Description
Brief Introduction
The Bont Athena roller skate plate gives derby, rink, and indoor skaters a responsive foundation for their quad setup. Its low-profile, extruded 6061 aluminum chassis places the wheels close to the boot, while 20-degree kingpins and adjustable trucks let you tune the feel of each turn. The silver plate arrives with Bont ToeGo toe stops and standard 88A cushions.
Key Product Points
- Low-profile aluminum chassis: Extruded 6061 aluminum construction brings the wheels closer to the boot for a lower center of gravity and confident edging.
- 20-degree kingpin action: A balance of quick turning and stability suits roller derby, rink sessions, and indoor skating.
- Adjustable response: The adjustment nut and grub screw let you set the trucks tighter or looser to match your skating style.
- Quality contact points: Delrin pivot cups and high-rebound urethane cushions support smooth, controlled movement.
- Ready for your preferred setup: ToeGo toe stops are included, and four cushion hardness options let you fine-tune the plate.
Product Description
For skaters who want control they can tune
The Athena is a roller skate plate for skaters who pay attention to how a setup responds beneath their feet. It is suited to roller derby, indoor rink skating, and other quad skating where clean edges and predictable turns matter. A plate is more than the connection between boot and wheels: its height, kingpin geometry, cushions, and adjustment points all influence how the skate feels when you lean, accelerate, or change direction. Athena brings those details together in a straightforward, adjustable design.
Whether you are building a new pair of skates or replacing an existing plate, the goal is the same: choose a setup that responds to your movement without making you fight it. Athena gives you a low-profile chassis, 20-degree kingpin geometry, and hardware that can be tuned to your preference. It is built for skaters who want to make purposeful setup choices instead of accepting a single fixed feel.
Low profile, close connection
The chassis is made from extruded 6061 aluminum and manufactured to tight tolerances. Its low profile positions the wheels closer to the boot than on many other plates. That lower stance reduces the height of your center of gravity and helps you feel connected to the skating surface. In practice, this can make it easier to commit to an edge, move through a turn, and recover into the next stride.
That close-to-the-floor feeling is especially useful when your skating includes repeated changes of direction. Derby demands fast reactions and consistent edge control. Rink skating benefits from a plate that feels composed through flowing turns. The Athena is designed to serve both, with a chassis that supports precise movement while keeping the skate's overall feel familiar to anyone who likes a classic quad plate.
20-degree action for responsive turns
Athena uses a 20-degree kingpin angle. This geometry is intended to give the plate a responsive feel for tight turns while still supporting speed through the straightaways. For a skater, that means the plate can respond when you lean into a change of direction without feeling limited to only one kind of movement. The 20-degree action is one reason Athena works across derby and general indoor skating.
How a plate turns is also influenced by the rest of the setup: your boots, wheels, cushions, and truck adjustment all contribute. Athena gives you room to tune those parts around your own technique. If you prefer a firmer, more restrained response, you can set the plate accordingly. If you want more movement underfoot, you can adjust for a looser feel. The variable adjustment nut and grub screw provide that control without changing the plate itself.
Cushions and pivot cups that support the setup
Delrin pivot cups provide a defined contact point for the trucks. Athena also uses high-rebound urethane cushions made in the USA. Cushions are a meaningful part of plate tuning because their hardness changes how readily the trucks respond when you shift weight. The standard black cushions are 88A, a medium option in Bont's range.
Other available cushion hardnesses are purple 78A (super soft), blue 83A (soft), and red 93A (hard). A softer cushion can make the trucks feel more willing to move, while a firmer cushion can make the response feel more restrained. The choice depends on your preference and the rest of your skate setup. If you want to experiment, replacement roller skate cushions are available separately. Make changes gradually and follow the assembly instructions so you can judge each adjustment clearly.
Materials and details you can inspect
The extruded aluminum plate is triple polished, with a final brilliant-shine finish on the silver model. Steel kingpins, 8 mm chrome-moly axles, and Delrin pivot cups complete the main construction details. These are practical choices for a skate plate expected to handle repeated loading, adjustment, and use. Athena is designed to work as a single unit, with each contact point contributing to the feel of the skate.
The plate uses 8 mm bearings only. Check your chosen wheels and bearings against that axle size before completing a build. Mounting hardware is not included and must be purchased separately. Those details matter because a plate can only perform as intended when the other parts of the skate fit and are installed correctly. If you are unsure about the best plate length or mounting position for your boot, use the Athena plate size guide on this page and seek mounting advice before drilling.
Toe stops included, with room to fine-tune
Each Athena plate comes with Bont ToeGo roller skate toe stops at no additional charge. Toe stops are an essential part of many derby and rink setups, so having them included makes it easier to plan the rest of your build. You can then focus on the parts that need to match your boot, wheel choice, and preferred ride.
Once the plate is mounted, take time to set the trucks to a feel you can control. Small adjustments are easier to evaluate than large changes made all at once. Check that the hardware is secure and that both skates respond consistently. The Athena assembly and instructions manual is available if you want the original reference while setting up or maintaining the plate.
Choosing the right Athena plate
Available plate sizes on this silver product run from 4.5 to 8 inches. Plate size is a setup decision, not simply a match to the number printed inside a boot. Consider your boot's sole length, where you want the axles positioned, and how you intend to skate. The Athena plate size guide below the product description is the best starting point for comparing sizes. A qualified skate technician can also help with mounting position when you are building a new pair of skates.
If your priority is a responsive roller derby plate with a low stance, adjustable action, and a polished aluminum finish, Athena is a strong choice. It also suits indoor skaters who want more say over their truck and cushion setup. Choose your plate size, review the mounting requirements, and build the skate around the feel you want on the floor.
See the plate in action
Technical Specifications
- Plate material: Extruded 6061 aluminum
- Kingpin angle: 20 degrees
- Kingpin material: Steel
- Axles: 8 mm chrome-moly
- Bearing compatibility: 8 mm bearings only
- Pivot cups: Delrin
- Cushions: High-rebound urethane, made in the USA
- Standard cushion hardness: Black 88A (medium)
- Additional cushion hardnesses: Purple 78A (super soft), blue 83A (soft), and red 93A (hard)
- Included toe stops: Bont ToeGo
- Available plate sizes: 4.5, 5, 5.25, 5.5, 5.75, 6, 6.25, 6.5, 6.75, 7, 7.25, 7.5, 7.75, and 8 inches
- Finish: Triple-polished silver
- Mounting hardware: Sold separately
Frequently Asked Questions
Which bearings fit the Athena plate?
The plate uses 8 mm axles and is compatible with 8 mm bearings only. Check your wheel and bearing selection before completing your build.
Can I change the feel of the plate?
Yes. You can adjust the trucks with the adjustment nut and grub screw. The standard cushions are black 88A, and other cushion hardnesses are available separately if you want to tune the response further.
Are toe stops and mounting hardware included?
Bont ToeGo toe stops are included with the Athena plate. Mounting hardware is not included and must be purchased separately.
