Skating and designing
By vanny
@vandana7 (98900)
India
September 26, 2023 11:02pm CST
For some reason skates have held an appeal for me.
I know at 64 I am too old to learn it. And our roads don't make it easy too, with as many undulations as possible.
But there could be different way to design them, which could make them easier mode of transport than conventional cycles, skates, and even those battery operated two wheeled systems. At least I feel that way and I hope somebody will tell me why I am wrong to think like that.
All wheels of skates that I have seen are aligned in straight line, whether they are three wheels or four wheels.
I have always wondered why? If three is sufficient to hold a geometric plane, why should we have them in linear alignment. Stability would increase with playing cards diamond shape.
In so far as control is concerned, yeah, we need something there...but that is for every set of skates.
So can anybody shed light on why skates are designed the way they are?
9 people like this
10 responses
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
27 Sep
I roller skated until I was in my late teens and then roller bladed until I was 40 years old but I can't answer your questions... I just don't know. Sorry, vanny.
3 people like this
@vandana7 (98900)
• India
27 Sep
@DaddyEvil You mean to say ...you became mature on touching 50's...evil grin. Sh it...I didn't want to tease anybody today...there goes another day...restart tomorrow...I am trying to be a good girl.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58015)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Sep
You're thinking about roller blades. While they are similar in the fact you can basically skate with them. There are things called roller skates. They have four wheels just like cars do and the design is more balanced.
2 people like this
@vandana7 (98900)
• India
27 Sep
@kaylachan Yeah...I looked and I finally found something that I could buy...damn affordable too. Wonder why I never thought of it before. LOL
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (58015)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
27 Sep
@vandana7 I'm glad that you did. I guess sometimes you just need to talk to people about things, and it helps you find a different perspective.
@much2say (53945)
• Los Angeles, California
27 Sep
You know I rollerskated as a kid, and figure skated (on ice) as an adult? But I am no skating design engineer 
. I speak very generally here.
Quad rollerskates have 4 wheels. 2 wheels in front, 2 in back.
Inline skates have the wheels in a line. It mimics ice skating. The longer the foot, the more wheels.
Ice skates - one blade.
All are stable really . . . you just have to get used the your equipment. Poor quality skates do not help, as well as poorly tied skates that do not keep the feet stable.
But it depends on how you want to move or control your moves. The linear alignment helps with speed - more aerodynamic if that's the word. The shorter length helps with quick turns, trickier moves, say like with artistic skating or hockey.
As far as control, one needs to practice 
.
. I speak very generally here.
Quad rollerskates have 4 wheels. 2 wheels in front, 2 in back.
Inline skates have the wheels in a line. It mimics ice skating. The longer the foot, the more wheels.
Ice skates - one blade.
All are stable really . . . you just have to get used the your equipment. Poor quality skates do not help, as well as poorly tied skates that do not keep the feet stable.
But it depends on how you want to move or control your moves. The linear alignment helps with speed - more aerodynamic if that's the word. The shorter length helps with quick turns, trickier moves, say like with artistic skating or hockey.
As far as control, one needs to practice .1 person likes this
@much2say (53945)
• Los Angeles, California
28 Sep
@vandana7 It is possible. When I was figure skating, I discovered an adult club for skating. Some of them started skating at 40-50-60-70-80. And even 90 . . . I met a man who even competed at that age (yes, he was slow, and there was no one in his age range to compete against, but he went out there and did it!).
When I was a kid, our neighbor (she must've been 50/60) used to skate around the block in her quads. She said she loved it for exercise and it made her feel young.
My opinion though, is ice skating is a bit safer because of the ice surface . . . when you fall, you slide. On wheeled skates, concrete/asphalt will not be as forgiving. Although the quads may help your feet to feel stable, your leg/knee might not move in alignment with the foot which can cause injuries. With inline skates, the wheels in a line help to make your leg work as one unit (like in ice skating). But of course I am a bit biased as an ice figure skater.
Learn to skate, Vanny . . . and then we can skate together 
!
!
@RebeccasFarm (86833)
• United States
27 Sep
I have no idea about the why of the design.
I loved roller skating as a young girl.
I was thinking of going to the local skating rink here one day when I get my hips to stop hurting first.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86833)
• United States
28 Sep
@vandana7 Yes they are a bit better thanks..I went for acupuncture.
1 person likes this
@vandana7 (98900)
• India
27 Sep
I think having them on four corners makes more sense. I would have slightly larger wheels on rear and two on the front slightly smaller...such that it would be easier to stop by bending forward. But I am not sure if that would work. I do envy you Americans. If you all have any ideas like this, you all have facilities to go and try such things out. Here, not possible.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (156807)
• United States
27 Sep
When I was a youngster, everyone's skates had 4 wheels set in a rectangle. Straight line skates were unknown at the time. Have a good day!
1 person likes this
