The following is a list of many of the frequently asked questions about Roller skates or Roller skating. To obtain the answer to any question listed below, please click on the respective question in the list to jump to its answer.
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Q: How do indoor and outdoor skates differ from one another?
A: Indoor and outdoor are the same except for the wheels. Outdoor skates have softer wheels which help with going over cracks and bumps in the surface. Softer wheels have a better grip than harder wheels. Indoor wheels are harder so they can roll easily on indoor rinks and surfaces.
A: Look at the size chart under the product you are interested in.
Q: I noticed that wheels are offered in different sizes, why is that?
A: The larger the wheel the more surface area you will cover with the least amount of effort. The larger wheels will move faster and will give the skater a smoother ride. Some people prefer smaller wheels, so it is a personally preference as to which wheel you like the best.
Q: What does the hardness of the wheel mean?
A: The hardness of a wheel or the durometer is typically measured on the A scale. The typically range is any where from 82A to 103A. The higher the durometer, the harder the wheel. The lower the durometer, the softer the wheel. For indoor skating it is best to get a wheel ranging from 90A to 103A and for outdoor use it is best to get a wheel that is below 90A.
A: When buying quad wheels, if not stated, you will receive 8 wheels.
A: ABEC is an acronym that is applied to bearings. ABEC stands for Annular Bearing Engineering Council. The ABEC is a rating on how “good” the bearing of a skate is. The higher the number that follows ABEC, the better the bearing is. The bearings are rated on a scale of ABEC-1, ABEC-3, ABEC-5, ABEC-7, and ABEC-9.
Q: How many bearings will I need?
A: You will need two bearings per wheel, so for quad skates you will need 16 bearings.
Q: Should I buy a high top or low top boot?
A: It is based solely on personal preference but high top boots will provide more support for the ankle and the foot. High top boots are commonly used for rhythm skating and artistic skating. Low top boots offer a wider range of motion for the ankle making it easier to move faster and do tricks. Low top boots are more popular and are commonly used for jam skating and speed skating.
Q: What other type of gear will I need?
A: To ensure a safe ride you will need knee pads, elbow pads, a helmet, and wrist guards. A backpack or fanny pack that holds a water bottle is a good idea also as you will need to stay hydrated.
Tags: Articles, FAQ's, Roller Skates
