My 3 worst quad accidents were all due to equipment failure
Most recent was 9 days ago. I'm typing with a hurting hand... right pinky 2nd knuckle from tip was badly sprained. Saw an orthopedist in person after having an x-ray, then a zoom-like encounter with a hand specialist, will get a splint from her, personally made for me next week. Right now the hurt knuckle is bent at 45 degrees.
I've skated Sure Grip Jogger quad hardware and Kryptonic 70mm wheels since 1989, same plates, have swapped out some of the components. 9 days ago I was more than midway through my pretty much daily 10 mile skate on a close-by pretty smooth street (11 laps up<-->back). With no warning while going down the gentle grade (as usual, as fast as I comfortably can, wearing a heart rate monitor), the front wheels came off the left skate and I was in a split second thrown forward to the ground, head first. I found out later that the front truck's kingpin had snapped about 1/32" below the plate. https://rollerskatenation.com/anatomy-of-a-roller-skate/ for graphics on quads. Lying on the pavement I could see the front truck + wheels ahead of me by 15 feet. A passing motorist asked if I was OK and gave me a ride home.
I have always skated with gloves on, and they've saved me so much pain and prevented injuries. I've taken to wearing my bike helmet too, not because I'm losing it but figure it's just good sense.
Now, I had a similar accident on the same street 4 months ago. That time it was also the left skate and one of the front wheels came off. I was also going down the gentle grade, and suddenly thrown forward, crashing onto the pavement, figuring I'd hit a rock or something that I hadn't noticed. But when I hit the ground I saw the wheel roll away to my right. The locknut had come off that wheel. I was warned about changing those nuts with some frequency by the shop owner where I bought those Joggers in 1989. I should have swapped them out more frequently. I don't remember swapping them all out at once, but I did the day after that accident and skated the next day. My left leg still hurts some from that accident, but x-ray was negative.
The 3rd accident happened back in 1989, and BEFORE I bought those Joggers. I was skating a pair of cheap quads I'd picked up at a thrift store and the front wheels came off one of the skates. It took me a year to heal from the wounds. I never skated those quads again, but went into that skate shop and bought the Jogger quads I still skate (I bolt them to basketball shoes).
So, just wanted to post this because I figure you don't all know about the potential for a devastating accident by virtue of skate mechanical failure. Also, I figure bouncing this off some others could help me. I had ZERO idea that the kingpin of a truck could just snap! Two days after the accident 9 days ago (i.e. one week ago), I replaced that left front truck with a new one and skated my usual 10 miles. To get the stub of a bolt out, I cut a notch in the end using a rotary tool and worked out the stub using a screw driver. A few days later I replaced the right front truck, obviously its integrity was suspect since its twin had failed. I figure I should replace the rear trucks too.
The truck that failed looks like a genuine Sure Grip truck and the kingpin says Sure Grip on the end, looks just like my others. Yes, I had (have) spare parts on hand. The truck that failed does not look real old. I don't know how old it is, but the pivot pin does not appear worn like some of my others have, so I strongly suspect it wasn't the original truck on that skate.
Some relevant particulars: I'm 5'10", weigh about 178lb now, male, will turn 79 in August.
It's not my skating that worries me in terms of my safety, or even particularly the vagaries of motorists or street conditions... it's my skates! I've had bearings seize on me and I thought that was the big issue with skate failure but the last 4 months has me thinking not really! I hope this OP sparks a lively and informed discussion on skate maintenance, reliability, cautions, what to buy, what to not buy, best practices, etc.
Comments
Hard to believe that nobody responded to this. The only difference for me is I lost 8lb. My pinky is still in a splint!!! I'm still skating, though. I made a device I hold in that hand so if I fall I won't injure that hand again.
Hello, I feel your pain as I was in a neck brace for 6 weeks after falling off a 10 foot half pipe while doing a drop in wearing my rollerblades and after 25 years I still have some neck soreness every once in a while.
I looked up your skates you mentioned and not trying to be mean but I don't think those quads are worth the effort and reliability equal to your skill level. Obviously you are a good skater with a lot of experience and your skates should reflect your skill level so maybe get higher quality skates.
I just built a pair of Riedell 297's with Arius plates and vanathane wheels and I use them for indoor and outdoor skating which cost about 1K. I also built Bont Carbon fibers with Bont plates and Roll on wheels over $500, which I wouldn't hesitate to use outdoor.
What I'm getting at is if you are doing 11 miles regularly then spending money on good equipment can save your health. Also, I would recommend robust steel or aluminum plates at a minimum or high quality nylons. Jogger plates have a cast aluminum plate and truck. I have had steel plates fail on me too so checking your equipment before a session is highly recommended.
Regular use of skates will need parts replaced on a regular basis. I have had to put new trucks and axles for Sure grip Century NTS with DA45's in a 10 year span of use.
Thanks for that post, @Viper4. I just reread it. Hmm. Now, things have come to a head with my quad upgrading. The uppers I've had on them probably upwards of 15 years have deteriorated to the point where it's not safe to skate them. I shopped and shopped... it's hard to find shoes anything like what I've used before, being extra-wide high top basketball shoes (I think the pandemic probably severely impacted availability, is my supposition). Tap-tap-tapping on my keyboard for days/weeks and driving dozens of miles brought me only frustration. Ordered a pair of BB shoes from Asia, which turned out to be far less than satisfactory when I got them in-hand, I guess I'll wear those casually somewhere. Someone online tipped me that Skechers makes extra-wide shoes, and I have bought several pairs. They seem pretty well made, fit OK, I'm preparing a pair as my new uppers right now, drilling holes, etc.
My plates! Well, when I bought my Sure Grip Jogger plates the store owner said "I've never heard of Jogger plates failing." I think the current Sure Grip Super X Plates, judging from the photos online, are just rebranded Joggers. I ordered a pair yesterday, however they won't be here for up to a week, and honestly, I'd like to skate before then, so I'm cleaning up my old Joggers and plan to replace the trucks and kingpins, wheels too with new stock. I'll keep the new Super X for next time, be it an emergency or my next uppers replacement.
I figure the things to watch and replace with some frequency are
I looked for titanium king pins but failed to find what I was looking for. The Sure Grip king pins' thread count differs from what I found online. So, I ordered some Sure Grip steel king pins to keep on hand.
Maybe I should get better equipment. I just don't know what or why in that regard.
One other comment: From the time I bought these Jogger plates I have skated rear brakes on both skates: The California Skate Brake. They are similar to the rear brakes you see on some inline skates, but obviously pre-date those. I don't use the commercial replacement pads (the original ones I had are a memory), I custom made replacement pads from an old vehicle tire. The rear brakes make for much greater safety for outdoor helter-skelter skating than using the toe stops or turn outs or whatever. Really, just one rear brake is all you can use at any one time. I can use either but routinely use the right. Over the years I have made much less use of those brakes. But there are times when they are just the thing!
Hi Muse,
I understand your pain. I mean I really understand it. In my active years of competition and heavy practice, 70's and 80's. I broke a leg, a hand, various fingers, chipped a bone in my forearm. Later I had a concussion from debris on the floor causing me to trip while going backwards. Only a few of those were from malfunctions. The broken leg was from not paying attention after getting some bad news and I did a 3 turn and bada-bing-bada-boom... big boom, big boom! Again my fault.
I had a lot of bad falls from several broken trucks, several snapped king pins, a few times had rivets broken. bearings breaking, ripped off toe stops. I would say I was very hard on skates and my body.
Mostly this was a result of how hard I practiced and doing my freestyle jumps, more than the parts breaking. But at least when I fell doing jumps I knew I was off balance and I was able to control those falls. The ones I couldn't control were the unexpected falls from malfunctions or stupidity, but the worse ones were from doing dance and trying to protect my partner. Silly me.
As for my equipment. I had Snyder Super Deluxe and I cleaned them and checked them every time I came home. My bearings were always lubed and my trucks were adjusted and the nuts tightened. I was just very hard on my skates.
I guess that malfunctions do account for some of the problems, but there are other forces at work.
Jim
Many individuals like inline skating, which is a popular hobby. However, if done incorrectly, it might be harmful. So here are some pointers to help you avoid in-line skating injuries: Get the proper skates, Wear protective gear and wear it correctly. Learn how to fall safely. Check your skates on a regular basis. Choose your skating location carefully.
Lost about 5 more pounds since last posting. It's been over 14 months now since the 4/25/22 fall due to king pin snapping on my left quad skate. The sprained pinky is so much better but I'm still dealing with the injury. For months it was very painful, but pain isn't much now. Range of motion is limited and there's an issue with trigger finger. I had a cortisone shot for it a couple months ago and am seeing a hand therapist and doing daily stretches. By far the worst sprain I've ever had even though it's to a pinky finger. I have never broken a bone! They told me I had a hairline fracture in my other pinky when I was 14 but I could not see it when they showed me the x-ray. I don't think that counts as a broken bone. They put a piece of adhesive tape on the hand for a couple days, is all.
I had a fall a couple of years ago and broke my wrist. I was in a park and showing off on my quads. While slowly moving forwards and doing some slick moves with my hands behind my back (showing off), I crossed over and tripped myself up (stupid). Instinct had me bring my hands in front of me to break my fall, but because my hands were behind my back, they came in late. I landed on the side of my wrist. I now wear wrist guards religiously when skating. Lesson learned. Of all the protective equipment, wrist guards are (in my opinion) the most important. Of course, if your thing is speed skating, I would say a helmet is most important.