Presentation

This is an article to present and detail the installation of some short frames on the TwisterPlus. The skates used are 2004 Rollerblade TwisterPlus size 28cm (43), with a Rollerblade cuff and Hyper Freedom Tech +Grip 80/76mm wheels. The frame assembly may be quite different on smaller or larger sizes, because of where the boot's holes are located, so be warned.

The advantage of these frames compared to the originals isn't necessarily obvious. The main reasons to want to change frames are to have some more solid ones (and all the ones here are more solid than the 2004/2005 Twister ones, which isn't hard), or to have a different frame position. The size wouldn't really be a reason here, as the original frames are 250mm long. If you're looking to really notice the size difference, you should probably try frames like the 237mm Salomon FSK.

K2 Mod8

This 246mm frame is a collector's item nowadays. Note that this is the shortest frame of the Mod family in which 255mm, 273mm, 288mm and 306mm frames were also available. The 246mm version was among the sizes only sold separately, it never equipped any complete skate.

• Length : 246mm
• Axis : 8mm M8 (not trivial to find)
• Aluminium : 6000
• Max wheel size : 4x80mm or 4x82mm (but slightly used or all will touch each other)
• List price : n/a

Rossignol Freeoad (DWT 4S)

Double Walled Technology (DWT) frame, "4S" as in "4 wheels Short". Like Mogema's Dual Box technology, having the double walls makes bending the frame theoretically impossible. The frame does give the impression of being very solid, even though it's very light.

• Length : 245mm
• Axis : 8mm M7 (standard)
• Aluminium : ?
• Max wheel size : 4x80mm
• List price : 119€

Viper Sidewinder TP

This is the only replacement frame made for the TwisterPlus (hence the name "TP"). The finish is better than the Rossignol's, and as good as the K2's. It is slightly longer, but allows for "big rockering" (84/80mm), which is an interesting feature.

• Length : 248mm
• Axis : 8mm M7 (standard)
• Aluminium : 7000
• Max wheel size : 4x82mm or 80-84-84-80mm (but slightly used or all will touch each other)
• List price : 149€

Assembly

You need to take the Twister boot entirely apart in order to get to the screws which are located on the inside for mounting any of these frames. For the K2 and Rossignol frames, I've used some parts from the Salomon FSK skates, as they make it possible to screw the frames directly from the outside, without needing to take the boot apart. This change isn't mandatory, but with 2mm or 3mm plates, even if you decide to keep the original way of mounting the frames, you'll need to replace the two screws with slightly longer ones .

The plates I've used are made from 3mm thick aluminium, and measure 40x60mm with the hole right in their center. That way they rest perfectly on the plastic surface of the boot, preventing any kind of damage from the thin frames (especially true for the K2, and the front of the Rossignol). They aren't attached to the boot in any way, they're simply stuck between the boot and the frame when the screws are tightened. This is sufficient for me (65kg, moderate usage), but may not be for heavier skater or more tough usage.

As you can see, the holes had to be widened for the screws to fit. The front hole was located fine as-is for the Rossignol frame, but it had to be widened towards the center of the skate for the K2 frame, as the distance between its holes is much shorter.

K2 Mod8

• Installation ease : 1/5
• Positionning : 1/5

This frame requires the most modifications. Once all made, a single position is available and there is no way to choose to move the frame to the front or to the back, unless further modifications are made to the boot. The spacing between the front and back parts in contact with the boot is also quite short and clearly not ideal for the Twister boot. The resulting skate is also quite high, notably higher than with the other frames.

Rossignol Freeoad (DWT 4S)

• Installation ease : 3/5
• Positionning : 0/5

This frame requires nearly as many changes as the K2, and with the minimum which is just moving the rear hole a little forward, the resulting position is still quite to the rear. This will make toe wheelings easier, but heel ones harder. If you wish to have it in a more central position, further modifying of the rear hole, and modifying the front one too will be required. Note that plates aren't mandatory, but the front mount does benefit from having one as the contact surface is quite wide but a bit short.

Viper Sidewinder TP

• Installation ease : 5/5
• Positionning : 3/5

This is the only frame that requires absolutely no changes to the skates. You can tell it has been made for the TwisterPlus as it uses the original screws, only rotated 45°, in order to provide front to rear positionning. The original frame uses the same oval holes for left to right positionning. This means that you can't move this frame sideways, but the amount of freedom you have front to read really compensates that. On the picture I haven't used the original screws because I didn't have them at the time. Note also that this frame is 3mm lower than the K2 Mod8, and as it doesn't require any extra plates because of the large contact surfaces with the boot, the entire skate will be 6mm lower, which you really do notice.

Conclusion

In the end, the Sidewinder TP frame is by far the easiest and quickest option : The installation requires only the usual Allen wrench, so it can be done at home without any other tools. This alone can be a reason to prefer the Viper frame. All three frames should be just as solid, meaning that you shouldn't ever be able to break them, unlike the original TwisterPlus frame, unless you really do something the frame wasn't meant for at all (grinding for instance). I really can't find any advantages the K2 and Freeroad have that the Viper doesn't, so for the TwisterPlus boot, I myself clearly recommend the Viper Sidewinder.

Still, the looks may be a deciding argument, so here are some larger pictures to let you see how the skates look with the various frames on :

• K2 Mod8

• Rossignol Freeroad (DWT 4S)

• Viper Sidewinder

Thanks

Thanks to Kami from Escape Outside for the Twisters, cuffs, K2 Mod8 and Rossignol Freeroad frames.

Thias during the making of the article.

• Initial writing : July 19th 2005
• Last update : July 20th 2005