New Prototype Roka Frame! 125/76 is WILD

At long last, my dream has become reality! Pushing the 6-wheel frame further than ever before, and leaning into the “drop-boot” style, I came up with the idea to increase the front and rear wheel to the maximum.
Skating this frame really feels like you’re down in it, with a low ride height of 76’s underfoot and massive 125’s fully in front and behind your feet.
Massive thanks to Markus at Roka for entertaining this concept, mocking up some options, and being willing to produce a one-off prototype for me to experiment with.

[@AmassMoreMoney]

I can't imagine these will ever go into mainstream production but I really appreciate the experimentation!

[@billyarlew]

Exactly, this is all about pushing the concepts and seeing what happens. They might be the longest frames ever idk!

[@FriendxA]

wasnt too long ago we were saying the same about razor scooters...

[@avandurion]

this kind of a frame was on market a year ago already.

[@LadyBovine]

​@@avandurion go on..?

[@indidogg1215]

@@avandurion By who ?

[@bewater4732]

Love the sign off - 'skate weird shit' - I remember a time when wizard frames were considered 'weird', now they seem universally accepted and very normal! Awesome skating BTW

[@billyarlew]

😂 thanks! I think there’s so much room for experimentation and that we’re just scratching the surface of inline skate tech. The focus on longer rockered frames is pushing things in a very fun and artistic direction

[@RollinWithSteven]

These honestly might be the most insane setup I’ve seen. Great work on explaining how they feel. Really grasped the whole extension of your big toe point. Thanks for sharing bro 💪🏽

[@billyarlew]

TBH I bet they're one of the longest skateable frames ever made. It's a completely novel feeling being that low but still such large outer wheels. I started noticing the different ways that I position my foot on fakie inside edge, and there's a lot of nuance that I started to unpack on other frames, then i got on these and it was really accentuated. Glad the commentary was understandable - i covered a lot of ground lol

[@rururu5630]

The camera perspective when you were close, combined with your long frames made you look like a skating kaiju ready to protect or destroy the city.

[@billyarlew]

MYTHICAL PROPORTIONS! haha

[@CRS204]

I don’t think 4 seconds went by without me going “don’t clip… DON’T CLIP”

[@billyarlew]

😂😂 only a couple sketchy moments so far!

[@mbe102]

Damn these look SICK! Nice stuff.

[@billyarlew]

Thanks much! they feel sick too!

[@JoHnPiFF914]

That boy skiing 😅😅

[@billyarlew]

Truly! ⛷️ Land skis 😅

[@NikZvi]

Looks like some kind of a deviation. Nice and smooth but so unnatural 😁. Also I can't imagine how to use them for some casual cruising around or commuting, bike lane is too narrow for them

[@billyarlew]

Haha it's true they are very specific for flatland freestyle. However yesterday I skated 16 miles in them and rode bike paths, skatepark, hillbombs etc. They are amazing carving down hill :D

[@briansparks1632]

Really cool idea that you envision Wizard skaters not needing to skate but rather continuously create momentum through carve/swivel/turn movements like BMX. Those toe press 360 butters were slick!

[@billyarlew]

Sometimes I feel close to that perpetual 3-turn flow state, but it’s hard to keep balance and pump carves for an extended amount of time. I think increased rocker, # of wheels, and frame length can enable it though

[@dedicated2roll]

Love this video thank you. Just curious what size boot you are rocking?

[@billyarlew]

Thank YOU! I'm in a size 44 Seba SX plastic boot with the Intuition Premium liners in the 28-28.5 size

[@cloudguru3018]

Looks awesome!

[@billyarlew]

They’re a blast!

[@treadnokash7598]

Nice

[@cristianoattanasi6028]

Subscribed, buddy, skate on!

[@billyarlew]

Thanks! I started posting lots of similar vids this year and no plans to slow down :)

[@WheelyArt]

They look crazy😊like really wizardy

[@billyarlew]

It’s a vibe fr

[@WheelyArt]

@Billy Arlew it sure looks like it,the skating shows it

[@randywade4008]

Killer shirt/pant combo

[@billyarlew]

Thanks bro! We gotta sesh soon so you can give these a go if you want

[@randywade4008]

Oh man I would love to

[@user-sy4fl1zh8p]

Это уже не коньки. Это уже лыжи. 😮😅

[@billyarlew]

⛷️ ⛷️

[@fisherchi]

That's a wild setup. Im assuming they're rockered? And what is the advantage of mixing the small with the big wheels? At least according to the manufacturer? And do you agree with them? They look like they are off season trainers for cross country skiing. 😂

[@billyarlew]

Yes these are rockered, the same amount as the 90/72 frame from Roka. I wanted to pursue the idea of lowering the boot relative to the axles of the wheels on the ends. The first time I saw that was on the Wizard Advanced, and my hunch was that by lowering the body relative to the wheels, there would be some new things that could be unlocked. I worked with Roka to hone the design of which wheel sizes, and this size was chosen to maximize the differential between the wheels underfoot and on the ends, which still having good roll with the 76's. It's like the big sister of the 90/72 frame. I'll continue to share my thoughts on these as I skate them more and more!

[@nkansahkwadwo8863]

i'd love to try out this kinda set up

[@snakejuce]

I mess with those pants HEAVY. I wear weird stuff like that too. LOVE IT.

[@billyarlew]

Much appreciated! It really does set the mood and improve my skating, if only in my mind 😆

[@snakejuce]

@@billyarlew Haha forsure. And no, tbh they may actually improve it. Your lower body has ample space to move around and be fluid; one with the skates.

[@adamscotera2378]

Looks like they would be an improved version of roller skis. Much better turning but still the stability of length..

[@billyarlew]

That's definitely a good description! I think they'd be pretty cool with only the 125's mounted, as a very stable rollerski, but this solves the anti-rocker problem of roller-skis :)

[@freddempster4085]

Longish wheelbase for tight turns. Longer than most racing frames. But, it is your boat to float if this is your preference. Shorter frames are better for tricks.

[@Dubleduhtch]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@billyarlew]

🙏🎿

[@bashiralex8910]

U awesome bro

[@billyarlew]

Thanks! YOU TOO!!

[@rabkido2011]

They look odd but your outfit rocks 😜

[@billyarlew]

Had to go full technicolor wizard 😅 They are huge frames but to me they look similar to seeing wiz advanced frames on a small boot

[@llw21]

You mentioned runners lacing at the 45 degree point to help with heel lock - what is this lacing? Thanks

[@billyarlew]

I'll try to do a video showing this lacing style. It's a big help for getting the boots to stay put

[@llw21]

@@billyarlew thanks that would be great! I’m having some issues with heel lift in my Seba CJs. I always have this in boots whether it’s snowboard, ski, quads. Think it’s due to my skinny ankles. Just bought some snowboard J-bars try in my inlines to see if that helps, but a better lacing technique would be great.

[@manhonlee7691]

Such a frame was simply astonishing! Even more was spinning and tricks. That's too big a difference between 125 & 76, at least in appearance. For strolling with speed and ease plus comfort over small obstacles, I would prefer 125-80-80-125, to reduce weights. The idea was nice to have big wheels while staying low (150 was possibly conceivable). I meant, with long frames, wouldn't it be better for long distance!

[@simongloutnez589]

I have several frames and I feel like longer frames help with pushing so every push takes a bit less effort. But I didnt notice any real speed difference with bigger wheels even on long distance. I have a 3x125 that I stopped using since I have my 5 wheels advance wizard frame 100/84. The wizard frame gives plenty on pushing power and good bearings do the job, the friction difference feels minimal compared with rhe 3x125. I think Id agree with you that this weird 6 wheels 125/76 would be quite fast.

[@billyarlew]

I understand that perspective, it definitely doesn't need to be 125 on the ends. Main thing was to explore the dynamics of having the foot very low and level with the front axle, to see what effect it had. I can say that having the foot this low applies a fantastic amount of pressure directly onto the edge of the wheel, so carving has tons of grip and power. It rolls pretty fast, but the main goal was tricks :D

[@FinnBjerke]

Looks like rollerskis..

[@billyarlew]

Pretty much haha! But these are rockered

[@FinnBjerke]

@@billyarlew rollerskies are very difficult stop. Compared to this rollerskies are clumsy..

[@NoProHarrie]

In 1976 6 6 I was born a bastard and a sone of a bitch and I'm sick Oh wait you weren't talking about the Murderdolls song!

[@SaccoBelmonte]

With that they start looking like skis. Too long IMHO.

[@billyarlew]

Hopefully I can start integrating more skiing tricks with these :)

[@MrMokey24]

Looks really dumb. I like it.

[@billyarlew]

😆🙌

[@ThatShaunBoy]

I think they should’ve continued down the 6x72 frames but hey ho. I think when frames get his long the front and back wheels should have suspension (whether that’s mechanical OR soft rockerable spacers) that way you can achieve a greater rocker on those tips and tails just by leaning into it. Stable when neutral, high rocker when pressing.

[@billyarlew]

To my knowledge they started with 6x72 and I'm not sure where the idea came from to increase the front/rear wheels to 90, but it definitely was a good idea, I think its probably faster than all 72's, and it brings that front axle a little closer to the boot. I've been dreaming about what a frame with flex would be like. I think it's just a matter of time before someone creates one! Exciting times!

[@Klrx]

No way im the only that thinks they look like clown shoes lol ill definitely pass on these. Youre still killin it on them though

[@billyarlew]

LOL completely agree! The wizard advanced looked like that to me too at first, then I started to understand more about the benefits and thought it would be cool to push it as far as I could!! I feel like the baggy pants help tone it down, can't wait to see how silly they look in shorts 🙈

[@Klrx]

@@billyarlew oh naww hahaha theyre gonna look crazy in shorts cant wait to see it. And i agree i still feel like that about the advanced frames but what you can do on them is amazing.

[@wargreymon2024]

Not much maneuverability

[@billyarlew]

I will be experimenting with a more pronounced rocker on these for more maneuverability

[@StreetBladerBloke]

Ugliest thing these frame bruv

[@billyarlew]

Definitely! Experimentation isn’t always pretty 😂

[@StreetBladerBloke]

I have got 5 x 76 roka frame definitely much aesthetically pleasing and probably lighter setup. Can't see myself skating any heavier than that as I prefer my agility

[@billyarlew]

@@StreetBladerBloke that makes sense, I have many lighter-weight setups but none offer the same level of eccentric body movement (lean/tilt) as these do, nor the same leverage on toe presses

[@indidogg1215]

I think you're missing the point - it's obviously a concept and not a production model !