A Message From Brites Skate Products

Recently, there have been a number of online discussions about our products. We'd like to take this opportunity to address some of the points that have been raised and share our perspective with the skate community.

Brites products were born out of a need to address a specific issue in the skate industry: the inconsistent and often unreliable supply chain for skate components. We observed first-hand the unpredictable supply, declining quality, and rising costs of products coming from overseas, and we wanted to create a solution.

Our Products and Their Purpose

Our Brites Skate Plates are now in their third version. This latest iteration is made from a reinforced nylon material that has been tested to withstand an impact force of over 220kg. Previous versions used different materials and colour dyes that proved to be either too rigid or created weak points, particularly with white and green colours. It's important to note that these plates were specifically developed for recreational skating—the most common form of skating, which includes street skating, roller discos, and general transportation. For aggressive skating, vert, ramps, or other high-impact uses, we recommend exploring alternative products on the market designed for those specific applications.

Regarding the claim that "they all break," this is factually incorrect. Based on the number of plates sold globally, we have calculated a failure rate of just 0.14%. In the rare event that a plate does break, we will always replace it and repair it to its original condition.

Addressing the "Fake Airwaves" Claim

The suggestion that our wheels are "fake Airwaves" is not accurate. Many skaters are unaware that the supply of Airwave wheels has been very inconsistent for years. Frustrated by this unreliability, we decided to source our own wheels using the same mold and core. We made a slight tweak to the urethane to help prevent pitting and subsequent delamination, a common issue we observed.

Additionally, our pricing model is different. For the past five years, the price of Airwave wheels has steadily increased. In 2008, we sold a set of eight for £49.99. Today, we offer a set of eight for £39.99.

The Importance of Community

We believe in the right to free speech and that everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, we've also noticed a pattern of skaters making loud and often negative comments simply to feel important within the community. This isn't a new phenomenon; we've seen this cycle come and go over the past 40 years. Skate Factory reserves the right to challenge some of these individuals presenting false and inaccurate information by direct communications or, where there is a persistent behaviour pattern, we may choose legal means to resolve the matter.

Change is inevitable, and Brites products will continue to innovate and challenge the accepted "norms" of the industry. We are proud to be bringing manufacturing back to the UK and will continue to produce a range of new roller skate wheels in the UK—a first since 1978.

As a final thought, we believe that skating is meant to be an inclusive community. We ask everyone to remember this principle. For those who harbor jealousy, hatred, or dislike, we simply ask you to skate, don't hate. If you can't be nice, it's often best to say nothing at all. The world would be a much better place for it.