• Determine Your Needs for Inline Skates

• Compare Features of Rollerblades

• Find Rollerblades on eBay Singapore

• Buy Rollerblades with Confidence

• Need More Help?

• Legal Disclaimer

Determine Your Needs for Inline Skates

Determine Your Needs for Inline Skates

You would have noticed people using rollerblades, also known as inline skates, on the streets, in the park, and just about everywhere else. However, you will first need to understand the basics if you are looking to buy a pair of high quality rollerblades. To make sure you are getting the right skates, consider the kind of skating that you will do.

• Multipurpose rollerblades : Also known as recreational skates or fitness skates, multipurpose rollerblades are the most popular with rollerbladers. They usually have a body made out of plastic with an inner foam liner, and fasten with either laces, buckles, or both. Multipurpose rollerblades are available from a large variety of manufacturers, including K2, Bauer and Roces.

• Hockey skates : Hockey skates are meant to be used in a rink and hence do not provide enough shock absorption to handle rugged outdoor terrain. Typically made out of leather, leather composites, and/or nylon, they are most commonly done up with laces although some may have an ankle strap. Manufacturers of hockey skates include Mission and Bauer.

• Speed skates: Consider getting a pair of speed skates or five-wheelers if you like to go fast. Speed skates are typically made of leather and come with a long wheelbase to accommodate the five wheels. Technically, it is the extra length built into the wheelbase to make room for the fifth wheel which enables the skates to go faster, and not the extra wheel. However, one disadvantage of speed skates is they are not as manueverable compared to other skates.

• Aggressive or trick skates : Aggressive skates are made for doing tricks and come in one of two categories: street and competition. These types of skates come with shorter wheels and a wider frame and shorter wheels so as to give the skater more control.

• Component skates: Select the best from each category so as to create the perfect racing skate with component skates. You will need to purchase skate boots, frames, bearings, and wheels. For skaters who want a personalised fit, it is worth the extra expense of having to buy individual components.

• Roller shoes: Besides serving as a fashionable pair of street shoes, roller or shoes also feature a wheel inside the heel of the shoe, thus allowing you to walk, run, and roll at any moment.

Get the right fit for your rollerblades

In general, most people are the same size for rollerblades as in their regular shoes. Think of your rollerblades as a natural extension of your foot. They should be comfortable, fit snugly, and respond to your every move. Your toes should touch the front of the boot lightly so that it can support your ankles and legs. Consider getting a pair of laced up rollerblades to get a more snug fit. Otherwise, you can also opt for a pair that provides a combination of laces and buckles.

Don’t forget protective gear

Besides buying a good quality pair of rollerblades, you should also consider appropriate protective safety equipment, such as a safety helmet, wrist guards, and knee pads. Brands which sell high quality protective gear include Rollerblade, Salomon and Ultrawheels.

Compare Features of Rollerblades

Compare Features of Rollerblades

Now that you’ve established how you’ll use your rollerblades, it’s time to compare their features.

Frames

Most rollerblades have nylon or aluminum alloy skate frames. High performance metal frames are often lighter, faster, and of course pricier. 

Rollerblade wheels

The quality, size, and maneuverability of your wheels will largely determine your rollerblading experience.

Wheel sizes range in diameter from 72 mm to 76 mm, with some higher-end models at 80 mm. Shorter wheels cause the rollerblade to be more stable and maneuverable. However, they also make the rollerblade slower.

The hardness of the wheels is referred to as "durometer", and most rollerblades come stocked with 78A wheels. The 78A is considered a softer wheel, while 82A and 85A in the upper range are considered harder wheels. Opt for a harder wheel if you plan to rollerblade on mostly indoor surfaces as it will provide greater durability. If rollerblading on rough terrain or outdoor surfaces, go for a softer, more shock-absorbent wheel instead. 

Bearings

Wheel bearings enable you to turn. According to the Annual Bearing Engineering Council (ABEC), bearings come in various ratings. Rollerblades with higher ABEC numbers offer better performance.

Closures

Rollerblades offer two types of closures: buckle closures and lace closures.

Rollerblade uppers

A varied range of materials is used to make the upper portion of the rollerblade, from synthetics, like nylon, to natural leather. A soft liner to cushion the foot is usually incorporated into the uppers. Uppers are constructed with either a soft boot, which is a hiking boot, or a “hard shell” that is similar to a ski boot. While the hard shell offers the most protection, the soft boot is lightweight and designed for better performance.

Rollerblades brake systems

The braking systems usually differ for different manufacturers. You can adjust the height of the brake pad in some systems, which makes them ideal for beginners.

Find Rollerblades on eBay Singapore

Find Rollerblades on eBay Singapore

Once you know what type of inline skates you want, go to the Sports portal. Click on Sporting Goods and start searching for item listings on eBay Singapore.

• Keyword search: Search eBay Singapore title listings for specific words. For example, if you want to find speed skates, type "speed skates” (without the quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay Singapore's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, or saving a search on My eBay and eBay Singapore will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Rollerblades with Confidence

Buy Rollerblades with Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Singapore and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it posts.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Singapore (with a bid or Buy It Now). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Singapore are not covered by eBay Singapore protection programmes.

• Never pay for your eBay Singapore item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay Singapore sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Singapore and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to US$1,000.

• eBay Singapore Security Centre: Visit the Security Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Singapore's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Need More Help?

Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Singapore veteran with just the information you're looking for!

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. Content, trademarks and brands referred to and contained in the third-party links provided are the property of their respective owners, and eBay has no control over and accepts no responsibility for their content. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.