Big wheels inline skates experience
Rollerblades with big wheels can be different and vary depending on the skater you are speaking to. Big wheel skating to an aggressive skater can be using 80-90mm wheels since they are accustomed to using smaller wheels and even anti rockers which typically only consist of 2 rolling wheels. Big wheels to an urban skater can be 100mm and bigger. As mentioned, it can have a different meaning to each skater but here we will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of big wheels and also how they compare to smaller wheels.
Advantages of big wheels on inline skates
Big wheels on inline skates have come with their own discipline as well as their advantages. One of the most common styles or disciplines that skaters use big wheels on inline skates are for speed skating. Bigger wheels require a fair amount of energy to build up your speed but once that speed is gained, it’s easy to maintain due to the bigger diameter of the wheels. Larger diameter wheels on inlines skates can be very beneficial for urban skaters as well. The reason being is that it will be easier to roll over hard and uneven surfaces/cracks. Bigger wheels can also expand your urban city skating into more distance city skating as it’s easier to carry more speed without exhausting more energy to do so. Large wheel inline skates should be something everyone should try at least once as you never know if you’ll enjoy it more than the current wheel size you’re currently skating. Some big wheel frames or aftermarket frames offer 2 different wheel setup options such as a 4x80mm or 90mm and also 3x100mm or 110. Big wheel frames also tend to be a tad longer to add additional support, stability and balance while skating at faster speeds.
Disadvantages of big wheels on inline skates
Some disadvantages of big diameter wheels on inline skates will vary and be subjective depending on who you ask. Bigger wheels are typically not meant for the skate parks or even skate rinks, the reason being is the amount of speed you gain. More specifically the amount of speed you gain and not knowing how to control it. Top speeds can be dangerous for beginner skaters who haven’t fully master even the most basic stopping techniques such as the t-stop or even the advanced stops such as powerslides or soul slides. Generating this much speed in a skate park can put others in harms way if you don’t know what you’re doing and are just practicing. The same applies to having big speed in a rink full of different experienced level skaters. Emergency stops, and carving becomes much more difficult to produce as the center of your balance will change with the height increase that the big diameter wheels will give you. This doesn’t mean it’s not possible, simply harder to adjust if you are coming from a smaller wheel setup. Big wheel inline skates have both advantages and disadvantages but it’s subjective and up to the skater to decide if big wheels are appropriate for the application. Rollerblades having big wheels vs little wheels will always have a place for each individual skater. Speed skaters will always resort to big wheels and aggressive skaters will always go for the smaller ones. Urban skaters will typically struggle in the beginning to find a happy medium but testing the different sizes is the fun part.
Learn wheel terms with our next article and how to roller skate maintenance and take care of your wheels.
