Editing Inline skates (section)

=== Non-standard frames ===

{{multiple image
 | direction = horizontal
 | total_width = 360
 | image1 = USSR inline skate-from 1962-by alextreme-wheels.jpg
 | image2 = First Rollerblade brand inline skates with round heel brake-from early 1980s-IMG 5685-bottom view-FRD.png
 | caption1 = USSR skates (1960s)
 | caption2 = Rollerblade (1980s)
}}

Modern inline skates started as off-season training tools for ice skaters. Many early inline frames were designed to be length-adjustable, so that each skater could have inline skates tailored to their individual shoe size.<ref name="vegter-everything-about-frames"/> For instance, inline skates made for the USSR speed skating team in the 1960s accommodated differences in shoe sizes by using a variable length connector between the front and rear mounting platforms, and by allowing wheels to be mounted at different locations on the frame. This tradition continued and was further expanded in the 1966 Chicago Roller-Blade and in Rollerblade skates from the early 1980s.<ref name=Shevelson-golden-days-of-skating/>{{efn-ua|name=chicago-roller-blade-ads}}{{efn-ua|name=olson-1983-rollerblade-with-adjustable-ultimate-frame}}

{{multiple image
 | direction = horizontal
 | total_width = 360
 | image1 = USSR inline skate-from 1962-by alextreme-side view-one skate-bg.png
 | image2 = Chicago Roller Blade-inline skate from ca 1965-patented by Gordon Ware-pic by Ojibwa-P1360137.jpg
 | caption1 = USSR skate (1962)
 | caption2 = Chicago skate (1966)
}}

There were no standards for boots, frames, or the way frames were mounted onto boots. For instance, the 1962 USSR skate and the 1966 Chicago Roller-Blade were designed to be mounted onto a flat sole, or an equivalent dress shoe with a front sole level with the heel. On the other hand, the 1975 Super Sport Skate was modeled after ice hockey skates, and had a frame with a raised heel mount, resulting in a built-in heel lift (or heel-to-toe drop).{{efn-ua|name=silver-super-sport-skate-ads-pics}}

[[File:Rollerblade-Lightning TRS-Team Rollerblade Series-1988-IMG 5722-bottom view-FRD.png|thumb|right|180px|Lightning TRS (1988)]]

These early inline skates featured frames that were riveted to the boots, mirroring the construction method used in ice skate manufacturing. The lack of standards and the fixed-mounting process made it hard to mix and match boots and frames.<ref name="vegter-everything-about-frames"/> For instance, early 1981 prototypes of the Ultimate Hockey Skate by Scott Olson had a flat Chicago frame mounted onto an ice hockey boot. This required that an artificial heel disc be inserted in between the frame and the boot to make up for the heel lift designed into the hockey boot.{{efn-ua|name=rollerblade-2019-article-showing-olson-heel-disc-prototypes|See the article image ([https://web.archive.org/web/20241224030758/https://www.rollerblade.com/storage/thumbs/Article/2686__resize__16973Unknown-3.webp archived here]) of this  [https://www.rollerblade.com/usa/en/the-rollerblade-experience/fitness/rollerblade-creator-scott-olson-will-attend-the-bmw-berlin-marathon Rollerblade article from 2019] (archived [https://web.archive.org/web/20241224030540/https://www.rollerblade.com/usa/en/the-rollerblade-experience/fitness/rollerblade-creator-scott-olson-will-attend-the-bmw-berlin-marathon here]) for a glimpse of a prototype with a flat Chicago frame mounted onto an ice hockey boot, with a yellow heel disc. The article includes a gallery at the end, where this picture ([https://web.archive.org/web/20250123194335/https://www.rollerblade.com/storage/Article/16977Unknown-7.jpeg archived here]) shows a number of skaters wearing inline skates thus custom-made, again, with heel discs.}}

{{multiple image
 | direction = horizontal
 | image1 = Roces Impala 2023 Lightspeed Fairy Floss inline skates w 70mm 84A wheels-IMG 6807-bg-FRD.png
 | image2 = Powerslide One Zoom-inline skates-IMG 5832-bottom view-FRD.png
 | caption1 = Roces Impala (2023)
 | caption2 = PS One Zoom (2024)
 | width1 = 200
 | width2 = 160
}}

Non-standard inline frames still dominate the entry-level market. Many such frames are not replaceable. Most cannot be adjusted to compensate for a skater's ankle pronation or supination. Some beginner skates, such as the Powerslide One Zoom in 2024, continue to use riveted frames. These skates are fixed at the factory, and cannot be further customized.<ref name="vegter-everything-about-frames"/>

[[File:TRUE Inline Hockey Skates-Riveted Frame and Wheels-Bottom view two-IMG 4451-IMG 4457-FRD.png|thumb|right|200px|Hockey skates (2021)]]

Outside of the entry-level market, inline skates have largely consolidated around a few mounting standards. Aggressive skates and Wizard skates follow the UFS standard. Most speed skates use the 195mm two-point standard. The rest generally adopt the 165mm two-point standard. The Trinity standard with three mounting holes was created in 2016. It has been gaining popularity in urban skating, where skaters wish to mount bigger wheels with a minimal increase in frame height.<ref name="vegter-everything-about-frames"/><ref name="inline-warehouse-frame-buying-guide"/><ref name="bladeville-wizard-frames-and-rest"/>

Only one type of inline skate does not follow any of these standards: the hockey skates. Inline hockey skates continue to use the same riveted mounting process as their ice hockey counterparts. All hockey skates, from inexpensive to high-end custom-molded ones, have proprietary frames that cannot be replaced or adjusted by players.{{efn-ua|name=inline-hockey-skates-made-by-same-ice-hockey-makers}}