Roller skating has been a popular pastime for generations, but some skaters may not realise that the type of wheels they use can have an impact on the way their skates feel. Roller derby is a contact sport that requires strong and sturdy roller skate wheels, while recreational rollerskaters are typically looking for something lightweight yet durable enough to withstand repeated impacts while traveling at high speeds.
In this blog post, we’ll explore what makes different types of skate wheels different from one another so that you can find the right ones for your needs!
Understand Wheel Durometer
Durometer is a measure of how hard a wheel is. The lower the number, the softer it is; the higher the number, the harder it is.
Harder wheels are better for advanced skaters because they can handle more pressure and provide greater speed than softer wheels do. Soft wheels are better for beginners because they’re easier to control and make less noise when you’re learning how to skate properly (and aren’t as likely to cause injury).
Explore Wheel Sizes
When you’re shopping for roller skate wheels, you’ll find a variety of wheel sizes to choose from. Wheel size is measured in millimetres and can be anywhere from 38mm to 60mm (or even larger). The smaller the number, the bigger the wheel; so, a 55mm wheel will be bigger than a 50mm one.
Skate wheels come in all sorts of shapes and sizes–some are round while others have eight sides–but they all share basic characteristics that determine how well they perform on different surfaces:
Consider Wheel Profiles
The profile of your wheel is the height of the wheel. The higher the profile, the faster it will be. A low-profile wheel is better for tricks, because it’s easier to balance on them. However, if you want to go fast (and are looking for something that’s more like inline skates), then choose a high-profile wheel instead!
The size of your skateboard wheels will affect how well they roll over different types of terrain and surfaces like cracks or pebbles in your path.
Larger sized skateboards tend to have larger wheels than smaller sized ones do; this means that bigger boards may feel heavier when carrying around but they’ll also be able to handle rougher terrains better than smaller boards would be able to do so with their smaller sized wheels–which means less effort spent trying avoid obstacles while riding around town!
Evaluate Wheel Materials
If you’re a beginner skater, it’s tempting to go for the cheapest roller skate wheels available. After all, they’re just wheels–what could be so important about them? The answer is: everything!
If your skates come with cheap plastic or rubber wheels that aren’t suited for the skating surface you want to use them on (or if they just plain don’t fit), then these problems can quickly become an obstacle in your path toward becoming better at roller skating.
So, what exactly makes one wheel material better than another? And how do you know which kind of wheel is best for each type of skating surface? Let’s take a look at some common materials used in skate wheels today and how they differ from one another:
Conclusion
In this guide, we’ve explored the different types of roller skate wheels and how to choose them for your skating style. We hope it has helped you understand the many factors that go into choosing the right wheel for your needs. Whether you are a beginner or veteran skater, there is something here for everyone!
