When I got a new pair of skating blades for the first time, and it was time to upgrade its parts, I was constantly confused. For wheels, I was stuck with questions like, should I get hard wheels or soft wheels? Are hybrid wheels the best to use? How do I know the dimensions of each wheel and which fits best? To start to answer all of these questions is to understand what wheels are and what they are made out of. Wheels are usually made of polyurethane and rarely plastic, with the acceptable choice being polyurethane. They are essential as it affects the way the board runs or turns, and there are usually four wheels attached to the truck categorized based on diameter and hardiness. To enjoy my skating experience, I learned that choosing the best wheel sizes is dependent on the skate type, the appropriate size, the skating surface, and the skater’s experience.
Am I allowed to put smaller wheels on my Rollerblades? Yes, you definitely can. Smaller wheels offer increased maneuverability needed for complex skatings like artistic skating and roller hockey. It allows for faster rolls and turns, which is beneficial to roller dancers. Wheel sizes are measured in millimeters (mm), and both the height and width are considered. It is physically possible to change them and has pros and cons attached to it like every other skating choice. Every wheel comes in different sizes, hardiness, shape, and hub material, and I have changed my wheels to both smaller sizes and larger ones through my skating journey. The distance from my skate boot to the ground, which is known as the deck height, was reduced when I changed to smaller wheels, although the frame length remained intact.
Smaller wheels have excellent rolling resistance. This causes them to require more effort to reach the same velocity as a larger wheel. However, it causes them to have deeper acceleration curves, and so you can speed faster on smaller wheels. At first, when I changed to smaller wheels, I felt more bulbs and cracks in the ground, almost like the feeling of a foot massage which is negligible but there. I learned to mind the gaps, take proper care of my whole skate, and it took a while to adjust to. You can also change your wheels when you want to switch up your whole switching experience, like converting outdoor skates to indoor skates.
Parts of a Wheel
- Hub: There are different types of the hub; nylon hubs, aluminum hubs, and hollow hubs. The wheel is harder or softer based on this part.
- Bearings: Bearings are found inside the wheels and are responsible for making the wheels actually spin. They come separately from wheels, and when you change your wheels, you have to buy them individually or have them on the ground.
How to change your skate wheels
- First, I got the Allen wrench. You can use any other skating tool.
- I loosened the axle nuts and kept them aside.
- The bearings and spacer from my old wheel were transferred to the new one since I didn’t get new ones. If you obtained new bearings and spacers, fix them to the wheel also.
- With my tool, I tightened the new wheel to the frame as much as possible.
- I took my new wheels out to give her a good spin and to confirm their integrity. I ended up tightening some bolts here and there till it was no more wobbly.
What to consider when choosing your wheel size
There are two main things to consider when changing your wheels;
- Durometer: They tell you how hard your wheel is. The lower the number of the durometer, the softer your wheel. 78A is softer than 100A. It has a range of 74A-105A. Hardness affects shock absorption and how long the wheels last. Softer wheels will slow you down in indoor skating because it has enough grip and the floor also has while hard wheels are better on a smooth surface and more suitable for indoor skating. For outdoor skating, a softer, larger wheel is preferred. Meaning the number class is lower between the range of 74A and 84A.
- Hybrid wheels: It is not overly soft, not extremely hard. They are usually purchased because you want to be able to skate both outdoors and indoors. You might not need to change your wheels often due to location because it fits both spectrums. You can rock it on the rink and down the streets. The durometer for Hybrid wheels is usually around the ’80s.
2. Diameter: It is how wide the wheels are. The width affects how much surface area is in contact with the floors.
Extra Tips
The following are additional tips to consider before changing your wheels;
- The wider the wheels, the more the stability offered, which is needed when skating outdoors.
- The wideness of the wheel affects the speed.
- Wider wheels are more stable and less agile, while smaller wheels are lighter.
- Smaller skaters can stick to narrow or smaller wheels since they do not need extra agility.
Most brands have variable options ranging from small to large, hard to soft, and they are all easily accessible. Whether on your smaller wheels or larger wheels, as long as you have fitted on what works for you, just like me, have fun on your rollerblades! Learning about what to do was a game-changer for me, and it is essential to share these tips that helped me grow.
