproof common and cheap. rails about 30" in total and gives option for wheel size....take out the liners and leave the dogs outside!

Demoknight - 28-3-2014 at 06:20 AM

PHREE, I would be more worried about breaking my ankles before braking these boots...I have had them for 12 years now and they haven't gotten any older looking except for a few scuffs here or there. These are the older Bont Sharks that I don't think they even sell anymore. Either way I was planning on using some cheapo boots and frames I find on Ebay because of the heavy outdoor only use they will see. Wouldn't using only two bolts per frame cause the wheels to turn towards the kite a tiny bit when you are leaned way over? Or is the pull of the kite enough to keep the force totally parallel with the wheels and eliminate that?

PHREERIDER - 28-3-2014 at 07:18 AM

for the most part you really have to stay "on top of the wheels" there are lateral forces, no more than crossover or double push but the vertical load is the majority. lean over too far and all the grip is gone you just slide, not effective for sailing. the torque moment through the frame is far below material tolerance, the tire wall and rim absorb most of that ....for human weight and reasonable speed say below 40mph not alot of concern. at higher speeds break up could be an issue but so is YOUR dismemberment.

for me the speed boots break,(no doubt the ankle pressure with a kite !) i have cracked/ pulled out the heels on every speed set up i have , bont, verducci, mogema, powerslide. thats why "light and fast, beats power"...eddie metzger EVENTUALLY got that through my head , better balance less power is theme in both applications.

Demoknight - 28-3-2014 at 07:55 AM

Yeah, that is what I figured. I have only managed to pull a heel once, and it was a cheap boot, and I wasn't racing. I was actually just jamming around with some friends that skated quads at my rink. Funny you mentioned double pushing because that is how I was asked to start racing with my local team. I naturally double pushed in the straights without even knowing I was already skating the right way. It has been 8 years at least since I have even worn my speed skates though. Can't be bothered to replace my wheels since I don't go often enough to justify spending $150 on a new set. I would have to get new frames for my skates as well because 5x80mm was the standard when I was still skating on the regular. That is why I want to build some skates for kiting because that it the only way I will get back on skates in the near future. And I do really miss skating.

Demoknight - 28-3-2014 at 08:38 AM

Just to clarify, PHREE, you are recommending some skates like these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/K2-Fatty-Pro-Aggressive-inline-skate...

PHREERIDER - 28-3-2014 at 02:16 PM

yep , more plastic.. less fabric the better the fabric is doomed



made this set in fall 2007 i think , all plastic


heres the 8" setup ...just a wheel swap

PHREERIDER - 28-3-2014 at 02:34 PM

heres a good view of the coyotes

Bladerunner - 28-3-2014 at 03:55 PM

GREAT shot of the Coyotes !

I agree that the biggest drawback is the wheels and tires popping. I had wheels machined since I had a plastic rim crack. Still haven't found a solution to the wheels popping after some jumps accept that I bring a spare or 2 along.

In the desert I tend to toe drag to check speed and that is murder on the tires.

I am real sorry I won't get to JIBE this year. It is always a good time riding with you ! At least I'll get to IBB !

PHREERIDER - 28-3-2014 at 06:15 PM

right on , ken. jibe is in your future!