What difference does pitch make?
Pitch is the angle created by the difference in front and rear deck height of a frame or blade, and so the angle of your foot when skating. For example, the pitch created by a 165mm mounting separation boot on a standard 165 frame is generally 12mm over 165mm – or approximately 4.2 degrees. When the mounting separation changes, for example, to 195mm and the difference in deck heights of a frame remains the same (12mm), the pitch becomes 12mm over 195mm – or approximately 3.5 degrees (a fairly small change that is tolerated well by many skaters). For an experienced skater with an established body position, a change in pitch can cause a change in skate feel and control. Changing to a skate with a modified rear deck height – for example a pitch of 5mm over 195mm (or approximately 1.5 degrees) dramatically alters the angle of the foot, and can cause a skater to put excess pressure on the front of the skate in an attempt to regain their neutral position.
