An Inline Skate Frame Buying Guide

The frames offer the simplest means of adjusting a skate's performance. In order to quickly locate the frame that best meets your needs using our online frame filter and product descriptions, you will learn about frame compatibility, the many types of frames, and a little bit about their qualities here.

Installation Compatibility

Your frames must be compatible with your boots in order for them to function. The mounting points on the bottom of the boots must line up with the mounting slots on the frames in order for there to be compatibility. There are only four distinct mounting styles:

2pt (Point) Mount  

The frames attach to the boots at two mounting points, as the name suggests. It is the most typical and may be found on leisure, cross-training, all-terrain, and speed frames. Frames that are aggressive are not included.
Which 2 pt. mount frames are suitable depends on the distance between mounting points on the boot. The most typical spacing measurements are 165mm or 195mm. Boots normally only support one measurement, but frames can support multiples.

UFS Mount

Aggressive frames and boots are the only ones that support Universal Frame System (UFS) attachment. They therefore do not suit any other mounting types, even if they do fit all aggressive boots. UFS mounting plates are the same height in the front and rear, in contrast to other frames that have two mounting points.

3pt Mount  

Exclusively designed for use with Bont 3pt Mount speed boots, 3pt Mount frames attach to the boot at three locations. The boot's height is reduced thanks to its design, which also adds rigidity to improve energy transfer.

Trinity Mount

Trinity Mount frames, which are exclusive to the Powerslide brand of skates, fasten in three places and operate to reduce a skate's height and improve energy transfer.

Wheel Configuration

What wheels should be used on a specific frame is determined by the wheel configuration.

The format of the wheel arrangement is as follows:

Wheel Size x Number of Wheels (4x110mm)

Due to the length of the frame and the expertise required to go up and down from speeds, large wheel frames were formerly reserved for skilled skaters alone. This has changed with the introduction of 3-wheel frames, allowing less skilled skaters to enjoy the advantages of bigger wheels on short, nimble frames.

Aggressive blade

To perform tricks, grinds, and jumps in the skate park or off of unofficial obstacles in the community. The majority of aggressive frames are constructed from thick-walled polymers, which provide a smooth grinding surface that is durable. The various wheel sets for these frames are as follows:

Flat Rocker: All wheels are the same size

Anti-Rocker: Smaller wheels on inside positions to lock in grinds

Freestyle: Outside wheels with a large grinding surface in the middle

Powerblade frames are included here as they too use the UFS mount and cater to a similar style of skating, but with the use of larger wheels (72–80 mm).

Speed

Technologically improved to enable effective energy transfer at high speeds while being light and stable. Aluminums or alloys of the aerospace grade are frequently used as basis materials because they can sustain huge wheel diameters for the high speeds involved in inline speed racing. Frame lengths are often longer than other frames, making them ideal for expert skaters seeking a speed-oriented frame.