Super hard wheels for derby?

[bizarroclair]

Hey there,

My teammate is very tall and strong, and has been skating on 97a and 100a wheels. She finds these too grippy for all of the plowing we do at practice. Can anyone recommend any wheels harder than 100a that would be suitable for derby? I am checking with her on whether she is using metal-hubbed 100a - I have read that 100a wheels with metal hubs may work better for her than 100a wheels with plastic hubs. Any insight or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

[RollerBones]

will make a difference. Maybe go to a narrower wheel?

[ursle]

I would assume a metal hub 100a would have less grip than a zytel hub, and yes a thinner wheel would have less grip, as would a smaller wheel, what wheels is she on
Roll line wheels are plastic, hard roll line wheels are hard plastic, and all are thin

Rollerbones turbos 101 should do the trick 38mm wide, metal hub, as you're in a conversation with rollerbones, ask for a price break

[Mort]

Many times urethane is not as hard as it is advertised.

Narrow wheels don't always give the modification in traction youd think.


If you consider identical urethane...
Narrow wheels produce more PSI than wide wheels ( less wheel width to displace a skaters weight), and on some(most floors really) floors will produce a lot more grip. Example? Vanilla groove n glides( 62x 30)in 99A compared to vanilla deluxe(62×42) in 99A vs Vanilla Royals in 99A(57x30).

Thinner wall of urethane around a hub (which in a way, stiffens the wheel) is usually easier to induce a slide.

Also its easier to induce a slide on a skate with the wheels set a bit looser. This allows the wheel to have more ability to vibrate. The vibration makes for less available grip. Metal huns help alot here as plastic dampens vibrations. So make sure the wheels have a tiny bit of lateral play on each axle.

If running spacers, thats fine. However if the axle nut is tightened all the way down this dampens the wheels ability to vibrate, and makes sliding harder.

RBT 101
Vanilla Deluxe 99A

Of those 2 , honestly would go for the vanilla, they will replace the wheels ar no cost if they wear out. I dont know of a wheel that would be better for what that skater needs right off hand.

[Armadillo]

What kind of a floor + finish is offering so much grip with such hard wheels?
How come the other team members can do their plow stops with softer formula wheels than 97-100A?
It seems like there is something else happening other than just too much wheel grip - even with 100A wheels?
How clean are the wheels?
What level of grooves on wheels (if any)?
What kind of plate and suspension firmness setting?

-Armadillo