| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | As an industry standard, all wheels are 24-mm |
| Inline skate wheels have the greatest impact on | | | | thick, but it’s the variation in a |
| your skating performance. They come in different | | | | wheel’s footprint that provides different |
| sizes, shapes, and composition, and are made to | | | | functionality. The larger the footprint, the better |
| suit different styles of skating. Therefore, | | | | the traction and stability. |
| selecting the right wheels based on the way you | | | | Selecting Wheels |
| skate is of prime importance. You should buy inline | | | | The hardness and size have the biggest impact |
| skate wheels based on your body weight, blading | | | | on your skating, so base your choice on these |
| ability, skating style, and speed comfort zone. | | | | properties. Cores and profiles have significant, but |
| Furthermore, before you head to your local | | | | less subtle consequences. Compare cores and |
| sporting goods store for replacement wheels, | | | | profiles after you’ve decided on the |
| it’s best to learn something about the | | | | correct hardness and diameter for your weight, |
| physical properties that are used to describe the | | | | ability, style, and speed. |
| typical, inline skate wheel. | | | | Choosing a Hardness |
| Learning about Physical Properties | | | | As mentioned previously, the harder the wheel, |
| The four properties are hardness, size, core, and | | | | the longer it lasts, but the lower the grip, and the |
| profile. You need to understand these properties | | | | less it absorbs shock and vibration on the trail. |
| so you’re in the know when it comes time | | | | Recreational skaters normally look for wheels in |
| to purchase a new set of wheels. | | | | the range of 78A to 82A. This hardness range |
| Hardness | | | | affords good control and a smooth roll on most |
| The durometer reading is a measure of the | | | | trails. |
| hardness of the material that makes up the | | | | However, that being said, you’re not |
| wheel’s tire. The higher the hardness is, | | | | required to use the same hardness on all your |
| the harder the wheel. In addition, the harder the | | | | wheels. Some skaters use mixed durometers to |
| wheel, the longer it lasts, but the less it absorbs | | | | achieve a better balance of grip, shock absorption, |
| shock and vibration when skating. | | | | and durability than is possible with a single |
| Most wheels on the market range from 74A | | | | hardness. |
| (softest) to 88A (hardest), where the letter A | | | | Wear Patterns: Before you rotate your wheels |
| denotes the durometer scale. However, | | | | during your monthly maintenance check, note the |
| recreational skaters are normally interested in the | | | | wear pattern on your wheels from the front to |
| narrower range from 78A to 82A. This hardness | | | | the back. Do any of your wheels tend to wear a |
| range provides good control, grip, and a smooth | | | | lot more than the others? If so, you might want |
| roll for most trail skaters. | | | | to put harder wheels in those positions. |
| A harder wheel with a higher, durometer reading, | | | | Some skaters tend to wear the inside edges of |
| such as 82A, exhibits the following characteristics: | | | | their two front wheels much quicker due to the |
| - Good for skating fast on smoother surfaces | | | | aggressive way they push off when striding, as |
| - Lasts longer and is more durable | | | | well as from the number of rolls they skate |
| - Generally used by heavier people | | | | during the summer months. If you're in this |
| - Better wear properties | | | | category, you may want to experiment and try |
| - More vibration on rougher surfaces | | | | an 84A in the #1 positions, and a 78A in the #2, |
| On the other hand, a softer wheel with a lower | | | | #3, and #4 positions on each skate. |
| durometer reading, such as 78A, provides the | | | | Durability and Shock Absorption: You may find |
| following benefits: | | | | your wheels wear down faster then you’d |
| - Better traction | | | | like when you skate on rough surfaces, which can |
| - Greater shock absorption | | | | happen on some stretches on certain trails. You |
| - More cornering grip | | | | could opt to buy all harder wheels, such as an |
| - Enhanced rebound | | | | 82A across the board, but you might experience |
| - Less vibration on rougher surfaces | | | | a rougher ride. One alternative is to replace only |
| - Good for rougher surfaces | | | | half of your wheels with a harder durometer. Half |
| Size | | | | of your wheels could be 78As and the other half |
| The size of the wheel is the outside diameter | | | | 82As. |
| measured in millimeters (mm). The larger the | | | | The following are two, recommended orders |
| wheel, the faster the skate due to reduced rolling | | | | from the #1 position to the #4 position as you |
| resistance. Wheels in the 72-mm to 80-mm range | | | | move from left to right: |
| are just right for recreational and fitness skating. | | | | 78A-82A-78A-82A |
| They provide good maneuverability and speed for | | | | 82A-78A-78A-82A |
| skating longer distances on trails. | | | | This wheel mix gives you the shock absorption of |
| However, wheels in the 84-mm to 90-mm range | | | | a 78A wheel and the durability of an 82A wheel, |
| and up are faster wheels that provide the best | | | | or the best of both worlds! |
| performance at higher speeds. However, larger | | | | Picking a Size |
| wheels are less stable and consequently require | | | | Inline skate wheels in the 72-mm to 80-mm |
| more skating ability. Racers and marathoners | | | | diameter range are about right for most |
| typically use wheels in this size range. | | | | recreational and fitness skaters. At the low end, |
| Check your owner’s manual or with the | | | | skates with 72-mm wheels are appropriate for |
| manufacturer to find out what size range your | | | | the lighter, female, recreational skater. |
| skates can accommodate. For example, the | | | | At the higher end, skates with 80-mm wheels are |
| frames of K2 Exotech skates can hold up to an | | | | best for the heavier, male, fitness skater. For the |
| 82-mm wheel in the larger sizes and down to a | | | | mid-weight, male or female, inline skater, a good |
| 76-mm wheel in the smaller sizes. It’s | | | | compromise is to use 76-mm wheels. |
| important that you find out the size range | | | | Some recreational skaters, who want to achieve |
| supported by the wheelbase of your skates, | | | | an even better workout while trail skating via |
| especially if you are planning to move up or down | | | | longer distances, higher speeds, or short sprints, |
| in size versus the original wheels that came with | | | | opt for the largest diameter wheel they can fit on |
| your skates. | | | | their skates. If your skating ability and style |
| Core | | | | warrant the larger diameter, and you’re |
| The core consists of the hub and spokes. The | | | | comfortable skating at higher speeds, you may |
| inner hub houses the bearings and spacer, which is | | | | want to consider moving up to an 84-mm |
| where the axle resides. The outer hub and | | | | diameter. |
| spokes bond to the tire material itself, which is | | | | The larger diameter means more speed and the |
| the polyurethane. | | | | wheels last longer than shorter wheels of the |
| The core design and material of construction | | | | same hardness. However, check with your |
| gives a wheel its stability. A wheel undergoes | | | | owner’s manual or the skate manufacturer |
| stress from many different directions. The design | | | | to find out if your frame or wheelbase can |
| and material determine the strength of the wheel. | | | | accommodate wheels in this size range. |
| Cores range from a solid construction in | | | | Summing Up |
| aggressive wheels to lightly-spoked in racing | | | | I hope the above guidelines come in handy the |
| wheels. The standard hub is called a 608 hub, | | | | next time you need to buy wheels for your |
| which means it houses a 608-type bearing. | | | | skates. Remember that hardness and size are the |
| Profile | | | | most important properties, especially if you're a |
| The profile is the cross-section of the wheel | | | | recreational skater who plans on doing a lot of |
| where it meets the ground, when viewed head | | | | trail skating this summer. Check your skates to |
| on. The profile or curve determines how much of | | | | see if you have a noticeable wear pattern on the |
| the wheel is in contact with the surface at any | | | | front or rear wheels. |
| given time. | | | | |