ROLLERBALL skates???

[Tim Stammers]

I saw a TV infomercial (HSN) for Rollerball skates, which have two
wheels (round, like balls) per skate. They're supposedly quicker and
easier to use than inline skates.

Has anyone tried these out yet?

- Tim

[George Robbins]

Haven't tried them, but have see a girl at the rink several times with a
pair. To me, they look awkward with the ball-shaped "wheel" at either
extreme of the of the frame. All the disadvantages of the anti-rocker
setup and no clear advantage over a conventional in-line. The "brake"
is also a weird hoop of plastic around one rear wheel, I'd be more
tempted to call it a skid.

For what it's worth...they might actually be a fun alternative for all
I know...

--
George Robbins - not working for, work: to be avoided at all costs...
but still emotionally attached to: uucp: ...!uunet!tharsis.com!grr
Commodore, Engineering Department domain: g...@tharsis.com

[Keith O. Gare]

In article <4m3ie4$f...@netaxs.com> g...@unix5.netaxs.com (George Robbins) writes:
>From: g...@unix5.netaxs.com (George Robbins)
>Subject: Re: ROLLERBALL skates???
>Date: 29 Apr 1996 23:13:08 GMT

>In article <4m37li$f...@dartvax.dartmouth.edu> Tim.St...@Hitchcock.org (Tim Stammers) writes:
>>I saw a TV infomercial (HSN) for Rollerball skates, which have two
>>wheels (round, like balls) per skate. They're supposedly quicker and
>>easier to use than inline skates.
>>
>>Has anyone tried these out yet?

I haven't tried them either but they have made an appearance up in Canada.
They were being sold at Zeller (much like Kmart and WallMart in the states.
The material had been downgraded so the skates were really cheap feeling and
looking.

I was in Venice Beach in July of 95 and talked to a local shop there that
carried them. The one guy was working on a modification to the brake system to
make it more effective, yes it is a hoop and it has to drag you to a stop (not
good at speed) but the guy at the shop was putting a stopper on the inside so
when the hoop was applied it put this stopper against the wheel to speed up
braking.

anyway, after some discussion it was discovered that the skates are great for
small areas or for dancing but would be uncomfrtable for long skates or many
tricks.

Keith
den...@julian.uwo.ca
IISA Level 1 and II certified instructor

[LKing66]

I havent tried them either, but i asked a guy in the store. They told me
that these things dont sell at all -here in germany - an that they were
like shit to skate with. So I can just tell you what he told me, but to me
they seem very strange too.
What happens when the wheels ("balls") start to wear? Must be kind of
wobbly...

[Brian Metzger]

I've seen a brand "Rollerball," here in the U.S., but I don't recall if
they had balls instead of wheels. It could just be the brand name!

Keep skatin',
Brian Metzger

[George Robbins]

In article <31A353...@qni.com> Brian Metzger <schu...@qni.com> writes:
>I've seen a brand "Rollerball," here in the U.S., but I don't recall if
>they had balls instead of wheels. It could just be the brand name!

There used to be "Rollerball" (TM) wheels for quad skates that weren't
balls, just normal wheels. There was alos a predecessor of the current
"Rollerball" skate that did have ball shaped wheels, I don't know if
both came from the same company.

The current "Rollerball" skate does have the ball-shaped wheels on a
conventional plastic in-line boot. Two wheels, one near each end,
about normal diameter in wide "forks". I've seen two brake designs,
one sort of a hoop, the other a more normal pad.

Are they any good? Need to find someone that has skated on them
long enough to gest used to them and give us the good/bad points.

[Kevin Jay Scott]

In article <4o2k2m$3...@netaxs.com>, g...@unix2.netaxs.com says...

The new "Rollerball" skates are made by a company called ROLLERBALL
INTERNATIONAL. Their phone number is (310) 275-5313. They can be ordered
through the Home Shopping Network (HSN) at a price around $80. Their item # for
ordering is #600814.
Rumor has it that these skate are easier to skate on, especially for beginners.
I would like to know what retail stores carry these things so that I can go and
try 'em out myself!

[Corey Eli Gibson]

I've found that these skates handle and turn like a piece of fake dog
doo(not even as good as the real thing)

Corey Gibson (alias BUBBLES) is the name, Mech eng is the game.
"Where's mah Mountin' Dew"
MAIL; cor...@minyos.its.rmit.edu.au

[haloisa...@gmail.com]

THeyre awesome

[julia.no...@gmail.com]

I have a pair and absolutely my love them. I bought them about 16 years ago and use to skate with them all around town. I'm about to take them out of storage and use them again tomorrow!!

[ttt...@gmail.com]

I just found a pair today can't wait to try em out and see if the rumors are true

[John Doe]

off-topic Google Groups spam...

--
tttwats gmail.com wrote:

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[zas...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, 19 March 2014 16:39:26 UTC+2, ttt...@gmail.com wrote:
> I just found a pair today can't wait to try em out and see if the rumors are true

Where did you get them? I can only find second hand ones...

[John Doe]

off-topic Google Groups spam/troll...

[dena...@juno.com]

I happen to have a pair of these. I have had them stored away for a few years and haven't used them. I got them out recently because the neighbor kids wanted to see them and I wanted to get on them again. Unfortunately they have the rubbery plastic type straps and they just broke when I tried to tighten them. ALL of them broke. Does anyone know where I might could get replacement straps? There are 3 on each skate.

As far as how they are as skates.... Let me first say as a kid, I ice skated and roller skated (depending on the season) probably 5 to 6 days a week until I was about 15 years old. I was also a water skier and a snow skier. And even now as an adult, I skate board and rip stick. I also have two pair of the regular non-inline skates, a pair of roller blades, and also these roller balls. So I have tried my fair share of different skates. Of the 3 different types of skates I have, the roller blades are my least favorite. I never have liked them. Not sure why. I like my regular skates for going to a rink or skating with a fried and wanting some speed. Yes, I know the roller blades are known to be faster than regular skates. But for me, they seem heavier and clumsier. The roller balls are a lot more stable than the roller blades when you stand on them. And they would be good for someone learning how to use inline skates. They seem as clunky to me as the roller blades because they do not have much give to them, but they are a lot lighter than my roller blades. It is strange to me that even though I still ice skate, the inline skates hurt my ankles.

I can emIl a pic of mine if you want to know what they look like. I just wish I knew where I could get replacement straps.

[nancyd...@gmail.com]

Hi, I have a new pair of RollerBall skates that I am putting on ebay today. I don't know if they are still producing, but the warranty card gives this address for ordering parts: Rollerball International Inc., Post Office Box 15068, Beverly Hills, CA 90209-1068. Hope this helps.

[tabietha...@gmail.com]

Yes I loved them lasted me 9 yrs looking to buy some more

[pigspo...@gmail.com]

I have them. Have been riding them for 20 years. Still do. Almost no wheel wear. Very comfortable. Easy to learn on.

[thies...@gmail.com]

I got mine when I was 13,Im now 40. I still have them and I still use them. I also do the skikes from Nordic

[babi...@gmail.com]

Yes I love mine the problem I'm having with them is I kept them in my garage and the heat dry rotted my buckled straps and I don't know where to replace them they are so smooth on the skate floor you will love them!

[minecraftpsy...@gmail.com]

On Monday, April 29, 1996 at 2:00:00 AM UTC-5, Tim Stammers wrote:
> I saw a TV infomercial (HSN) for Rollerball skates, which have two
> wheels (round, like balls) per skate. They're supposedly quicker and
> easier to use than inline skates.
>
> Has anyone tried these out yet?
>

> - Tim

I have a pair, they are great

[vette...@gmail.com]

I have an unused pair in excellent condition for sale, cannot use. They are a size 5R.

[vincent...@gmail.com]

When I was a kid I had a pair and they were better than skates and in line skates.

[rakhetsi...@gmail.com]

On Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at 4:39:26 PM UTC+2, ttt...@gmail.com wrote:
> I just found a pair today can't wait to try em out and see if the rumors are true

Hi, Where did you get a pair?

[rakhetsi...@gmail.com]

On Monday, February 18, 2013 at 5:20:56 AM UTC+2, julia.no...@gmail.com wrote:
> I have a pair and absolutely my love them. I bought them about 16 years ago and use to skate with them all around town. I'm about to take them out of storage and use them again tomorrow!!

Hi, do you know of a place where these are still sold?

[p...@yourlawcenter.com]

I’m trying to find a pair now in men’s size 12 and it looks like only private sellers on eBay have tgem for sale. When I had them, I loved them and had a blast. They had more resistance than a regular in-line skates provided a great workout. Please contact me if anyone comes across a men’s size 12 — I would be very grateful.

[aliciaar...@gmail.com]

Does anyone know where I can find them? I’ve been looking all around the inter & no luck

[aliciaar...@gmail.com]

Does anyone know where I could find them? I’ve been looking all around the internet too & no luck.

[awoo...@gmail.com]

Do you still have these?

[head...@gmail.com]

On Monday, 29 April 1996 10:00:00 UTC+3, Tim Stammers wrote:
> I saw a TV infomercial (HSN) for Rollerball skates, which have two
> wheels (round, like balls) per skate. They're supposedly quicker and
> easier to use than inline skates.
>
> Has anyone tried these out yet?
>
> - Tim

Hi from 2020 :))) Are you still skating?

[Karen Boatman]

On Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 8:48:13 PM UTC-4, aliciaar...@gmail.com wrote:
> Does anyone know where I could find them? I’ve been looking all around the internet too & no luck.

I have a pair of rollerball skates, found them in my closet as I am packing to move -- am willing to sell them as I am at that age now that I should not be on skates...LOL
skates are like new, and come with wrist pads

[Meagan Williams]

I am looking for rollerballs -- I bought some in 97 and they were the most fun I had on skates... can't find them anywhere. If you have some women's 9 or Men's 8 That would work! text me at 205-790-6446