With over 50 years of experience in the skating industry, GH Skates is a brand focused on developing and producing high-quality equipment for professional athletes and those who require specialized gear.In the world of roller skating, the plate is the most critical component of a pair of skates, serving as the main structure that connects the boot to the wheels and trucks. It plays a direct role in determining the performance, stability, and control of the skate. Choosing the right plate is therefore essential for skaters of all levels.

This Blog to provide an in-depth analysis and comprehensive recommendations to help skaters compare and decide on the most suitable model among the four popular GH Skates plates: Fiber Compound, Vanguard, Jaboco, and Shana Jam. The analysis will consider technical specifications, design objectives, and user experience. This analysis attempts to address inconsistencies found in various sources, such as conflicting Kingpin angle specifications for some models and a lack of specific weight information for GH plates, to maintain the highest level of reliability and accuracy.

This material was developed to provide a balance between lightweightness and high durability, allowing skaters to move quickly and efficiently without worrying about the equipment's strength.Additionally, the impact-absorbing properties of the material contribute to a smoother and more stable ride.

The most important technical feature of this plate is its ability to adapt to different skating styles through two types of trucks that come with the plate*

• Standard Trucks: Ideal for beginners, basic skill training, and skating that requires high stability, such as precise balance and direction control.
• 360 Pivot Trucks: Designed for more fluid and natural movements, suitable for agilestyles like Jam Skating and dancing.

• Kingpin Angle: It uses a 16° Kingpin Angle. This angle is considered a standard for figure skating plates as it provides stability for edge control and excellent shock absorption upon landing jumps.
• Innovations for Stability: The plate's height is lowered by 5mm to create a lower center of gravity, resulting in more stable landings after jumps. It also features a "Click-action" mechanism that allows for precise truck adjustments and maintains orientation even during complex movements.
• Axles and Pivot Pins: It comes with titanium axles and pivot pins and offers axle size options of 7mm, which is suitable for competitive figure skaters, and 8mm for general skating.
• Toe Stops: It is compatible with EU/Metric toe stops.

• Lightweight Construction: It's made from a super-light gold aluminum alloy. These are the lightest plates.
• Kingpin Angle: It uses a 16° Kingpin Angle. This angle is considered a standard for figure skating plates as it provides stability for edge control and excellent shock absorption upon landing jumps.
• Innovations for Stability: The plate's height is lowered by 5mm to create a lower center of gravity, resulting in more stable landings after jumps. It also features a "Click-action" mechanism that allows for precise truck adjustments and maintains orientation even during complex movements.
• Axles and Pivot Pins: It comes with titanium axles and pivot pins and offers axle size options of 7mm, which is suitable for competitive figure skaters, and 8mm for general skating.
• Toe Stops: It is compatible with EN/Imperial toe stops.

The most prominent and crucial feature of the Shana Jam is its significantly steeper Kingpin angle, which is designed to enhance movement fluidity and turning capability

• Lightweight Construction: It's made from a super-light gold aluminum alloy. These are the lightest plates.
• Kingpin Angle: It uses a 21° Kingpin Angle. This angle is designed to enhance movement fluidity and turning capability.
• Innovations for Stability: The plate's height is lowered by 5mm to create a lower center of gravity, resulting in more stable landings after jumps. It also features a "Click-action" mechanism that allows for precise truck adjustments and maintains orientation even during complex movements.
• Axles and Pivot Pins: It comes with titanium axles and pivot pins and offers axle size options of 7mm, which is suitable for competitive figure skaters, and 8mm for general skating.
• Toe Stops: It is compatible with EN/Imperial toe stops.

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• Fiber Compound: This is an interesting choice due to its lightweight and high-flexibility material. Generally, plates made from nylon or plastic are lighter than metal plates, but a disadvantage is that they may "flex" more, which can lead to less effective power transfer to the wheels. However, GH's composite material is specified as highly durable, which may address this issue.
• Vanguard, Jaboco, Shana Jam: This group of metal plates uses CNC-machined Ergal,making them highly rigid and precise. They are durable for heavy use by high-level skaters or heavier athletes.While there is no specific weight data for these plates,CNC-machined metal plates are generally heavier than composite plates but provide much greater stiffness and responsiveness, which is crucial for skating styles that demand maximum performance.

• Kingpin (Vanguard, Jaboco): This angle is a standard that provides a balance between stability and agility. This design is suitable for styles that require precise edge control and stable balance, such as Figure Skating or Freestyle with jumps and complex technical tricks.
• 21° Kingpin (Shana Jam): This notably steeper angle makes the trucks more responsive and allows for easier cornering.It is ideal for skating that requires sudden changes indirection, spinning, and movements that demand high fluidity, such as Jam Skating and Dance Skating. This design prioritizes maximum agility over the stability needed for jump landings.

All three metal plates share common innovations that demonstrate a commitment to performance development including:

• Lowered Plate Height (5mm): This engineering feature lowers the skater's center of gravity, which directly contributes to overall stability and helps achieve more stable jump landings.
• "Click-action" Mechanism: This system allows for precise tension adjustments of the trucks and maintains the settings consistently, even during intense movements.
• Adjustable Cushions on Jaboco: The inclusion of a set of cushions with different Hardness levels is a key feature that makes the Jaboco a highly customizable option for users who require a specific feel for control in various maneuvers.

Based on this detailed analysis, it is clear that each GH Skates plate model is specifically
designed to meet the needs of different segments of the skating market. The choice of the right plate should primarily be based on skill level and skating style.

• For skaters who want versatility or are at a beginner to intermediate level: The Fiber
  The compound plate is the most suitable option due to its accessible price and the
  An innovative interchangeable truck system, which allows users to start with stability and transition to agility as their skills progress, all with a single plate.
• For Figure Skaters who demand maximum precision and stability: The Vanguard
  The plate is the perfect choice, with its 16° Kingpin Angle and a design focused on supporting jumps and providing excellent edge control.
• For Freestyle Skaters who require customizable agility and control: The Jaboco plate is a standout option. Even with the same Kingpin Angle as the Vanguard, it's the desired feel for complex maneuvers.
• For Jam Skaters and Dance Skaters who need fluidity and freedom of movement:
  The Shana Jam plate, with its steep 21° Kingpin Angle, is the choice specifically
  Designed for this purpose, providing rapid responsiveness and maximum fluidity. All plates include a set of 4 adjustable hardness cushions, allowing for precise "tuning" to achieve