Roll-line cushions
Please note: Roll-Line increases the stiffness in cushion as the plate size increases. If you are new to Roll-Line, it is recommended that you use the cushions factory installed on the plates as baseline. Once you have skated and taken advantage of the action adjustment settings you can determine if a more or less flexible cushion is required.
ABOUT CUSHIONS
Importance of Cushions
Cushion Types
Materials
Stiffness
The Importance of the Cushions (Suspensions)
Part of the “magic” of the feel and action of Roll-Line Skates is due to the cushion design. One of the cushions fits through a larger core of the truck assembly, allowing the cushions to actually touch and totally encapsulate the king pin. This design, in combination with the specific shapes and geometry of the cushions creates a stable, smooth, fast, and articulate action – providing great edging and total control of the skate.
CUSHION TYPES
The upper (large) cushions provide the stability of the edge, while the lower (small) cushion creates deep edges, great turns, and spins. The cushions can be mixed and matched (the larger upper cushions in relation to the smaller lower cushions) to provide each skater the exact amount of action desired or a custom skate action. Roll-Line cushions provide incredibly quick and fluid energy transmission from the foot through the skate to the skating surface.
-LOWERS-
-UPPERS-
CONE
Dance or Freestyle
STEP
Figures and Loops
STANDARD
Standard Upper
Fits all plates but Matrix/Evo
LOW PROFILE
Matrix/Evo Only
MATERIALS
RUBBER
Rubber cushions should be replaced every year. They may be affected by ambient temperatures. The less expensive option for cushions.
URETHANE
Urethane cushions should be replaced every 2 to 3 years or if there is obvious wear. They have better rebound than rubber cushions and ambient temperatures have
much less effect on urethane cushions. The initial cost is more expensive than rubber
cushions.
STIFFNESS
Roll-Line offers nine (9) stiffnesses of cushions. Four (4) are in rubber and five (5) are in urethane providing the proper choice for perfect skate alignment.
After a skater sets his/her action but needs it a little looser or tighter and the adjustments are not giving them what they need then, it is recommended that they change out the upper or lower cushions. Mixing cushions of different hardnesses, depending on what the skater is wanting to accomplish. In most cases, the Upper Cushion is harder, because it carries the weight of the skater, and provides the edge stability. The Lower Cushion is one or two levels more flexible, providing great edges and changes. Our overall suggestion would be to take what you would normally use for skating and go a little more flexible.
All this can vary per skater and per the discipline they are skating. Most skaters doing large circle figures use hard cushions on top and extra hard cushions on the bottom. Some skaters will mix extra hard and hard cushion depending on how the edge quality is for that skater. Most dance skaters will skate on the same upper and lower cushion hardnesses. Freestyle skaters will mix the upper cushions being harder and the lower cushion being one to two levels lower in hardness.
