Polished concrete surfaces work well for roller or inline skating because of its smooth texture. Concrete is polished through a progressive sanding process that is somewhat similar to the sanding process used to refinish hardwood floors. Because the surface of polished concrete is so smooth, it's important to use soft wheels for the best grip.
Types/Sizes
Roller skate wheels are typically smaller in diameter and wider than inline skate wheels. Polished concrete is commonly used for roller derby, and the ideal size of the wheels used for this sport is between 62 mm and 70 mm. It's based on personal preference. Inline hockey is also sometimes played on polished concrete surfaces using wheels that are between 72 mm and 80 mm. The most common roller hockey wheel configuration in 2010 is the Hi-Lo setup with two 80 mm wheels on the back and two 76 mm wheels on front for a balance between speed and agility.
Material
All skate wheels are made from various mixtures of urethane material, and they are manufactured using processes designed to improve grip, speed and durability. The latest innovation in wheel design, as of 2011, uses a quad-pour manufacturing process where four separate urethanes are used to construct the wheel. This improves the overall performance of the wheel. Most major skate wheel manufacturers produce this type of wheel.
Durometer
The hardness of a skate wheel is measured using the durometer scale. Because polished concrete is a very smooth surface, and can be slippery when wet, it's best to use a softer wheel for maximum grip. The softest wheels have a durometer rating of 74A. This is the best choice for lighter people under 150 lb., but heavier people are better off using 76A or more for inline skates and 88A or higher for roller skates to provide extra stability and optimum speed potential.
Brands
The best roller skate wheels to use on polished concrete, according to Vermont's Green Mountain Derby Dames, include Sure-Grip Fugitives, Radar Tuner Jr., Atom G-Rods, Atom Strokers and Radar Mojos, Atom Omegas and Heartless Creepers/Stalkers. According to HockyGiant.com, a few of the top inline skate wheel manufacturers include Labeda, Red Star, Rink Rat, Hyper and Kuzak.
Member Comments