My Quadlines hit the street today (Quadline Reviews)

[chad]

I got my R3s from lowpriceskates today...I'd gotten the Quadline conversion kit earlier in the week. I'm off today and tomorrow (kid watch during spring break!)...so I tried them in the house with the rink trucks and wheels and then did the conversion. It took about 20 minutes!

I put on the pads, helmet, laced up the skates, and hit the street...well, not literally! The 100mm wheels are a dream on pavement. Small twigs, cracks, paved edges, are really no problem. I haven't been on quads in years (I've been inline skating, this time, for about 2 weeks) and after about 8 or 9 minutes in the cul-de-sac I headed out around the neighborhood. Stayed out about 30 minutes and only had to "take a knee" once when I got nervous near a "v" gutter...but, hey, that's what knee pads are for -- no blood, no foul.

I love 'em. Stable, quick, maneuverable -- I'm real slow and real careful right now. I'm 55 and don't bounce like I used too!!

I'm still going to inline -- want to do the Squiggy and Disney next year! But these are great for the neighborhood and Pinellas Trail. It was really nice going out, first time, and not bust my butt!!

[dadofskater]

hi chad,

some before and after posted pictures would have have accompanied this thread nicely. how about some after pics at least chad? i would like to see and im sure others would as well.

[chainsaw]

Hey Chad! I took my Quadlines out earlier this week for their first run on real pavement (a nice asphalt Rails-to-Trails park near my house). SO FUN!!! They are an eye-catcher too, everyone else on the trail was like "What the heck kind of skates are those??"

I didn't take any falls but came extremely close - I did manage to de-foliate a good number of trees while trying to make my way down a hill, oops! When I got home I assumed the wheels would be very dirty and grassy, because I spent a LOT of time in the dirt and grass. But, the wheels looked only the slightest bit dusty! These things LAUGH at dirt and grass, it slides right off 'em.

[chad]

Originally Posted by dadofskater

hi chad,

some before and after posted pictures would have have accompanied this thread nicely. how about some after pics at least chad? i would like to see and im sure others would as well.

'dad,

Freth did a thread about the modification, with lots of links and pics earlier this month...I was skating alone, etc. and so don't have pics...also don't have an online photo collection to link to...

Freth's thread is http://www.skatelogforum.com/forums/...ead.php?t=2148

Lot's of installation pics, comparison between the rink wheels, etc. The only diff between mine and his is that I have the WIDE truck with 100mm wheels...otherwise, the set is pretty much the same.

Chainsaw, I know what you mean about the defoliation...I don't have any trees, small or otherwise, within reach!!! I did a few landstops myself and you are right about those big wheels...they just handle whatever comes their way. I think I do need to get some leather toe guards for the R3s...vinyl/plastic and asphalt don't mix well!!

[AzulojasATL]

Hey Chad and Chain! Thrilled to hear you guys got your quadlines and hit the streets! (figuratively only of course )

What can I say... I told you so! I love mine too!

You're right about the toe protectors Chad. I wear leather carerra's and they too get pretty scuffed. I bet the vinyl takes a beating.

Hey Chainsaw, what happened to your avatar? It was worth at LEAST 1000 words!

Mark

[chainsaw]

Yeah, I'm thinking about toe covers too. I spend relatively little time on my toes right now, I spend so much time grabbing stuff trying NOT to fall down that I'm primarily scuffing my wrist guards! But, there is a chance of a roller derby team possibly starting up in my area, then the beatings will truly begin.

I didn't order the back brake with the conversion kit either, and now I'm wondering if it might help. I know it won't really stop me per se, but I get so NERVOUS when I get going faster on even the gentlest slope! I probably just need to get used to them - both the feel overall and the speediness. My husband laughs his ass off 'cuz I jump in the grass and whimper at the slightest hint of too much speed!

My avatar is still on hiatus . . . I just couldn't make any kind of point without people thinking I was being too aggressive! My next avatar will be a cute little fluffy dog wearing a ballerina tutu, then everyone will think whatever I post is just adorable.

[chad]

Originally Posted by chainsaw

Yeah, I'm thinking about toe covers too. I spend relatively little time on my toes right now, I spend so much time grabbing stuff trying NOT to fall down that I'm primarily scuffing my wrist guards! But, there is a chance of a roller derby team possibly starting up in my area, then the beatings will truly begin.

I didn't order the back brake with the conversion kit either, and now I'm wondering if it might help. I know it won't really stop me per se, but I get so NERVOUS when I get going faster on even the gentlest slope! I probably just need to get used to them - both the feel overall and the speediness. My husband laughs his ass off 'cuz I jump in the grass and whimper at the slightest hint of too much speed!

My avatar is still on hiatus . . . I just couldn't make any kind of point without people thinking I was being too aggressive! My next avatar will be a cute little fluffy dog wearing a ballerina tutu, then everyone will think whatever I post is just adorable.

I understand about STOPPING and the fear of busting a move (falling!!) I skate like I ski -- not well! And, I worry about hurting others more than myself...hence I "take a knee" and let the pads do their work (it's also called "bailing out") ...so far the only scuffs on the R3s is on the right toe!! I've been practicing with the brake, but may wind up taking it off as well as removing the toe brake and installing a plug...I've still got the trucks and wheels for rink skating so I won't be tossing them!!

Starting back skating is real challenge for me. I'm 55 and not terribly athletic...I've been a runner and swimmer in ages past and know how to make use of aerobic training...I also know, from past experience, that it takes several weeks before things start coming together! I'm finding that using the Quadlines for "fun" and the inlines for "training" is a good combination for me. My plan is to alternate days along with continuing my walking when I don't get to skate on a particular day.

I am seriously considering training for a marathon for next year. So, I've got to get the mileage up...then worry about time. I've got to hook up with some distance skaters and start learning FORM!!

Heck, it's ALL good!! I'm getting active, burning calories, and having fun!!

[fareal]

Chad: Which conversion kit did you get these supreme quadline or these richard humphrey quadline? Is there a difference?

Seems like a pretty good deal because you have the quadlines for outdoors and the original wheels for indoor.

[odonnell]

I just rode new Quadline 100s on Rockline boots (http://www.skates.com/Rockline-by-Qu.../rs-p-q100.htm) for the second time.

I have been skating for a year on standard suspension Quadlines with a Reidell Carerra boot (http://www.skates.com/Blue-Superlite...rcr-w-qdl.htm), and before that on normal quad wheels, so I can compare a bit.

I skate on a bicycle path about 7 or 8 feet wide, asphalt paved, straight with no hills, lots of tree root bumps and finely pitted rough road with a few smooth spots.

DIFFERENT FROM NORMAL QUADS? Yes! I found that the wide trucks made *much* more difference than the change to inline-style wheels. On the standard suspension, I adjusted very quickly, and mainly had to adjust to a low-heeled boot after skating with heels. On the wide suspension, I have to retune all of my technique.

CLEARANCE PROBLEM? Yes! Mostly in slow tight spots, entering/leaving the house, getting on/off the trail. I have to remind myself to keep a slightly wider stance. I also suspect that a collision between inside wheels is more serious. With the standard suspension, I clash inside wheels deliberately from time to time to remind myself of the clearance, and I find they bounce off. I have the impression that the wider suspension allows the wheels to tangle. It hasn't happened on the trail, but someday it could cause a spectacular fall.

SMOOTHER? Yes! I still notice all bumps, but they bother me a lot less. And I find them noticeably cleaner-rolling than the 84 mm wheels on smooth pavement, too.

STATIC STABILITY. Very noticeably more stable. This is nice when standing, moving slowly in not-too-tight spots, going straight ahead over bumps.

DYNAMIC STABILITY. Different, and a problem for me at first. I am accustomed to the bicycle-like dynamic stability of quad skates. Moving forward on one skate, or in a close stance, if I lean one way the skates steer the same way and stay under me. This effect is much less pronounced on the wide suspensions, especially when leaning out (right on right foot, left on left foot). My closest approach to a fall on the trail was due to an outside lean and the lack of response.

STEERING. Very noticeably stiffer and less sensitive than standard suspension with either sort of wheel. I work harder on steering. This may be partly due to stiff trucks, which I may adjust some day, and which will loosen up with use. But I'm pretty sure that it's mostly due to the difference in leverage due to the wide suspension.

PUSHING. I haven't discovered an effective push yet. I think it's because of the stiffer steering. I think that I depended on the first impulse of the push to turn the skate out a bit, and on the wide suspensions they keep pretty straight. At first, I was tempted to move my weight forward and push more with the toe, which turned the skate out, but led to a very inefficient push. Later, I tried tilting my ankle more and pushing with the outer edge of the foot. I think that may work, but I haven't hardened the right parts of my ankles for that technique with the new boots.

CRUISING. On a smooth surface, with no headwind, I can cruise along wonderfully by just wiggling my hips. I had to work a lot harder to do this with standard suspension.

SPEED. I have read that these skates are very fast. They probably are, but I've been slowing them down. So far, I've gone much slower than I did on standard suspension.

BRAKING. About the same as the 84 mm wheels on standard suspension. T-dragging seemed a bit more adjustable, but that may just be the comparison between the new 100 mm wheels and the year-old 84 mm wheels, which are worn down at least 2 cm by now and much less rounded than when new.

BOTTOM LINE. Glad to have them. I expect to get much better at pushing, and I think I'll even be able to cross over eventually. Most of the different feel is probably tractable to practice. The problem of tangling inside wheels seems like the long-term danger. I've seen lots of people in Madrid, Spain, skating on custom wide suspensions with normal quad wheels, and haven't seen one of them die yet. I wouldn't dream of skating on anything without a helmet, and certainly not on these. Glad I have normal suspensions, too. I doubt that the wide ones will ever be as flexible for dancing down the trail and maneuvering.

Why did I choose this model? It was marked down for close-out, but available in my size 11. And I like the purple flames. They only seem to offer pink flames in kid sizes, alas.

MY TAKE ON BRAKING IN GENERAL. I did a fair bit of hills in Madrid last year on the quadline 84 mm with standard suspension. I tried front stops and the "California" back brake. Found the front stops good for fine, slow work in a crowd, but didn't have the nerve to spin backwards at speed on the road (used to do it in a rink). Found the back brake not very useful. I only wanted it on a hill, and then it had insufficient drag. I like T-drag on the level, and snowplowing to control speed on a hill. I found that the snowplow gave my already well conditioned leg muscles quite a workout. But I concluded that I'd rather work hard and go under continuous control, than fly along and wonder whether I can stop. I only go fast on the level with nothing in the way, so I don't do panic stops.

Cheerio,

Mike O'D.
http://people.cs.uchicago.edu/~odonnell/

[fareal]

Great review! I'm sure many people considering getting a set of quadlines will find it useful.

[MANY_SkatingDave]

Hi

Good review. Yet still not sure I would like them compared to InLines or recommend them to anyone.

How about giving us a 10 time and maybe a 20 time update to your original review. Keep the same format of your review as part of any updated review and just add updates at the 10 and 20 time points under each performance category. If there is no change to a category just list it.

For Example

Dynamic Stability
----------------
10rep: No Change
20rep: Noticed I intermingled wheels and fell twice, and saw others fall

Without deep thinking another category to think about adding to your review is an Advantages/Disadvantages vs Other Skates category.
This way one in only a few bullets can see the major advantages and the disadvantages via a skate comparison. Granted your summary based on your knowledge yet still quite useful.

My thoughts of 10 and 20 are arbitrary, since you should choose the best separation interval based on experimental observation.

Yours in Skating, Engineering, MA/NY Dave

[HVSkater]

Warning—long post!

I just received my new Quadline skates (Carrera boots/Super X plates/100mm 82A wheels) and thought I’d offer my two cents worth on first impressions.

Just so you know what I’m used to: I usually skate (outdoors) on Carreras with Sure Grip Motion (65 mm/78A) wheels and probe plates w/jump bar, sometimes (indoors) on my old skates from the seventies with massive Sure Grip aluminum plates and really hard wheels, and once in a while on Canariam (4x100 mm) inline speed skates.

I spent a couple of hours on the Quadlines today, trading back and forth with my standard Carreras several times so I could compare them directly. I must admit the Quadlines felt pretty weird at first. I knew the trucks were wide, but I didn’t know they were THIS wide! (7 inch footprint, compared to 4.5 inch on my Carreras) Like having a skateboard on each foot! Until I got the wider stance down, I nearly tripped myself several times after getting the wheels tangled. They also felt really stiff and hard to turn, but after loosening the trucks, they were fine.

Overall basic impression is that they “cruised” very well on the bike trail. Although my Carreras seem to do fine over debris (within reason!), I did feel a bit more secure on the Quadlines when navigating junk on the trail. Those big wheels did go over debris and twigs nicely. I didn’t have to bother jumping some stuff I would have on the Carreras. The Quadlines were nice and smooth, but so are my Carreras (then again, my Carreras have soft 78A wheels; the Quadlines are 82A; also, the Carreras have the softer-flexing probe plastic plate). Although no “smoother,” I would say the Quadlines definitely had a more “secure” feel.

Once I got the wider stance down, the basic maneuvers (spinning, side surfing, backward, jumping, T-stops, etc) worked well. I was a little clumsy at first—but hey, first time, right? (and I'm clumsy anyway) I was able to do most everything I usually do—with a bit more caution, of course. I think in time, I’ll be just as fast on the Quadlines with the moves. I only did a couple of jumps, but they seemed pretty natural.

Pushoffs had a different feel, but I didn’t feel like I was getting any more “oomph” out of the Quadlines when compared to my Carreras—not really any faster feeling in the acceleration. What DID feel better on the Quadlines is once I was up to a certain speed, those big wheels seemed to maintain the speed better and have a lot longer roll and coast time—once they are up to speed, they just keep cruising along like a freight train!

Other things I liked? IMHO, I would have to say that the strength of the Quadlines (other than the big wheels for nice general cruising) would be the side-to-side stability. Skating on one foot (forward and backwards) is easier. Side surfing offers quite a bit better side-to-side stability—very secure. I can see why many quad vertical skaters use those wide trucks and stay in the side surf position most of the time. Also, the heel-heel splits (in side surfing position) were much easier, as were the front-back (heel-toe) splits—very stable.

Things I didn’t like? Not much here that won’t go away as I get used to them. I think they are pretty cool and skate well. One thing I did not like so much on the Quadlines is the spin-to-backward-and-jam-the-toe-stop braking method. That’s my favorite way to stop, and with the added height of the big wheels, I have to turn my toes down farther than I’m used to and the surface area of the toe stop on the pavement is smaller because of the angle. I could do it easily enough, but it’s going to wear the toe stop very quickly down. It would be nice to find some sort of longer toe stop. Also, I read somewhere that the T-stop doesn’t work well with Quadlines; but I was fine with it. In fact that’s the most effective braking method that I tried. Works fine.

So overall, I’d have to give the Quadlines a thumbs-up. Are they better than my other outdoor quad skates or my inlines? That’s like asking which color is best. The Quadlines are certainly different. They are fun and I can do my thing on them. They are just another “flavor” of skating—just like inlines, ice skating, and skiboarding (yes, ski boarding). I’m not going to shelve my other skates or anything—just add the Quadlines to my collection and have fun with them. I’ll certainly turn to them for less than optimal trail conditions. But, I’ll probably use them quite often in general, too. They are fun and the fancy footwork is in there—it just takes some getting used to the different feel and wider stance. Above all, they are fun; and isn’t that what skating is all about?

I'll comment on these babies again after I put some more miles on them...

[FLOBRN]

Ok so I'm thinking of a pair of quadlines for my return after many years to skating. Have read these comments and now have a question. Would you think the new model of quadlines with the narrower profile would be better for someone returning to skating afte 30 years?
thanks
FLOBRN

[Quadliner11]

Alright, i know my username is quadliner11, but i do not own a pair, but I am looking forward to get some QuadLine® Streamline Triumph Boxer Skates. (copied and pasted from skates.com)for Christmas. I like these, and in my opinion they look great for outdoor skating. I have seen that the wheel size is interchangeable, so my plan is to get the skates with the wheels, then buy another set and switch between the two for indoor/outdoor use. My concern is that the balance will be off due to the small size of the suspension, this of course may be not true but I am a beginner, and I was hoping some experts could help me out.