Rollerblade Unveils New Marathon Line New skates replace top end of Lightning line By Robert "Just the Factoids" Burnson (posted Wednesday, August 9, 2006)
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Rollerblade Marathon Carbon TF "These skates are the perfect choice for distance skaters who prefer the added lateral support of a cuff ... yet still desire absolute freedom of movement.," says Rollerblade's Nick Skally.
Rollerblade is sprucing up the top end of its fitness line with a new series of 100mm skates with carbon fiber shells.
It is calling the new line (available next January) the Marathon series.
The base model will feature 100mm wheels, a light-weight frame and what the company says is a new precision fit.
It will come in a men's (red and black) and women's (gold and white) version and is expected to sell for $300-$350.
The top of the line will be the Marathon Carbon TF. In addition to the standard features, it will sport a ratcheting ankle buckle, oiled bearings and Rollerblade's Top Fuel frame. It is expected to sell for $400-$450.
The new carbon-fiber models are decidedly sleeker than the recent Lightning models they replace. But this won't be the first time Rollerblade has put carbon in a fitness skate.
The company used a carbon shell in its 2005 Lightning 10 (its first fitness skate with 100mm wheels). But it abandoned carbon this year in its Lightning TF, apparently to hold down costs.
Speed junkies will welcome the return to carbon fiber. It provides better power transfer and cuts weight from the boot, which is why it is used in most racing skates.
New Cuff
The Marathon series sports a new cuff, which allows the leg to flex further forward, the company said. As a result, skaters should be able to take longer, more efficient strides.
"These skates are the perfect choice for distance skaters who prefer the added lateral support of a cuff, over the traditional race boot design, yet still desire absolute freedom of movement," said Nick Skally, Rollerblade USA's marketing manager.
Frames
The base Marathon Carbon models will come with Rollerblade's new Fly frame, made of light-weight 6000-series aluminum.
The top-of-the-line TF will get the elegant Top Fuel frame, which is found on this year's Lightning TF.
Surprisingly, the Fly frame will weigh about 30 grams less than the Top Fuel frame. But that won't necessarily make it faster. The Top Fuel is stiffer, so it will transmit power more efficiently, the company says.
Out With ABEC
With the new skates, Rollerblade is giving the heave-ho to the much-maligned ABEC rating system for bearings.
The bearings on the new skates lack ABEC ratings, which experts say have little to do with the performance of skate bearings.
The TF model will come with a new oiled bearing, the HTO Pro; the base models will come with a new greased bearing, the SG9.
90mm, anyone?
All the Marathon models will come with 100mm wheels. But if you'd prefer 90mm wheels, don't worry; they'll be standard on another new Rollerblade model: the Lightning II.
Skate specs:
Marathon Carbon TF
Manufacturer suggested retail price: $500 Expected street price: $400-450 Wheels: Spiral HP 100mm/84A Frame: Top Fuel, 12.8 inches, 232 grams, 195mm mount spacing Availability: mid-January 2007
Marathon Carbon (men's and women's)
Manufacturer suggested retail price: $400 Expected street price: $300-350 Wheels: Spiral HP 100mm/84A Frame: Fly 4x100, 12.8 inches, 198 grams, 195mm mount spacing Availability: mid-January 2007
