Today, roller skate wheels are formulated for their intended use. The simplest industry vernacular used to describe their known performance characteristics is "indoor or outdoor" wheels.

 

INDOOR WHEELS are firmer and roll more easily than outdoor wheels. Indoor wheels are formulated to perform best on smooth surfaces with the known reliable floor coatings now used in over 95% of commercial roller skating centers. Most importantly, indoor wheels skate smoothly while gripping the floor coatings safely, even at high speeds negotiating sharp turns. Indoor wheels are never recommended for outdoor use. Used on smooth concrete, they wear out sooner than designed. Used on rough concrete, they "ride rough" and wear out much too quickly. On outdoor trails, small stones become imbedded in the wheels causing problems in stability for the skater.

 

OUTDOOR WHEELS are a result of exotic polyurethanes perfected for skate wheels in the early 70s. Their unique characteristic is called "rebound". Owing to the formulations of the wheels, small stones won't become imbedded in the material as the skater rolls across them. These wheels throw debris out and away as it rolls across it. This phenomenon earned wheels of this formulation the "outdoor" signature, as they roll well in unfriendly environments. These are softer than indoor wheels and take more energy for acceleration and to sustain speed. The cost of oudoor wheels is greater than indoor wheels.

 

WHEEL HARDNESS - There are two scales of measurements used to express the hardness of urethane: the "A" scale, with a range from 70A to 100A: the "D" scale, whcih go from 43D to 55D. There is a dynamic and widely varying practical or performing hardness in any skate wheel. Factors affecting hardness of a wheel includes:

TEMPERATURE - Perfomance of a soft (70A) wheel on 120 degree asphalt outdoors will be different than on a 76 degree urethane floor coating indoors. WEIGHT - A 6'6" 240 pound skater will affect a wheel differently than a 5'6" 130 pound skater. Urethanes with "bulk extenders" or fillers (common in lower priced wheels) might actually break down under heavy weights and high speeds. These wheels may "chunk" or break apart or flatten. Although skating habits can have the same effect on wheels. We have seen skating styles that are very hard on wheels.

PROFILE OR RADIUS - The profile of the wheel determines how much of the wheel is actually touching the ground and this affects the wheel's rolling resistance and grip. This gets tricky; a large hub can reduce a footprint on a high speed turn. The narrow (or higher) the profile, the more it is suited to straight-line higher speed skating without a lot ot twists and turns. Also, the narrower the wheel, the more easily maneuvered at lower speeds.

 

Roller skate bearings are available in a choice of two inside diameters (the part of the bearing that fits on the axle). For "small" axles found on indoor quad skates almost exclusively. Also known as: 9/32 inch, 7 millimeters, number 607 or number 37. For "large" axles available on the majority of indoor and outdoor quads and most inlines. Also known as: 5/16 inch, 8 millimeter, number 608, number 38, oversized or outdoor.

 

ABEC RATINGS - The ABEC (Annular Bearing Engineering Council) rating system is neither a mandatory testing method for manufactured bearings, nor is the claimed rating subject to certification or verified by any regulating agency as being true! In short ABEC ratings can be misleading. So is the apparent international recognition of the "council". See ISO and DIN agencies by searching the internet through those keywords. Be extremely careful of brands of bearings you invest in and discuss the better bearings with us if you have any questions. Although no materials criteria are specified by the ABEC, the ratings are based on the level of noise or rumble detected at higher revolutions in the testing procedure. The logic is that if the bearing can be heard the noise is an expression of friction. The more the noise the lower the rating. The less noice the higher the rating. ABEC ratings are 1,3,5,7 and 9.

 

WHICH SHOULD YOU CHOOSE. A true ABEC 1 or 3 satisfies the skating requirements of well over 85% of all skaters - inline or quad. An ABEC 5 rating satisfies all high achievers in artistic free-style and dance. ABEC 7 should be considered for the accomplished speed or figure skater. ABEC 9  bearings are excessive for roller skating. It is important to understand that perfectly great bearings are not required to have an ABEC rating and that pure junk bearings can post an ABEC rating and never have it challenged! Stick with products that are proven performers.

 

LUBRICANTS - The higher the ABEC rating the higher the price. ABEC 7 bearings sell in the $150.00 range. However, un-graded greased bearings can easily outlive an oiled ABEC 3. Grease packed bearings require little maintenance for exremely long periods of time. Oiled bearings require frequent cleaning and light lubrication. Grease packed bearings roll slowly - last longer - need less attention. Oiled bearings spin better than greased bearings - are subject to failure caused by foreign material - need more frequent maintenance to insure good performance.