Comparative: choosing your street frames

Comparative: choosing your street frames

It depends on your practice style and budget…

For a budget of less than € 100, it is very easy to get a complete set including frames and wheels…

But how to choose your frames? First, be aware that there are two kinds of frames:

• flat models (with or without anti-rockers)
• freestyle models (with only 2 wheels)

Several points you should take care of:

• the type of spot your are skating
• the size of your feet
• the glide you are looking for

Whatever the choice of the frame, always choose according to spots where you practice the most: street-skating or skate park?

You must also take into account the quality of the glide you are looking for and the wear of the frame.
The most important thing is to choose the right size of frames: 

• Up to sizes 42-43 EU, choose small size frames
• For all sizes above 43 EU, large or mediums frames are recommended.

One last tip: the choice of frames is often the beginning of the customization of your skates… so have fun and choose the color you prefer!

The flat and anti-rockers frames

The “flat” frames are the most common on skates available in your shops. It includes 4 wheels per frame. “Flat” means that all the wheels have the same diameter and touch the ground.

Models mounted with antirockers wheels are also very common. It is equipped with two (large) wheels at the ends of the frame and two small anti-rockers in the center.

Both types of frames are known for their strength and glide. Often used in skate parks, they also are doing very well in street skating.The “flat” setup offers better speed but less space to stall, while the anti-rockers provide a better accuracy to stall.

Some skaters do not use anti-rockers to save weight. Most of time, a flat mounting also allows tp improve manoeuvrability, you turn more easily with four wheels on the ground.

Rem’z and Razors frames

These are roughly the same frames sold with the entry level skates of both brands available on the market. These are the only frames still not to be symmetrical, so you can not return them when worn.The glide is not great. It is often of lower quality than other decks.
The H-block is very small and the groove is often nonexistent. You have to put anti-rockers to get a little more space. However, it allows beginners to learn the slides with a strong frames.

Valo frames

Valo proposes basic frames but with the difference that they have a symmetrical structure. Valo has done some work on materials. The plate is cut better. It has a wider H-block (not enough yet). In this price range and on the market of basic frames, the Valo frames provide the best glide. However, you must add antirockers to save space.

These frames are dedicated to beginners so that they loosen up more.

Ground Control Featherlite

Ground Control became a reknown reference for its frames. It offers a large choice of sizes and provides a good glide. Furthermore, Ground Control resist well to shocks.

All frames comes with antirockers wheels that, after extensive testing, proves to be the best setup. Good groove, large H-block, all is present to have fun in the early sessions. The frames are flexible and lightweight.

Their strength level is not the best but it resists well and the wear of the groove is proper.Many colors are available, and it is a real value for customs.

Kizer Fluid

Kizer frames are heavier than Ground Control frames but also stronger. They are made of another material.The glide is different, it’s a matter of preference.

The new Kizer Fluid 4 should be available on the market soon with anti-rockers but nothing is certain.

One of the best mounting with these frames: remove the wheels or anti rockers in the middle to save weight.However, the presence of anti rockers is always a “plus” for accuracy.

The wear: Fluid frames are much stronger than the Featherlight but it is a matter of preference for glide.

Kizer Slimline

This frame is intended to be both light and durable. On paper, the concept is the seller but in reality is something else. It is recommended to roll with a flat setup, 4 * 58mm, which leaves little space to stall.This frame is very high. This makes it difficult to handle. But the glide is good. You quickly appreciate the fast glide and the ease to stall.

Kaltik flat

Clearly, these frames are made to be rolled in a flat setup. 56mm wheels are recommended, even if the 58mm is ok. It is a question of habit. The wide H-block descending on the wheels helps to stall without any problem on almost every spots. Like most of flat frames, once installed, it is heavy, but you gain a lot of speed and mobility. The H-block is not so strong and it reduces next to the wheels after a few tough street sessions. We recommend it for skate park practice.

Create Originals

This is not a frame that can easily be found in France but it is nice!You can use it with a flat or a block setup. Yes, here the anti-rockers are replaced by small blocks of plastic that makes this frame looks like a freestyle frame.

The strength is good enough and the wear is correct. Its main drawback is its weight really too high! The flat mounting and the plastic protective pad for the design mak this frame one of the heaviest available on the market.

Maybe the new range will bring something innovative. The glide of these frames easily rivals that of Kizer and Ground Control..

Rollerblade Switch

A unusual flat frame that comes out of the box with 72 mm wheels. It allows you to ride with only two wheels and two anti rockers. It’s a real gain of weight and speed. The frame slides very well regardless of the surface. The H-block is very large. It is the surprise of Rollerblade. The H-block is well cut, it remains difficult to master during the first sessions, but once mastered, this H-Block offers a very good combination with the speed of the frame.

Ground Control F1 XS

This Ground Control flat frame offers a compromise between The Featherlite and The Formula 1. A compromise between strength and weight. It is a success because they are close from the weight of the Featherlite. The glide is faster because the frame is much more stiffer. The H-block can be replaced by a freestyle block (same concept as Formula 1)… but for once, it is more interesting to ride it with anti-rockers. The groove is very well adapted to street-skating. And again, the skaters have a wide selection of color available..

Ground Control Formula 1

This is the most hybrid frame that can be found on the market.
It comes in flat or freestyle setup. You can change the H-block to choose a setup or the other.

However, this frame is rather heavy and is not the strongest on the market.

Its glide is quite correct in flat or anti-rockers setup. The H-block gives a good stall, but it is not the most interesting frame of the range..

Freestyle frames

By definition, this type of frame fits best to street-skating. The H-block is so large that you can not put more than two wheels on each frame. However, stalling is easier but also in switch-up.These frames are more adapted to small walls. As in flat setups, the glide depends mostly on the brand of the frame. Freestyle frames are often lighter and less manoeuvrable. They are fairly easy to learn. Quickly you get used to the greater precision tolerance while stalling..

Ground Control Formula 1 (freestyle)

As you read above, this frame is exactly the same but with a freestyle h-block. The latter is much more interesting than the flat model as it provides a larger area for stalling but also well cut groove. This facilitates the stall during the first sessions.

Ground Control Featherlite Freestyle

The Ground Control Featherlite Freestyle is the little sister of the Formula 1 Freestyle… but a prettier little sister, thinner with nice curves.

In short, it’s a beautiful freestyle lady from Ground Control. It allows good stall even if the H-Block of the frame is hard to find.
It really does save weight. Flexibility provides a good manoeuvrability.

By cons, it is still a little fragile. The glide is really good even though abrasive walls.

Kizer type M

It’s a big deal in the competition. The type M is a frame that offers a larger H-block, wider, faster, better than its short cousins from Ground Control.

The glide is good but different and so it’s a matter of taste. It will depend on the tastes of the skater.

The wear: this frame is very strong and it is always nice!

Xsjado Mook

These are probably the first or one of the first freestyle frame released on the market. With its large well rounded and fragility, it has not gained good reputation. Over time, the strength was improved, but there is still need to cut the H-block.
The Xsjado Mook offers a nice glide and an appreciable width on top tricks. The Mook is well adapted to street skating. A good frame that goes very well with the xsjado skates… If you wish to use it with other skates, you will need time to adapt.

Kaltik Freestyle

Kaltic released this frame in France in a freestyle setup and before the flat setup. It is known for its strength and good glide.

The notches of the frame allow to save weight but also to facilitate the stall during the first sessions.

We would like to give your more information about this frame but we did not tested it yet. Their price is very attractive compared to the range.

Kizer type X

It should replace the Xsjado Mook frame, but we still have no release date today.

How choosing your wheels and bearings?

Once you choose your frames, it is now time to choose your wheels and bearings!

Bearings

ABEC 5 or ABEC 7 bearings are often the best choice. Furthermore, the price of bearings really decreased the previous years. Now you can find very good bearings for 30 Euros.

Wheels

• For wheels all depends! For frames with a 72mm setup, the question does not arise. Otherwise, you must know that for skate park practice or small distance, 55 mm or 56 mm is fine.
• The more the wheel is small, the more it is easy to start, but larger wheels keep speed better.
• You must choose the brand and the hardness of your wheels wisely to avoid a fast wear. Be careful not to take the wheels too soft in summer because the ground is warm and accelerates wear of the wheels. Do not choose them too hard, since they must make your landing more smooth after your gaps.
• Finally, you have to find a compromise regarding to your weight and frequency of skating. Therefore, the choice of wheels is always personal. It can not be too advise you to try different styles of wheels until you find the one that does not wear too fast.

Conclusion

We hope that this article answered most of your questions about frames! A last advice, try those of friends to see what model fits best for you. Do not get stuck on flat or freestyle frames… change, vary the pleasures, and always remember to customize your mounting for more originality and the style of your skates!

Summary…

brand	model	possible mounting	glide	wear	max. wheel diameter	recommened diameter	practice	level	price	tested  on ReL?
Flat and anti-rockers setups
Remz	NC	flat, antirockers	+	+	58mm	55mm	park	beginner	€ 5 to € 30
Razors	NC	flat, antirockers	+	+	58mm	55mm	park	beginner	€ 5  to € 30
Valo	NC	flat, antirockers	+	+	60mm	56mm	park	beginner	€ 5  to € 30
Ground Control	Featherlite	flat, antirockers	+++	++	60mm	58mm	street park	beginner amateur expert	€ 45
Kizer	Fluid	flat, antirockers	+++	+++	60mm	58mm	street park	beginner amateur expert	€ 50
Kizer	Slimline	flat	++	++	60mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 55
Kaltic	Flat	flat	++	++	60 mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 60
Create Originals	NC	flat antirockers bloc	+++	++	59mm	57mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 60
Rollerblade	Switch	antirockers	++	+++	72mm	72mm	street park	expert	€ 65
Ground Control	XS	antirockers freestyle	+++	+++	58mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 75
Ground Control	Formula 1	antirockers freestyle	++	++	58mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 60
Freestyle frames
Ground Control	Formula 1 (2)	antirockers freestyle	++	++	58mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 60
Ground Control	Featherlite Freestyle	freestyle	+++	++	59mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 45
Kizer	Type M	freestyle	+++	+++	58mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 40
Xsjado	Mook	freestyle	++	++	59mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 45
Kaltik	Freestyle	freestyle	++	+++	60mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	€ 35
Kizer	Type X	freestyle	?	?	58mm	58mm	street park	amateur expert	NC

Useful links

The maintenance of your skate frame
Buying second-hand skates
Test: Seba Nano Socks
Test: Razors Horn 2011
Test : Seba Freeskate gloves
Aggressive: street and stunt pads

By Bobor et Lapichu
Pictures: All rights reserved