When it comes to roller skating, choosing the right type of wheels can make all the difference in terms of performance, comfort, and safety. With so many different types of wheels available, it can be difficult to know which ones to choose. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of wheels available for roller skates and provide some tips on how to choose the right ones for your needs. Some of the most common types of wheels include:
Outdoor Wheels
Outdoor wheels are designed for use on rough surfaces such as asphalt or concrete. They are typically larger in size and softer in durometer (the measure of a wheel’s hardness) than indoor wheels, which helps absorb shock and provide a smoother ride. Outdoor wheels also have a wider surface area, which helps with stability and control on uneven terrain.
When choosing outdoor wheels, it’s important to consider the type of surface you’ll be skating on. If you’ll be skating on rough terrain with lots of cracks and bumps, you’ll want to choose a softer wheel with a larger size, such as a 78A to 85A durometer rating. If you’ll be skating on smoother surfaces, such as a bike path or a skate park, you can opt for a harder wheel with a smaller size, such as a 85A to 90A durometer rating.
Indoor Wheels
Indoor wheels are designed for use on smooth surfaces such as hardwood floors, which are typically found in skating rinks. They are smaller in size and harder in durometer than outdoor wheels, which helps provide more speed and maneuverability on a smooth surface.
When choosing indoor wheels, it’s important to consider your skating style and skill level. If you’re a beginner, you may want to choose a larger wheel with a softer durometer, such as a 90A to 96A rating, to provide more stability and control. If you’re an advanced skater, you may want to choose a smaller wheel with a harder durometer, such as a 96A to 101A rating, to provide more speed and agility.
Hybrid Wheels
They are typically larger in size and softer in durometer than indoor wheels, but smaller in size and harder in durometer than outdoor wheels. When choosing hybrid wheels, it’s important to consider the type of skating you’ll be doing. If you’ll be doing mostly indoor skating with occasional outdoor skating, you may want to choose a hybrid wheel with a durometer rating of around 85A to 90A. If you’ll be doing mostly outdoor skating with occasional indoor skating, you may want to choose a hybrid wheel with a durometer rating of around 78A to 85A.
Speed Wheels
Speed wheels are designed for speed skating, which is a type of roller skating that involves skating at high speeds around a track. They are typically smaller in size and harder in durometer than indoor wheels, which helps provide maximum speed and control.
When choosing speed wheels, it’s important to consider your skill level and the type of track you’ll be skating on. If you’re a beginner, you may want to choose a larger wheel with a softer durometer, such as a 90A to 96A rating, to provide more stability and control. If you’re an advanced skater, you may want to choose a smaller wheel with a harder durometer, such as a 96A to 101A rating, to provide more speed and agility. You may also want to consider the shape of the wheel, as some speed wheels have a narrower profile that helps reduce friction and improve speed.
Derby Wheels
They are typically wider in size and harder in durometer than indoor wheels, which helps provide maximum stability and control during fast turns and collisions.
When choosing derby wheels, it’s important to consider your position on the team and your skating style. If you’re a jammer, who skates fast and tries to score points, you may want to choose a smaller wheel with a harder durometer, such as a 96A to 101A rating, to provide more speed and agility. If you’re a blocker, who focuses on defense and contact, you may want to choose a larger wheel with a softer durometer, such as a 90A to 96A rating, to provide more stability and control.