Fresh Meat Derby Packages. How Serious Are You?

I spent a lot of time yesterday reading blogs and websites about Roller Derby.  One issue I wish I was more informed on was skates when I purchased mine. In all my reading and searching I found the information I wish I had when I made my purchase of a Fresh Meat package.  I thought I was getting a deal, and I have to say I did with a coupon code I found for the site I bought from. At the time of my order I upgraded my knee pads because I could tell from the picture that the package came with rounded knee pads. I knew that flat ones were what the other girls were wearing at practice.


Now I will say that there are a lot of packages out there. Most are what I would say are MUCH better than what I got.  I bought a package that came with the most basic Riedell R3 skates.
 
This is what I got.


After three months, they look like this....

The biggest change are the wheels. That is what I really needed to be aware of when I bought them. I had no idea what I needed and now I have spent about $70 with the shipping included to upgrade my skates into something that really works for me.


The wheels that came with the skates are Radar Cayman.  I saw them for sale on a site yesterday for a $1 a wheel. The review said that these wheels are good for anything BUT skating.  They make good art projects and paperweights.So what they were telling me was that these wheels suck! Wish I had know that before. 


So now I am telling you, packages are good, but if they come with these wheels you will be very disappointed, no matter how serious you are about really joining a Roller Derby Team.  Upgrade, get the right equipment and you will be much happier.