JMK freeskates with a pair of plastic protectors cost 20k yen, so around 140 dollars, not 200 dollars. In Europe it's the same price. Not only are they top notch built and decorated, you are supporting what they do for the community with videos on online platforms and doing things like organizing events, flying to Japan to teach people. As it is an absolute niche sport, I was happy to support them instead of knock-offs, and I would rather advise people to do the same, unless you're really short on money (but even then resale value and longevity have to be accounted for). Anyway, you seem to be a natural how quickly you picked it up, well done!
Pretty sure it's Japan (and China) who are schooling JMK. They also don't have to have monopoly over the sport. If Two Lions can make an adequate freeskate for a fair price... plus they have wooden decks, which JMK doesn't. That said, I also support JMK with two pairs, but I wouldn't want the sport to rest on the shoulders of one company like Freeline did. It needs to diversify and evolve.
There is value in having other companies making them so they can reach more people and grow the sport. Anybody who bought these cheap ones and got into it would then look at upgrading to JMKs as soon as they could afford it. If it’s a question of people getting the chance to learn if they like it or not learning because they don’t feel confident enough that they will like it to warrant spending so much then it’s obviously better that other brands exist. Those other brands also need to sell enough units in order for them to keep making them.
Im a kid and I'm not going to spend the time to aquire the large sum of money needed at the start but I a am willing to spend more money later on to get the best stuff available
Thansk formthe feedback. We’re thinking to have the longboard crew (see the skate video playlist) with no experience of freeskates test out the Two Lions and both JMKs. The Korean pro said he couldn’t even stand on them so we thought it might be interesting.
I started on a set of Two Lions skates a few years ago. They're fine to learn on: they have flat ("classic") wheels which makes balance easier; but pumping a bit more difficult. They also feel quite a bit slower than JMK; which when you're learning isn't a bad thing :) Quality is fine for the price. Good to see that they now include edge guards: without them the decks wear down pretty quickly! I don't know if they do replacement parts: I upgraded to JMK and would never go back. The pro (rounded) wheels are a major improvement (and faster). The quality is definitely better and replacement parts are also available (not interchangeable with the Two Lions skates; in case you're wondering). Just look out for offers and you can get JMK skates cheaper: I paid 120€ for my first pair. You can customise wheel/grip tape colours as and when you need to replace them. The decks are solid, though you can still wear the edges down if you try hard enough 😅 Happy skating!
Nicely said. Very much what our friends have concluded trying them out against the JMKs: if you're already skating and know what you want, you'll want JMK gear; but if you're just starting out with free skates, Two Lions make a decent first purchase for a very fair price.
I saw Freeline skates back in the early 2000s and although I've been a lifelong skater I was sure wizardry and dark magic was involved in learning to ride these. In a way I was right because very little from boarding, ice, roller and inline skating transfers over to freeskating but this year as a guy in my 60s I finally learned how to freeskate and am kicking myself for not learning sooner. Keep at it and thanks for posting this vid, it was fun to watch.
Oh great, I've just done the same thing, bought some cheaper ones to see if I can do it before getting a decent pair. It's pretty encouraging to see you cruising on day 2 so thanks for uploading :)
The truth is that we went to Ariake in Tokyo with the Two Lions skates, and 2 pairs of different JMK Ride skates to make the follow-up. What happened instead was the Longboard Dancing video, sorry about that! We'll get around to it in due course, I promise. And my short answer in the meantime is that the Two Lions are fine for deciding if you like free skating, but you'll want the JMK's as soon as you can afford them.
If you want to learn the motion you need to found a very flat ground like parking indoor (i spent 1.5year on bad concrete with no result at all then i found a parking and i have almost instantly propelered myself (now i can ride the bad concrete)
Thanks for putting this video up. I do have one question though… are they worth getting or should I bite the bullet and get JMK. I’m similar to you in that I’m not sure it’s a long term sport for me or something I’ll try a few times.
I plan to do a short video with my opinions once I'm a bit more competent, but in the meantime: yes, I think they're fine for starting out, and very good value.
I have to say I don't really agree. The bearings are overpacked and slow, but that isn't a bad thing when starting out. If people can afford better they should, but these are a great package for the price.
I feel like you ended this video without properly answering the question. You just suggested that you’d maybe make another video to say they worked out but you don’t appear to have done that so I guess we can assume you lost interest. It would have been better to finish this video with your opinion of how they performed compared to your limited experience on JMKs.
This is the best comment on the channel so far in 2024 thank you, and it deserves a full explanation! In short, I received a number of messages from JMK USA and their friends that took the same self-aggrandising and didactic tone. You can see a couple in the comments section. Since I thought my video quite complimentary and a rather well-aimed piece of indirect promotion for their product, I was not much enamored of their attitude. Still, I went to the skateboard meet in Ariake, Tokyo where JMK Japan also go every month to make a direct comparison between JMK and Two Lions. The intention was to shoot decent video of the many good skaters there including Freestyle World Champion Isamu Yamamoto who’s often there and a phenomenal free-skater too! However, riding in on my longboard with all my video gear I was immediately welcomed by the long-board crew and we made ‘Longboard Dance Lessons in Tokyo’ video together instead. And when we talked about doing a follow-up, the crew suggested they could try out surfskates rather than free-skates, and so then we did that instead. If either JMK or Two Lions (or anyone else) wants to loan us gear so we can make a video testing it out I'd be pleased to do so, but I'm not much interested in being told what I supposedly have to think or say or do. As a skateboarder old enough to remember that Ty Page was demonstrating a ‘No Hands Aerial’ before the move was named after Ollie Gelfland I must say don’t feel I owe anyone anything - apparently JMK USA feel differently! Still, I'm interested to hear any advice on another video thank you, and thanks again for your comment and the opportunity to say this.
@@StudioWatchwolf thanks for the reply, it sounds like they have a limited understanding of how to expand the free skating user base. I also replied to a comment from someone who was saying everybody shouod only buy JMK. When you have such a niche product that few people even know about, having more companies making them will only help to get more of them on the street where they can be seen. Then people talk about the product and if JMK is the best then anybody who gets into it will aspire to get them. This is especially true of a product that looks gimmicky at first. Two lions might have gone up in price but on Amazon they are $136.50 AUD while JMK have them for about $181 (USD $120) plus whatever postage. Driftskates on Amazon go for about $40 here in Australia and while they look far inferior, they are a cheap enough price to tempt someone who would otherwise give free skates a miss. I watched one guys videos of him learning on the Driftskates and he did pretty well although he seemed to have a gpod base of fitness. Someone without enough strength might struggle more. Its a shame they werent interested in showing how superior their product is and maybe its not. It’s not overly complicated, other companies could easily make something of similar quality. Maybe JMK realise they only have their brand to cling to and there isnt much room for innovation in sometging so simply.
I have the cheap 25 dollar ones all aluminum type if it bends there done for but I got pretty good with them can do simple tricks.. I had lights I attached to them too. But I think the two lions I might pick up when mine wear out or bend. I kinda like the idea of being able to pull the hardware off and 3d print a deck wouldn't need deck protectors then lol. 😅.
JMK freeskates with a pair of plastic protectors cost 20k yen, so around 140 dollars, not 200 dollars. In Europe it's the same price. Not only are they top notch built and decorated, you are supporting what they do for the community with videos on online platforms and doing things like organizing events, flying to Japan to teach people. As it is an absolute niche sport, I was happy to support them instead of knock-offs, and I would rather advise people to do the same, unless you're really short on money (but even then resale value and longevity have to be accounted for). Anyway, you seem to be a natural how quickly you picked it up, well done!
Pretty sure it's Japan (and China) who are schooling JMK. They also don't have to have monopoly over the sport. If Two Lions can make an adequate freeskate for a fair price... plus they have wooden decks, which JMK doesn't.
That said, I also support JMK with two pairs, but I wouldn't want the sport to rest on the shoulders of one company like Freeline did. It needs to diversify and evolve.
Certain pairs get pricey but depending what state he is in the tax plus shipping will be 200
There is value in having other companies making them so they can reach more people and grow the sport. Anybody who bought these cheap ones and got into it would then look at upgrading to JMKs as soon as they could afford it. If it’s a question of people getting the chance to learn if they like it or not learning because they don’t feel confident enough that they will like it to warrant spending so much then it’s obviously better that other brands exist. Those other brands also need to sell enough units in order for them to keep making them.
Im a kid and I'm not going to spend the time to aquire the large sum of money needed at the start but I a am willing to spend more money later on to get the best stuff available
Great review, thank you.
Thanks for watching! Im planning a follow up
This is really cool man. Hope you can make an update on these vs JMK
Thansk formthe feedback. We’re thinking to have the longboard crew (see the skate video playlist) with no experience of freeskates test out the Two Lions and both JMKs. The Korean pro said he couldn’t even stand on them so we thought it might be interesting.
I started on a set of Two Lions skates a few years ago. They're fine to learn on: they have flat ("classic") wheels which makes balance easier; but pumping a bit more difficult. They also feel quite a bit slower than JMK; which when you're learning isn't a bad thing :)
Quality is fine for the price. Good to see that they now include edge guards: without them the decks wear down pretty quickly! I don't know if they do replacement parts: I upgraded to JMK and would never go back. The pro (rounded) wheels are a major improvement (and faster). The quality is definitely better and replacement parts are also available (not interchangeable with the Two Lions skates; in case you're wondering). Just look out for offers and you can get JMK skates cheaper: I paid 120€ for my first pair. You can customise wheel/grip tape colours as and when you need to replace them. The decks are solid, though you can still wear the edges down if you try hard enough 😅
Happy skating!
Nicely said. Very much what our friends have concluded trying them out against the JMKs: if you're already skating and know what you want, you'll want JMK gear; but if you're just starting out with free skates, Two Lions make a decent first purchase for a very fair price.
I saw Freeline skates back in the early 2000s and although I've been a lifelong skater I was sure wizardry and dark magic was involved in learning to ride these. In a way I was right because very little from boarding, ice, roller and inline skating transfers over to freeskating but this year as a guy in my 60s I finally learned how to freeskate and am kicking myself for not learning sooner. Keep at it and thanks for posting this vid, it was fun to watch.
Oh great, I've just done the same thing, bought some cheaper ones to see if I can do it before getting a decent pair. It's pretty encouraging to see you cruising on day 2 so thanks for uploading :)
I don't think we can call that 'cruising' exactly, but I appreciate the compliment thanks!
people tend to say that cheaper ones are much harder than original ones, personally can say its really hard :)
@@StudioWatchwolf took me about a week to selfpump to keep moving. Good video
@@bphater31 What do you think about taking them to the Ariake longboard dance club (see skate playlist) and see how they do? 🙂
@@StudioWatchwolf
Well if you think it's okay. I just worry about what other people think about bringing something different.
It took me two weeks each to ride as a goofy & a regular :) Keep practicing :) You are doing great Sir :)
Thanks for the encouragement!
Any update on these? Thanks
The truth is that we went to Ariake in Tokyo with the Two Lions skates, and 2 pairs of different JMK Ride skates to make the follow-up. What happened instead was the Longboard Dancing video, sorry about that! We'll get around to it in due course, I promise. And my short answer in the meantime is that the Two Lions are fine for deciding if you like free skating, but you'll want the JMK's as soon as you can afford them.
If you want to learn the motion you need to found a very flat ground like parking indoor (i spent 1.5year on bad concrete with no result at all then i found a parking and i have almost instantly propelered myself (now i can ride the bad concrete)
Thanks for putting this video up. I do have one question though… are they worth getting or should I bite the bullet and get JMK.
I’m similar to you in that I’m not sure it’s a long term sport for me or something I’ll try a few times.
I plan to do a short video with my opinions once I'm a bit more competent, but in the meantime: yes, I think they're fine for starting out, and very good value.
unless you just cant afford $120 for good skates then no these skates are terrible to learn on. thats why they are so cheap
I have to say I don't really agree. The bearings are overpacked and slow, but that isn't a bad thing when starting out. If people can afford better they should, but these are a great package for the price.
I feel like you ended this video without properly answering the question. You just suggested that you’d maybe make another video to say they worked out but you don’t appear to have done that so I guess we can assume you lost interest. It would have been better to finish this video with your opinion of how they performed compared to your limited experience on JMKs.
This is the best comment on the channel so far in 2024 thank you, and it deserves a full explanation!
In short, I received a number of messages from JMK USA and their friends that took the same self-aggrandising and didactic tone. You can see a couple in the comments section.
Since I thought my video quite complimentary and a rather well-aimed piece of indirect promotion for their product, I was not much enamored of their attitude.
Still, I went to the skateboard meet in Ariake, Tokyo where JMK Japan also go every month to make a direct comparison between JMK and Two Lions.
The intention was to shoot decent video of the many good skaters there including Freestyle World Champion Isamu Yamamoto who’s often there and a phenomenal free-skater too!
However, riding in on my longboard with all my video gear I was immediately welcomed by the long-board crew and we made ‘Longboard Dance Lessons in Tokyo’ video together instead.
And when we talked about doing a follow-up, the crew suggested they could try out surfskates rather than free-skates, and so then we did that instead.
If either JMK or Two Lions (or anyone else) wants to loan us gear so we can make a video testing it out I'd be pleased to do so, but I'm not much interested in being told what I supposedly have to think or say or do.
As a skateboarder old enough to remember that Ty Page was demonstrating a ‘No Hands Aerial’ before the move was named after Ollie Gelfland I must say don’t feel I owe anyone anything - apparently JMK USA feel differently!
Still, I'm interested to hear any advice on another video thank you, and thanks again for your comment and the opportunity to say this.
@@StudioWatchwolf thanks for the reply, it sounds like they have a limited understanding of how to expand the free skating user base. I also replied to a comment from someone who was saying everybody shouod only buy JMK. When you have such a niche product that few people even know about, having more companies making them will only help to get more of them on the street where they can be seen. Then people talk about the product and if JMK is the best then anybody who gets into it will aspire to get them. This is especially true of a product that looks gimmicky at first.
Two lions might have gone up in price but on Amazon they are $136.50 AUD while JMK have them for about $181 (USD $120) plus whatever postage. Driftskates on Amazon go for about $40 here in Australia and while they look far inferior, they are a cheap enough price to tempt someone who would otherwise give free skates a miss. I watched one guys videos of him learning on the Driftskates and he did pretty well although he seemed to have a gpod base of fitness. Someone without enough strength might struggle more.
Its a shame they werent interested in showing how superior their product is and maybe its not. It’s not overly complicated, other companies could easily make something of similar quality. Maybe JMK realise they only have their brand to cling to and there isnt much room for innovation in sometging so simply.
I have the cheap 25 dollar ones all aluminum type if it bends there done for but I got pretty good with them can do simple tricks.. I had lights I attached to them too. But I think the two lions I might pick up when mine wear out or bend. I kinda like the idea of being able to pull the hardware off and 3d print a deck wouldn't need deck protectors then lol. 😅.