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Roller Skates 101

All About Wheels: Wheels 101

All About Wheels: Wheels 101

Wheels 101: How to Find the Best Roller Skate Wheels

There are many styles of roller skating (rhythm, shuffle, jam, roller derby, speed, etc), and there are even more different types of roller skate wheels. There are wheels with certain styles of skating in mind, there are some that are just generic. We will go over some of the main categories of wheel differences.

Size:

There can be differences in the outer width and height of wheels. The one size that always stays the same is the inner opening, where the bearing is placed. That is always the same size on any recently manufactured wheel.

The other measurements of the wheel, height, and width, are measured in millimeters and will be indicated with the abbreviation mm. If you skate a certain style of skating it is always a good idea to check with fellow skaters of that style to see what size they prefer, this can usually be a good guide for helping you choose the right size for you.

Wheels can also come in several heights, the thought process behind that is large wheel skates make it easier to maintain a speed, but smaller wheels are better for quick movements. This is a suggestion, and may take a little experimentation with different wheels to find just what size is best for your personal style of skating.

Hardness:

Wheel hardness (also referred to as the grip level) is listed as a number with an A behind it, such as 93A. The higher the number, the harder the wheel is and the less grip it has. A high number, with virtually no grip would be 103A. This is preferred in many styles of dance skating to make it easier to glide your wheels. Slicker floors, like a polished concrete derby track might need a lower number around 84A. For outdoor skating a softer wheel is needed. The softer the wheel the more your wheels will absorb shock as you roll over cracks and small debris. Most skaters look for a wheel hardness around 78A for outdoor skating.

Hubs:

The main styles of hubs are nylon or aluminum hubs. Nylon is of course typically a lighter material, and so most common in skate wheels.

The charm of an aluminum hub roller skate wheel is that it will be less likely to have “give” to it. This can be important with a skater of larger size, or if wheels will be for long term use. Many skaters change wheels frequently so they do not need them for years, but if this is the case for you, it might be best to invest in aluminum hub wheel.

There is one cross between the two, the wheel that has a true nylon hub, with an alloy insert. This is to help the hub last longer, but without as much weight as a completely aluminum hub would give.

Please note for installing bearings in Aluminum hubs:

The hubs have very tight tolerance and aluminum doesn't stretch. So, it's very important the bearing is installed straight. If the bearing stops going in, it's normally a sign the bearing is crooked. When that happens, normally you can see one side of the bearing higher than the other. If that’s the case, you should apply pressure to the high side or remove the bearing and try again.
If the bearing goes in crooked, it will knurl the side of the hub, causing a ridge. The harder you force it, the more damage it will cause. Do not force bearings into an aluminum hub. Bearing oil can help with that as well!

For more information on roller skate wheel types and which type of roller skate wheel is best for your style of skating feel free to call us at 913-894-9339!