What wheel durometer for me?

Refresh · February 4th, 2018, 09:38 PM

Im just getting back into skating after 25 years off and about to buy some nice skates.
Ive been reading up and dont know where a good wheel guide is.
Im 39yrs old, 200lbs, skate on wood with clear coat.
I plan to shuffle, some racing and some hockey.

How do i know if i need a 87b or what?

Been eyballing the riedell 395 advantage online...

ursle · February 4th, 2018, 10:31 PM

78-88a are really outdoor wheels, you might want to start at 92-96a, and get some hours in, used wheels aren't the end of the world cost wise.

fierocious1 · February 4th, 2018, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

Im just getting back into skating after 25 years off and about to buy some nice skates.
Ive been reading up and dont know where a good wheel guide is.
Im 39yrs old, 200lbs, skate on wood with clear coat.
I plan to shuffle, some racing and some hockey.

How do i know if i need a 87b or what?

Been eyballing the riedell 395 advantage online...

Depends on your budget but, with clearcoat my favorite is Hyper White Shamans. Not too expensive and great grip. 97a

Sunnyape · February 4th, 2018, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

How do i know if i need a 87b or what?

You mentioned a wheel hardness in the B scale. Almost all skate wheel are measured in the A scale.

If the wheels really are measuring in B scale, then 87b equates to about 98a, which might be a bit too hard.

I'm 86kgs (190lbs) and sometimes skate on wood with a clear coat. If the floor is clean and giving good grip, my 94a wheels roll and corner nicely for speed sessions, but can still be forced to break traction for a hockey stop. If that same floor's a bit dirty or slippery, I drop back to my 89a wheels for their grip, which is fine for general skating and some light speed, but they are a touch too soft for full speed or to hockey stop / drift in the corners.

Refresh · February 4th, 2018, 11:34 PM

Thanks for the feedback.

Leaning towards reidell 395 advantage power plus with purple95a or black 93a wheels as my initial pair of skates. Make some changes after putting in some time with local speed team.

fierocious1 · February 5th, 2018, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnyape

You mentioned a wheel hardness in the B scale. Almost all skate wheel are measured in the A scale.

If the wheels really are measuring in B scale, then 87b equates to about 98a, which might be a bit too hard.

I'm 86kgs (190lbs) and sometimes skate on wood with a clear coat. If the floor is clean and giving good grip, my 94a wheels roll and corner nicely for speed sessions, but can still be forced to break traction for a hockey stop. If the floor's a bit dirty or slippery, I drop back to my 89a wheels for their cornering grip; fine for general skating and some speed, but they are a touch too soft to hockey stop with, so it's T, plow or spin stops.

I have never needed any wheel softer than 92a at any rink floor I have ever skated on. Even cement floors. I weigh in at 230lbs +

Sunnyape · February 5th, 2018, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierocious1

I have never needed any wheel softer than 92a at any rink floor I have ever skated on. Even cement floors. I weigh in at 230lbs +

I suppose heavier people can generally use harder wheels because they'll exert more downward pressure through the wheel's contact patch to the floor.

With only two sets of indoor wheels at the moment, I only have a choice of 94a, 89a or nuthin'.

Sunnyape · February 5th, 2018, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

Thanks for the feedback.

Leaning towards reidell 395 advantage power plus with purple95a or black 93a wheels as my initial pair of skates. Make some changes after putting in some time with local speed team.

I'd say start with the 93's while you're getting your mojo back. They'll probably be a better all-round bet from what you've said so far. Once you've gotten your mojo back, go for a bit harder like a 95+ and enjoy the faster roll and occasional power slide / drift.

PS. There's no dignity in purple wheels >:P

rufusprime99 · February 5th, 2018, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

Thanks for the feedback.

Leaning towards reidell 395 advantage power plus with purple95a or black 93a wheels as my initial pair of skates. Make some changes after putting in some time with local speed team.

I had Purple Power Plus. Nice color. Nice wheel.

Good starting point as you get back into things.

fierocious1 · February 5th, 2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunnyape

I suppose heavier people can generally use harder wheels because they'll exert more downward pressure through the wheel's contact patch to the floor.

With only two sets of indoor wheels at the moment, I only have a choice of 94a, 89a or nuthin'.

I was down at one time to 195lbs a few years ago. I didn't see any difference. But I do think duro and grip depend mostly on the floor. More so than weight. I have been looking at outdoor wheels and skateboard wheels and am a bit disappointed in the hardness of them. I have found only one set of wheels that got up to 88a. They are not available anymore. So the next wheel in 86a. I'm not racing them, just cruising around so wheel weight is not so much a factor as being able to roll over stuff. I keep a lot of wheels around to try out. If a person skates a lot of different places, they have to gather up sets of wheels that work at different places. It's all good though, helps the fun factor. I have a used set of Green Shamans to use at a pavilion, they are soft enough to grip well on cement, but hard enough to give me a good workout.

Refresh · February 5th, 2018, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rufusprime99

I had Purple Power Plus. Nice color. Nice wheel.

Good starting point as you get back into things.

im a little confused by online content regarding durometer for these wheels Sure-Grip Power Plus wheels.

Sure-grip says purple is 95a, black 93a...

Rollerskatenation says purple is 97a...

Im very excited and about ready to order. Now im trying to confirm if im a 10.5 or 11 boot...

So where is best to order from? My local skate shop is not exactly top notch...

Rollerskatenation? my roller skate world?

fierocious1 · February 5th, 2018, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

im a little confused by online content regarding durometer for these wheels Sure-Grip Power Plus wheels.

Sure-grip says purple is 95a, black 93a...

Rollerskatenation says purple is 97a...

Im very excited and about ready to order. Now im trying to confirm if im a 10.5 or 11 boot...

So where is best to order from? My local skate shop is not exactly top notch...

Rollerskatenation? my roller skate world?

http://www.conniesskateplace.com/ is where I get stuff when I order new parts. Jody will take care of you.

If in doubt on Duro, go conservative. IMO, you could start at 93a and not be disappointed. Look at what the guys at the rink are using and what they are doing with them. That will give you a general idea of how hard of a wheel to buy. 97a, 98a are generally used on well kept floors. So 93a to 95a should get it done. Like I said, just my opinion. But I would have a look at others skates first.

Refresh · February 5th, 2018, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierocious1

http://www.conniesskateplace.com/ is where I get stuff when I order new parts. Jody will take care of you.

If in doubt on Duro, go conservative. IMO, you could start at 93a and not be disappointed. Look at what the guys at the rink are using and what they are doing with them. That will give you a general idea of how hard of a wheel to buy. 97a, 98a are generally used on well kept floors. So 93a to 95a should get it done. Like I said, just my opinion. But I would have a look at others skates first.

Thanks. I will check out that retailer.

My skates when I was 12 had hard candy plates and ice lite wheels(pink hubs/white wheel) and I really liked those but I was about 120lbs back then lol. Same main rink.

ursle · February 5th, 2018, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

Thanks. I will check out that retailer.

My skates when I was 12 had hard candy plates and ice lite wheels(pink hubs/white wheel) and I really liked those but I was about 120lbs back then lol. Same main rink.

If when you check out at Connies, you use the code "RDD", you get a 10% discount.

amohrfeld · February 5th, 2018, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ursle

If when you check out at Connies, you use the code "RDD", you get a 10% discount.

Thant code did not work for me.

ursle · February 5th, 2018, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amohrfeld

Thant code did not work for me.

I just checked, last time I was there they advertised a coupon shortcut that gave anybody a discount, and they once e-mailed me with the RDD code, things change, no coupon shortcut, no RDD code, and I see they are in Georgia, I thought they were in Cailifornia, so now, when you identify what you want, google search for the best price.
Connies does have lot's of skate parts, but, wow, no sales on anything, might be new management.
I see they still let you try boots for size before mounting.

fierocious1 · February 5th, 2018, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

Thanks. I will check out that retailer.

My skates when I was 12 had hard candy plates and ice lite wheels(pink hubs/white wheel) and I really liked those but I was about 120lbs back then lol. Same main rink.

I had Hard Candy skates as well long ago. I gave them to my son, he broke a couple of trucks and dumped them. But they got the job done at the time. I always had boot bite with them though. Still it was all I could afford at the time.

Dekindy · February 6th, 2018, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

Im very excited and about ready to order. Now im trying to confirm if im a 10.5 or 11 boot...

So where is best to order from? My local skate shop is not exactly top notch...

Rollerskatenation? my roller skate world?

Riddell has sizing charts that you can print. Look under Support and then Sizing Help.

ursle · February 6th, 2018, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by Refresh View Post

Im very excited and about ready to order. Now im trying to confirm if im a 10.5 or 11 boot...

So where is best to order from? My local skate shop is not exactly top notch...

Rollerskatenation?

Ah,ha, this is where Connies works, you can get a boot to try for size before they drill it, you canfind exactly the boot that fits, well worth the trouble, expense.

rufusprime99 · February 6th, 2018, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refresh

im a little confused by online content regarding durometer for these wheels Sure-Grip Power Plus wheels.

Sure-grip says purple is 95a, black 93a...

Rollerskatenation says purple is 97a...

Im very excited and about ready to order. Now im trying to confirm if im a 10.5 or 11 boot...

So where is best to order from? My local skate shop is not exactly top notch...

Rollerskatenation? my roller skate world?

I wonder if that has to do with older stock vs newer stock. Try checking with DVW. He is usually up on that sort of stuff.

February 4th, 2018, 09:38 PM	#1
Refresh Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 7	What wheel durometer for me? Im just getting back into skating after 25 years off and about to buy some nice skates. Ive been reading up and dont know where a good wheel guide is. Im 39yrs old, 200lbs, skate on wood with clear coat. I plan to shuffle, some racing and some hockey. How do i know if i need a 87b or what? Been eyballing the riedell 395 advantage online...

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February 4th, 2018, 10:31 PM	#2
ursle Street Skater Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NH Posts: 3,426	78-88a are really outdoor wheels, you might want to start at 92-96a, and get some hours in, used wheels aren't the end of the world cost wise.

February 4th, 2018, 11:34 PM	#5
Refresh Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 7	Thanks for the feedback. Leaning towards reidell 395 advantage power plus with purple95a or black 93a wheels as my initial pair of skates. Make some changes after putting in some time with local speed team.

February 6th, 2018, 01:20 AM	#19
ursle Street Skater Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NH Posts: 3,426	Originally Posted by Refresh View Post Im very excited and about ready to order. Now im trying to confirm if im a 10.5 or 11 boot... So where is best to order from? My local skate shop is not exactly top notch... Rollerskatenation? Ah,ha, this is where Connies works, you can get a boot to try for size before they drill it, you canfind exactly the boot that fits, well worth the trouble, expense.