Wheels. What's The Difference?
Types of Roller Skate Wheels:
Roller skate wheels can differ greatly, here is a general guide for what wheels to use when & where. These are a general guide as it often comes down to preference when choose the right wheel.
Wheel Specifications:
Size
Wheels can come in several heights and widths, and what you choose depends on what style of skating you are doing. Wheels that are larger in height/width make it easier to maintain a speed and are great for stability while learning. They are also great for skating longer distances, like trail skating. Smaller wheels are better for quick movements and faster speeds. They are designed for light cruising and learning tricks.
Wheel Diameter is measured in millimeters
The smaller the wheel diameter, the lower your center of gravity and the easier you can maneuver. The larger the wheel diameter, the higher your center of gravity and the more traction you will have.
Profile (width)
The profile (width) of a wheel affects how much surface area is in contact with the floor. Generally speaking, this will affect the grip and speed of the wheel. In general, narrow wheels are less bulky and make manoeuvring easier, so they are used in artistic and rhythm skating. Wide wheels add stability during cornering because they have a better grip, so they are great for speed and Derby skating. For regular indoor skating, however, a medium wheel is fine. The profile of each thickness varies, with some wheels slightly squared at the edges and some nicely rounded. The more rounded the edges, the faster the wheel. In shaping, as with width, skaters who regularly skate indoors choose wheels in the middle of the continuum with a balance of grip and speed.
Hardness
Every wheel has 2 numbers that are important to pay attention to. One refers to durometer (hardness) and the other refers to diameter (size). Wheel Hardness is measured on the Shore scale Indicated by the letter "A" after the number, "A" scales measure harnesses of Urethane Compound Wheels. The lower the number, the softer the wheel (more grip). The higher the number the harder the wheel (less grip). A high number, with virtually no grip would be 103A.
What Are Hubs?
Hubs sit on the inside of some wheels and are nylon or aluminum. Nylon hubs are lighter and are somewhat pliable. Aluminum hubs are heavier and not pliable, meaning a longer roll and more energy transfer. Both nylon and aluminum hubs are much lighter than the urethane they replace.
Soft wheels below 84A need a hub to reinforce the bearing seat in the wheel. Under normal conditions, an 84A wheel will hold the bearings, but not under extreme conditions. Hubs are used on harder wheels to lower the weight of the wheel.
Artistic/Dance Wheels - Designed to be hard wheels that are not "grippy" to allow for the dance style moves in skating. Often a small diameter with edges.
Outdoor Wheels - These are softer wheels (78A - 85A) that are designed to be able to absorb the uneven terrain of outdoor skating surfaces (e.g. trails, sidewalks, boardwalks, roads). the bigger & softer the better for absorption, round edges help spit out rocks. a larger wheel also helps to cruse of a longer period of time without pushing as much.
Derby Wheels - The wheels are designed for the sport of Roller Derby. These allow the different positions in Derby to be able to stop quickly, go quickly, and go at fast speeds. They are also sized appropriately for maneuverability.
- 59mm wheels are very common for derby.
- Hardness depending on the surface.
Ramp/Bowl Wheels - These wheels are typically narrow wheels with a rounded edge (55mm-59mm) and are harder than typical outdoor wheels (92A-101A) due to their use on smooth concrete surfaces.
Speed Wheels - Are a wide Wheel Designed to grip the skating floor and allow you to gain traction while gaining speed.
Hybrid Wheels - Hybrid wheels are suitable for indoor or outdoor environments, and can work well on rough or smooth surfaces.
Light-Up Wheels - Useful for safety purposes, especially during night skating and in communities with insufficient lighting. The bright lights emitted from these wheels can help skaters to be seen more easily by other pedestrians and avoid accidents. Available in indoor and outdoor hardness.