Skate Wheels Information

Where the rubber hits the road may be colloquial, but for skaters it is an important aspect to the performance of their sport. This distinction is reflected in the type of wheel chosen for their board, skate or other conveyance. Skate wheels have many different characteristics that should be considered when a skater is choosing his wheels. According to Skate America and SkateLog.com, the two most talked about characteristics are wheel size and durometer, or hardness. However, other factors like the type of skate or board, the type of skating to be done (whether indoors or out) and skill level all play a part in wheel selection.

  1. Wheel Materials

    • According to the boarders at Skate America, most wheels are made from urethane or polyurethane. The different mixtures create softer to harder wheels. The hub or core of the wheel houses the bearings. According to Inline Skate Resource, the hub will range from lightweight spokes for speed skates to no spokes at all for small aggressive wheels.

    Wheel Size

    • Wheel size is measured in millimeters (mm). According to SkateLog.com, sizes typically range from 40mm to 100mm. Bigger wheels are meant for speed and are popular for speed skaters, fitness skaters and vert or longboard skaters. According to Skate America, small wheels are popular for trick boarders and aggressive skaters.

    Wheel Durometer, or Hardness

    • Wheel durometer is the hardness of the wheel. According to SkateLog.com, wheel hardness is measured in an A-scale. 74A is a very soft wheel, while 95A is a very hard wheel. Inline Skate Resource lists the typical recreational wheel as ranging from 78 to 82A. A harder wheel is faster but gives a much rougher ride and has less grip on the skating surface. Harder wheels are also more durable. A softer wheel is slower but smoother and has good gripping ability.

    Wheel Profile

    • According to Inline Skate Resource, the wheel profile is the shape of the wheel. When looking directly into the wheel the profile will be how much of the wheel is in direct contact with the ground. Speed skating wheels are tall and tapered. Aggressive wheels are shorter and wider with a solid core and rounded profile. Hockey wheels are similar to aggressive wheels but do not have a solid core. Most recreational wheels fall into the middle.

    Types of Skate Wheels

    • Wheels are used for skateboard, inline skates, quad roller skates, street luges and razor scooters. The wheels used for each of these styles will differ. Indoor wheels and outdoor wheels will also have different characteristics. According to Skate America, smaller wheels will give a boarder better glide to perform sliding tricks. Some speed skaters and hockey players use a mix of wheels to get both more speed and good grip when they skate.

    Choosing Wheels

    • When selecting wheels, the skater's individual style is a huge factor. If speed is the game, then a bigger, harder wheel is sought. However, this wheel will have less grip; if tight turns are expected, this lack of grip will need to be considered. According to Skate America, a softer wheel is desired by longboarders for its ability to absorb shock and deliver a smooth ride. Indoor inline hockey players want softer wheels that have good grip to allow tight turns and quick stops. Choosing the right wheel for the right activity is the important key.