Everything about frame mounting
Short Answer:
There are multiple ways to attach a frame to a skate boot. Each method has its advantage and disadvantage
Frame mounting
Frame mounting plays a crucial role in inline skate construction. It affects performance, and customization. Early mounting methods used multiple rivets, similar to ice skate frames. This method helped create the first inline skates, but modern designs have moved to bolts, offering more versatility across different skate styles.
The original mounting method
In the 1980s, inline skates were made by modifying plastic ice skates. Manufacturers mounted the frame with several rivets. Typically, skates had four rivets under the heel and six to twelve in the front. This design is still seen in skates like the Roces 1992 and Impala Lightspeed. While this method was revolutionary, it no longer meets modern performance standards. Many aggressive skates still use 1990s boots with improved soulplates for better control and durability.
UFS Mount: Raised heel vs. flat bottom designs
UFS mounted skates are mainly used for Aggressive inline skating. It uses two bolts to mount the frame and there is no height difference between the two bolts. The distance between the bolts is 167mm.
There are two types of aggressive skates, ones with an internal raised heel, and ones with a flot bottom
Skates with the raised heel use the same boots as original mounted method from the previous chapter. In the Aggressiv varient the soulplate is bolted much like the original mounted frame. This design provides more control but lacks space for shock absorbers, which help cushion impacts. Aggressive skates made after 2000 feature flat-bottom boots with shock absorbers for better comfort and impact protection. Raised heel skates, like the Razors Cult and Roces M12, remain popular for their nostalgic look and aggressive performance.
For those interested in customizing old skates, it’s possible to convert a vintage boot into a modern aggressive skate by adding a new soulplate. Tutorials are available to guide you through this process, Read more.
UFS Mount: Customization
Most modern inline skates use frame mounting bolts, usually standard M6 hardware. This allows for easier maintenance and customization. You can swap or adjust frames without removing rivets. However, some skate models use different hardware, which can be an inconvenience when dealing with multiple brands.
If you encounter damaged screws, there are simple techniques to unscrew them without damaging the boot or frame. There are resources available to help you with these issues.
For more details on converting old boots, choosing the right soulplate, or dealing with frame mounting bolts, visit the following guides:
- How to unmount original mounts
- Customizing your skate with different soulplates
- Everything about frame mounting bolts
165mm Mount
This is the modern freestyle skate classic. Any allround skate like the FR Skates or the Rollerblade Twister has this mount. Any 165mm mounted boot has a frame connection using 2 bolts. one in the front under the toes, and one underneath the heel. The distance between these holes are exactly 165mm apart
The height of these mounting position is not flat, The heel sits 12mm lifted above the level of the toes and the distance
There also a variation to this mount where the distance is 195mm or 180mm. The 195mm distance is mainly used in speed skating. The 180mm distance is mainly used for 180mm Endless frames
Trinity
The trinity mount began in 2016 to get around the height limitations of 165mm mount. It takes original mount again as inspiration and mounts the frame on the outside of the wheels instead of the center of the boot. Building it like that makes it possible to make it lower to the ground.
An added benefit of this is that mounting it on the outside of the wheels makes it stronger. It takes away the need of a metal base plate so the boots will be cheaper to make like this.
No mounting at all
There are of course skates that you can not take the frame off at all. Most of these will be cheap skates and should be avoided for adults at all cost. For children skates having a frame that is non removable is not a problem
There is one revolutionary unibody design right now however that is very good and it is the USD Aeon. It comes in an aggressive form with 60mm wheels and a freestyle form with 80mm wheels.