Tucson's Inline Skating School
(520) 237-6312 noon-8 pm M-F
Wheel Hardness & Size
You've probably noticed that in-line skate wheels come in a variety of sizes and hardness. Each skate usually has a recommended wheel to go with that skate. The information will be in the skate brochure that is in the package when you buy the skates. If not, you can go to a local skate shop or ask the shop professional for advice.

Wheels can affect the performance of your skates. This is also one of the main ways to upgrade your equipment. The bigger the wheel, the easier it is to roll over rough surfaces. Big wheels will also make the skate go faster. Smaller wheels are for control (dancing, hockey, etc.) and make it harder to skate on rough surfaces. So you will notice wheel size can specifically go with your style of skating.

There is also the hardness of the wheel, which is called the durometer. This is a basic reading for the hardness of the wheels. Again, the wheel hardness will make a difference in your specific skating style. The hardness ranges from very hard to very soft.

Here are some examples of the wheel durometer and size and the type of skating that they are best suited for:

Durometer (hardness)

75A Very soft wheel, very good for rough roads, wears down quickly, good for recreational skating
78A Medium soft, good for all surfaces, medium wear, preferred by most skaters (recreational, hockey, fitness, race & dance)
82A Medium hard wheel, good on smooth surfaces, rough ride on rough surfaces, wears slowly, used mainly for indoor racers, indoor hockey, and indoor recreational skating
85A Very hard, only used on smooth, clean surfaces, not good on rough surfaces, wears very slowly, used for indoor activites only

Size:

Wheel sizes run from 55mm to 82mm. Most skates have a specific wheel size that is recommended by the manufacturer. If you want to change the size, check with one of the local professionals to make sure the wheels will fit your skate properly.

There are harder and softer wheels, but these are the most common wheels used for in-line skating.
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