Part 2: Rollerblade Interview

Part 2: The Rollerblade Interview ...

In Which Nick Skally Talks About ...

Rollerblade's Focus on Fitness Skating
The Company's New 90 and 100 MM Skates
Women's Specific Protective Gear

Robert: Has Rollerblade's focus changed under Tecnica?

Nick: No. I wouldn't say so. We are just changing with the market. We are moving more toward the fitness market. Our Lightning line [of fitness-marathon skates] is becoming a bigger part of our line every year because people are skating more for fitness.

You can see that with the increased participation in inline marathons. The Northshore has grown. Disney has grown. The inaugural St. Paul Marathon had more than 1500 people. And for lots of people, the Lightnings are the ideal skate for marathons. They have the lower cuff, but still some support; they are extremely confortable; and they are still as fast as heck!

Robert: So tell us about your new skates? What's new for 2005?

Nick: Well, the trend now is bigger wheels. So we are incorporating that into some of our new models. In fact, we have four models coming out with 90 or 100 mm setups.

Robert: That's exciting. Tell me about them?

Nick: I'll start with the Lightning 10. It is very similar to this year's Lightning 9 as far as the cuff and the shell. But we're adding some power straps for a better fit; we're adding an upgrading liner; we're putting on a new frame, a Mogema dual-boxed frame; and we're adding four 84A 100-mm Hyper Stripe wheels.

It will be a complete package that you can race on or compete in marathons with --- and you will be able to get it at stores for about $350.

And if you want no cuff and a race boot, then you can go with the ProBlade 100, which will be similar to the current Road Runner skate, but will have four 100 mm wheels.

Robert: And how much will that cost?

Nick: $500 to $600. ... And then we have the Lightning 6, which is going to have four 90 mm wheels. We expect this one to be what everyone will be skating on in the marathons. It's easy to get into; it's comfortable; it's light. ... It's just a great skate. (For more on the new skates, read Rollerblade's To Roll Out 100 MM Skates.)

Finally, in our recreational line, we are going to have the Aero 90, which is also going to have 90 mm wheels.

Robert: Anything new coming up in your children's skates, the Microblades?

Nick: There is. Right now we have the extendable skates: skates that expand four sizes. But for next year, we are coming out with a new push-button design, so with a push of a button you will be able to extend the size of the skate by four sizes.

Robert: Are you making any changes in your protective gear for 2005?

Nick: The one thing we are doing now is adding women's specific gear: gear that is made for women. It's anatomically designed for women. It has color accents for women. And it includes a helmet and full protective gear.

Robert: It's good to hear that Rollerblade is still innovating.

Nick: I'm happy. It would be disappointing to me if we were just staying with the status quo, updating colors and things like that. I am proud to be part of a company that is forging ahead, still trying to innovate and trying to make exciting products.

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