Wheels are the most important element of skates because they determine the speed and smoothness with which we move. The most important parameters that should be taken into account when purchasing skates are the size and hardness of the wheels, as well as the structure of the bearings. Check how to choose the type of wheels to your driving style and skill level.

Classicrollsare usually fitted with fourwheelsin a straight line one after the other. They can be made of polyurethane or urethane - durable plastics resembling rubber in appearance and consistency (a common mistake is the claim that roller wheels are made of natural rubber, which is not true). In cheap models of skates, most often sold in supermarkets, you can find plastic wheels - but they do not guarantee comfort or safety while driving, so it is better not to take them into account when shopping.

Roller wheels have two basic parameters:

  • diameterexpressed in millimeters (mm),
  • hardnessdenoted by the letter A with a specific number between 74-101.

In addition, the profile and rebound of the rollers as well as the structure of the bearings are also taken into account. The above-mentioned properties determine how much speed can be developed while skating, as well as their maneuverability and stability.

Roller wheel size and ride quality

The size of the wheels should be selected depending on whether you are looking for skates with wheels for beginners, advanced, slow, fast, calm or aggressive.

Small wheels(47 to 70 mm):

  • do not allow to develop high speeds,
  • provide greater driving comfort because they absorb vibrations while driving,
  • thanks to their small size they are more manoeuvrable.

Due to the above features, small wheels are suitable for aggressive skating, where the ability to maneuver quickly and make quick turns is important.

Large wheels(84 to 110 mm):

  • are designed for fast driving, you can drive them at speeds above 30 km / h,
  • are less stable than small wheels, therefore they do not provide such good shock absorption while riding,
  • areless maneuverable - making turns, braking, slalom driving is much more difficult on them.

Big wheels are used in speed skates.

Medium wheels , i.e. in the range of 70-84 mm, are best suited for beginners and recreational riders - they guarantee optimal grip, maneuverability, and at the same time are not too fast.

Roller hardness versus ride quality

Hardness is the second, next to size, feature of the wheels which affects the quality of the ride.

Soft wheels(74A to 82A):

  • they create more resistance to the ground, which makes driving on them slower,
  • provide greater driving comfort due to better absorption of vibrations,
  • wear out faster.

Hard wheels(84A to 101A):

  • are characterized by less grip, thanks to which they allow you to develop higher speeds,
  • are less comfortable than small wheels because they do not absorb vibrations as well,
  • are more durable, so they can last longer.

For beginners, softer wheels in the 78-84A range are recommended.

Profile and reflection of wheels for rollers

The circles can also have a different profile and reflection. These parameters affect the speed, maneuverability and degree of adhesion of the skates.

  • flat profile is used in competitive riding due to the high level of adhesion to the ground;
  • truncated, i.e. sharp profile, allows you to reach high speeds, so it works well in speed skating;
  • The round profile guarantees good maneuverability, which makes these types of wheels suitable for freestyle and roller hockey.

Rebound is a special parameter, the value of which is important mainly from the point of view of professionals and skaters. For bounce tips, see professional advisers at your roller skating stores.

Roller bearings - types and designations

Bearings determine how quickly and smoothly the wheels turn. They are most often marked with the letters ABEC and a specific odd number: 3, 5, 7 or 9. The higher the number, the less resistance the wheels give and the faster they turn.

It should be noted that some skate manufacturers use the symbols ILQ, SG or HTO. This is generally related to the prestige of a given brand - e.g. ILQ bearings are used in good quality Twincam rollers, which are designed for very fast driving with higher overloads. For all of the above-mentioned symbols, the speed of the circles is marked in the same way as in the case of ABEC - the larger the number,this makes the wheels turn smoother and smoother.

The size of the bearings is also important. The standard for most of the skates is 608. However, there are bearings with a smaller diameter, such as 688 or 698. They are popular especially among lovers of fast skating. For recreational riders, 608 is the most optimal size.

Important

Regular maintenance is important for our bearings to last a long time. While driving, particles of sand and dust settle on the sides of the bearings, which later cause the wheels to spin more slowly and wear out faster. When buying your rollers, ask your retailer how to properly maintain your bearings. You should also remember to lubricate them with oil from time to time (the bearing rolls faster then, but you have to repeat the operation more often) or with a special grease (it slows down the rotation of the wheels, but you do not have to do it as often).

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Summer sports