Freeskating vs. Powerblading: analysis

[Herb]

Article that explains differences, similarities, hardware matters and other things about freeskating and recently emerged powerblading:

http://freeskatenews.pl/showthread.php?tid=1102

[Naomi]

The two terms are just two different brand's marketing of freeride, which is vast, developing and thus undefined area of skating.

Freeride was the generic term used, and Salomon branded it Freeskating (FSK) when it brought out it's range of skates.

Then Seba named it's freeride skate 'Freeride', thus taking ownership of the generic term and pretty much stealing it from the skaters.

Then Powerslide brings re-brands/re-names it as 'Powerblading'.

Thus, now all 3 terms are just marketing tools for different companies, so you can call it what you like, but to analyze the differences is to merely project your own interpretation of how each marketing tool has impacted on your own outlook. The article doesn't explain anything, it is just a representation of one person's review of the pros & cons of different skates available on the market.

[mit]

Naomi's response needs a like button!

[kazanaki]

I know that I will sound like a troll here, but I cannot resist.

For me Powerblading is a marketing term (from POWERslide ... ha,ha) for aggresive skaters that have discovered 80mm wheels (Wowwwww yes they actually exist!).

In my humble opinion that are some variations on a skate like

• hardness of boot
• size of wheels
• frame length/stiffness

and for various combinations there are marking terms from the companies. It is best to diregard the marketing terms and just focus on what the actual skate does for you.

[Herb]

Let's start with some videos...

http://vimeo.com/43476879
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNNzWVOqU_o
http://vimeo.com/39662137
http://vimeo.com/38490292
http://vimeo.com/37164703

So yeah, you claim freeskaters were doing ao topsouls and pornstars and the likes for all these years on skates without soulplates?



These are Xsjado 2.0 with prototypes of next generation powerblading frame. 76mm wheels max, about 260mm in lenght, h-block for easier royales.

You claim it is a freeskating/freeride frame?

I don't really care that Powerslide named powerblading after the company. They have right to - they were first company to make this idea reality, and produce equipment for it.

Idea of incorporating grinds in to freeskating was around for years for sure, but nobody else bothered to invest money in it. Salomon, Seba and Rollerblade did nothing in this direction. Not even proper grindwalls for existing frames UFS freeskate frames, which would produce something akin to Kizer Arrow frame. Only recently Seba released gimmick named FR-A, and they failed to done it right (ffs - short grindplates were produced en masse in 1995-2000 period and they are long gone in aggressive for some reason...). What you get is inferior in terms of usability for powerblading (freeskating+grinds if you really hate the name), even to cheapest setups based on USD VII boot and Kizer Advance frame and cost nearly 2x more!!!

So, let them have it. Powerslide did it right, invested money and time. I don't think name freeskating is suitable for this style of skating anymore, and powerblading is ok name.

Also keep in mind Powerslide now have right to FSK trademark (NOT "Freeskating" word - they don't have right to it, and Salmon never did too). They are developing their line of freeskates independent to powerblading line as both have different target...

@kazanaki: aggressive bladers didn't discovered 80mm wheels, they simply didn't had options to skate how they want on such wheels before. Freeskates were useless for someone who didn't want to sacrifice "grindability" for speed.

P.S. Seba didn't named any skate "Freeride". There are FR series skates, yes it's a shortcut from freeride, but they couldn't stole anything, because FREERIDE IS A GENERIC TERM USED FOR MANY THINGS NOT ONLY FOR SKATING TYPE. Just like you can't brand words "surfing", "freeski", "trial" and the likes.

[Naomi]

So yeah, you claim freeskaters were doing ao topsouls and pornstars and the likes for all these years on skates without soulplates?

I remember when aggressive skates didn't have soul plates... ah the memories...

[Herb]

yeah... but then nobody did these tricks. Just basic h block and few soul ones and topsouls.

And...

frames were plastic. And chopping board mods were invented pretty quickly.

If you'll lok at Roces M12 and Seba FR1 you'll clearly see differences. M12s had little to none soul space... FRs have even less! And frames thet are worse for grinding actually. And these are considered as THE freeskates to get!

P.S. Also it's saying something that you are quiet about other parts of my post...

Powerslide is doing things right, and they are few steps ahead from competition... so yes, you have few things to worry about as a Seba representative... especially when PS have Thrones UFS, Thrones Classics, Carbons II/III soon to be released IV, Carbon Frees, Imperials, VII, Realms - all available in aggressive or PB combo, and in addition to these - Metro, and soon to be released new FSK hardshell skate (not to mention S4 and HC Evo)... and what Seba have for freeskating? FR variants and GTs, which are basically Highs with a bit different overboot? And all of these sub-par for powerblading style?

Come on... even lazy Rollerblade offer more modern freeskates and released first pro-model of freeskate ahead of competition...

"better run, better run, outrun my gun"

[Naomi]

P.S. Also it's saying something that you are quiet about other parts of my post...

Sorry, I'm actually crap & didn't read it. Also haven't read the rest of this one. I saw that there were video links in the post you put but I've a lot of work on & so am just skimming stuff when I come on the forum so am not really engaged in the discussion, which is a bit rude so I'm sorry.

Usually posts longer than a few lines don't get read beyond the top few lines. I didn't read the article that this thread is about even - I just gave it a general skim to see what it was about. I know, bad form. I'm ok with you having your own opinions on skates, and I don't feel the need to change them. In the other thread, I felt that the intentions of an entire group of people (those involved in the Seba brand) were being misunderstood & misrepresented, so I felt the need to speak up.

[Dogtank]

Seems to me that powerblading is 'freeriding' arrived at from an aggressive perspective, and freeskating is 'freeriding' arrived at from a street skating perspective. One has more emphasis on technical grinds, the other on big moves done fast. But essentially the same destination reached by different routes.

Of course, what's free riding?

[Dan B]

Of course, what's free riding?

Skitching a bus when you don't have a travelcard or valid ticket

[JB]

Herb - don't take this the wrong way, but do you actually skate? It's just that people who like to talk and argue about skating as much as you are normally, well, not very good.

[Shaw]

Herb - don't take this the wrong way, but do you actually skate? It's just that people who like to talk and argue about skating as much as you are normally, well, not very good.

How is that relevant? Being good at skating doesn't validate or invalidate any of his arguments.

[inkh0rn]

Herb - don't take this the wrong way, but do you actually skate? It's just that people who like to talk and argue about skating as much as you are normally, well, not very good.

How is that relevant? Being good at skating doesn't validate or invalidate any of his arguments.

It isn't relevant, and I don't think it's right in Herb's case, either. Judging by the state of his Fusion 84's in a previous post pic, that man has done some serious skate abuse to those poor patines . Herb seems to know his stuff, methinks. I trust his judgement, anyway.

However, I fit JB's stereotype almost perfectly; I'm obsessed with skating and am always reading up on stuff/talking about it/buying and selling my skates to try different ones - and I am a fairly shite skater....

BUT I skate. A lot (however badly). So maybe not exactly.

Thanks for the article, Herb. Interesting reading, as ever

[Naomi]

I think he was saying that those that talk the most about equipment are usually more interested in having opinions on equipment/skaters/tricks and less into actually going out & skating. Its just one of the facts of pretty much every sport or hobby that has ever existed.

Those that fit into that generalization (I am not suggesting that anyone here is) are almost always attracted to the sport by an image that they want to identify with as opposed to the pleasure in doing it. Being into something for an image definitely screws with the validity of their opinions.

So, JB's question was highly relevant but rather lacking in bedside manner.

[ed!]

I'm no aggressive skater, but I have a pair of Chaz Sands boots mounted on Salmon Cross Max frames with 80mm wheels. I had this 5 or so years ago after seeing a friend with the setup. It was a nice comfy, albeit heavy skate, that I could use for street skating.
My friend has an aggressive skating background, and would do tricks on the setup whilst out and about - he was obviously limited with grinding, which the new range of frames would look to facilitate.

Kudos for providing skaters with more purposeful equipment, but I'm not sure why a new term is needed.

[gummidge]

Herb - don't take this the wrong way, but do you actually skate? It's just that people who like to talk and argue about skating as much as you are normally, well, not very good.

Was that obliquely aimed at me?

[gummidge]

I think he was saying that those that talk the most about equipment are usually more interested in having opinions on equipment/skaters/tricks and less into actually going out & skating. Its just one of the facts of pretty much every sport or hobby that has ever existed.

There's also a sizeable minority of us who are just argumentative twats.

[inkh0rn]

There's also a sizeable minority of us who are just argumentative twats.

...and why not, indeed.

[Sparky]

Kudos for providing skaters with more purposeful equipment, but I'm not sure why a new term is needed.

Hey Ed! I've just taken up Power-Speeding, you should give it a go I think you might like it.

[Mick]

There's also a sizeable minority of us who are just argumentative twats.

No there isn't!