Part II: HUGE Issue With the FR Neo 2 Dual 310 Skates 😔

Here I describe the issues I have had with the FR Neo 2 Dual 310s.
TL;DW: the Neo 310 frames are low quality and susceptible to stripping of the female threading of frames. This has happened twice and I have had to contact FR Skates twice for new Neo frames. The axle slots are failing while I am riding and lead to a serious safety hazard. I really like the feel of the skates when they work; they are really fun, but unfortunately the metal used for the Neo 310 frames is too soft.
Reddit convo (Neo Dual 310 frame issues from others): / bysvn6yrtb
Inline Skate Space Discord: / discord
#inlineskating #rollerblading #skating #insta360 #hobby #360camera #frskates #review

[@PokeProfWill]

Please take the time to watch the follow-up to this video 😊 kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5moqoCHoa6Hg9ksi=kcpJcRM2IUpwQ9De

[@PokeProfWill]

FR responded to my email: they said that they tested the Neo frames before hand and did not have these issues but are checking into the issue with their frame manufacturer. The FR Team was very helpful in sending me a pair of R2 246mm frames to replace the faulty Neo frames I received (will make a video when I receive them). It is possible that there are a handful of duds out of many good quality Neo frames and that I was just unlucky 🤷‍♂️ Regardless, the FR Team’s response to email made me feel really good about them; FR genuinely cares about its customers and will work with anyone who has a defective product by them 🙂

[@Rafaelinux]

Hey, that's awesome! I'll wait for the update on them after some wheel changes! :)

[@hexagoon395]

I've had very similar issues with my 4 x 80 mm frames on that version. I flipped my wheels and managed to strip one of the bolt holes, on the frame size, while tightening them up again. I'd tightened them firmly, but not anything too crazy. I've been going through Loco in the UK and they've been helpful and have sent me another FR frame temporarily, while they look into it. They've said they would only recommend tightening as much as possible, but I had the same problem as you where rings of thread ended up falling out. Thankfully, only the middle two wheels are speed bolts, so I think the front and back wheels will be fine. It's definitely knocked my confidence in the frames.

[@hexagoon395]

Don't treat the boot carry straps as anything strong enough to pull the boot on with too. I managed to rip those clean out, the first time I tried putting them on. Guess I'm just too used to ski boots, or climbing boots, or my old bauers I had as a kid. Actually any boot I've ever owned... They were just held in with tiny squares of stitching, though around 1mm of foam material.

[@PokeProfWill]

Ah dang, sorry to hear you also had issues with the frames 😔 seems a few axle slots are especially soft (or were overtightened/stripped by factory or something). I really really like the frame length of the Neo D 310 so it is bummer! I have a buddy that has the Neo 80 and so far his speed axle slots are fine but he keeps having issues with the rockerable ones (says one specific rocker axle keeps getting stuck and have to hammer it out 😬). Sounds like the Neo D frames have lots of issues unfortunately. I’ve never heard people say these things about their other frames such as R2, 3/4D, etc (and I’ve never had an issue with any other frame by any brand before these)

[@hexagoon395]

@@PokeProfWill The frame Loco lent me has similar problems with the rocker axles. This is punishment for me getting a new style skate. 😅 Not sure if I'm glad to see it's not just me or not though.

[@PokeProfWill]

@@hexagoon395 boo!! It is nice to have confirmation that it is not you that is the problem so i totally get that part lol. Hope it is a very minimal problem on those frames with the rockerable axles problem!

[@wfd666]

Hey man. How's it going? I was looking for this neo 3x110 but I'll skip it for now... Until they fix this issue. A question for you: is it safe to get either an FR1 3x110 or FR 3 3x110 instead of the Neo 3x110?

[@PokeProfWill]

Going great! Hope you are doing great as well! 🙂 FR1, FR2, and FR3 310s all have different frames but they should be safe! I have had the FR3 and FR2 frames and I prefer the FR2 over the FR3 310. FR1 310 has 230mm 3D frames - great quality frames but really short wheel base (I haven’t owned a pair of these but general consensus is that they are great but real short, often too short for large foot skaters) FR2 310 has 246mm R2 frames - great quality and a better wheel base for urban/trail skates than FR1 frames imo FR3 (and FRX) 310 has 232mm X2 frames - these frames are a little cheaper in quality than 3D or R2s but I have never had issue with them. Again these are really short wheel base like the FR1s so will be maneuverable but sacrifice stability I think the FR2 R2 310 frames are the best out of the four (X2, R2, 3D, NeoD) personally due to the wheel base being maneuverable but stable and really great quality metal like the FR1 frames 😎

[@RuthlessShadowGamer]

Hey Will, this is a shame to hear, i was looking forward to these! It was as if they werent tested properly 😢. Hopefully they fix up these problems. I was going to switch to endless 90's anyways; do you know how this combo would skate? Cheers

[@PokeProfWill]

I bet they just didn’t test them to the point of needing wheel changes/rotations 😅 I do have the Endless 90s and have tried them on the Neo Duals for about 30-45min. They were a lot of fun as long as you are cool with the increase forward flex of the dual boot 🙂 personally I think they are a lot of fun with the Endless 90s but something about the increase flex with tall wheels feels extra nice to me

[@RuthlessShadowGamer]

​@@PokeProfWillThanks for the reply! Good to hear that FR is communicating well with you about this issue. As a beginner, I've only really tried solid boots so not sure how the dual would affect my stability ahaha. Cheers!

[@Psychedelic_Samurai]

Real shame because mine just came into today.

[@PokeProfWill]

Hopefully no issues for your frames! 🤞 I have a third video (this one is second) showing that most of the axle slots were okay and all slots on third frame were good. If you do have issues, FR will fix it I am sure. Hope you have fun with them!

[@Rafaelinux]

Did this happen only after changing the wheels? Might indeed be that the metal on these frames is too weak

[@PokeProfWill]

Correct, only after I changed the wheels did I have any issues (and very shortly after). I could tell the metal from frame was not engaging as well as Endless frames or other FR frames like the 4Ds/V3s do on the very first wheel change unfortunately and have had issues ever since 😔

[@Ka17788]

​​@@PokeProfWillhey Will, do you mean that old FRs 4D and V3 frames had the same issues? I'm saving to purchase an old stock FR1 84 😮 shall I look into something else if that's the case?!

[@PokeProfWill]

@@Ka17788 I have never had an issue with the V3s or 4Ds (or any other FR frame for that matter besides these Neo D 310 frames). I think FR1 84 is still a very solid choice 👍

[@Ka17788]

@@PokeProfWill ok many thanks 🤗

[@AjitoRoller]

NOOOO WAY, I WAS SAVING UP FOR THOSEEEE 😢

[@PokeProfWill]

It is a shame! However FR has really good customer service and will make it right if have issues with their skates at least!

[@Ka17788]

That sound bad 😮