How to Choose Derby Skate Wheels

In 1935, American Leo Seltzer created a racing event he dubbed the "Transcontinental Roller Derby." Two, two-person coed teams on roller skates raced around the banked track at the Chicago Coliseum, skating the distance equivalent to traveling from New York to Los Angeles. It was a huge hit, and the roller derby was born. Today there are men's and women's derby leagues all over the world. If you're new to the sport, you need to purchase your first set of skate wheels. Wheels come in different surface finishes and levels of hardness. Skating surface, personal skating style and body weight are used to determine what kind of derby wheels you need.

Things You'll Need

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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine where you will be practicing and competing and how much traction you want while skating. Choose rough wheels for skating outside, slick for indoor if you're a confident skater, non-coated for sport courts and coated/grippy for indoor if you want more control. Mix different wheel finishes on one skate if desired.

    • 2

      Weigh yourself. Identify which weight category you are in: featherweight (under 110 pounds), lightweight (111 to 129 pounds), middleweight (130 to 159 pounds) or heavyweight (more than 160 pounds).

    • 3

      Choose softer wheels if you're in a lighter weight class and harder wheels if you're in a heavier weight class. Select wheels with the desired surface finish and necessary wheel density.