Bi Level/Hi-Lo Chassis - eh, what?

[lizh]

Hiya, I've been playing hockey on my quads for years and inline skating recreationally, decided it was about time I bit the bullet and got some hockey skates but not wanting to blow a wad of cash on skates I may loathe (I am perfectley happy on my quads, they're just a bit slow!) I bought some Tour TR850 skates on ebay for £12.50 (approx $20).

They have a bi level or hi lo chassis with 72mm wheels at the front and 80mm wheels at the back. Since I'm new to inlines I'd be grateful if someone could explain the reasoning and benefits/disbenefits of this set up to me.

Also the TR850's are so old I can't find any reviews of them on line. Anyone have anythign good or bad to say about these skates.

cheers,

Liz H.

....we play hockey over here in the UK too, some of us on old Bauer quads too, really!

[MDE3]

Hi..the theory behind the HiLo chassis was that it gave you the same low rolling resistance of 4 x 76 mm wheels, but with more "weight on skate" turing agility by having the smaller wheels in the front. Previous to the hi/lo chassis there were straight chassis with all 72 mm wheels, then straight chassis with all 76 mm wheels but for the last 7 years or so the HiLo chassis has been accepted as the "best" arrangement for inline hockey. However just recently Labeda has introduced a "low profile" all 80 mm wheel chassis which seems to be having some success....

The Tour 850 was a good boot in it's day..nothing to be ashamed of....good place to start.

Quads for roller hockey went out of "mode" over here about 8 - 9 years ago, as the inlines got so much better, and stopping and turning as well as straightline speed was so much better...especially where hockey is concerned.