Vertical Rollerskating

Vert-Skating-Forum

Message 2142 (9. Jan. 2007 14:58) (Tree)

RollerSkater Dave
So confused about wheels
: I just put in new bearings and I will let you know how it goes. I had a pretty good session today. I am going to get some of Rollergirls vert skates with the wide sure grip trucks. I wonder how long it will take to get used to the wider trucks. I am guessing they are a lot less responsive?
:

Turning is harder at first but you get used to it.
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Replies

Robert: I need some advice (5. Jan. 2007 04:17)
 Hi all,
I skated again today and it was amazing. These people are amused by us. I had some really cool little kids asking me if my skates were really old because they never saw it before. They had their fathers there and they never saw quad skaters before. I met this guy that never skated until his son did and he must have been 40 somthing. It was pretty cool. This scene is pretty good for us because we can mentor these young kids. I saw little seven year old kids dropping in today and it was awesome. So, here is my question. I am skating on some old fourteen year old skates. I will buy some new ones soon, but I just want to get used to what I have. I know you all use skateboard trucks, but I use the teeny hangars from fourteen years ago. I have this combo pool down now. I have yet to try tricks, but I am carving very high and loving it. Do any of you have a suggestion for a rollerskate wheel for vert. I am using very old school skates. My axles are for 7 mm bearings. Should I get normal rollerskate wheels that are 78a or should I get the speed wheels that are 92a? My skates are purely speed skates and I want to keep them until I get back to my old school tricks. My goal is to get one of Rollergirl's skates, but I want to take it slow. Would you recommend the normal 62mm 78a wheels or should I get the out door wheels that are harder? I am taking things slow, but now that I have the carving down, I need more speed. Does anyone have any suggestions? After five times, I am at the point where I can carve every wall, but the speed is not there. I would love some suggestions. Please remember I am on old speed skates. My boots are so comfy and my wheels barely spin. I will buy the Red Bones, but I need to know what wheels to buy for a normal set up. Soon I will buy some vert skates and grind hard, but for now I just need speed. I need some suggestions. Is it ok to get normal outdoor quad wheels or will the hard wheels work for vert? I am ordering rollergirls grind plate soon and need to know what is the best set up for me. Any suggestions?

Robert
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Bernhard: I need some advice (5. Jan. 2007 09:34)
 Hi Robert,

you definitely need hard wheels for skating a pool or a half pipe. 92 A is too soft! Get at least 95 A or 97 A. And get them with as big a diameter as you can. This (together with decent bearings) will give you the speed you crave.

I once tried 93 A wheels when I tried to make a skate which would be suitable for ramp and street skating. In the end, it wasn't suitable for neither. You need soft wheels (about 78 A) for the street and hard wheels (at least 95 A) for the ramp. Don't compromise. Specialise.

Bernhard
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Robert: So confused about wheels (6. Jan. 2007 05:24)
 I don't know, if things have changed or I never really cared about equipment. I really don't remember researching anything and just bought skate equipment. I think many years ago that wheels must have been the same for skateboarders and rollerskaters. I am trying to figure out what wheels to buy for my skates and am having so much trouble. My tiny trucks require 7mm bearings athough I currently have sleeves to get 8mm bearings. I was told by an online store that any rollerskate wheels over 90a are considered indoor wheels. Is this true? Should I even care? I know that when I inlined, I liked really hard wheels, but am not sure about these indoor wheels. Anyone have any advice? I probably will not notice, but 18 years ago I used skateboard wheels. I don't know what has changed, but would love some input. I don't want to go over 62 mm because I like smaller wheels. I can buy 62mm 96a wheels, but they say they are indoor wheels. Does anyone know the negatives of doing so? I think any wheels and bearing will be better than what I have. My wheels are very small and they barely turn. It was good at first, but I need more speed. I am becoming a carving machine. I plan on venturing to some new skateparks, when I feel more comfortable, but where I skate now it is all carving the combo pool and not back and forth like I am used to. I need to order soon and it will have to be online because nobody skates vert with the skates I use. I plan on upgrading to rollergirls aggessive skates with the smaller hangar soon, but I need to get by for now. I need some suggestions pleas.

Robert


: Hi Robert,
:
: you definitely need hard wheels for skating a pool or a half pipe. 92 A is too soft! Get at least 95 A or 97 A. And get them with as big a diameter as you can. This (together with decent bearings) will give you the speed you crave.
:
: I once tried 93 A wheels when I tried to make a skate which would be suitable for ramp and street skating. In the end, it wasn't suitable for neither. You need soft wheels (about 78 A) for the street and hard wheels (at least 95 A) for the ramp. Don't compromise. Specialise.
:
: Bernhard
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RollerSkater Dave: So confused about wheels (6. Jan. 2007 06:45)
 Generally speaking, hard wheels are for smoother surfaces, softer wheels are for rougher surfaces. Ramps and bowls are usually metal, wood or finished concrete so a hardness in the 90's and up would give more speed (goes the same for speed skating). Whether you're inside or outside while you're skating is irrelevant. Below 90 hardness gives more grip and flexibility for handling pavement.

If your wheels are still decent putting in new bearings will give the most noticeable change.


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Bernhard: So confused about wheels (6. Jan. 2007 11:20)
 : My tiny trucks require 7mm bearings

That's a bit of an annoyance, because in our line of skating, the 608 bearing is the standard.

: athough I currently have sleeves to get 8mm bearings.

In this way you can at least easily get some bearings.

: I was told by an online store that any rollerskate wheels over 90a are considered indoor wheels. Is this true?

They don't lie to you. But they probably also know near to nothing about park/pool/ramp skating. The general rule on smooth surfaces is: harder is faster, bigger is faster. The limits are: harder has less grip (so you don't want to go too hard for carving), bigger has less maneuverability. So for a ramp skater, 66 mm (or even more) is good, whereas for you, 62 mm could be the better compromise. It's always about compromises. There is no such thing as the best wheel. I tried once to go along this road and learnt not to do it again. Try to optimize the wheel for your purpose. If you ride several styles, ride several skates.

: I know that when I inlined, I liked really hard wheels,

You are more limited with respect to hardness on inlines. You lose your grip earlier on inlines so you rarely go up to 99 A or above.

: I can buy 62mm 96a wheels, but they say they are indoor wheels.

It will probably work. I have to confess that I never tried figure skating wheels for ramp riding. I alway either had Powell Roller Bones or some sort of skateboard wheels. Or Kryptos for the street.

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Robert: So confused about wheels (9. Jan. 2007 04:36)
 I just put in new bearings and I will let you know how it goes. I had a pretty good session today. I am going to get some of Rollergirls vert skates with the wide sure grip trucks. I wonder how long it will take to get used to the wider trucks. I am guessing they are a lot less responsive?


: Generally speaking, hard wheels are for smoother surfaces, softer wheels are for rougher surfaces. Ramps and bowls are usually metal, wood or finished concrete so a hardness in the 90's and up would give more speed (goes the same for speed skating). Whether you're inside or outside while you're skating is irrelevant. Below 90 hardness gives more grip and flexibility for handling pavement.
:
: If your wheels are still decent putting in new bearings will give the most noticeable change.
:
:
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: So confused about wheels (9. Jan. 2007 14:58)
 : I just put in new bearings and I will let you know how it goes. I had a pretty good session today. I am going to get some of Rollergirls vert skates with the wide sure grip trucks. I wonder how long it will take to get used to the wider trucks. I am guessing they are a lot less responsive?
:

Turning is harder at first but you get used to it.
  Write reply
irene: So confused about wheels (9. Jan. 2007 18:11)
 : : I just put in new bearings and I will let you know how it goes. I had a pretty good session today. I am going to get some of Rollergirls vert skates with the wide sure grip trucks. I wonder how long it will take to get used to the wider trucks. I am guessing they are a lot less responsive?
: :
:
: Turning is harder at first but you get used to it.

-----------------

You will gain stability at speed and can lean into carves much harder. Loose trucks will make turning easier. Experiment to get the right combo for turning and stability. Careful not to let your feet get too close to each other, your wider trucks may catch and trip you up. Something sidesurfer need not worry about.
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Robert: So confused about wheels (9. Jan. 2007 19:20)
 Hi Dave,

I know that you experiment a lot with different types of skates. I know that you use the wide trucks and even inlines skates. Is it hard to adapt to switching off? Do you recommend I stick with one for a while or just mix em all up. I would like to be able to skate on all different types of skates, but definitely want to learn to skate with wide trucks so I can grind. Also, what is the difference between the adjustable toe stops and the ones that have the stem that screws in?


: : I just put in new bearings and I will let you know how it goes. I had a pretty good session today. I am going to get some of Rollergirls vert skates with the wide sure grip trucks. I wonder how long it will take to get used to the wider trucks. I am guessing they are a lot less responsive?
: :
:
: Turning is harder at first but you get used to it.
  Write reply
RollerSkater Dave: So confused about wheels (10. Jan. 2007 03:48)
 : Hi Dave,
:
: I know that you experiment a lot with different types of skates. I know that you use the wide trucks and even inlines skates. Is it hard to adapt to switching off? Do you recommend I stick with one for a while or just mix em all up. I would like to be able to skate on all different types of skates, but definitely want to learn to skate with wide trucks so I can grind. Also, what is the difference between the adjustable toe stops and the ones that have the stem that screws in?
:

Become proficient on the type you plan to use the most. Then learning other types of skates becomes easier.

You pretty much answered your own question on the toe stops. One is adjustable, with a locknut or screw to hold it in place. You adjust it to the depth you prefer. You can also compensate for wear that way. Non adjustable just bolt into place and that's it. When they wear down, toss 'em for new stoppers.
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Robert: So confused about wheels (10. Jan. 2007 04:24)
 Thanks Irene, always nice to hear from you. It is my understanding that you use rollergirl's grind plate. How do you like it? Any tips for grinding or plate tricks?

: : : I just put in new bearings and I will let you know how it goes. I had a pretty good session today. I am going to get some of Rollergirls vert skates with the wide sure grip trucks. I wonder how long it will take to get used to the wider trucks. I am guessing they are a lot less responsive?
: : :
: :
: : Turning is harder at first but you get used to it.
:
: -----------------
:
: You will gain stability at speed and can lean into carves much harder. Loose trucks will make turning easier. Experiment to get the right combo for turning and stability. Careful not to let your feet get too close to each other, your wider trucks may catch and trip you up. Something sidesurfer need not worry about.
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Irene: So confused about wheels (11. Jan. 2007 02:59)
 : Thanks Irene, always nice to hear from you. It is my understanding that you use rollergirl's grind plate. How do you like it? Any tips for grinding or plate tricks?
------------------
Robert,
the grindplate works great. they seem to grind farther tilted to the side (both feet... like royale grinds on inline skates). they hold up well, no cracks or chips. they will bend some, but you can bang them back out, if they get too curved. they are pretty wide, so plate stalls, etc. are very stable on coping. but i'm no expert with lip tricks. i think you will love rollergirl's vert skate.
so happy for you!
---------------

: : : : I just put in new bearings and I will let you know how it goes. I had a pretty good session today. I am going to get some of Rollergirls vert skates with the wide sure grip trucks. I wonder how long it will take to get used to the wider trucks. I am guessing they are a lot less responsive?
: : : :
: : :
: : : Turning is harder at first but you get used to it.
: :
: : -----------------
: :
: : You will gain stability at speed and can lean into carves much harder. Loose trucks will make turning easier. Experiment to get the right combo for turning and stability. Careful not to let your feet get too close to each other, your wider trucks may catch and trip you up. Something sidesurfers need not worry about.
  Write reply
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