We've got quite a few new girls with quite a few questions about wheels so I've done a bit of internet research and compiled some basic wheel information to use when trying to figure out what wheels you want to use.
Wheel Durometer - simply put, the hardness of the wheel. Usually measured on an A-scale, but some wheels will have a D-scale as well (ie g-rods). 74a is very soft and 95a very hard. Soft equals grippy so the lower the number the grippier the wheel (in theory).
Standard size derby wheels are 62mm x 44m. Narrow wheels are 62mm x 38mm and theoretically offer a bit more maneuvrability.
Outdoor Wheels are usually softer and designed for skating on asphalt, unpolished concrete, and skate parks. As they are softer, they will be grippier so if you want to really push yourself at practice you can wear outdoor wheels on a sport court and get a good workout. If you have worn your outdoor wheels outside, you should make sure they are clean before using them indoors as they might have pebbles and other stuff on them that is likely to scratch an indoor surface.
Unless otherwise noted these wheels are all 62mm, the same as our indoor wheels, but are usually slimmer at 38mm.
Hybrid Wheels - Suitable for indoor and outdoor skating surfaces... or for those that don't want to change wheels.
Last edited by auntie terror on Sat Sep 10, 2011 11:13 am, edited 31 times in total.
Remember that some of this will be down to preference, skating style, and skating surface and what works for one girl might not be the same for you.
For example - Orange Fugis are supposed to be grippier than the G-rods but I don't find that to be the case - I slip out less on the inside with my G-Rods than with the orange fugis. This might be to do with the inner hub which if I remember from the site is 70d or something. I haven't yet tried the trackers so they might be grippier.
I found the flat-outs, tuners, and speed rays to be okay, but the fugis seemed more sticky. That being said, I haven't tried any of those wheels in well over a year - since I've gotten used to skating more than recreationally.
If you aren't sure, you can always ask to borrow wheels off someone and try them out for a spell to see what you like.
I happen to like all g-rods or a g-rod/orange fugi combo right now - but I like the grippy especially at CoLA.
Last edited by auntie terror on Mon Aug 09, 2010 9:22 am, edited 1 time in total.