How Do You Choose Wheels?

[FXRskater]

Howdy, I'm fixing to upgrade my rink setup, and want to setup my old skates for riding concrete bowls. I have a buddy that skateboards all the bowls around here, he used to ride with some quad guys in California years ago, and he's dying to get me into it. I am curious as to what wheels are available. Do y'all just run skateboard wheels? I guess you are not really pushing that hard, as you can just pump the transitions. So I'm thinking grip isn't a big concern. 60mm or so? Rounded or beveled lips? Wicked hard? 100a +? Or should I talk to the local board guys and see what flavor works around here?

This is just a tester setup so price may be a factor. My bud lent me some kneepads, triple 8's. I have some crappy elbow and wrist guards. The skate setup is Riedell 265, XK-4's. I'll stiffen up the action at first and will be taking it REAL easy 'til I get a feel for it.

Thanks,
Chevis

i run 90a or 88a wheels, and cheap or not important wheels, as you will chunk them. but you will need the grip, the concrete is better than wood for traction but anything harder and your teeth will rattle....i run labeda snappers for ramp, or RB turbo 85's, but at 120 a set, it brings tears to your eyes when you see them post session.....i also use slime balls 95a, skateboard wheels fromt he late 80's, but they slide like crazy on wood and are hard as rocks for day long sessions

[FXRskater]

Thanks Scrap, I'll be on concrete for now. I don't think I can allow myself to chunk out a RB turbo or other nice wheel right yet. I appreciate the heads up on the harder wheels shaking your fillings loose, I hadn't really thought about that. I'll look around the 90A range.

How about the wheel profile? I don't imagine a wide speed lip would be all that great trying to angle up a transition. Rounded profile?

Chevis

[biffsk8er]

I have gone with harder and harder wheels over the years, and have found that skateboard wheels are the best. I'm using winged skulls from bds right now, and I also have some powell bombers that I'll be using soon. Rictas also work well.

[biffsk8er]

Originally Posted by FXRskater

How about the wheel profile? I don't imagine a wide speed lip would be all that great trying to angle up a transition. Rounded profile?

Yes. Rounded profile.

[FXRskater]

I haven't picked up a set yet. I'm still waiting on my new rink skates, but I think I'll run some Bones or Powells, depending on input from local skateshop.

Thanks y'all,
Chevis

[Big Nick]

Originally Posted by biffsk8er

I have gone with harder and harder wheels over the years, and have found that skateboard wheels are the best. I'm using winged skulls from bds right now, and I also have some powell bombers that I'll be using soon. Rictas also work well.

Biff, are you talking about small diameter (58-9mm) solid thane wheels?
Someone was asking me about this recently, and I figure you are the man to ask.

yes rounded for sure is better in the begining, and i like 60mm tall, but narrow, like 34mm

[biffsk8er]

Originally Posted by Big Nick

Biff, are you talking about small diameter (58-9mm) solid thane wheels?
Someone was asking me about this recently, and I figure you are the man to ask.

I actually have used 55 mm Rictas, 97a hardness. Right now I am running Winged Skulls from BDS. They are 60mm solid thane wheels, 97a hardness. Wheels with cores usually cannot handle the abuse that skate parks can inflict. However, wood ramps are more forgiving. I'd run softer wheels with wood ramps.

Also, the rounded wheels are better for those who like to grind and do slides (with home made or factory sliders installed). Straight edged wheels tend to catch against other surfaces while rounded wheels tend to not catch, especially the harder wheels.

If you want more speed, use bigger wheels. Though bigger wheels make skating vert more clumsy when it comes to doing technical tricks. Does this help?

[Big Nick]

Thanks mate, that is excellent.
It pretty well confirms what I was thinking with some added info.
They want wheels for outdoor skating and bowls so this is a big help.

[biffsk8er]

Awesome! Glad to help. I think Joe90 is also a quad skater in Aussie land. You should seek him out.

[Big Nick]

Thanks Biff.
I know there is one awesome quad skater around here somewhere.
My son and I watched him skate the bowl that is just up the street one night, they had a big session that they filmed under lights.
I might try to find out who he is as well.