Recreational Skate Frames VS Freestyle Skate Frames
A question we are often asked by new skaters is "What is the difference between recreational skates and freestyle skates?"
When deciding between the two, the first thing to consider is what kind of skater you want to be. Are you a person who wants to have fun, relax and skate for fitness? If so, you'll probably want recreational skates. If you want to skate on the street and learn how to do some tricks, then freestyle/city skating might be a better choice.
Let's take a look at some of the main differences between skates.
Frames
Recreational skates tend to come with a longer frame, with more wheel spacing compared to freestyle skates. This longer wheelbase is more stable and helps not only beginners learn, but also experienced skaters improve their speed. Recreational frames also tend to be lighter, as they have more cutouts to reduce weight.
Freestyle skates tend to have shorter frames, and they almost always put the wheels together as tightly as possible. A shorter wheelbase improves maneuverability and makes your skates feel more agile so you can turn faster. Freestyle frames also tend to be sturdier, as they need to withstand more stress than recreational frames. Stronger frames also help with control.
Upper Boot
Recreational skates come with a soft shell. Some of these can be compared to a trainer with wheels on the bottom. Softshells have the advantage of being lightweight and comfortable right out of the box. They are also beautiful, breathable and perfect for summer skating days in the park.
Freestyle skates or city skates will have a harder more supportive shell. This is often made of plastic, but other materials (such as carbon fiber) are also used for high-end models. The inner lining provides the comfort you need to shape your feet inside the skate. Hard shells provide more support for performing tricks and also protect your feet, and they are also more durable than soft boots, so they can withstand more wear and tear.
Wheels
Recreational and fitness skates have a wide range of wheel sizes, usually between 80 mm and 100 mm. The difference is in the shape, stiffness and compound.
Recreational skates tend to come with softer wheels that provide some extra grip and a very smooth ride. Wheel profiles tend to be more bullet-shaped (pointed) in terms of speed, as they have less surface area in contact with the ground.
Wheels on freestyle skates usually have a more rounded profile to provide more stability. They are usually a stiffer compound, which means they can withstand more wear and damage, and this stiffer compound also makes them more suitable for sliding.
Bearings
Your skates will come with bearings that are usually serviceable, with protective covers designed for cleaning, which means that at some point, you will need to clean and re-lubricate them. Bearings are shipped from the factory with either a special light grease, gel or oil, all of which are good. Grease protects bearings from water and dirt better than oiled bearings.
ILQ bearings and some other similar types use fewer balls in the bearing crown and are considered to have better free-spin and less chance of dirt and grit slowing down the rolling speed, so less maintenance and service.
In Summary
When choosing recreational skating or free skating, ask yourself, are you someone who likes an easy workout or would you rather roll down that set of stairs when you get the chance instead of skating past them? If you're the second person, then you should consider some freestyle or urban skates!
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