How to choose wheels for roller skates?

Comparing the main characteristics.

The roller industry has long stepped forward, and developers often delight their fans with new technologies and features, making it challenging to keep up with trends.

However, the principle of choosing both roller skates and components for them has gained systematization and logic. There are many parameters and nuances, but they are easy to understand by studying our articles.

Wheels in roller skates are one of the most important components, the comfort, technique, results, and even safety of which depend on the quality and correctness of the choice.

Our material will help you choose the right wheels.

Key parameters when choosing wheels:

Diameter (size)
Profile
Hub type (core)
Hardness and quality of polyurethane
Density
Wheel connection
Durability
Presence of illumination

Wheel Size

All wheels existing on the market are presented in sizes from 55 to 125 mm.

The diameter, first of all, must match the size of the mount (frame), and also correspond to the purpose – what style of riding will be used and what goals are being pursued.

The larger the wheel diameter, the higher the speed, comfort level and better grip. The lower, the higher the stability, the ability to control the rollers and slow down faster.

Wheel profile

Can be flat or pointed:

Do not use wheels with different profiles on the same skate. This will affect your ability to steer, balance and roll straight.

The picture below shows the advantages and disadvantages of flat and pointed profiles.

The pointed profile is primarily chosen by racers and speed skaters, for whom speed, maneuverability, good grip and fast wheel rotation are important.

And flat is a must-choose for roller skaters at the stage of learning to skate, for those who use roller skates for amateur skating or fitness and want to feel maximum comfort.

Hub (core) type

The inner hard part of the wheel – the hub (core or core) – also affects its properties, as does size or material. In wheels of the same diameter, a smaller hub can add ride comfort and traction while making it slower and stiffer.

Hub design also has a direct impact on performance. Solid disc or spoke-hole cores provide the most support for heavier loads. Such a wheel will be more productive and stable at high speeds, but with a low vibration absorption rate.

Hubs made of aluminum are as rigid as possible, providing excellent power output and fast torque, but such wheels are more expensive, heavier and do not absorb vibration as well as hubs made of plastic.

Rigidity and quality of polyurethane

Wheels can be either soft or hard to provide more comfort or rotation speed. The hardness indicator is indicated by a number with the addition of the letter “A”.

In general, the softest are 75A (for roller hockey), and the hardest are from 100A to 110A. The lower the number, the softer the wheel, and vice versa.

Despite the fact that the maximum possible stiffness is 110A, no roller skates use such wheels, because they will be too hard with almost zero recoil.

At the same time, the Matter line of wheels uses its own stiffness measurement system F, which is compared with the standard system as follows:

F00 — 90A
F0 — 88А-89А
F1 — 86A-87А
F2 — 84А-85А
F3 — 82А-83А
F4 — 80А-81А.

The quality of polyurethane in roller sports is as important as car tires in auto racing. A comparison of polyurethane types and wheel characteristics is presented in the diagram: Once you have achieved a certain level of skating confidence and stability, we recommend investing in higher quality polyurethane wheels to start having even more fun.

It is important to note: wheels with a diameter of less than 50 mm with a rigidity above 95A are called anti-rockers and are intended exclusively for FSK rollers, performing slides and complex elements.

Wheel density

Dual density is a technology in roller wheel production that utilizes two different polyurethane compounds:

Soft: Located inside the wheel, it is essential for effectively absorbing vibrations, providing a smooth ride, and cushioning impacts during jumps.
Firmer: The outer material responsible for speed, truly elevating the level of skating and enhancing all wheel technical characteristics, from grip quality to comfort.

Polyurethane and hub connection (lock)

Wheel Connection System – This is the point where the hub interfaces with the polyurethane part.

In wheels with single density, a mechanical connection is used, imparting more rigidity and stability to the product. In wheels with dual density, both mechanical and chemical connections can be employed. With a chemical lock, wheels become more flexible and better at absorbing vibrations.

Durability of Wheels

During the operation of roller skates, it is necessary to regularly assess the condition of the wheels and replace worn ones as they wear out.

Wheel Maintenance

Noise and changes in the shape of some wheels in your roller skates occur due to uneven wear. In this case, the inner edge of the wheel wears out faster than the outer edge.

Regular and proper wheel rotation will help extend their “life” and enhance stability while skating.

Schemes for the correct wheel rotation are presented in the diagram below:

Presence of Illumination

A delightful option for those who value details and strive to stand out is illuminated wheels, available in two variants with different LED and Graphix technologies:

LED Wheels: These wheels feature LEDs embedded directly into the polyurethane, charging from a special magnetic hub and requiring no additional batteries or power supply. The hub ensures illumination while spinning. The wheel can easily be transformed into a regular one by replacing the hub with a standard one. LED wheels are available in various diameters, colors, and polyurethane qualities.
Graphix Wheels: A special detachable LED module is inserted into the hub and can be turned on/off by pressing a button. The module is rechargeable via micro-USB. This lineup of wheels, made from high-quality SHR, is only available in diameters of 100, 110, and 125 mm.

We have covered the fundamental aspects of choosing wheels for roller skates that will help you find your perfect “pair” and make your skating enjoyable, comfortable, and effective.

Do you have any questions?

Contact our specialists. We know everything and even more about roller skates to help you choose the best gear and equipment for achieving the highest results!