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Product News: Bont Unveils High-tech Marathon Skate
Bont's Semi-Race Bont will heat up the marathon market next spring with a new moderately priced line of near racing skates. The Australian skate maker didn't mention the phrase "marathon skates" in its announcement today. But it's clear that the marathon market is the one it hopes to conquer with its new Semi-Race models (available in March). The Semi-Race models will have all the usual marathon skate features — higher cuffs, big wheels and extra padding. But they will look radically different than the current crop of marathon skates, such as Rollerblade's Lightning TF and K2's Radical 100. The reason: the new skates will be based on Bont's new 3-point mounting system. Bont introduced the 3-point system earlier this year on its high-end racing skates. The system uses a frame that attaches to the skate at three points, rather than the usual two. This gives the skate added stiffness and allows for the use of less metal and carbon in its construction, which results in a lighter skate. The design also gives the skate a distinctive snub-nosed look, unlike any other skate on the market. The 3-point system created a buzz in the racing world this year, although its relatively high price ($660-1400 for complete packages) and incompatibility with other boots and frames limited its acceptance. But price will be less of a factor with the new Semi-Race models. Bont plans to sell the new skates at a price that is in line with the current high-end for the marathon market. The price for the 100mm Semi-Race will be $399 (US), Bont says. The price for the 90mm model will be $379. That means that for about the same price as Rollerblade's top-of-the-line 2007 Marathon Carbon TF, skaters will be able to sample Bont's new 3-point technology. This will no doubt be attractive to some skaters. For many of them, the decision will then come down to comfort and availability.
Bont's marketing director, Alexander Bont, said the Semi-Race boot will be "a lot stiffer" than other marathon skates. Most current marathon skates use a semi-soft boot design (although Rollerblade will return to carbon next year with its Marathon Carbon series.) It's not yet clear where skaters will be able to buy the new skates. Typically, Bont skates are sold directly by Bont or from online racing shops. But if Bont hopes to make inroads in the marathon market, it may have plans for widening its distribution network. Semi-Race features:
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Copyright © 2006 by Robert Burnson | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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