January 2014 # Issue 1
ÂŁ3.99
lline UK inline skating
The Bobble | The Ball bearing | Elliot Stevens
B&W Introducing the tv.3
t v. 3 [ WHITE ] New 2 piece Soul System Classic Sneaker Design Quality Crafted
Contents
06. The Bobble
The bobble hat, ever wondered how it came to be one of the top fashion accessories of all time, a must have for any skater. Including the legend who bought it into the lime light.
12. Elliot Stevens
One of the top UK inline skaters visits America for 3 months see how he got on, his views and an exclusive interview about his trip, including USA vs UK skating, who wins the battle.
22. The Ball Bearing
One of the most important things on your skates, without them you would never get out of your street. Learn how to look after them properly to keep you rolling.
Editor’s notes
In our first issue of the magazine we wanted to get skaters interested in things that are not always linked to inline skating. Small amounts of fashion and culture really stood out to us as a large part of skating in general. We wanted to create something that would keep readers interested in blading. Some of the article we choose to do would not jump out as a skating or blading magazine but would appeal to these people. The UK’s first inline skating magazine is here and its about time we have one of our own.
The Bobble
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A short background into the classic bobble hat and the legend that really bought it into the lime light.
Unless you’re a cheerleader, you will probably never get to rock pom poms and make people smile while doing it. But those balls of fun do love coming out to play during the winter months, especially if they get to hang out on top of bobble hats. Skate along with your mates, let that bobble bob. A little history now, bobble hat or bobble cap is a knit hat that has a yarn “bobble” or pom pom attached to the top of it. The term was coined as a mistaken British slang and a term of abuse “you bobble hat,” directed towards a middle aged man who has lost his charisma or just a bit of a mad man. Bobble hats were traditionally designed and used for cold weather wear but in more recent years, here in the United Kingdom they were worn by and associated with utilitarian unfashionable or with much older football fans/supporters, as they had been popular in club colours during the
1960s and 1970s. This like many things, such as the anorak. Along with the pin on rosette and the football scarf, the bobble hat was seen as traditional or old fashioned British working class football attire.
Since 2000, the bobble hat has become popular with some female celebrities, and this has contributed to its having become a fashionable item. The bobble is a must amongst UK skaters, keeping the mop warm in all conditions and we all know how cool it looks when stuffed up in your back pocket. This can also provide you with a small cushion for your behind.
We want more pom poms in our lives and that’s why we think everyone should own their own trusty bobble hat. ‘The bigger the bobble the better’ as they say on random ramblings.
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The Bobble Legend The Monkees were known for their colourful style, and guitarist Mike Nesmith (above) for his woolly hat in particular.
In the first half of the 1960s, bands such as The Beatles and The Who showed just how important a definitive style could be. As The Who’s Pete Townsend explained, ‘Girls came to see us because of various things people in the group wear. John’s jacket and medals, my jackets and shirts made out of flags, and Keith, who wears sort of pop art T-shirts made out of targets and hearts. We get a audience this way.’ In 1965, two US TV producers set about creating America’s response to the British invasion: The Monkees. They wanted their protégés to have their own colourful style, unlike the urban, monochromatic threads of The Beatles. Costume designer Gene Ashman credits the birth of their look to the band’s guitarist Mike Nesmith. When Ashman made up a shirt, and Nesmith liked it, Ashman knew the style would work: ‘And by him liking it, the other kids liked it.’ Nesmith himself was noted for his woolly hat. The bobble hat (as it’s known in Britain) originated in Nordic countries as a functional piece of outdoor attire. In Britain it was a symbol of working-class society and a fixture in the football stands. As such, it became a casual and classless accessory for fashionable young men who wanted to seem ‘anti-fashion’ a movement in the late 1960s and early 70s whereby the meanings
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ascribed to clothing were often subverted, and the definition of ‘fashionable’ was constantly challenged.
So Nesmith’s choice of hat shows how young Americans were influenced by British trends at the time. Born in Dallas, he was as taken by the British Invasion as any other young American man of the time. He gravitated towards this very British mix of mod style and anti-fashion. Perhaps Nesmith got some tips from his (late) British band mate Davy Jones. When Nesmith wore the green wool hat with a bobble (and button details) to his audition, the producers forgot his name but remembered his fantastic headgear.
Most accounts simply say his choice was practical: he wanted to keep his long hair out of his eyes while he rode his bike. That it became his trademark (producers wanted to call him ‘The Hat’ in the show) shows their and Nesmith’s media savvy. The hat was rolled off the production line in a variety of colour ways to appeal to as many young fans as possible. Of course, they were all covered with band logos and colours.
So Nesmith’s bobble hat went from being a quirky accessory to a mass produced fashion statement in both the UK and the US. It melded the worlds of media, music and fashion. By the time the Monkees split in 1971, Nesmith, keen to re-emerge as a serious musician, was heartily sick of it.
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Penfield Sanford Bobble Hat £20.00 by Penfield
The Quiet Life Aztec Bobble Hat £33.00 by The Quiet Life
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Stussy Classic Retro Star Bobble £32.00 Beanie by Stussy
Jack Wills Alvesford Bobble £29.50 by Jack Wills
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Elliot Stevens
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Elliot Stevens is one of the UK’s top inline skater, we follow up on his latest trip to America and get his personal opinion on the two differences.
Elliot Stevens Northern Quarter, Manchester.
Photography for this article was all taken by Richard Manning, professional photographer.
I’m not sure if I have ever spoke to him before he came to the USA, but he had mentioned he was going to be in the states for three solid months. His plan was rather simple; Rent a flat in downtown Los Angeles with his girl and skate. It was a little more complex, but I’m sure that’s what was going on in his mind. This was their first time in the big US of A, so they wanted to make a whole vacation deal out of it. When they were not with us, they were getting the most out of the LA night life. The first night they got in they came over to the house and it was as if we had known them for years. Elliot is one of those dudes and Emma is one of those chicks. They always kept a good vibe going, no matter what the situation was. Elliot would eat shit all day, at the multiple spots, and still be in a good mood at the end of the day and Emma had no problem watching it all go down. Not saying Elliot eats shit or anything.
Elliot got more clips when he was out here than anyone would have expected and as this time went by he was doing bigger and better tricks, maybe we do have shit rails in London.
My time in Los Angeles was defiantly an experience I will remember for the rest of my life. I am so glad I got to meet and hang out with all of the friends I came to love and everyone else I bumped into in LA. Skating some of the most ridiculous spots, drinking “a few 40’s” and eating a 40 inch pizza for $22 were just a few of my many memories I have bought back to England.
Other vivid memories are getting off the metro at Highland Pork after landing at L.A.X and travelling across LA to be greeted by Malcolm, Seba, Brandon, Olto and Mike after waiting at this crossroads and just being able to see a sunset in the distance in between the hills with palm trees all around us (A little different to the raining English weather we had left that evening). Looking at my girlfriend Emma thinking “shit we’re finally here!” “This is us for the next three months”. One of the most anticipated moments since leaving Manchester and England. Elliot Stevens
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Elliot Stevens Royal gap, Manchester Central
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lline
Interview Elliot Stevens UK inline skating
Elliot Stevens features in the 1line interview, here about his time in the USA and his views on Skating in the UK.
What about the USA culture has left the biggest impression on you? How different each part was. I found LA to be really chilled and relaxed, quite cheap with good weather it would seem all year round and New York to be freezing but really fast paced and way more expensive almost like opposites but both equally sick in their own ways. Is there anything that struck you as odd about the culture in the USA? Yes, like you guys are defiantly way stricter with letting people into the country like when I arrived I got interrogated, like what job do I have? How much money is there in your bank account? How long are you here for? What do you plan to do here? Ect... Also the politics when we were out there between Barack Obama and the other dude, so much different to the politics in England. Also people in America love America which is great.
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Elliot Stevens Top Acid, M.E.N car park, Manchester.
What’s better about the UK than the USA? What is sicker about the UK is the fact you can drink at the age of 18. People get really lairy. We have a lot of slang when we talk to each other and each town or city has a different accent. Like London and Manchester have a totally different accent and there only like 200 miles apart, you can drive for 20 minutes and you suddenly have a different accent surrounding you. I think I can defiantly think of more reasons why the USA is better.
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Like what? In LA, the weather is hot, everything is a lot cheaper, the lifestyle is so sick, people seem a lot more outgoing, a lot more things to see, loads more bars, really good restaurants and weed is legal.
What about New York? In New York City there is a lot going on, its very similar to London. Lots of bars and clubs, very busy everyone seems to be in a rush. There’s a lot of sights and places to visit and some great pizza. How are blade sessions different in the USA, than in your home town of Manchester? Well right now I am back in Manchester and there is nothing really going on, not many people about at the moment, but I’m going down to London soon and there’s still quite a big scene there. What about the way you go about a skate day there, compared to here? Is it similar? I did like skating in America though, even though there are a lot of divided groups and everyone is more spread out it feels like it is still alive where as in the UK it feels like it is dyeing a bit unless you go to a skate park or something. Well you guys seem a lot more organised and there’s a lot more spots obviously, like you guys will plan days to hit up a few areas with definite spots in mind where as we will drive around to different cities and hope we find something and sometimes because its shitty weather we will be glad to have a session at a local skate park. That’s a bummer, I always thought you have massive sessions. What country would you say is the best for blading? Any country. In LA, the weather is hot, everything is a lot cheaper, Ye well don’t get me wrong we still have good day’s of skating when the weathers good and in London there is a big scene. I would say LA is the best scene that I’ve seen so far and then Barcelona is just ridiculous. Very similar to spots in LA but way more random like you’ll be like “why is this here?”
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1line inline skating magazine | 18 Elliot Stevens Back royal, Owens Park, Manchester.
Elliot Stevens Northern Quarter, Manchester.
“There are a lot of people in our industry with a style that makes blading look bad. They just need to have better quality control and stop putting out bad media. At the end of the day I suppose just keep blading for yourselves and doing your own thing. I guess the people doing it right recognise the people that are doing it right.� Elliot Stevens
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Ball Bearing
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In the middle of every skate wheel (skateboarding and inline) a cut out groove exists to house and shield two sets of ball bearings. These bearings work to eliminate friction between the metal inside of the each wheel and the metal axle as it spins around. Because the axle is fixed, the bearings are necessary to let the wheels spin without grinding up the metal. A bolt runs through the centre of one bearing, through the centre of the wheel, and then again through another bearing, linking up the three pieces of the rotating mechanism and giving you the movement you need to skate. Sizes 608 standard The most common bearing size is the “608.” Characterized by an 8mm core, a 22mm outer diameter and a 7mm width, these bearings are the industry standard and match up with nearly every skate wheel out there. Non standard of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Rarely, you’ll come across a wheel that is designed for use with a non-standard bearing. This is not common, but it’s something to keep in mind. There are also mini-bearings that can be used with the standard 608 bearing hub, but they require a sleeve to make them compatible.
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Ball bearings are one of the most important parts to a skate and are always forgotten about, keep them clean..
Steel ball bearings, the most common type of skating bearing and usually the cheapest.
Ceramic ball bearings not as common as steel but are not effected by heat, they tend to be more expensive.
Steel Bearings are circular in shape with flat sides. Each one houses seven or eight lubricated balls (ceramic bearings have nine), which are designed to disperse the weight of a load and ease tension between the wheels and the axle. These balls are typically made of steel for durability and economical purposes. For most skateboarders, steel bearings will work fine. Unfortunately, the energy caused by heavy friction between the axle and the wheels can heat up the metal, causing it to expand and render the bearings ineffective. Be careful to keep your bearings clean, lubricated and dry, and they’ll work better and last much longer than you ever imagined.
Ceramic Skate companies recognized a need for bearings that were less affected by heat energy and began offering ceramic bearings for more discerning riders. Ceramic bearings, made from a compound called silicon nitride, are smoother and harder than their steel counterparts. This means much less friction to begin with (these bearings have little need for lubricant); however, should friction occur, the ceramic material doesn’t expand, so there is no effect on the skateboard’s performance. As usual, higher performance comes at a higher price; but many skaters will tell you that ceramic bearings are well worth the large price tag.
ABEC ratings The Annular Bearing Engineering Committee (ABEC), a division of the American ball bearing Manufacturers Association, were the developers of the rating system that is used to measure the amount of tolerance or variation from an exact measurement in precision bearings, a system that became a standard in the bearing industry. ABEC ratings run from 1 to 9 (odd numbers only), with higher numbers typically meaning a lot more precise tolerances. Typically, the higher the number the higher the price.
While the ABEC ratings are certainly relevant in some cases, they were designed to evaluate bearings for use in machinery, not skateboard wheels. Unfortunately, the result is that the tolerances measured do not factor in certain forces exclusive to skateboarding. Therefore, while many skate bearing manufacturers will still provide the ABEC ratings for their products, riders should know that they are not end all.
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guess who’s back
2014 summerclash.com
Next Issue Sven Boekhorst Ryan Baxter Valo Five Winter Clash & more...
Before 1line
Amateurs Never Got The Back Cover Jamie McDonald won our back cover this issue, getting some high air on a pipe. Keep up the good work. Keep skating. Keep 1line.