Figuring out which skate wheel is right for you isn’t too hard. There are a ton of different wheel styles out there to choose from, but if you know what type of skating you want to do, narrowing down the right wheel is definitely within reach. From there, it’s all about having fun in the rink!
There are two main issues you need to think about when choosing:
Function
Whether you just joined a roller derby squad, enjoy jam skating or want to try out speed skating, you need to find the right wheel. The contact patch plays a big role in how you roll. A wide contact patch gives you the most amount of control, but these wheels are heavy and will reduce your all-around speed.
You should also consider whether you want durable but heavy aluminum hubs or light-weight, speedy nylon hubs that will need to be changed out more often.
Control
Your wheels have a huge impact on how much control you have when you skate. A hard wheel is good for jam skating and dance skating because they have limited grip. The lack of grip on a hard wheel allows skaters to slide with ease and pull off some amazing maneuvers.
A soft wheel is perfect for outdoor skating and roller derby because soft wheels have a lot of grip. Think about it like high-performance tires on a sports car. Soft wheels help skaters hold the floor for precision control even at super high speeds. Most wheels are somewhere in the middle and for the casual skater, a wheel with medium hardness is ideal.
If you’re not sure which wheel is best for your style of skating, our pro shop experts at Skate World in Leesburg are here to help. We have tons of experience with all styles of skating and can help find a wheel with the perfect hardness for your needs.
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